Saturday, September 26, 2015

Second Sentence Saturday: A Castle for Dragons


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 or previously read
  • 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



MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"A Castle for Dragons" [The Dragons of Eternity Series, The First Archive/Book 0.5] by Julie Wetzel

Reports had come back from the outlying farms of a dragon stealing livestock, but no one had really believed them.



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!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Spreading the Word: Drummond Island Bears Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1248 KB | Expected Release Date: September 22, 2015 | Publisher: Midnight Blue Press | Obtained: Erin Kelly

"Bearly in Time" [Drummond Island Bears Series, Book 1] by Erin Kelly

Authors' Book Description : First book in a new series. This is a complete story with a HEA and no cliffhangers.

Carrie Sylvan's on the run. Her ex-fiance is stalking her, determined to get her back. She stands up to him, refuses to back down, and drives to a remote island determined to start a new life. The last thing she expects is to fall in love with boat captain Jack, but there's more to the handsome man than meets the eye.

Jack Chambers is happy running Drummond's Dream, a local ferry to the mainland, drinking gourmet coffee, and spending weekends letting his bear run free in the forest that covers most of Drummond Island. Most of his bear shifter friends have found their mates, but he refuses to believe in the werebear myth of fated mates. At least, he didn't think fate had someone in store for him...until he met a curvy, gorgeous woman on his boat that he can't stop thinking about.

Carrie's too frightened to trust anyone, but Jack's determined to win her heart and her hand in marriage. But there are treacherous waters ahead when Carrie's stalker finds her once again. Will Jack's bear be strong enough to keep Carrie safe and make her his mate?

My Book Review : DNF. While I believe this novel is set up with a creative plotline, I just couldn't get into it. I found its pace to be slow and I just couldn't get into its rhythm, that's why by 44% (within Chapter 5) I gave up reading this novel.

If you decide to try this novel out for yourself then be aware, it's for those who like paranormal romances.

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

Book Teaser(s) :

BEARLY IN TIME by Erin Kelly -- Read my #bookreview / #bookpromo post here:...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Friday, September 25, 2015
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Erin, then please check out her Amazon.com Page. Also, sign up for Erin's newsletter HERE for advance notice and special discounts on steamy, furry fun.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Made the Grade: Charm School Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 2483 KB | Expected Release Date: March 30, 2015 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Juniper Grove Book Solutions

"Charm School After Dark: Lesson 1" [Charm School Series, Book 1] by Lynn Carmer

Author's Book Description : Caelen Calvo has three meddling sisters, an employment problem, a married ex-boyfriend, and a massive headache from all the drama. Pass the wine, please. Her only hope of redemption comes in the form of a charm school that she and her sisters have recently inherited. The problem? The real money comes, not from manners and etiquette, but from naughty, after hour, classes that the sisters must take over and teach.
Caelen draws the short straw. The first topic on the charm school’s roster, well, let’s just say it involves her mouth and a man’s . . . Thrill Drill. If she were a cheerleader, she would chant: Give me a B to the J, rah, rah, rah—Caelen has four short days to research advanced techniques like The Corn on the Cob and The Twist and Twirl . . . plus prep the charm school for a blowout party and – oh yeah – find a man willing to be her temporary guinea pig.
Dare Lagos has been in love with Caelen since middle school. The former professional boxer, turned firefighter, has always fought for what he wants. The battle for Caelen’s heart is no different. Doesn’t matter that they used to bicker, endlessly, back in the day. Doesn’t matter that he has a cheating ex-wife that created serious trust issues. And it shouldn’t matter that he’s been suspended from his job as a Hot Shot, because he may have over-reacted when his ex-wife’s Boy Toy was assigned to his station. Nope. None of that matters except the taste of her smart mouth, the feel of her smooth skin and the smell of her sultry scent surrounding him. He wants Caelen Calvo—and he’s going to make sure that the only name on her short-list, is his.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! While the Calvo Quads are informed that their mentor left her Charm School to them in her will, they are also informed about the harsh situation the school is in. First – the Charm School is in dire financial straits. Second – there is someone who hopes to take the school from them. Then Third – their mentor’s plan to save the school was to host afterhours private classes for women who need a little help in the bedroom and they only have four days left to learn what they can before the first class. Because of an argument that the quads have it becomes apparent to Caelen that she’ll be in charge of the first class, especially if she wants to keep the school. So, Caelen does what she can to find out everything about her mentor’s first topic, blowjobs. Now if she can find the right man so help her out. Her old nemesis looks to be the perfect guy for her, and he is so very willing. Yet as they grow closer and find they want more than their four-day compromise, both of their pasts come back into their lives to haunt them. Can they trust one another and love one another enough to see everything through?

This uniquely erotic contemporary romance really sets up a nice pace for itself and the rest of its series. Funny, bright, and VERY steamy this novel seems to have it all! I really liked how Caelen and Dare come to terms with their attraction and get together. Then to top it off with the way Caelen tries to find her balance with him and how Dare deals with her eccentricities, it made me want to root for their relationship even more. My only wish was that the parts of the novel that were the “build ups” for this series weren’t so drawn out, as at times it left me a bit distracted and confused as to where the plotline would lead us.

Nevertheless, I do recommend this novel and series to those looking for a quick-witted erotic romance!

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

Author's Novel Extras :
My newest postcard... I know it will be lining the bottom of bird cages soon, but I still think it is pretty pretty 
Posted by Lynn Carmer on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Book Teaser(s) :
Caelen was back! And it was time for her to see how much he’d changed.
It will be different this time. He made the silent promise to himself as he imagined showering her with compliments instead of insults. She would feel the full power of his attention, instead of his sloppy, teenage jabs.
Holy hell. Just like that, life was good again.
Let the insanity begin. ~ within Chapter 2
“But hell, baby. I love your outfits. I love every sexy inch of skin that teddy showed off.”
Joy sang in her heart. Yes! “So, I was right! It totally made it better.”
“Of course it did.”
I knew it.
Then he ruined her smug triumph by saying, “’Cuz you’re practically naked!” ~ within Chapter 20
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Lynn, then please check out her website.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Second Sentence Saturday: A Time for Everything


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 or previously read
  • 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



MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"A Time for Everything" by Mysti Parker (aka Misty Baker)

Portia lay on the frozen ground between her husband and daughter.



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!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Blog Tour - Feasted On: A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn by Shelley Shepard Gray | Review & 5-Book Giveaway(s)

Today I'm turning my blog over to Shelley Shepard Gray, with a review of her recent release "A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn," which happens to be the THIRD BOOK in her Amish Brides of Pinecraft Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAY(s) (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from September 15 - 30, 2015 | Giveaway ends on September 30, 2015]



- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 288; Library Binding - Pages: 500; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1576 KB; Audio CD - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: September 15, 2015 | Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers : Avon Books : Inspire | Obtained: Litfuse Publicity Group / edelweiss

"A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn" [Amish Brides of Pinecraft Series, Book 3] by Shelley Shepard Gray (aka Shelley Gray)

Author's Book Description : Beloved bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray returns with the third book in her Amish Brides of Pinecraft series—a story of second chances for two young single parents…and the wedding that brings them together.

Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband Sanford passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. In the years since, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s also handsome and kind. Still, Emma is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?

Jay knows that few people his age understand what it’s like to lose a spouse, and Emma’s gentleness with his boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when Jay’s oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.

Jay wants to court Emma in earnest, but Emma’s relatives remain troubled by the prospect of her moving on. Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars! Over a year ago, Jay’s wife passed away, so now he and his sons move to Pinecraft, Florida to make a new life for themselves. While waiting for their new home to be ready Jay meets Emma, an Amish mother of three little girls who is a widower too, who is chasing after her naughty beagle. Has fate/God set them on a path to meet and become something more? Or will moving forward be too hard for them and those around them?

It started and ended with a mischievous dog, named Frankie. He gets into EVERYTHING when it comes to getting the food he wants, and because he’s adorable he gets away with it more than he should. However, if it wasn’t for Frankie’s antics it’s doubtful that Jay and Emma would have gotten as close as they did. Their relationship grows quickly in this novel but I love how it was all handled and the calming effect they have for one another. I could definitely read more about these two if I had the chance. The love that they show for one another and their unique situation kept reminding me of the 1968 version of “Yours, Mine, and Ours,” even though there is a lot more children in the movie.

The other major relationship that comes together in this novel is between Ben, Jay’s eldest son, and Tricia, Beverly’s—the manager of the Orange Blossom Inn—niece. They have a bit of a whirlwind romance but it’s very sweet. Also, I thought it was cute how their relationship grew from a sort of friendship into romance.

Lastly, this novel is the first out of the series to truly update you on all previous main characters! It was fun to see how everyone was up too.

I HIGHLY recommend this novel and series to those looking for an entertainingly sweet contemporary Amish romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : IndieBound (Paperback) : The Promise of Palm Grove (Book 1) | IndieBound (Paperback) : The Proposal At Siesta Key (Book 2) | IndieBound (Paperback) : A Wish on Gardenia Street (Novella 1) | IndieBound (Paperback) : A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft (Book 4) | IndieBound (MP3 CD) : The Promise of Palm Grove (Book 1) | IndieBound (MP3 CD) : The Proposal At Siesta Key (Book 2) | IndieBound (MP3 CD) : A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft (Book 4) | IndieBound (Library Binding, Large Print) : The Promise of Palm Grove (Book 1) | IndieBound (Library Binding, Large Print) : The Proposal At Siesta Key (Book 2) | IndieBound (Library Binding, Large Print) : A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft (Book 4) | Kobo (e-Book) : The Promise of Palm Grove (Book 1) | Kobo (e-Book) : The Proposal At Siesta Key (Book 2) | Kobo (e-Book) : A Wish on Gardenia Street (Novella 1) | Kobo (e-Book) : A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft (Book 4) | Alibris (Paperback) : The Promise of Palm Grove (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : The Promise of Palm Grove (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : The Proposal At Siesta Key (Book 2) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : A Wish on Gardenia Street (Novella 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft (Book 4)


IndieBound (Paperback) : A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (Book 3)

IndieBound (MP3 CD) : A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (Book 3)

IndieBound (Library Binding, Large Print) : A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (Book 3)

Kobo (e-Book) : A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (Book 3)


My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 2

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Hidden | Joyful

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015 | Second Sentence Saturday: The Proposal At Siesta Key

Author's Novel Extras : Pinterest: A WEDDING AT THE ORANGE BLOSSOM INN | A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn - Overview


So happy to be joining my friends over at Amish Wisdom this week! My husband is still shaking his head about the three things I'm passionate about. : )
Posted by Shelley Shepard Gray on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Author's Series Extras : Pinterest: THE PROMISE OF PALM GROVE | The Promise of Palm Grove - Overview | Pinterest: THE PROPOSAL AT SIESTA KEY | The Proposal At Siesta Key - Overview | Pinterest: A Wish on Gardenia Street | A Wish on Gardenia Street - Overview | Introducing the Bride Blog | Bride Blog: Perfect Proposals | A Visit to NYC | Bride Blog: Engagements | A Glimpse Behind the Scenes: Cover Art by Gail Dubov

Book Teaser(s) :

A WEDDING AT THE ORANGE BLOSSOM INN by Shelley Shepard Gray -- Read my #bookreview, #blogtour, & #giveaway here:...

Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

A WEDDING AT THE ORANGE BLOSSOM INN by Shelley Shepard Gray -- Read my #bookreview, #blogtour, & #giveaway here:...

Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

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



About the Author :

Since 2000, Shelley has sold over forty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, "The Protector," the final book in her "Families of Honor" series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, "The Survivor," appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, "Forgiven" and "Grace," and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, "Hidden," was an Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.

Shelley also writes historical, western inspirational romances for Abingdon Press as Shelley Gray. Her first novel with Abingdon, "A Texan’s Promise," was released in October 2011 and has earned glowing reviews.

In addition to her writing as Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley has written a dozen novels for Harlequin American Romance under the pseudonym Shelley Galloway. Her first novel with Harlequin, "Cinderella Christmas," reached number six on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list, and her second book for the American Romance line, Simple Gifts, won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Harlequin American Romance of 2006.

Her written essays have appeared on CNN.com

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she's not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine's annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Shelley is a member of RWA’s Published Author chapter, ACFW, and the Faith Hope and Love Chapter of RWA. Please visit www.shelleyshepardgray.com to learn more about Shelley and her books.




Giveaway(s)!! :

When widow Emma’s family opposes her new friendship with widower Jay, she begins to wonder if she’ll be alone forever. Don't miss Shelley Shepard Gray's third book, "A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn," in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series! A wedding brings together two young widowed parents, and once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

Enter to win a copy of A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced October 1 on Shelley’s blog!

orangeblossom-400

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Litfuse's other Blog Tour Reviews for this novel!!



Find Shelley Shepard Gray :

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