Apr 182014
 

 

 

Righting a wrong

 

 

Product Details

 

  • Title: Righting a Wrong
  • Author: Rachael Anderson
  • Series: Ripple Effect Romance
  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: HEA Publishing (March 7, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1941363024
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description for Righting a Wrong 
Seven years ago, Cambri Blaine fled her small hometown of Bridger, Colorado after her senior year ended in a fiasco. Only Jace Sutton knew the real reason why—that she was a spineless coward. Now, seven years later, her father’s been in an accident and needs help, and Cambr has no choice but to return home. So with trepidation, she takes a leave of absence from the landscape architecture firm where she works and boards a plane, hoping against hope that Jace is no longer around and that the past can stay where it belongs—in the past. If only life worked that way. Jace never expected to see Cambri again. After she’d led him on, bruised his heart, and left town without a backward glance, he was forced to pick up the pieces and try not to hate her for it. Eventually, he put it behind him and moved on, creating a life for himself in his beloved hometown. But now that Cambri is back and looking more beautiful and sophisticated than ever, some of those old feelings resurface, and Jake instinctively knows, for the sake of his heart, that he needs to avoid her at all costs. If only it were that easy. 

Excerpt

 

    She rested her hand on his arm, but when he tensed, she pulled it away. “University Park and Charlotte are beautiful cities with so much to offer, but Bridger isn’t without its charms. Coming back here is like entering a different world.”

 

    “An archaic world.”

 

    “That’s not what I’m talking about,” said Cambri. “People here know and care about each other. When you walk down the street, you pass friends instead of strangers. The air is cleaner, the pace slower, and the world calmer. I’m pretty sure the sky is even bluer.”

 

    Jace slung his bag over her shoulder and leveled her a hard look. “Actions speak louder than words, Cambri. Or are you forgetting you left for bluer skies six years ago?”

 

    Her gaze held steady. “Sometimes it takes seeing other skies to know which is bluer.”

 

    One eye brow quirked as he considered her words. “What are you saying? That you’ve had your fill of city life and want to move back?”

 

    Cambri looked away. Was she saying that? No, of course not. That would be crazy. She was happy in Charlotte. “All I’m saying is that I appreciate Bridger a lot more than I used to.”

 

    He let out a low chuckle that didn’t sound even close to humorous. “Like I said, actions speak louder than words.” He started to walk past her, then paused, looking beyond her to the back door. “You talk of passing friends instead of strangers, but in my experience, friends are really just strangers disguised as familiar faces.” His arm brushed against her shoulder as he left, and an uncomfortable, almost palpable, sensation spread down her arm and landed with a thud in her gut.

 

 

My Review:

 

 It’s always a pleasure to read something written by Rachael Anderson. She writes such great characters, even the grumpy Harvey, father of main character Cambri. Once again this story has characters that we have previously met in the Ripple Effect Romance that we read previously. Readers get a glance at Drew and Eden and what’s happening in their life now. 

 

 

I was happy to get to know Jace better in this book. I really liked him in the last book and wanted to see him find his own love after losing Eden to Drew. I like the realistic scenario of how Jace and Cambri reacted to each other after not seeing each other for six years. There were hurt feelings on both sides after Cambri’s hasty departure from Bridger and after a first kiss with Jace. It was fun to see how they rebuilt their friendship and their love. It was also VERY satisfying to see Cambri rebuild her relationship with her estranged father. It took awhile for them to reconnect, but it felt so good when they did. 

 

 

There are so many things to love about Righting a Wrong, the likable characters, the great dialogue, the build up to the romance and the happy ending. I’m realizing that this series of clean romances will be kept in my favorite’s list. I haven’t read one yet that I don’t like. I’m all ready to go back and read them again. If you haven’t read this series yet, go back to the first and read them in the right order. Then you too can see the Ripple Effects that we have in each others lives. Kudos to all of the authors of this series. I can’t wait to read the next three in the series.

 

Rachael 

Meet:Author Rachael Anderson
 A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Updated Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series
 Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors. “Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love.” Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith

 

 

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Apr 152014
 

 

 

 

 

Fortune-Cafe-Tour

 

Product Details

 

  • Series: A Tangerine Street Romance
  • Paperback: 290 pages
  • Publisher: Mirror Press (March 14, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1941145140
  • FTC-FYI: Received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Fortune Café

 

a novel in three parts

MIS-FORTUNE: Emma, a waitress at The Fortune Café will do anything to avoid opening a fortune cookie. Each fortune is rumored to somehow magically come true. Being a girl grounded in reality, she doesn’t have time for that kind of nonsense. But when trying to prevent a food fight at the café, Emma accidently cracks open a fortune cookie: “Look around, love is trying to catch you.” If there is one thing that Harrison, her former best friend in high school is good at, it’s catching her unaware.   LOVE, NOT LUCK: Lucy has always been lucky . . . until her parents meet her fiancé’s parents at a disastrous lunch at The Fortune Café, and she breaks her lucky jade necklace. Even worse, her fortune cookie reveals that “True love is for the brave, not the lucky.” How is she supposed to read that? She’s always considered it lucky how she met her fiancé. But after breaking her necklace, Lucy’s luck takes a dive. And when her fiancé dumps her, the only person she can turn to is Carter, the unluckiest guy she knows.   TAKEOUT: Stella is content in her new life of taking over her mom’s jewelry shop. No more boyfriend to worry about, and as long as she stays busy, she doesn’t have to dwell on her non-existent love life. When Evan comes into the shop with his young daughter, Stella is charmed. But she is reluctant to complicate her straightforward life, so when she reads her fortune after ordering takeout from The Fortune Café, she completely ignores it. After all, how can a fortune as vague as “Do the thing you fear and love is certain,” apply to her?

 

 

My Review:
As with the other novellas I’ve read, these were just as good. I loved the connection of the cafe throughout the 3 novellas.Each love story held it’s own spark. I really liked how the fortune cookies were supposed to be “magic”. I wish that some of the fortune’s I’ve gotten before would come true! What a fun idea! These particular writers happen to be some of my favorites and I have loved reading other novels written by them. I have to say that they all truly know how to write a great romance! It’s so refreshing to know that when you pick up a book like this it will be clean and well written! There will be no surprises that you’ll have to hide from your teenage daughter. In fact, these stories are one that you’ll like sharing with your teen. 

I couldn’t pick my one favorite out of the three. They were all great stories, with good humor, cute characters, and just the right flavor of romance. Despite making your crave Chinese food, these stories will also make you crave more just the same. Thank goodness another is coming soon called Tangerine Street.

About the Authors: Julie Wright started her first book when she was fifteen.

She’s written over a dozen books since then, is a Whitney Award winner, and feels she’s finally getting the hang of this writing gig. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves reading, eating writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch movies. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner. She hates mayonnaise, but has a healthy respect for ice cream.

Melanie Bennett Jacobsonis an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a sometime blogger who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies and pines after beautiful shoes.

 

 

 

 

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical thrillers under Finding Sheba. Under Heather B. Moore she writes romance and women’s fiction. She’s the co-author of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. Other women’s novels include Heart of the Ocean, The Fortune Café, the Aliso Creek Series, and the Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology Series.
the pen name H.B. Moore, her latest is

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/30/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Apr 112014
 

 

 

Product Details

  • Title: Sweet Confections
  • Author: Danyelle Ferguson
  • Series: Indulgence Row Book one
  • Paperback: 262 pages
  • Publisher: Wonderstruck Books (March 29, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615969690
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review pdf in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 

 Book Description

According to Rachel Marconi chocolate heals all wounds. That and throwing darts at pictures of her ex-boyfriend. Burned by yet another bad relationship, Rachel decides to reprioritize her life, putting her dream to compete on a Food Network Challenge on the top of her list and dating at the bottom crossed out in red sharpie. But what’s a girl to do when a certain sexy guy keeps asking her out?Cue in Graydon Green, a former pro hockey player turned restaurant owner. After a lot of persistent and humorous teasing, he finally convinces Rachel to commit to a date. Just when things begin to warm up, threatening notes directed at Rachel arrive. When her bakery is vandalized, Graydon’s protective streak goes on red alert. Is it her obsessive ex-boyfriend stalking her? Or maybe a challenger trying to sabotage the competition?

Either way, Rachel is definitely going to need more chocolate – perhaps drizzled over ice cream and devil’s food cake.

My Review: 
Sweet Confections was full of sweet surprises! This is Danyelle Ferguson’s first published novel. She has published other non-fiction writing, but I was blown away by this novel. It had a great combination of romance, humor and suspense; also we can’t forget the yummy things that main character, Rachel and her friend in the Sweet Confections Bakery made every day. I was hungry the whole time I was reading the book. Also, an added bonus is that Danyelle has recipes for some of the things Rachel made.There were so many things I loved in this story from the sassy Rachel, 28 and single who has just been burned in love, to the good looking and genuine leading man, Graydon who is a former pro-hockey player. I liked how long it took for these two to get together. It made the whole love story more realistic. I also loved the shocking twist at the end of the novel. The best part for me was the Food Competition at the Food Network. I love watching all shows on the Food Network so this was very exciting! I’m so looking forward to more books in this series of Indulgence Row. I was happy to see that more books are in the works. If you enjoy a sweet romance with a taste of suspense and a fast paced storyline, Sweet Confections is the book for you!

Purchase Links

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Confections-Indulgence-Row-Volume         /dp/0615969690/

Also available on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBookstore. 
Giveaway Time!! There are so many things you can possibly win in this fantastic giveaway! Don’t forget to enter!

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 Meet Author Danyelle FergusonDanyelle Ferguson - 30kB
Danyelle Ferguson discovered her love for the written word in elementary school. Her first article was published when she was in 6th grade. Since then, she’s won several awards and her work has been published world-wide in newspapers, magazines and books.

Danyelle grew up surrounded by Pennsylvania’s beautiful Allegheny Mountains. Then she lived for ten years among the majestic Wasatch Mountains. She is currently experiencing mountain-withdrawal while living in Kansas with her husband and family. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing and singing inthe kitchen, and the occasional long bubble bath to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy.”

 

 

 

 

 

Apr 092014
 

The_SacramentThe Sacrament

Author: John Bytheway

Illustrator: Nathan Pinnock

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: April 7th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-790-7

Hardcover: 32 pages

FTC FYI: I received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

It’s understandable that some children appear bored or distracted during sacrament meeting. Many young Latter-day Saints are probably unsure about the true meaning of the sacrament and why we attend. With this in mind, bestselling author John Bytheway has composed a delightful poem (inspired by a short poem by Walter H. Horne) to help Latter-day Saints young and old appreciate the ordinance of the sacrament. In particular, children will learn what they should be thinking about (and not be thinking about) during this sacred time as well as what the sacrament can do for all of us.

Beautifully illustrated by Nathan Pinnock, this thought-provoking story about a young boy and his grandpa is a gentle reminder about the importance of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, especially during this special meeting meant for Him.

My Review

I was very excited to review this book to review.  A few days after I received it, there was a lovely Relief Society lesson given by a sister in my ward about the Sacrament.  Sister Reader passed out papers to all the sisters that read, “What did you think of during the sacrament?”  That sentence really made me think.  Usually I read the scriptures during the sacrament, but did I truly think about the Savior and the importance of the sacrament?  The next day at Family Home Evening, I was inspired to give a lesson about the sacrament.  We read this lovely book together as a family and used the lovely experience of the author to better our understanding of the sacrament and the importance of partaking it every week.  Also to encourage my family to be spiritually prepared to take the sacrament, and to be thinking of Jesus Christ, through prayer and the scriptures.

My family and I will cherish this book and I am very grateful that it is in our home.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author (from Goodreads)

John Bytheway (born October 1962) is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.

Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Author the Illustrator (from his website)

Portrait painter, illustrator, Teacher of oil painting, drawing, and sculpting + logo design.
Greater Salt Lake Area
Current: Artist at Pinnock Illustration/ Pinnock Fine Art
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration, Painting, Sculpting at Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Atelier Leseuer

Summary

Professional painter and Sculptor, Illustrator and Private art teacher.

Specialities

Portrait painting, teaching oil painting, drawing, sculpting and painting composition.

Experience

• Artist at Pinnock Illustration/Pinnock Fine Art – January 1992 – Present (20 + years)
• Illustrator – January 1990- 2001
• Portrait painter and Fine Artist 2001- Present (20 + years)
• Private Instructor of painting, Drawing, and Sculpting – 1996 to present

 

Apr 082014
 

18653504Luminescence (Middle School Magic #3)

Author: Braden Bell

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 2014

Paperback: 308 pages

ISBN13: 978-1-4621-1405-4

Middle Grade fantasy

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

 

Goodreads Summary

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

My Review

Friendship, love, and sacrifice.  These three words came to my mind many times while I was reading this enjoyable book by Mr. Bell.  Conner, Lexa, and Melanie had a lot to overcome between each other before they were able to start to help to rescue Dr. Timberi.  I loved that part of it.  All three were harboring harsh feelings towards each other and once they were able to get over themselves, they were able to function more as a unit.  There are many secrets revealed, a wonderful back story, and many surprises along the way in this very enjoyable book.  The ending had me in tears, well, the tears came sooner at some points, but the last few chapters were my favorite.  So many exciting events take place through the whole book.  Once I got to a certain point while reading, I couldn’t stop until I was finished.  Not only will your kids enjoy this series, you will too.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you new to this series, I would suggest starting with book one, The Kindling.  Then with book two, Penumbras.  You will better familiar with the characters and terms.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

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Apr 072014
 

FortuneCookieFortune Cookie

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 2014

Softcover/Kindle/Nook/Audio: 356 pages

Genre: Culinary Mystery/Mystery-Suspense

ISBN# 9781609077877

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free hardcopy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Summary (Goodreads)

Sadie Hoffmiller has always liked things to be just so. A place for everything and everything in its place. Order over chaos. And of all things Sadie should be able to control, her own wedding is at the top of the list. With the big day just three weeks away, Sadie is busily adding the perfect final touches to her wedding plans. But the arrival of a mysterious letter that bears a San Francisco postmark and no return address could change everything. The only person Sadie knows in San Francisco is her older sister, Wendy, whom she hasn’t seen or heard from since their mother’s funeral nearly fifteen years ago. Sadie has faced off with murderers and crooks in recent years, yet the potential of her sister reentering her life is both overwhelming and frightening. But, as Sadie soon discovers, the letter is just the beginning. Wendy’s world turns out to be a place of unanswered questions, twisted truths, and more than one motive for murder.

Review

In Fortune Cookie, book eleven in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series, readers join Sadie in San Francisco, her sister’s place of residence for many years. My husband and I honeymooned in San Francisco, so it was great to revisit the city with Sadie and Pete.

Sadie never got along well with her sister. Wendy left home when Sadie was twelve, and other than a handful of interactions, there wasn’t much of a relationship between the two women. It was interesting to get to know more about Sadie, her childhood, and her family. She isn’t the only one struggling with difficult issues though. With only three weeks to the wedding, Pete finds himself facing some situations he didn’t expect as well. My heart was aching for both he and Sadie.

I love that, even after so many books, I feel like I am still getting to know Sadie. Josi’s hard work keeping characters interesting and plots mysterious pays off every time. I really had no clue who was going to be the bad guy until it was revealed, though I had a running list that changed often, sometimes from chapter to chapter. This series is one of the few I’ve read where I haven’t figured out who the villain is well before the big reveal.

What I appreciate even more than an unguessable antagonist are well-written characters. More than just description and dialogue, each character’s interactions, concerns, weaknesses, efforts, and motivations are relatable and believable, even those we only meet briefly in the course of Sadie’s investigation. The reader can’t help but feel the emotion and suspense the story is designed to evoke.

The Sadie Hoffmiller series is one of my absolute favorites. As sad as I am that it is winding down, I’m looking forward to Wedding Cake, the last book in the series due to be released in Fall 2014. There is a cliffhanger chapter from Wedding Cake at the end of Fortune Cookie that’s going to keep me on edge all summer. Thanks a lot, Josi. ;)

Visit Josi:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Find Fortune Cookie:

AMAZON | KINDLE | BARNES & NOBLE | NOOK | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

 

Fortune Cookie Tour

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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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