Disappointmentville: Refined by Love Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 346; Kindle Edition - File Size: 4142 KB | Expected Release Date: September 30, 2014 | Publisher: Baker Publishing Group : Bethany House Publishers | Obtained: Litfuse Publicity Group

"The Brickmaker’s Bride" [Refined by Love Series, Book 1] by Judith Miller (aka Judith McCoy Miller)

Author's Book Description : Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and uncle from northern Scotland to West Virginia, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial assistance from his uncle Hugh. Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, but it’s Ewan who gets the business up and running again. Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner’s daughter, and he feels a connection with her, but she’s being courted by another man–a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Besides, Ewan has resolved he’ll focus on making the brickmaking operation enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Scotland.

But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan’s hard work may come to naught. As his plans begin to crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. She and her mother may have a way to save the brickworks, and in turn Ewan may have another shot at winning Laura’s heart.

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars, a man sets out to America to create a better life for himself and his three younger sisters has to deal with deceiving relatives and powerful men hoping to see him fail while praying that God will see him through.

I had high hopes for this novel, and while I liked Ewan, Laura, and their relationship, it still didn't meet my expectations. I mostly feel that way because it was hard for me to take Ewan's Uncle Hugh & Aunt Margaret's constant scathing comments. If Ewan was real instead of fictional, I wouldn't know how he could've put up with the remarks as long as he did. In truth, the actions of Aunt Margaret, Uncle Hugh, and Winston (Laura's suitor) really made it difficult for me to get through this novel because animosity seemed never ending at times.

However, as I said before I liked Ewan & Laura. Them being together and seeing how their relationship played out was the only reason I stuck with this novel. Ewan has a great head on his shoulders and with Laura's sweet ways; together they make a good couple. I did like how their personal story wrapped up it was very endearing.

Since this is the first novel in Ms. Miller's Refined by Love Series, I am very curious to see where this will go next.

Even though I had a hard time reading this novel I did like its plot, because of that I do recommend it to those who like Christian historical romances.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : The Brickmaker’s Bride - Overview


Author's Series Extras : Refined by Love Series - Overview

Book Teaser(s) :

"I will have you know that a brick is not a brick, Winston, and Ewan did not wave a white flag." Laura's eyes flashed with anger. "Do you also believe that all shoes are alike?"
"There's nothing similar about shoes and bricks, Laura." There was a hint of disdain in Winston's voice.
Laura stopped short. "There is a similarity between shoes and bricks. A good shoe depends upon how the leather is tanned and on the talent of the cobbler. A good brick depends upon the quality of the clay and the talent of the brickmaker. If a brick isn't dried long enough before entering the kiln or if the burner doesn't know how to maintain a proper fire, the brick may look good on the outside, but crack under pressure." She tipped her head to one side and lifted an eyebrow. "I believe politicians sometimes crack under pressure, as well. Don't you agree?" ~ within Chapter 9

Post by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews.

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Judith, then please check out her website.

Second Sentence Saturday: Kiss Me, Cowboy

SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab the novel/novella your currently reading
• Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue
• Share the SECOND sentence from that page
• Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want

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MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"Kiss Me, Cowboy" [Bar V5 Dude Ranch Series, Copper Mountain Series, & Montana Born Rodeo Series, Book 3] by Melissa McClone

Gone.

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PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!

Made the Grade: Duals and Donovans: The Different Series, Book 4

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 836 KB | Expected Release Date: November 18, 2014 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Witches' Waves" [Duals and Donovans: The Different Series, Book 4] by Teresa Noelle Roberts (aka Sophie Mouette)

Author's Book Description : The ocean is on their side. But the fight is on land—and it’s about to get dirty.

Duals and Donovans: The Different, Book 4

Long held captive as the Agency’s secret weapon—a blind witch with visions—Meaghan has come to a line she refuses to cross. Rather than betray the infant “child of five bloods” to the Agency’s scientists, she chooses death. Except when she throws herself into the ocean, she doesn’t die. Her repressed water magic comes to life.

When the sodden, delirious witch drifts into Kyle’s arms, his otter dual instincts tell him to get her to the Donovans as fast as possible. Even though one particular surfer-dude Donovan broke his heart.

Declan Donovan continually kicks himself for pushing Kyle away, but his touchy combination of water, earth and lightning magic is too volatile, and Kyle wanted more than Deck was ready to give.

When they come together to help Meaghan control her new magic, it leads the Agency straight to the child of five bloods. They’ll have to dive head-first into total trust—in their magics, in themselves and in each other—to save the child and stop the Agency once and for all.

Warning: Contains an oceanful of sex between an ethereal blind heroine who swears like a pissed-off Marine, an overly serious otter shifter, a would-be beach bum who may be descended from a Norse god, in permutations as fluid as the sea – and themes of abuse and recover.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! A woman--who has the power to see the future and has been raised in a facility where they use her and her power for evil--finds out she's dying and finds a way to get to the water with hopes to kill herself. Yet, fate decides to throw her into the arms of two men who change her life for the better. This was the first time I've read a novel from this series, which could be why I felt a bit lost at times, but this novel was standalone enough that you still get to read a full story.

In truth, at the beginning I only liked the scenes that Meaghan was in because everything else seemed to be dragging a bit. As the novel progresses I liked how the plot sped up and the interaction between Kyle, Deck, & Meaghan turned into something that I couldn't stop reading about. Together they make a wonderful combo that balances each other out in ways that where surprising and fun.

In addition, one thing that I loved about this novel was it's main characters' unique abilities! With Deck's massive supply of power yet needing to still maintain enough control as to not kill anyone; to Meaghan's foresight and her growing into the abilities that are no longer dormant; to finding out about Kyle being an otter shifter along with what that means and being both a dom and sub in the bedroom (depending on who he's playing with); it was all very exciting getting to know them!

This novel definitely hooked me for this series, I'm curious to see where it will all go next. I recommend this novel and series to those who like paranormal romances, don't mind reading about light bdsm, and are fans of m/f/m romances too!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : WIP Excerpt: Witches’ Waves | Teaser time! Witches’ Waves is ready for pre-order

Author's Series Extras : Duals and Donovans: The Different series - Overview | New “Best” Anthology

Book Teaser(s) :

Great. What Deck was saying made the situation even more hopeless. "So...cosmic power, no knowledge of magical ethics, working entirely on instinct and about a million reasons to be trigger-happy. As if simple decency weren't enough reason to keep my hands off her, there's always not wanting to get killed because I did something stupid." His path was clear. "I need to not touch her. Need to stop wondering what it would be like to be insider her, to have that ocean and amber scent around me as I fuck her...and damn, that's not helping one bit."
Deck laughed. ~ within Chapter 11

"If we live through this, you are so getting spanked," he whispered as he shoved the otter behind him. ~ within Chapter 25

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Teresa, then please check out her website.

Blog Tour - Made the Grade: Violca's Dragon by Leilani Love | Review & Gift Cards/Swag Packs Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Leilani Love, with a review of her debut novel "Violca's Dragon," which is the first novel in her Dragon Ruby Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY(s)!! [Blog Tour will run on October 17, 2014 -- Giveaway will run from ???]

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- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 895 KB | Release Date: July 5, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Violca's Dragon" [The Dragon Ruby Series, Book 1] by Leilani Love

Author's Book Description : Violca knows life can change instantly. Her parents died suddenly, leaving her to raise four younger sisters and keep them safe ~ even from the golden-eyed stranger.

Chase knows the Grey sisters possibly hold the key to his fate. He is determined to to get close, protect them and bring them to his Dragon King. What Violca doesn't know is that once a dragon decides he wants something, there is no stopping him from getting it.

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! Five sisters find out there is more to this world then what they knew when others come into their lives to try to protect them from those who would like to use them for evil gain, in the process they learn more about their parents and their pasts then they originally knew.

This unique novel takes the typical paranormal romance situations and throws them into a contemporary setting. Typically, I would like the idea if the romance works out but in this case, it just made me feel bad for Scott (one of the secondary characters who is a panther shifter). One of the things that made it difficult to flow along with the novel was its transitioning between its scenes and between its characters POVs throughout the novel as it wasn't as smooth as I'm used too in other novels. Otherwise, I thought that it has great potential since the plot is engaging and entertaining while making sure the novel never dragged.

As for the main characters, I thought that Violca (V) and Chase were good together once their romance got going. Plus, I enjoyed how close Chase became with her sisters; it was really sweet to read about and it got the reader more involved with the novel too. In truth because of how Chase acts it made me root for them being together even more. I just wish that their mating was more "planned out" in a way that made it not seem so fumbled, but I guess that happens sometimes just like everyday life.

I am definitely interested to see where this series will go, who will end up with who, and if/how the prophecy will come true.

I recommend this novel to those who like paranormal suspenseful romances.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : SMASHWORDS : Violca's Dragon


Author's Novel Extras : Started the fight scene. | Yay I have my iBooks link. | The blog blast is this Friday.

Book Teaser(s) :

“Where’s Eryk?”
Scott looks up at him and by the look on his face, Chase can tell he is upset. “He is taking Kati home.” Taking a big swig of his beer, he shakes his head. “Man, I don’t know what happened, but I think I fucked up?”
Chase frowns. “How the hell could you have fucked up? Did you tell Violca something you shouldn’t have?”
Scott shakes his head. “No, when Kati was here, I almost punched Eryk for touching her.”
Chase starts to smile until he sees Scott’s face and hears him growl, his eyes narrowing on him. “I don’t understand, he’s not the type of kid to take advantage of a girl. Why would you care if he was touching her? What happened?”
Scott stares at his beer, his thumb stroking the top. “I don’t know, she smells like honeysuckle and I...”
His voice trails off and Chase thinks about it for a second before smiling at him. “Did you imprint on our very young witch?”
Scott growls, shaking his head. The idea had obviously never entered his mind. Chase tries not to smile as he sees his friend thinking about what he just said. Suddenly Scott growls, “Shit.” The sudden outburst causes Chase to laugh.
“What the fuck am I supposed to do now? She is too young to claim and if Viktor finds out…”
Chase shakes his head and walks to the kitchen. “I think you need another beer and I am going to join you.” Grabbing two beers from the fridge, he opens them both before walking back into the living room. Handing one to Scott, he smiles. “Think this is karma for you teasing me about getting to close to the older sister?”
Scott takes a drink of his new beer. “Viktor is going to kill us both.” ~ within Chapter 17

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Leilani, then please check out her Facebook Page.

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About the Author :

Leilani Love is a proud mother of two very active boys. A military wife she loves getting to meet new people wherever they move. She loves to read books crossing many genres. Her love affair with dragons started when she was young and one day dreams of having her own dragon and black panther.

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Book Excerpt :

Opening the door, she steps onto the patio and smiles at Eryk. Her eyes are drawn to some movement behind him and she looks up to see Chase walking in from the woods. He is wearing his pants low on his hips and no shirt. Her breath catches as she notices his rippling muscles and the light traces of a six pack on his abs. When her eyes finally roam up to his face, she feels her cheeks heat up. His self-satisfied smile tells her he saw her checking him out.

Eryk clears his throat. “Good morning.”

Violca swears she must be beet red. She smiles at Eryk. “Morning, I just wanted to invite you guys in for eggs and sausage.”

Scott peaks his head out of the tent. “Did you say sausage?”

“Yep, do you want to join us?”

“Hell yeah,” Scott replies, crawling out from the tent.

Violca’s eyes widen. Scott is also in only a pair of jeans, no shirt, and Violca smiles thinking Linda and the girls would be mad to find out that she is the first to see him with his shirt off. She hears a growl and turns to see Chase watching her. “Be careful, I think there is an animal close by,” she says, wondering where that sound came from. “It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

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Giveaways!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Soo .... COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites!

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Find Leilani Love :

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Violca's Dragon : Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Kobo | iTunes

Made the Grade: Bar V5 Dude Ranch Series, Copper Mountain Series, & Montana Born Rodeo Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 316 | Expected Release Date: September 7, 2014 | Publisher: Tule Publishing : Montana Born Books | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions/Melissa McClone

"Kiss Me, Cowboy" [Bar V5 Dude Ranch Series, Copper Mountain Series, & Montana Born Rodeo Series, Book 3] by Melissa McClone

Author's Book Description : She didn’t mean to kiss him...

When dude ranch wrangler Charlotte – aka Charlie – Randall kisses Zack Harris in an act of empathy, she falls hat over spurs for the handsome military veteran turned cowboy. Zack has too many demons, however, and refuses to get involved. A year later, he’s still stonewalling, and Charlie needs to move on with her life so she can find a fulfilling relationship, not frustrating unrequited love. Putting distance between them seems the best way to get Zack out of her head and heart…but that means quitting the job she loves and accepting a position in Colorado.

He didn’t mean to kiss her back...

Growing up, Zack longed for a real family, and had one with his squad while deployed in Afghanistan. Now, he’s back in the States and doesn’t want anything messing up his new ranch family, no matter how much he’s attracted to the sexy, hard-working Charlie. She could break his heart and ruin the comfortable working relationship they and the other wranglers enjoy. Besides, her friends claim she’s looking for the perfect guy, and perfect he’s not.

A kiss is just a kiss...or is it?

When Zack learns Charlie’s thinking about leaving the ranch, he decides to find her a boyfriend — someone so good, so perfect, she has a reason to stay in Montana. Until he realizes too late that the only cowboy he wants her kissing is him. Can he commit to love and convince Charlie not to leave? Or has she made up her mind to put the past, and the kiss that started it all, behind her and move on without him?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars!! Past experiences come back to haunt two friends/co-workers. One who has chosen to get over her heartache if only she can find a way to forget about her seemingly unrequited crush. While the other uses his past as a guide of "what not to do" and in doing to he stifles his options for his future. Will they finally be able to be honest with each other in hopes that everything will work out between them the way it's suppose to be or will new options for them come to light instead?

A sweet romance that reels you in and doesn't let go! Charlotte and Zack are so alike that it’s hard not to see them together as a couple. I liked how these two played out their love interests in a way that they both have to find the truth of what they truly wanted for themselves.

Not completely, what I expected. Yet, I liked how the plot plays out while getting fun updates of the previous characters in this series. Can't wait to see where this series will take us next!

I recommend this novel and series to those who like contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series/Connected Series Here :


My Previous Review(s) for the Bar V5 Dude Ranch Series & the Copper Mountain Series : Mistletoe Magic

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Expecting Royal Twins!

Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: Marietta, Montana - Zach | Kiss Me, Cowboy - Overview (with links to more) | Update and New Release! | Sierra: The Story Behind a Dedication | Kiss Me, Cowboy Playlist

Author's Series Extras : Pinterest: Mistletoe Wedding - Tyler and Meg | Home for Christmas - Overview (with links to more) | Mistletoe Magic - Overview (with links to more) | Mistletoe Wedding - Overview (with links to more) | A Welcome from Marietta Chamber of Commerce | Home For Christmas | Out a Day Early! | I Wear Her Necklace | Mistletoe Magic! | Amazon Top 100 Best Seller! | Copper Mountain Rodeo: Alissa Callen’s Cherish Me, Cowboy | Copper Mountain Rodeo: Rachael Johns’ Tease Me, Cowboy | Copper Mountain Rodeo: Megan Crane’s Please Me, Cowboy


Book Teaser(s) :

"I'm supposed to be looking for a guy. I can't do that if we're"—Charlie pointed to him, then herself—"dancing."
Leaving off the kissing seemed to be best.
He flashed a cocky grin. "I'm a guy."
Her breath caught in her throat, and her pulse skittered. "Does that mean you've thrown your no dating people you work with rule out the window?"
Please tell me you have. Please, oh, please. She crossed her fingers behind her back.
"I haven't." A muscle twitched at his jaw. "I'm sorry. You're right. This was—"
"If you say this was a mistake and apologize, I will hurt you bad."
Amusement gleamed in his eyes, along with something else. A challenge, perhaps. "Think you could?"
She raised her chin. "I'd give it my best shot."
"I'd like to see that, sweetheart, but I wasn't going to say either of those things."
"Oh." Had he just called her sweetheart? Or maybe she was hearing things. ~ within Chapter 6

"Ready?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be." She looked up at him. "Kiss me, cowboy."
"You can kiss me, cowgirl."
Charlie lifted her chin. "Your idea."
Fine. She wasn't going to have to twist his arm. He would kiss her. Gladly.
For Arrow.
Better not forget that key point.
Zack lowered his mouth to hers, touching her lips gently.
Soft, warm, sweet.
The words described Charlie's lips, her kiss, the woman. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, but the jacket she wore—more life vest than piece of clothing—and his kept them more separated then he'd like.
Still no complaints. ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Melissa, then please check out her website.