Book Review - The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

Photo Credit - Amazon

Emily found the perfect guy. He has a good job, friends, and a supportive family. She feels a spark with Adam, that she never felt before with anyone else. Emily immediately is attached to Adam and falls head over heels in love with him. However, when she meets Adam's beloved mother, Pammie, something isn't quite right. Mothers and sons have always had a tight bond but Pammie is willing to push boundaries to prevent Emily from being with Adam. How far is Pammie willing to go? 

I picked this book as I been in a similar situation before. I found myself mentally yelling at Emily, who was a strong woman before being torn down into mush. However, I know the appeal of saying, "I am married/dating this person and not their family". But,  as the author accurately details, it comes at a cost of mental and physical distress. Even, so far, as altering a person's character. I enjoyed the story, but while, I saw the ending coming, some parts of the novel left me a bit confused. For example,  people knew that someone was doing something bad but, instead of telling someone, they tried brushing it under the rug. Overall, it was a thrilling and interesting read. I look forward to reading more of the author's work.

**Disclosure - I received an unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Plunge into Darkness by Kristin N. Spencer + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

A small farming village has a deep dark secret.

When Ever Morena befriends her neighbor, Dawn, her life changed forever. Together the pair builds a close bond like sisters. When Dawn suddenly disappears, Ever becomes desperate and heartsick over her friend. Ever tries to move on and becomes the village healer but she still questions what happened to her best friend. Until Dawn reappears and is unable to speak. Ever is willing to risk everything to be able to cure Dawn. She takes her into the Concealed Forest and prays for Dawn. Will Dawn be able to regain her voice? What happened to Dawn?

The book was an interesting read about friendship and darkness. I found the book a bit hard to get into at first but I am glad I read it through. I wish the book had a bit more detail about the people and their culture. For example, I wish I knew more about pikiro root and the disease, affectation. However, it was an interesting beginning to the series.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Title: Plunge into Darkness
Author: Kristen N. Spencer
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: Fantasy

Two girls.

A village with a dark secret.

Their only hope is a mythical figure Ever Morena has only read about in her father’s lone book.

Ten years ago Ever’s best friend disappeared without a trace. Though the loss of her friend only came close to killing her then, the truth of what happened might finish the job now—just when her future as the village healer is looking bright. Ever must risk everything she loves in order to plunge into darkness on an impossible journey in the middle of the Concealed Forest.Never before has redemption been so costly.Please note: This book contains subject matter which some may find troubling as it spotlights helping those who have experienced abuse. I tried to handle this topic as delicately as I could, keeping the reader’s experience in mind.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

 

Kristin N. Spencer spends part of each day imagining up new worlds and beings when she isn’t busy taking care of her three children and writing partner husband T. E. Spencer. When she’s not writing you can find her working in full time ministry, sewing cosplay costumes, or watching geekesque movies. She writes whatever genre she wants including but not limited to Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Sci-Fi, Space Fantasy, and traditional Fantasy. Kristin studied Comparative World Literature at California State University, Long Beach and received a Bachelors, which she fondly calls a degree in reading. Her favorite movie is Sabrina (the Julia Ormond version) and her favorite person is Jesus.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kristin is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card, ‘Plunge Into Darkness’ Paperback, Minimalism Art Classic Notebook Journal, and Huhuhero Fineliner Color Pen Set (10 Pack)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/d070/plunge-into-darkness-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna

Photo Credit - Amazon

Lee Archer is everything that Jessie Baxter wants in a man. He had the ability to make her heart race along with being intelligent and gorgeous. As the popular athlete, Lee only wanted to be friends with Jessie regardless of how much Jessie prayed and hoped otherwise. However, ten years later after a failed marriage and uncertain journalism career, Jessie returns home for her high school reunion. Even after ten years, Jessie is still heavily attracted to Lee.  Will Jessie and Lee be able to finally be together?

The heartwarming novel was fun and interesting to read.  The characters were all flawed but trying to do the best they could with their circumstances. I personally don't remember my first crush from high school which was also roughly ten years ago, but I am hoping I didn't act the same way as Jessie did. It made me hope she would finally get what she deserves. The novel had an interesting premise of two people who liked each other coming together in the end despite the obstacles that stood in their way. I didn't like that Lee seemed to disregard Jessie's feelings knowing she had feelings for him in the beginning. He hinted that he likes Jessie but still continue to hurt and ignore her. It was a fun read and I will definitely read more by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

First Crush, Last Love

by Elizabeth McKenna

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 314 pages

August 1st 2017

Back in high school, Lee Archer made Jessie Baxter’s cheeks flush and her heart race. But the popular athlete never wanted to be more than just friends. Ten years later, after a failed marriage and with her journalism career on shaky ground, Jessie’s come home for her high school reunion—and Lee still has the power to make her knees weak and her pulse pound.

Lee’s teenage years were filled with more trauma and drama than anyone guessed. Though his damaged past has helped make him a successful police detective, it’s hurt every relationship he’s tried. But seeing the grown-up, stunning Jessie might just change his commitment-phobic mind.

Jessie’s psycho ex-husband had her convinced no one would ever love her, but Lee is ready to step out of the friend zone and into her heart. Can she learn to trust again before she loses her chance to turn her first crush into her last love?

Elizabeth McKenna’s novel will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the joy of finding true love at last.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Though Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read a romance novel until her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). With the urging of her children, she decided to write her own Happily Ever Afters.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

April 23rd: 

Launch

Hearts & Scribbles

underneath the covers

April 24th:

E-Romance News

Two Points of Interest

Stacking My Book Shelves!

April 25th:

Colorimetry

Deal Sharing Aunt

Wishful Endings

April 26th:

Bri's Book Nook

Locks, Hooks and Books

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader

April 27th:

Teatime and Books

SilverWoodSketches

April 28th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card and ebook of Venice in the Moonlight

- Open internationally

- Ends April 25th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Book Review - Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Livy Johnson decides she needs a fresh start after her relationship crumbles with her abusive ex. With her fresh start, she can mend her broken heart and follow her dreams while becoming her true self. As luck would have it, she comes across a listing for her grandmother's old home in the small community of Laurel Cove, North Carolina. Livy believes the distraction of restoring her grandmother's cottage along with the happy memories from her childhood will help heal her ailing heart.

Jack Bowdon, the owner of Bowdon's Supplies, is nursing a broken heart along with being afraid to open up his heart and love again. He crosses past with his childhood friend, Livy, and offers to help repair her home. He hopes to spend time with Livy will help cheer him up. Will Livy and Jack be able to repair their love lives? Will they be able to get over their past?

The novel was an interesting read. It was about two simple people who are trying to find themselves and love while being true to God. The story was a bit slow moving for me along with having a lot of fluff and being very predictable. I felt like the last 50 pages in the book was used to stretch the page count of the book. In my opinion, if the book had the same material, but across less pages, it would have been more enjoyable.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Book Title: Someplace Familiar
Author: Teresa Tysinger
Release date: May, 2017

Artist Livy Johnson needs a fresh start. That’s what a broken heart and forgotten dreams can do to a person. On little more than a whim, she reclaims her grandmother’s old home in quaint Laurel Cove, North Carolina and vows to restore its original charm. When she literally collides with childhood friend, Jack Bowdon, Livy wonders if she’s back for an entirely different reason.

Jack can’t believe his childhood crush is back. As the owner of Bowdon’s Supplies, and once again the town’s most eligible bachelor, he offers to help Livy with repairs. Together they embark on the project – and an undeniable whirlwind romance.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they survive the destructive pain of their pasts and discover God’s grace waiting to renovate their hearts?

About the Author

Teresa Tysinger is a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina to North Texas. When not working as the Director of Communications for a large downtown church, she writes charming southern romances inspired by grace. Her debut novel, Someplace Familiar, released this summer. She also is a contributing writer for the Fort Worth Moms Blog (part of the national City Moms Blog Network). A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications, Teresa has spent over a decade committed to telling stories of faith through written word. She loves coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Teresa is giving away a grand prize of a gift basket that includes a signed copy of the book, an Original Painting by Author’s Sister (artist Cyndi Browning), and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca5b

Book Review - Love by the Numbers by Laura V. Hilton + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

A tragic accident claims the life of Lydia's fiancee and with a secret threatening her home life, Lydia flees to Jamesport, Missouri to help manage her aunt's gift store.  However, Lydia receives math induced headaches, so she is excited to learn that her aunt hired an accountant to help her with the daily accounting. When Caleb Bontrager enters the shop to help with the bookkeeping, both parties are shocked by each other's presence. Caleb is smitten by Lydia's charm and her personality, but he is afraid that her bright personality would lead down the path of temptation. Lydia is attracted to Caleb, but when Caleb asks another girl to become his girl, will Lydia be able to put her feelings for Caleb aside?

I have read a few Amish romances and I felt this one definitely had a bit more sauce to it. In this novel some of the characters live with their Mennonite relatives or have not joined the church so they use cell phones or electricity.  While this book is clean by my standards, there is mention of premarital sex, unwanted sexual advances and talks of temptation. Personally, I enjoyed the book and was emotionally involved with each character having a happy ending.  It was a delightful and refreshing read and I can't wait to read more works by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion** 

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.
Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.
When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Giveaway

In honor of the tour, Whitaker House is giving away

Grand Prize Package: Love By the Numbers, Healing Love (Amish of Webster County #1), and The Snow Globe (The Amish of Jamesport #1) by Laura Hilton; “The Angels Cry Holy” scented candle in tin with lid from Abba Jerusalem

1st Place Package: Love By the Numbers, The Snow Globe (The Amish of Jamesport #1) by Laura Hilton, and Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils

2nd Place Package: Love By the Number by Laura Hilton and Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils!!!

Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6ca

Book Review - Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

Photo Credit - Amazon

James is the perfect husband; he's a loving father, caring husband, and has a successful career in the government. However, when he is accused of a heinous crime, Sophie is determined that James is innocent and she will protect her family at any cost. Kate is the lawyer prosecuting the case and she is determined that James is guilty and will stop at nothing to bring him down. Is James innocent or is something larger at play?

When I first came across this book, it reminded me of the TV show, "How to Get Away with Murder". The book was interesting for the first few chapters when we were being introduced to the characters and their backstory. However, the plot seem was a bit predictable and was filled with filler. An interesting story, but I wish more was done with it, but I would be opened to reading more novels by the author.

Book Review - Imperfect Justice (Hidden Justice #2) by Cara C. Putman

Photo Credit - Amazon

It seemed like an easy open and closed case - Kaylene Adams kills her daughter only to be killed by the police. Kaylene's attorney, Emilie Wesley, questions the validity of the highly publicized story. She knows that Kaylene would never hurt her daughters and she was looking to leave an abusive marriage. Emilie is consumed by self-doubt and it affects her ability to help other women in violent relationships. Will Emilie be able to find out what really happened to her client?

The novel had an interesting story, but I felt the main character was lacking. She is a person from money and it seems like a lot of things that she does is motivated by money. She mentioned that she would use her trust fund to furnish her lifestyle but not her work. However, she kept mentioning how her work is how she identifies herself and without it, she is lost. She also claims that Kaylene was a good friend and she was torn about the deaths but when Kaylene's brother requested her help, she was hesitant to help saying how it would cut into her personal time (which she also claims she is always working and barely spends time with her friends). But if you think your friend was wrongly accused, I wouldn't worry about my free time (which she still manages to hang out with her other friends). I also think it was petty, that she keeps mentioning her salary at the women's center. And when news of Kaylene's death shook Emilie, she tries to remember  all the good she has done, but when another client comes in to escape with her 10 month old, she seems to be more concerned that she can't write an article for her side job. Overall, it's an interesting book, but it just wasn't for me.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**