Made the Grade: Wagon Train Cinderella by Shirley Kennedy

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 202; Kindle Edition - File Size: 678 KB | Expected Release Date: February 3, 2015 | Publisher: Kensington Books : Lyrical Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Wagon Train Cinderella" by Shirley Kennedy

Authors' Book Description : Love can lead you out of the wilderness…

Callie Whitaker is a mistreated stepdaughter who’s been made to feel inferior all her life. When her family takes a wagon train journey to California, Callie begins to realize she’s not the “Little Mouse” everyone said she was. Among others, rugged guide, Luke McGraw, makes her aware of the courage, beauty, and intelligence she never knew she had–and in the process, falls in love.

From Goodreads: Ms Kennedy did such a wonderful job of making the story so realistic, that at times I felt like I was on that wagon train with Callie and her family. .

From Goodreads: There will be a lots of twist and turns in the good and bad in this read and the readers attention will be their front and center turning the pages to see what will be coming next in this enlightening as well as entertaining read.

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars. Callie (an adopted daughter who is actually treated like a servant instead of family) follows her family on a wagon train from Tennessee to California. Throughout the journey, Callie comes into her own and becomes independent, learning that she is stronger than she thought.

I liked the beginning and its steady buildup. However, I found that while the ending might have been more historically accurate in regards to the toughness of the trip, I just wasn't happy with how it turned out, even though I appreciated the HEA. Mostly I felt this way because I found romance to be lacking in this novel. Callie & Luke seem to be a good pair but as the novel mostly consists about Callie's growth it’s was really hard to tell. I was happy she stayed away from Magnus though.

Overall, I recommend this to those looking for a historical Women's Fiction novel.

Purchase This Book Here : IndieBound (Paperback) : Wagon Train Cinderella


Author's Novel Extras : Never an ugly romantic heroine! | Inside Wagon Train Cinderella | Wagon Train Cinderella hits #717!

Book Teaser(s) :

"What is it about you that I find so damnably attractive?"
She stepped back, held out her faded skirt and gave him a little curtsy. "The stylish way I dress perhaps?"
His face lit. "That's it! You make me laugh. You make me think of you in the middle of the night. You..." He seemed at a loss for further words, so instead pulled her back into his arms. ~ within Chapter 10

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

Feasted On: Hot Aussie Heroes Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 384 KB | Expected Release Date: January 21, 2015 | Publisher: Tule Publishing : Holiday Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Hero" [Hot Aussie Heroes Series, Book 2] by Amy Andrews

Authors' Book Description : The darling of the Aussie small screen, Edwina Calloway, has always had a thing for her ex co-star the hunky Justin Wilde - even before he took off to Tinsel town and became a Hollywood heartthrob. And Justin always had a thing for her. Except she was married already, so neither of them ever crossed that line. But now Justin's back in Oz to take part in a celebrity car rally with Edwina riding shotgun and she isn't married anymore...

It seems the entire country is holding its breath for their much vaunted reunion. Can they survive a five day road trip, just the two of them alone in the car under intense media scrutiny without finally getting naked and doing the Wilde thing? And if they can't, what happens at the end when Justin heads back to Hollywood?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Edwina's (Ed) life changed forever after her life threatening accident about a year ago. Now to honor those who saved her life, she plans to participate in a car rally with her ex-costar turned movie star Justin (Jus) to earn some money for her saviors. However, in the midst of the media spotlight old attraction flares between Justin and her, which makes them really think about what they want for themselves in the future.

Justin really is the hero! He’s so gentlemanly and sultry that it makes you wish he were the one loving and defending you. His relationship with Edwina is combustible from the very beginning; and as the novel progresses, it makes you want to root for them even more.

I recommend this novel for those looking for a fast-paced dramedy contemporary romance.

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

Author's Novel Extras : The Hero - Overview & Excerpt

Author's Series Extras : Hot Aussie Heroes Recipe & Giveaway! | What Makes Aussie Heroes Hot? by Madeline Ash

Book Teaser(s) :

Justin glanced at her legs. He couldn't help it with so much of them exposed. "You know that dress is totally evil, right?"
She smiled. "I thought you'd like it."
"Oh, I think like is far to mild a word. I think I nearly stroked out when you walked on stage."
"Thought I'd switch it up a bit."
Justin chuckled at the understatement. "And me and the rest of the straight male population of Tamworth thanks you for that. Maybe give me some warning next time thought, okay?"
She laughed and it sounded almost as evil as the dress. "And take all the fun out of it?" ~ within DAY THREE

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

Made the Grade: Dukes of War Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 203; Kindle Edition - File Size: 4890 KB | Expected Release Date: December 1, 2014 | Publisher: Intrepid Reads | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower" [Dukes of War Series, Book 1] by Erica Ridley

Authors' Book Description : Oliver York returns from war to find his father dead, his finances in arrears, and himself the new Earl of Carlisle. If he doesn’t marry an heiress—and fast!—he and his tenants are going to be pitching tents down by the Thames. He definitely shouldn’t be trading kisses with a penniless debutante… no matter how captivating she is!

Miss Grace Halton is in England just long enough to satisfy the terms of her dowry. But a marriage of convenience isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. Back in America, her ailing mother needs medicine only Grace’s dowry can afford. Which means the dashing earl she can’t get out of her mind is the one man she can’t let into her heart.

Regency-set Historical Romance Novel

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! Oliver comes home from war to find out his father has died and now he is an Earl of a failing inheritance. Grace (an American) enters into the London "Season" in hopes of gaining a husband who wouldn't miss her and would be nice enough to let her use her dowry in hopes of helping her ailing Mother. They meet, start up a friendship between one another, and realize that nothing more should happen between them. Yet their hearts have other plans...

Okay, even though I agree this novel has some meaningful scenes, a lighthearted flair, and while Oliver (Earl of Carlisle) & Grace throw off plenty of hot attraction, all I could think of after finishing it was, "Oh my that was CUTE!" =0)

I really liked this novel. It made me interested to see what will happen as this series progresses. Oliver & Grace make quite a pair as they fumble through Society hoping to help one another out while hoping for the best. I think what I liked about them the most is their gracious hearts, and how they kept putting those they cared for first. Very well written.

I recommend this novel to those who like fast-paced historical romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : IndieBound (Paperback) : The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (Book 0.5) | IndieBound (Paperback) : The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (Book 1) | IndieBound (Paperback) : The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (Book 2) | Smashwords (e-Book) : The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (Book 0.5) | Smashwords (e-Book) : The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (Book 1) | Smashwords (e-Book) : The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (Book 2) | Alibris (Paperback) : The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (Book 0.5) | Kobo (e-Book) : The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (Book 1) | Kobo (e-Book) : The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (Book 2)


Author's Novel Extras : The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower - Overview & Excerpt | Meet the Hero: Lord Oliver York | Meet the Heroine: Miss Grace Halton | New Release: The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower

Author's Series Extras : Dukes of War Series - Overview | The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation - Overview & Excerpt | The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress - Overview & Excerpt | The Major’s Faux Fiancée - Overview & Excerpt | Join the official Dukes of War Reader Group! | FREE: The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation

Author Book Interview :

Book Teaser(s) :

"I've a better idea. Let's make up something completely untruthful."
The corners of her mouth twitched. "Aha. We'll say I was in my nightrail, brushing my hair in peaceful solitude, when you climbed up to my balcony and---"
"Do you even have a balcony?"
She pursed her lips. "You're not invited upon it, regardless."
He gave her a slow, naughty smile. "No one's ever invited to scale a balcony."
"Some women might be convinced to let you try." Her teasing gaze heated his skin.
"Let's start over," he suggested, rather than consider what the fictional Oliver might do after climbing up her balcony. Answer: everything.
"Why?" Her lips quirked. "Are we not having fun?"
"We're having far too much fun."
"These parties are supposed to be boring?" She lifted an eyebrow.
He gave her a stern nod, well aware his eyes betrayed his humor. "Precisely. You're meant to remark upon the weather, and I upon... the cakes..."
"Good heavens, that is boring," she replied with mock horror. ~ within Chapter 3

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