Jun 192014
 

 

Title: TORN CANVAS(Safe Harbors, #2)

Author: Donna K. Weaver

Release Date: May 28, 2014

Pages: 376

Find it: Amazon | B&NGoodreads

Genre: Fiction | Adventure | Contemporary Romance

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast. Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared. The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and heal the beast.

Donna K. Weaver is a Navy brat who joined the Army and has lived in Asia and Europe. Because she sailed the Pacific three times as a child, she loves cruising and wishes she could accrue enough vacation time to do more of it with her husband.  Donna and her husband have six children and eight grandchildren who live all over the world.  At fifty, Donna decided to study karate and earned her black belt in Shorei Kempo.  After recording city council minutes for twenty years, Donna decided to write something a little longer and with a lot more emotion–and kissing.

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June 16th Sweetly Clean Romance– Review/Excerpt  June 16thGamila’s Review  – Review  June 16hCindy M. Hogan– Review/Playlist  June 17thPeering Into– Review  June 17th Krista Wayment– Guest Post  June 17thLaura D. Bastian – Review  June 17thChristy Dorrity Author – Interview  June 18thLeigh Covington– Interview/Highlight  June 18thCanda’s Ink Blast – Review  June 18thDiann T. Read– Spotlight  June 18thMeetings With My Muse– Spotlight  June 18thMedeia Sharif– Top Ten/ Spotlight  June 18thBookish – Playlist/Top Ten  June 19thLucinda Whitney – Review/Interview  June 19thYA Author Elana Johnson– Interview  June 19thWhy Not? Because I Said So – Review  June 19thJordan McCollum – Spotlight/GP  June 20thFeather Pens, Tartan Dreams – Review/Guest Post  June 20thLindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters– Review  June 20thAuthor Brooke Williams– GP/Spotlight  June 20thWordpaintings Unlimited– Spotlight  June 20thMins Reads and Reviews– Review  June 20thMeredith Mansfield – Review

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My Review:

I really liked the first book in this series called, A Change of Plans. There was a little of everything, adventure, romance, and angst. Torn Canvas has all of that too. Right now I want to say, please read the first book in the series. This second book will make so much more sense. Also, it will help the reader understand why main character, Jori, is going through what he is. It also was great to have a bond with the characters because of reading the first book.

 

I was happy to get to know Jori better. In the first book he sometimes came across as a shallow, ladies man. There is so much more to his character than that. It was great to go along on this journey of physical and emotional renewal with Jori. Donna does a wonderful job with her characters. I also loved getting to know Olivia. There was so much more depth to her as the story went along. 

 

Torn Canvas will take you on an emotional journey where you will feel the satisfaction of seeing people grow and learn to love. I recommend this story to lovers of romance.

Jun 142013
 

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DonnaKWeaver

Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. A Navy brat and U.S. Army veteran, she’s lived in many U.S. states as well as South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific four times. When she retired from Shorei Kempo Karate with a black belt, she decided it was time to put her imaginary friends and places on paper. She lives in Utah with her husband. They have six children and eight grandchildren.

Visit Donna:  BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ |  GOODREADS

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LDSWBR:  What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

DONNA:  I’ve just started Donna Hosie’s The Secret of Nimue, the conclusion of her The Return of Camelot series. I’ve got Natalie Whipple’s Transparent in audiobook I’ll be started soon. I’ve got Jenn Johansson’s Insomnia, Elana Johnson’s Abandon, Julie Dane’s A Blind Eye, and Dianne Salerni’s The Caged Graves on my list. Somewhere in there I’ll make room for the summer collection of A Timeless Romance Anthology.

Since I hear Jenn’s book is quite chilling, I hope to take an adventure into one of Gregg Luke’s books or Michael Brent Collings’. Maybe. lol

LDSWBR:  Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

DONNA:  Curiously, I was only ever a Brownie or a Girl Scout when we lived outside of the U.S. When we lived in the Philippines, I had my one and only chance to attend camp. The camp was an 8-hour drive from Sangley Point, the Navy base where we lived, which is across the bay from Manila.

We were returning home at the end of the week on Good Friday, riding in this rusty old Navy bus (things rust easily in the P.I.) and not all the windows would close. No air conditioning. Easter is a big deal in the Philippines where the Catholic Church has a huge influence. They have these parades in all the communities with people carrying statues through the streets, partiers dancing in the streets, and pranksters causing trouble in the streets. While we were trying to drive through the streets.

Getting the picture? That 8-hour bus ride took something 11 hours, and we had no protection from the pranksters who would squirt diluted cologne through the windows we couldn’t get closed. So my two memories of that week at camp are sleeping under the stars at night and getting squirted with nasty, cheap cologne.

LDSWBR:  If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

DONNA:  Just one? I’d love a traveling time share that allowed me (and my family) to live in a different country for a year or two at a time. Having had the opportunity to live in three other countries already and visiting three others, I understand the difference between being a tourist and resident. Realistically, I’d quit my day job, sell my house, and move to Kauai and live with my daughter.

LDSWBR:  Thank you, Donna!

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Find A Change of Plans

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | BARNES & NOBLE (Paperback & Nook) | GOODREADS | BOOK TRAILER

A Change of Plans Cover

When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He’s everything her fiancé wasn’t, and against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world, her emotions come alive.

Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it’s hard to get away from someone when you’re stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn’s fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

Have you ever camped in a foreign country? If not, is there a place in the world you would be willing to camp to see in person?

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Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

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Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/14/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

  • A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
  • I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
  • A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 10, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2012 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected July 2, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winners will have until July 10, 2013 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Jun 052013
 

A Change of Plans CoverA Change of Plans

Author: Donna K. Weaver

Publisher: Rhemalda

Published: June 1st, 2013

Paperback: 326 pages

ISBN13: 9781936850778

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

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary

When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He’s everything her fiancé wasn’t, and against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world, her emotions come alive.
Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it’s hard to get away from someone when you’re stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn’s fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

Mindy’s Review

I thought this book was brilliant.  I loved it.  I also loved how Donna threw some of my favorite movie references in it.  Especially Hobbits.  But, I didn’t love the book just for those reasons.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I was reading A Change of Plans, but immediately I was drawn to the cover, and while reading, what was inside it.  This book has everything a reader could ask for.  Romance, humor, suspense, love, hope, strong, likeable characters, and a great fast-paced plot that will keep you reading until the end.  I read this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down.  I don’t want to give things away, but my heart would break for Lyn.  Many things happened to here, but I loved how her stunning character would help her through it.  Braedon was also a fav, and Jori too.  I could tell that all of Donna’s characters were important to her through her writing because of the way they all shine.  Am I gushing?  I’m gushing, but this book deserves it.  This book has it all, I laughed and I cried.

5 of out 5 stars.  I can’t wait to read more from this awesome debut author.

Sheila’s Review

I always love it when I’m surprised by a novel.  Most of the time readers think they know pretty much what will happen in a story.  Don’t do this when you read A Change of Plans.  This book is SO much more than your typical romance.  It has suspense, drama, adventure, and romance.  One more thing, it will make you cry at some point as you are reading.  (I’m not divulging where those moments will take place in the story.)  You can be assured that you will go through a variety of emotions before you read the last page.  This novel should be your first choice when you are looking for that perfect summer read.

Author Links

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Rhemalda
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