Dec 312014
 

23715657Run

Author: JoLyn Brown

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Published: November 15th, 2014

Paperback: 300 pages

ISBN13: 978159159224

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

When Supermom joins Dad on his latest project, sixteen-year-old Morgan is left at her aunts. Instead of dating the cute boy from the track team, she will now have to spend the summer keeping a sane distance between herself and her aunts six boys.

Morgan plans on the summer being awful. Encountering an army of spiders and getting lost while running should not surprise her. What she never expects is to stumble across an abandoned house her parents own an abandoned house her uncle committed suicide in. Someone ought to have mentioned that before now.

The past haunts Morgans dreams. The more she remembers and learns, the more she realizes even her cousins are not what she thought they were. Worse, she has somehow become a reflection of her uncle and everything her parents are running from. Morgan wants to hold on to the things she loves running, her cousins, the bits of her family still intact but as the summer passes, she starts to wonder if she s going to lose everything instead.

My Review

JoLyn does a great job of capturing teen-age issues in this book.  But, poor Morgan had quite a few.  Her parents are shipping her off to the small town where her aunt, uncle and crazy cousins live.  Morgan lived there too, when she was younger, but doesn’t remember the sad events that took place before her parents left.  At first Morgan’s attitude about her circumstances make it worse for her, but as time goes on, she realizes how much she needs to be where she’s at.  I really, really liked this book and I found that I didn’t want it to end.  I appreciated where the author went with the story and I loved the relationships that develop.  A tragedy occurred when Morgan was young that she has blocked out, and I loved the journey she takes to help herself and her parents heal.  The characters are strong and the story reads quick and is very well written.  I look forward to more from this author.

4 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

Sep 242014
 

 

Rewind to You Tour

Blog Tour Schedule

 

Rewind to You CoverRewind to You

One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Laura Rewind to You AuthorAuthor Laura Johnston

Laura Johnston lives in Utah with her husband and two children. Growing up with five siblings, a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active imagination and always loved a good story. She fell in love with the young adult genre both through her experience in high school as well as her job later as a high school teacher. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, traveling, writing, and above all, spending time with her husband and kids. REWIND TO YOU is her debut novel.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

Mindy’s Review

Sienna is having trouble coping with losing her father after his death in an accident where she was driving.  Austin is just getting by, trying to stay away from trouble.  They meet as Austin is helping Sienna out a rough situation and become fast friends.  Right away there is an instant connection, but there are obstacles.  Mostly, Sienna is just visiting for the summer and leaving for college soon.  Austin is also leaving (but I don’t want to say why, no spoilers here).  They are both trying to come to terms with the cards they’ve been dealt in life and find that they have found peace in each other.

I really, really liked this book!  The characters are so well-written.  I loved the point of view switches.  I felt I was really able to get to know Sienna and Austin better as I saw them through each other’s eyes.  Austin was adorable, I instantly liked him.  I loved getting to know him better and all that he did to make others feel good (even if they didn’t know it at first).  He truly is a great kid.  Austin also has a sad back story and I loved how it plays out. It even made me cry at the end.  Sienna has a lot going on too.  She keeps fainting and rewinding back to times when she was most happiest with her dad.  She finds she wants to see her dad, but needs to figure out the cause.

4 out of 5 stars.  I have said this a million times, but I LOVE a great story that is clean and enjoyable and something I can pass to my girls.  This book is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Praise for the Book

“Johnston’s debut spotlights romance and familial relationships, including themes like grief and self-sacrifice. It’s an ideal story for readers looking for a deep-rooted YA love story with the emotional ups and downs and poignancy of a Nicholas Sparks contemporary. There’s also a touch of wit and a sigh-worthy hero – a definite on your TBR list.” – RT Book Reviews

 

“This is contemporary YA fiction at its best! –Kay Lynn Mangum, author of The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

 

Rewind to You will steal your hear away.” –Kelly Nelson, author of The Keeper’s Saga
Excerpt 

Dad shifts his gaze to the sunset just visible above the thick trees. “You know, Sienna, there aren’t too many moments quite like this.”

I nod, because whatever is happening right now is definitely not normal. It feels so real. I wish it would last forever.

Let’s make a pact,” he says and I feel seven again, making a promise with a best friend. “Let’s remember it, okay? This moment. And when times get rough, we can rewind to this moment and remember the taste of a job well done. We can remember how great this day was.”

A lump swells in my throat as I recall who was behind the wheel that night: me. “Okay, it’s a pact.”

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 10/13/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an iTunes Gift Code or River Street Sweets Gift Card. 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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Feb 112014
 

securedownload-1Porcelain Keys

Author: Sarah Beard

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: February 11th, 2014

Genre: YA

Paperback: 352 pages

ISBN13: 9781462113965

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Aria’s life is full of secrets–secrets about her mother’s death, her father’s cruelty, and her dream to go to Juilliard. When Aria meets Thomas, he draws out her secrets, captures her heart, and gives her the courage to defy her father. But when tragedy strikes and Thomas disappears, Aria is left alone to transform her broken heart’s melody into something beautiful. Porcelain Keys is a captivating love story that will resonate long after the last page is turned.

My Review

Wow, this was a good book.  I could not put it down.  I almost finished it in one sitting.  I loved the story.  I was immediately taken by Aria and her life.  Thomas was fantastic too.  I loved how the author pulled me into the story with subtle hints of what was to come and didn’t let go until the end.  So many things happen to her and those around her, you can’t help but read all night.  I know I have read a good book when I read it quickly, have tears in my eyes at some point and have a smile on my face at the end.

5 out of 5 stars.  Perfect debut for Sarah.  I will eagerly be awaiting more from her.

About the Author

Sarah Beard is the author of Porcelain Keys, a YA contemporary romance.  She has a degree in communications from the University of Utah and splits her time between writing and raising three energetic boys.  She is a cancer survivor and a hopeless romantic.  She enjoys reading and composing music, and lives with her husband and children in Salt Lake City, Utah.  You can follow Sarah on Twitter @authorsarahB or Facebook.  Her website is www.sarahbeard.com.


Reviews

“Emotionally rich, elegant description, beloved characters–Sarah Beard delivers a fresh, new novel that will go on my list of classics.” –Stephanie Fowers, author of With a Kiss.
 

 

“Aria is a heroine worth rooting for, and the plot is an emotional melody that weaves a spell so potent, it can only be broken by reaching the end. And even then, I couldn’t stop thinking about Aria and her story.” –Heather Frost, author of The Seers Trilogy

 

 
“Emotionally gripping, this beautifully crafted young adult romance will pull at readers’ heartstrings from tragic beginning to happy ending. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance, both young and seasoned. ” –Julie Ford, author of Replacing Gentry
 
“Porcelain Keys is a fresh, heart-wrenching take on boy-meets-girl. Using fantastic and musical imagery to tell the poignant love story of Aria and Thomas, the author leads thereader to a swelling crescendo as if we’re part of the song—and what a beautiful song it is.” –Cindy C. Bennett, author or Geek Girl and Rapunzel Untangled
 
“A lyrical love story that will leave your heart singing. Porcelain Keys is a masterpiece with emotional depth, young love, and family angst. Beard takes us on a journey of self- discovery, second chances, and ultimately, sweet resolution.” –Heather Ostler, author or The Siren’s Secret

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jul 312013
 

the-reluctant-blogger-ryan-rapier-978-1-4621-1254-8_coverThe Reluctant Blogger

Author: Ryan Rapier

Publisher: Cedar Fort/Bonneville

Publish Date: August 13, 2013

ISBN13: 9781462112548

Paperback: 432 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF and a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Dr. Schenk, I don’t know if what I’ve written amounts to a breakthrough or not, but I hope you know how difficult this was for me. I also hope this proves how serious I am.

Todd knows he is in a bad place. That’s why he went to a therapist in the first place, and that alone took a lot of doing. So when Dr. Schenk threatens to stop their sessions unless Todd puts in more effort, he grasps at the last available straw: a personal blog that will force Todd to confront his demons.

Ever since he lost his wife, Todd has not been the same. He’s been forced to Single Adult activities at church, and everyone seems to expect him to just forget Marci and get married again—especially when he meets Emily, who makes him smile and starts to bring him out of his depression. But dating again is hard when Todd has three kids of his own, not to mention an overbearing father and friends with their own problems.

This beautifully woven and emotional tale is both heartbreaking and humorous. Championing friendship, love, and family, Ryan Rapier deals adeptly with the everyday struggles we face as well as the strongest ties that keep us together. You’re sure to fall in love with this magnificent tale of redemption, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

My Review

5 out of 5 stars.  I found this book very moving and enjoyable.  I took my time reading this because I didn’t want it to end.  I grew to love Todd, his kids, Emily, Todd’s mother and father, and especially Dr. Schenk.  Ryan does an incredible job of character development and telling a great story.  I liked how he was able to work in “flashback” scenes, while still keeping my attention on the present.  When we first meet Todd, he is struggling with the loss of his wife.  He is seeing Dr. Schenk, and the good doctor is very frustrated with Todd.  He suggests to Todd that he start writing a blog to try to help him express his feelings.  I thought this was very clever.  Life throws some lemons at Todd and I enjoyed how he made his lemonade.  There are some very funny moments and moments that you will need a tissue.

Author Links

Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Publisher

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Blog-Tour-photo

Feb 062013
 

The Daisy Chain (An Aliso Creek Novella)

Author: Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Mirror Press

Published: January 31st, 2013

ebook: 65 pages

ASIN: B00B9HHPQU

FTC FYI: I received a free ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary 

Welcome to the Aliso Creek Novella Series
Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating “the Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone… if perfect is even possible.

Actually, Jess Giles does find her perfect match, but since Charlie’s several years older than she, they never have a moment of harmony from his adult kids who protest the marriage. When Charlie dies in a tragic accident, his kids add insult to injury and sue Jess for her share of the inheritance. The only person Jess trusts for financial advice is Charlie’s financial planner, Preston Michaels. Just talking to Preston on the phone makes Jess feel flustered, yet strangely comfortable at the same time, so she puts off meeting him for as long as possible. When Jess has to attend the formal hearing, she’s about to find out if the man she’s been talking to over the phone for several months lives up to the voice that she’s grown attached to.

My Review

Right away I was taken into Jess’s story.  We meet her on the first anniversary of her husband’s death.  She is sad and having a hard time coping.  Some members of “the Five” come to visit her to cheer her up, but Arie knows there is more to her sadness then what Jess is saying.  Even though Jess’s husband Charlie was older then her, she truly loved him and misses him.  To make matters worse, Charlie’s son and daughter are suing Jess for the money that he left her.  Her only salvation has been Preston Michaels, Jess’s financial planner.  They have never met in person, and Preston is asking Jess to come to a scheduled court date.  Jess needs to gather all the courage she can to try to be strong to move on with her life.

5 out of 5 stars.  I am loving this series from Heather B. Moore.  Her writing is so strong and I am immediately taken into the story.  Her characters are always likable and I care about what happens to them.  I can’t wait for the next installment.

A Timeless Romance Anthology (Spring Vacation Collection) is out now.  Arie’s story is told in this book.  Like the Winter Romance Anthology, there are also five other authors that are part of the collection.  Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, Heather Justesen, Sarah M. Eden, and Aubrey Mace.  I know I will enjoy this!

Author Links

Website / Fans of H.B. Moore on Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords

Jan 232013
 

The Guy Next Door

Author: Kate Palmer

Publisher: Covenant

Published: September 2012

Paperback: 235 pages

ISBN: 9781608612

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

On the surface, Eva Black’s life seems practically perfect. The small-town kindergarten teacher is set to wed ambitious lawyer Sean Langley, and their plans for a dream wedding are well underway. Eva accepts that she will soon live life in the spotlight as a member of the prestigious Langley family, but can she overlook her fiancé’s tendency to dominate the details of her life and push the limits of her standards?

Mere weeks before the wedding, Eva is thrown into a traumatic, life-changing event that changes her view of family commitment and creates a sharp contrast between her ideals and Sean’s. With her engagement to Sean in jeopardy, Eva finds herself relying on the support and encouragement of Peter, her kind and attentive next-door neighbor. Faced with a choice between her penitent fiancé and the increasingly mysterious Peter, Eva is unprepared for the consequences—and peril—that come with her decision.

My Review — Possible Spoiler

I really enjoyed this book.  I would say my one complaint was Sean.  He was such a jerk.  Some very tragic events occur in Eva’s life, and what she has to cope with is big and life changing.  Sean treats her poorly, and she doesn’t see it as first.  Only when Peter comes into her life, is when things start to change with their relationship.  However, Peter has some secrets of his own.  Although I didn’t like that one character, I really liked Eva, Peter, and the other supporting characters.  Through the time when Peter and Eva were getting to know each other, while he was away for work, Peter would send Eva notes.  I really liked how he saw her and the way their relationship developed.  Eva goes through a lot in the book, and I really enjoyed what she learned about herself, too.

3 1/2 stars.  I was on the edge of my seat at times, wondering what would happen to these characters.  The Guy Next Door is well written and an enjoyable, fast read.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull / Deseret Book