All I Want by Jolene Perry, Kaylee Baldwin and Rachael Anderson – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Dec 032012
 

All I Want: Three couples. Three stories. One Holiday.

Authors: Jolene Perry, Kaylee Baldwin, Rachael Anderson

Publisher: HEA Publishing

Published Date: October 2012

Paperback/Kindle; 225 pages

Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance

ISBN# 978-1480115231

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review

***See below for summaries of each story and giveaway details.***

Review

I love Christmas romances. As soon as Thanksgiving is over I start looking forward to all of the holiday romance movies on the Hallmark channel. I know, but I can’t help myself.

I was so excited to take part in the All I Want blog tour. Three Christmas romances written by three authors whose past books I’ve read and loved? Count me in!

I read All I Want straight through. All three stories are enjoyable and well-written. It was fun reading and recognizing the style of each author. These women are talented storytellers and I appreciated the toe-curling yet clean romance in each story.

I loved each hero. I couldn’t begin to pick a favorite. I really liked the heroines, too. While Pretty Near Perfect, Six Days of Christmas, and Twist of Fate are all novellas, they were so well done that at the end of each I felt as if I’d read a full-length novel.

I highly recommend All I Want to anyone who enjoys a good romance. It’s a bargain at $2.99 on Kindle. I am adding All I Want to my list of Favorite Christmas Reads, though I’m definitely not waiting until next Christmas to read them again.

Tour Schedule

 

ALL I WANT

THREE COUPLES. THREE STORIES. ONE HOLIDAY

Pretty Near Perfect

by Jolene Perry

The last thing Norah needs is to be attracted to anyone – especially in her deceased fiancé’s parents’ home. Collin’s starting a new career, and has no business getting involved – especially while staying with his roommate’s family, who very kindly offered to take him in for the holidays. Unfortunately, you just don’t always pick the most convenient time and place to fall for someone.

Six Days of Christmas

by Kaylee Baldwin

When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother – someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.

Twist of Fate

by Rachael Anderson

When a postcard meant for Kenzie winds up in Ty’s mailbox, Ty’s faced with a decision. Should he tell her that her fiancé is breaking up with her and let it ruin her favorite holiday, or should he do what he’s wanted to do since he met her – make a move and hope that he can win her over before she discovers there won’t be a wedding after all.

Purchase All I Want

 Kindle Ebook * Paperback

 

Author Jolene Perry

Jolene Perry is an enigmatic figure. She is most often seen behind her laptop, staring at the words flying onto the screen with reckless abandon.

She survived growing up in rural Alaska, driving like a lunatic, and her husband’s careers in the military, as a perpetual student, and an Alaska State Prosecutor. She also survived as a middle school math teacher using her degree of Political Science and French.

One day Jolene was playing her guitar (probably some-thing juvenile for her kids) when she wondered what it would be like to write a song for a rockstar, and her first book was born. (that book is shelved)

She now lives a very glamorous life as a stay at home mom, elbow deep in dirty dishes and peanut butter sandwiches. She doesn’t even attempt to keep up with the laundry because non-writing time is precious, and her family is sorta awesome.

Links:

Website * Twitter * Blog * Facebook

 

Author Rachael Anderson

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She’s the mother of four, 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.

Links:

Facebook * Website * Twitter

 

Author Kaylee Baldwin

I grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in English literature.

I currently live in southern Arizona with my husband, Jeremy, and our three children. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with my family.

Links:

Facebook * Website * Twitter

 

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

Ends 12/24/12


Open to anyone 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’s permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


A Rafflecopter Giveaway
 

Official All I Want Blog Tour Schedule

Insight by Jolene Perry — Giveaway

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 092012
 

Insight

Author: Jolene Perry

Publisher: Next Door Publishing

Published: September 3, 2012

ISBN13:  9781479253074

eBook

FTC FYI: Received a free copy in change for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary:  Micah hates her ability to “see” things when she touches people. She’s terrified of relationships, holds on to guilt over the death of her classmate, Lacey, and has no idea what to do with a vision from Landon, a boy from her school. She feels him falling for her, but Micah doesn’t do friends, much less relationships.

Enter a spooky history project about a tragedy from three hundred years ago, and voodoo dolls that Micah somehow feels has to do with her gift. Suddenly she’s sure the shadows in the woods are following her every move—without Landon’s relaxed attitude about what’s happening in her life, Micah would be sure she’s going crazy.

With no ideas on timing or specifics, the visions of both herself and the people she cares about are turning dark—and it appears the shadows around her house do move on their own. But as Micah and Landon try to prevent Micah’s visions of the future, the shadows close in, and they’re now afraid they’ve become the cause…

Micah’s story is the first of three girls, with unique talents, who are part of a 300 year old tragedy that follows them in the shadows.

My Review

Micah’s ability to see things has made it so she doesn’t like to be around people.  She doesn’t like accidently bumping into people at the risk of finding out things about them she didn’t want to know.  When Micah arrives at her new school, she tries to purposely be late to class to avoid seeing.  The only person she doesn’t mind touching is her mom, but now that they have moved, there is a new face besides hers that she sees through her mother.  Micah feels alone and has felt that way since she was five.  They only person she can’t see images from is her father.  When she goes to visit him, we find out why.

There are so many exciting and cool things that happen in this book, I can’t give any more details.   As with all of Jolene’s book, the characters are well written and the plot is page turning.  There is a cool legend mentioned with voodoo and shadows.

I really enjoyed this book.  I thought that Micah’s insights were very cool, and they always kept me guessing.  I loved how they were glimpses of what could happen.  Or are they?

4 out of 5 stars.

Content

There is some language, and teenage drinking. Some sexual references. Although the main characters do not have sex, it is talked about.

Jolene is the author of many awesome books.  Read more about her on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Giveaway and Good News!

I am excited to announce that Insight is on sale at Amazon for $.99! AND, I am giving an eBook copy of Insight to a lucky winner.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Contest ends October 16th.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Left to Love and My Forever by Jolene B. Perry

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Contests, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 012012
 

Left to Love

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher: Next Door Publishing

Published: June 8, 2012

ISBN13: 9781477548363

286 pages

FTY FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: Leigh’s life is shaping up to be pretty perfect.

She married the father of a little boy she fell in love with. They live in a nice house, on a quiet street, and her hobby of a sewing business is keeping her busier than she ever imagined. She’s back in touch with her brother who she hasn’t seen since she was a child, and her new husband has an “in” for his dream job when he graduates in the spring.

But when her small symptoms begin to lead up to something big – she has to face the shattering realization that her cancer is back.

Leigh struggles with her new marriage, her faith, her desire to adopt the little boy who calls her mom, and the strength to keep fighting for her life.

My Review

I am a huge fan of Jolene’s and her stories.  When I asked to read and review The Next Door Boys last year, I instantly fell in love with the characters.  I was so excited to know that Jolene had written more for Leigh and Brian.

Leigh’s cancer is back, with a vengeance.  So much is different for Leigh this time around, especially her faith.  As Brian struggles to help her, and Leigh struggles with her own feelings of trying to adopt Brian’s sweet son Nathan, while his mom is in jail.  Leigh lets the cancer get the best of her, and finds herself questioning her faith. While dealing with her long absent brother Joseph, and why he left the family so many years before.

There were so many things I loved about this book.  My heart broke for Leigh, but also Brian as he wanted to help her so much, but didn’t know what to do for her.  Nathan was a ray of sunshine in the story, what a sweet kid he is.  I feel that Leigh learned a lot during her cancer treatment, most of it learned from a visit from an old friend.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  I cried a lot, but also smiled a lot.  Jolene is such a talented author, and I loved being a part of these amazing stories.

My Forever

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher:

Expected Publish Date: August 3, 2012

ISBN:

178 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: A novel about finding your place in the world when nothing goes as planned…

Told from the POV of Dani (Danielle), a high school senior.

A companion novel to The Next Door Boys and Left to Love.

My Review

Dani is the daughter of a pastor.  She has a big family, and feels a little lost in all the chaos sometimes.  Right when we meet Dani, she finds out she’s pregnant.  She feels lost, but knows deep down that she shouldn’t be the one to raise the baby.  Not being able to turn to her family, she turns to a boy Michael who shared with her a couple years back that he was adopted.  Dani tells him she is pregnant, and he tells her about LDS Family Services.  Right away she feels that is the path for her.

I loved this book.  I think that it is my favorite from Jolene.  A lot a tragedy happens to Dani, but also a lot of good.  I loved her experiences, and how she learns to have the Holy Ghost be her guide.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

I have an exciting giveaway for you!  Jolene is generously donating her series in eBook, PDF form, to one lucky winner. 

The Next Door Boys, Left to Love, and My Forever.

I am also giving away the paperback copies on my review blog MinReadsandReviews.com if you would prefer that.  You can enter both places.

Please leave a comment below, and you’re entered.  Winner announced August 8th, 2012.

Read more about Jolene and her books on her blog.  Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

Knee Deep by Jolene Perry — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jun 132012
 

*Due to subject matter, please see content warning in review*

Knee Deep

Author: Jolene Perry

Publisher:  Tribute Books

Published: May 1, 2012

eBook: 240 pages

ISBN: 9780983741886, 9781476060316

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary:  Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He’s her soul mate. He’s more uptight every day, but it’s not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she’s adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he’ll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He’s the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she’s playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

Content and Review

First of all, I feel I need to start with a content warning.  This is a very well-written book, with a very heavy subject matter.  There are two F-Bombs, sexual content, and some violence.  The characters don’t have sex, but there is a scene where Ronnie is attacked by Shawn.  She is not raped, but almost.  You may ask, why I would even review a book with this heavy subject matter, the answer is simple.  I’m sure there are girls out there, parents out there, friends of girls out there, who this is happening to.  It is a subject that possibly isn’t talked about much, and this book would start a great dialog.

Ronnie keeps making excuses for Shawn.  She is always doing what she can to make sure he is happy.  Even down to not wearing the type of shoes she wants because they make her too tall, or performing in the school play because it takes time away from being with him.  Luke is her friend, and is always there when she needs him.  Mindy is Ronnie’s best friend.  At first Ronnie can’t understand why Mindy doesn’t want to constantly be with her boyfriend, she truly is so blindingly in love with Shawn, that it takes her awhile to see his flaws.

3 1/2 stars.  It would of been 4 if not for the language and sexual content.  That being said, there was a lot that I liked.  I loved Ronnie’s relationships with her father, Luke, and Mindy.  Her dad did stand back a times, but I think it was to help her make her own decisions.  He wanted her to ask for help.  Although, he didn’t know the scope of what was happening to Ronnie until later, he would of interfered sooner if had known all the facts.  Ronnie was good at keeping secrets, especially from herself.

Jolene is a talented author with many great books out now.  Her latest Left to Love is available now on Amazon.  It is Book 2 after The Next Door Boys.  Look for my review of Left to Love in July.  She has also written Night Sky.

Follow Jolene on FACEBOOK / TWITTER and her writing blog.  Tribute Books FACEBOOK / TWITTER pages. Purchase links:

AMAZON / NOOK / SMASHWORDS / PDF / GOOGLE