Saturday, September 30, 2017

Happily Ever Afters Blog Tour Finale!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Happily Ever Afters
By Rachel Magee

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:



Launch - Author Interview

1. What is your motivation behind HAPPILY EVER AFTERS?

I actually came up with the idea for Happily Ever Afters while I was on a girls’ trip. Several of my friends at the time weren’t married and there were a few handsome bachelors at the resort. I started wondering what would happen if two people who didn’t live anywhere near each other fell in love.

It's All About the Romance - Why You Need to Go on Vacation – Or Read a Book – Or Both

Who loves vacation? Me too! It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend getaway to a town nearby or a longer trip to someplace a bit farther, I love them all. My passion for travel worked its way into my book HAPPILY EVER AFTERS, which is about a couple who meet while on vacation. The rest of their story involves meeting up at the different destination weddings of each of their best friends and visiting each other in their home cities. . . .


“Excuse me.” The deep voice came from above me.

I cracked one eye enough to see a man standing there. He motioned to the large storage bin holding all the passengers’ bags stowed under the bench where I was sitting. Shifting out of his way, I didn’t let the interruption distract me from enjoying the tranquility of the sail.



“Nice to meet you, Lainey.” He flashed a charming smile and settled against the rail. My heart skipped a beat. “What brings you to Puerto Rico?” He casually folded his arms in front of his toned chest.

“We’re celebrating my birthday.”

“Happy birthday.” The cheerful sincerity of his voice coaxed my fake smile into a genuine one.


Paulette's Papers - Character Interview with Lainey on Location in Dallas

Hi y’all. Today we are in Dallas, Texas chatting with the heroine from Happily Ever Afters, Lainey Stratton.

Hi Lainey. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m an internal medicine doctor. I finished my residency last year and am working at a hospital in Dallas. I like sports, especially hockey, and I love spending time with my friends.


"It's more than just a sweet romance, it's a journey filled with emotion and growth. . . . The last part of the book is filled with emotion that yanked my poor heart out. I was fully invested in the lives of these characters. Their journey wasn't easy, but it was satisfying. I loved my time spent with this book. I'll be watching for more from Rachel Magee!"

The Bookworm Chronicles - 5 Reasons to Get Swept Away with Vermont

The second destination wedding takes place at a bed and breakfast in Vermont. For this wedding, I wanted a location with a charming fairy tale like setting that would be the perfect place for our couple to meet up again. And what’s sweeter than maple syrup from Vermont?


"Magee is a new-to-me author and I was blown away from the powerful impact of the emotion that I felt throughout, and not just because of the jabs to my heart. The romance was palpable; the friendships were strong; the joys were high and the sorrows were low. This is one author worth watching out for!"


"Overall it was a cute story, much like a traditional romance. It was a clean read – although the characters were drinking, and some people may be bothered by that. Having never read something by this author before, I was unsure what to expect, but I found that I enjoyed it and will check out other books she has!"

Book Lover in Florida - Character Interview with Carter

Today we are talking with Carter Thompson, hero of Happily Ever Afters. Hi, Carter!

Hi. No one’s ever called me a hero before. I’m flattered. And searching for my cape.

Tell us about yourself.

Like you said, I’m Carter Thompson. My official title is long, but it means that I’m an economist for the State Department. I’m 34 and I live right here in Washington, D.C.


"A fast reading book, even though some of the first parts were slow the story kept me interested from start to finish. About finding love, recovering from lost loves."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

“Then I definitely think we should try them,” I whispered back. “Any idea what’s in it?”

He shrugged. “Nope. But tonight, I’m feeling daring. How about you?”

Daring was not a way I often felt. I preferred to make decisions based on fact and scientific reason. But for some reason, on this picturesque street with this handsome semi-stranger, daring sounded like a great idea.



"Happily Ever Afters was aptly named. It was a adorably sweet romance with a happily ever after ending. It was not a fairy tale retelling, but it definitely had a fairy tale ending. I love books like this one. Lainey had definite struggles to overcome in her life and relationships. As mentioned in the synopsis, she faced a tragedy that rocked her world. And the pain in her past kept her from trusting easily. Both problems were genuine and well-addressed."

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"The road that the characters travel is a hard one. There is tragedy, loss, and pasts to deal with. Carter is a strong support for Lainey. You really can't help but like him from the moment he is introduced. In many ways he becomes her rock. . . . The book is well written, full of emotion (good and bad). I look forward to reading more from Rachel Magee."

Heidi Reads... - Review

"The twist midway through the plot is what brought out the emotion and connection for me. Seeing Carter be there for her and support her through such a hard time was great, and I thought the author did an authentic job of portraying Lainey's grief and overwhelming emotions. Of course some external conflicts also arose that had to be overcome, and I was swiftly turning pages until I found Lainey's perfectly sweet happily ever after."

Remembrancy - Review

"This book. Wow. The first third was fun. A vacation in San Juan, good friends, adventure with a gorgeous guy and meeting new friends. It set me up for a fun romp. . . . And then Pow! Now I’m crying, grieving along with Lainey at her loss, her loneliness, her heartbreak. . . . Rachel Magee’s debut novel is moving but, more importantly, it reminds us of the power of falling in love."

Jorie Loves A Story - Author Interview

When you were pitching Happily Ever Afters - how did you decide to focus on an Indie Publisher and what motivated you to seek out Clean Reads? What gives them the advantage over other Indies?

I liked the idea of a small publisher because it allowed me to be more involved in all the decisions while still having the expertise and advice of people who had done this many times. Clean Reads was actually recommended to me by a good friend who thought it would be a perfect fit for this book. I’m so happy she did! They publish clean fiction in a variety of genres, so it was a great match for my love of writing sweet romances. It allows my story to shine in the specific market where it belongs. But more than the books they publish, they are an amazing group of people who inspire and encourage me. It’s a joy to be part of the Clean Reads team.


"I love a good clean love story and this is one of those. . . . This story had so much emotion in it, I kept going from crying to laughing to being mad at one of the characters. It is a really good read. . . . I would highly recommend this book to other readers. I loved it."

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Happily Ever Afters
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
ebook, 286 pages
September 19th 2017 by Clean Reads

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.


About the Author


Rachel Magee wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.

Tour Giveaway


Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 1 (US residents only)
· Happily Ever Afters coffee mug
· Tea Sampler Pack
· Happily Ever Afters notebook
· Lilly Pulitzer pen
· Chocolates
· ‘Vacations’ picture frame

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 2 (US and International residents))
· $25 Amazon e-gift card

Giveaway ends October 4th

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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Happily Ever Afters blog Tour with a giveaway!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Happily Ever Afters
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
ebook, 286 pages
September 19th 2017 by Clean Reads
Rating :  4 of 5 stars

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.

My thoughts: The road to a happily ever after is not smooth. There are many obstacles and hazards to be overcome before reaching your destination. 

Lainey is a successful Doctor celebrating her 30th birthday when she unexpected meets a handsome bachelor. (When do you ever expect to meet the right guy?) They hit it off from the beginning, but she lives in Texas and he lives in Washington DC. She considers it to be a vacation crush and is prepared to move on. Fortunately, that's not the way this story plays out.

The road that the characters travel is a hard one. There is tragedy, loss, and pasts to deal with. Carter is a strong support for Lainey. You really can't help but like him from the moment he is introduced. In many ways he becomes her rock. 

The book is well written, full of emotion (good and bad). I look forward to reading more from Rachel Magee.

Source: I received a copy of the book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.



About the Author


Rachel Magee wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.
Tour Giveaway


Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 1 (US residents only)
· Happily Ever Afters coffee mug
· Tea Sampler Pack
· Happily Ever Afters notebook
· Lilly Pulitzer pen
· Chocolates
· ‘Vacations’ picture frame

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 2 (US and International residents))
· $25 Amazon e-gift card

Giveaway ends October 4th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Wish Me Love by Michele Ashman Bell (Blog Tour with a giveaway)



Wish Me Love
Wish Me Love by Michele Ashman Bell
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from publisher to review.
Genre: LDS Contemporary Romance

Book Description:  Charlotte Wells does not date. After surviving a broken engagement, she’s taken a leave of absence from the social scene. So when her best friend and coworker, Jack, challenges her to get back in the game, she’s not so sure she’s ready to play. But ultimately, curiosity gets the best of her, and Charlotte accepts the daunting challenge: she will attempt to have fifty first dates in her effort to find “the one.” Unfortunately, she quickly realizes that the dating pool mostly holds clown fish as she goes on one lousy outing after another. Without a good man in sight as summer ends, Charlotte cuts her losses and sets her sights on a fun-filled trip to her cousin’s destination wedding in Brazil.
Brazil is a land of beautiful sights and delicious offerings—including Max, the charming brother of her cousin’s new husband. Max has all the makings of a Prince Charming in soccer cleats, and Charlotte’s happily ever after seems to be within reach. But love is a funny thing, and soon Charlotte finds herself wondering: could it be that her true love has been right in front of her all along?


My thoughts:  Be careful what you wish for!  Wishes may come true and turn into the unexpected.

Charlotte and Jack are best friends and adorable.  They are platonic, but you know that they shouldn't be.  They are a perfect fit.  But their relationship has never headed in that direction.

Charlotte's love life has been a disaster and she is reluctant to jump back into the dating scene.  She would rather wallow in misery than put herself out there to have her heart broken.  She make three wishes on a bracelet and her life changes.  She takes a chance, even traveling to Brazil for a relatives wedding.

The moral of the story is that sometimes the best things are right in front of you.  It takes a little searching, and you realize what you have when you look somewhere else.

The characters are cute and people that you wish that you had in your life. I felt as if I could get to know them in real life.  I enjoyed reading of  Charlotte's dating adventures. The plot deals with two religious people, so religion comes into play in the book.  This is a fun, cute novel that helps you escape your own cares and worries for a short time.



Online Purchase Links:


Enter the tour Giveaway:
(Winner notification and prize will come from Covenant Communications.)


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Michele Ashman BellAbout the Author:  (Taken from Goodreads)  I grew up in St. George, Utah, where a lot of my family still lives, but now reside with my husband and family in the Salt Lake City area. My favorite thing to do is support my kids in their many interests. Between basketball, ballet and piano lessons we squeeze a lot into a week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.


Visit her Website!


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Saturday, September 16, 2017

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson





 


The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael 

Anderson When wills clash and hearts collide, who will reign victorious? Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it. Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett's previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever.

 

Read an Excerpt:

 Harriett looked at what remained of the cake. Appar-ently, he didn’t intend to finish it off after all, so she collected their forks and stood. “Forgive me for saying so, but you look quite done in, Chris. If you do not go up to bed now, you will probably fall asleep here. Only imagine what Mrs. Caddy might say if she discovers you here with the mostly-eaten cake. For your own sake, you ought to retire. I will do my best to tidy things up.”

Before she could move away from him, he grabbed her hand and guided her to sit back down, keeping hold of her fingers. “Not so fast, my lady. I meant it when I said that I’m in desperate need of the distraction that only you can provide. Thus far, all I have done is burden you with my troubles.”

“I do not feel at all burdened, sir.” Indeed, Harriett suddenly felt breathless and somewhat giddy. The effect this man had on her was something of a wonder.

“Sir?” he asked. “I thought we were beyond that.”

“I thought so as well, but you only just called me ‘my lady.’”

He frowned and blinked as though he hadn’t realized he had. “Forgive me, Harry. I fear my exhaustion has muddled my thinking.”

 This time, she did not let the name slide. She snatched her hand free and frowned at him. “Obviously it has.”

 He laughed—not a tired attempt at a laugh, but a real one filled with the richness that warmed her straight through. Only this time, it did not bother her at all. In fact, it felt wonderful, almost like a compliment.

 “I knew you’d come through for me,” he said, leaning close enough to touch shoulders with her. “You have no idea how much I needed to laugh or how good that felt. I could honestly kiss you right now.”

 Harriett tried her best not to blush or appear astonished by the suggestion—he had obviously made the comment in jest—but when his smile widened into a devilish grin, she knew she’d failed. He leaned in closer, and his gaze wandered briefly to her mouth before returning to her eyes. She could smell vanilla and lemon and a hint of something else—leather perhaps? A delightful pulse whipped down her arm, and she was hard-pressed not to shiver.

“Admit it,” he said. “You have missed me.”

 

Rachael

   Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She 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.
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 10/1/17 Open only to those 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Mind Games by Stephanie Black ~ Blog Tour with a Giveaway!


Mind Games
Mind Games By Stephanie Black
Source: Received from publisher to Review
Genre: Suspense

Book Description:  Psychologist Natalie Marsh’s dream is now reality: her mental health services clinic has opened and is housed in an elegant, newly renovated nineteenth-century building. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the clinic’s presence, including Heather Osbourne, a troubled young woman who wholly objects to the occupation of the building. Heather has spent years wandering the halls of the abandoned structure, convinced she’s communing with her ancestor’s ghost. When Natalie thwarts Heather’s attempt to leap from a window, the shaken psychologist soon realizes Heather’s failed jump is merely one piece of a disturbing puzzle. Greed and deceit are weaving a web around Natalie, and someone will stop at nothing—not even murder—to get what they want. Stretched to her breaking point, Natalie struggles to learn the truth, but only one thing is clear: nothing is as it seems.


My thoughts:  Oh man!  I am enjoying this book, but haven't finished it yet.  Ugh!  I hate it when that happens.  A full review will be coming shortly with a rating.  I am looking forward to my life becoming semi normal after my daughter's wedding in three weeks.

What can I tell you about this book part way through.... It is well written with characters who are developed.  The story begins with a bit of a mystery, a suicide attempt, and someone who doesn't want the clinic to succeed.  The book is appropriately named... the plot and characters do play with you mind.

Will I be finishing this book?  Yes!  Definitely.


Online Purchase Links:


Stephanie BlackAbout the Author: (Taken from Deseret Book)  STEPHANIE BLACK has loved books since she was old enough to grab the pages, and has enjoyed creating make-believe adventures since she and her sisters were inventing long Barbie games filled with intrigue and danger or running around pretending to be detectives. She is a three-time Whitney Award winner for Best Mystery/Suspense, most recently for Cold as Ice (2010). Stephanie was born in Utah and has lived in various places, including Arizona, Massachusetts, New York, and Limerick, Ireland. She currently lives in northern California and enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and their five children. She is a fan of chocolate, cheesecake, and her husband’s homemade bread.


Enter the Tour Giveaway!

(Prize and winner notification will be coming from Covenant Communications) a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Love Remains by Sarah M Eden (Blog Tour with a giveaway)


Love Remains by Sarah M. Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received eBook to Review
Genre: Historical Romance

Book Description:  For nearly a year, Tavish O’Connor has carried the crushing weight of his family’s future on his shoulders. He has taken on the care of his youngest brother, Finbarr, who lost his eyesight in a terrible accident. But the lad needs more than Tavish can provide. Finbarr needs hope.

Cecily Attwater specializes in hope. As a tutor to the newly blind, she has dedicated her life to helping others overcome the obstacles she herself has conquered. Her new assignment in a remote corner of Wyoming proves trickier than usual: Finbarr refuses to learn. To make matters worse, his family—and the other Irish townspeople—are less than thrilled to discover an Englishwoman in their haven.

Cecily’s only hope lies in securing the cooperation of her pupil’s brother, Tavish, who happens to be her harshest critic and quite possibly the most frustrating man she’s ever known.
 
For Finbarr’s sake, Tavish and Cecily forge an uneasy alliance that, as the weeks pass, tiptoes toward something deeper than either dares admit or face, and toward a future they know to be impossible. There can be no hope of a happy outcome for an Irish man and an English woman amongst a people reeling from violence and centuries of hatred between their two homelands.



My thoughts: I have waited for this book since 2014 after Hope Springs was published. Tavish needed a story. I loved his character and wanted to read about him finding his match. The wait is over, and it was worth the wait!

Tavish is a good guy. He loves his family and his community. He is a giver, he puts his others needs before his own. He keeps telling everyone that he will make things right. He is amazing, but at the same time he is lonely.

Cecily is a feisty lady. She can hold her own against the O'Connor family. She is faced with a student who doesn't want to progress, an Irish family who holds grudges against the English (she is from England), and dealing with her progressive blindness. She keeps her head up and teaches others in spite of the obstacles. I loved her. I loved her for Tavish.

I appreciated being brought back to Hope Springs, a town that has faces prejudice and trials. This book adds another layer and looks at judging someone because of the country where they are born. I find this a timely theme. It's a painful process to eliminate prejudice, and Hope Springs gets another lesson. It would be nice if we could all see the importance of this problem.

I think the books should be read in order. Start with Longing for Home. It helps to realize the characters and see what Tavish has endured in the past to fully appreciate this book. It could be "read alone" but I highly recommend all of the books and reading them in order.

Sarah Eden is one of my "go to" author's for a reason. She is an amazing story teller.  Her characters are developed with realistic problems.  She is great at strong emotions and laughter.  Basically, she has a way with words.



Online Purchase Links:







Sarah M EdenAbout Sarah M Eden: (Taken from her WEBPAGE)  Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today Bestselling author of witty and charming historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, as well as 2014 Whitney Award winner for "Best Romance" and "Best Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a Bachelor's degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski. 



Read all of her books (I have two on the list that I still need to read.)


Other Books in the Hope Springs Series:
Longing for Home
Hope Springs
My Dearest Love


Regency Romances:
The Kiss of a Stranger
Glimmer of Hope
An Unlikely Match
For Elise
All Regency Collection
British Isles Collection


The Jonquil Brothers series:
Friends and Foes
Drops of Gold
As You Are
A Fine Gentleman


The Lancaster Family series:
Seeking Persephone
Courting Miss Lancaster

Romancing Daphne

Enter the Tour Giveaway:


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Visit the Tour Stops:

September 11 - My Book A Day
                        Smiling Book Reviews
                        Peggy Urry

September 12 - Bookworm Lisa

September 13 - LDS Writer Mom

September 14 - Literary Time Out

                         Why Not? Because I Said So!
Mel’s Shelves