The Lady of the Lakes by Josi S. Kilpack

The Lady of the Lakes: The True Love Story of Sir Walter Scott by Josi S. Kilpack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from publisher to review.
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description:  One is his first love.
The other is his best love.
Which will be Walter’s true love?

Walter Scott has three passions: Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart. Though she is young and they are from different stations in society, Walter is certain their love is meant to be. For years, he has courted her through love letters. She is the sunshine of his soul.

Though Mina shares Walter’s love of literature and romantic temperament, it’s hard for her to know if she truly loves him or if she has only been dazzled by his flattery. When she meets the handsome and charming William Forbes, her heart is challenged. Who will she choose?

But as every poet knows, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” and on a windy morning in the lake country, Walter meets Charlotte.

At twenty-six, Charlotte Carpenter believes she will never find love. After all, she is a Catholic-born Frenchwoman living in London with a family history shadowed by scandal. Though quiet, practical, and determined to live a life of independence, her heart longs for someone to love her and a place to call home.

Passion and promises collide as Walter, Mina, and Charlotte must each decide the course for their futures. What are they each willing to risk to find love and be loved in return?


My thoughts: I love historical fiction. When real people in history are the focus, it makes the book more interesting.


This story is about the romances of Sir Walter Scott. I love to read, so I am familiar with his name, but I was not familiar with his life. I love that this book made him more real to me. He isn't just a name anymore. He was a man with hopes and dreams. At the beginning of the book his hopes revolve around Mina. She was from a "higher" social class than he was. She was the daughter of gentry, while Walter's father was not.

The book simultaneously tells the story of Walter and Charlotte. Walter was in love with Mina and Charlotte was trying to figure out a life that she thought would be spent alone. Both of their stories are interesting. Their struggles and dreams were brought to life for me. Eventually the stories come together as Walter and Charlotte meet and discover unexpected dreams.

This is a clean romance. I love Josi Kilpack's writing. I have loved every book of hers that I have read. I feel that I can't go wrong picking up one of her books!

Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book

About the Author: (Taken from Deseret Book)  Josi S. Kilpack is the author of twenty-five novels—including the twelve-book Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series—one cookbook, and has been part of several coauthored projects and anthologies. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children.

Visit her WEBPAGE!

More from "Condemn Me Not" by Heather B. Moore #heatherbmoore

March 14th is coming soon!  Pre-order a copy today!

Amazon

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley (a long time ago)
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi

Book Description:  From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own.

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success:  every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there. 


My thoughts: What a nightmare! Not the book, or the writing, the story is a nightmare.

This book is set as a sci-fi dystopian. A group of kids do basically a reality show where they compete to stay at a prestigious school to study the arts. It is a "dream" come true for many of them. They can't afford the education that they receive.

There is a catch (as always), they have to sleep in pods for 12 hours. The school provides the sleeping pills. Supposedly it is the maximum sleep for creativity. One student doesn't take her sleeping pills and quickly learns that it is not as innocent as it seems.

This book is not set in a distant future. There are many things that feel familiar for a dystopian book. The science is different, but it makes me wonder if something like it could happen. Basically this book made me think. Books where there is a villain who seems benign and acting like he is helping society really interest me. It reminds me that people are not always who they appear to be on the surface.

The book has romance that is age appropriate. There is some violence and a lot of a young lady sneaking out of her bed investigating. The subject matter is a little disturbing and intense, with that in mind, I would feel comfortable letting one of my teens read this book.

The best part of starting a trilogy part way through the publication of the books, is that you can read books one and two right now.  Book three comes out in August 2017.

Purchase Links:  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Book Blitz for Heat Murmurs by Brynn Chapman (with a giveaway!)

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the Book Blitz for
Heart Murmurs

by Brynn Chapman

Note from the Author

Heart Murmurs arose from the concept of cellular memory. The story grew from my readings about the experience of a handful of donors who began to have memories.... they did not recognize. With people and place they did not recognize. In one case, a woman was actually able to identify her donor's murderer.

"Cellular memory can refer to: A variation of body memory, the hypothesis that memories can be stored in individual cells."

I hope you enjoy Mia's story, her battle with her heart condition, and cheer for her to win her battle with the Secret Literary Society. THE LITERATI.

— Brynn

Heart Murmurs

(Society Literati Series #1)

by Brynn Chapman

Young Adult

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 186 pages

December 23rd 2016

Mia Templeton is dying. Or was dying. After receiving a heart transplant, her world is forever altered. Before her eyes open, she overhears her donor was murdered. Whispers invade Mia's mind before she's even left the recovery room. She develops tastes for foods she once hated, and dreams so vivid, they feel like someone else's memories. Her personality is altered - once a quiet doormat, she's now inexplicably flippant, and confident. And her unexplained longing for the new boy at school is borderline obsessive.

Morgan Kelley is new. Adopted by his aunt, a descendant of Louisa May Alcott (Little Women), he's thrown into life at a new high school, and as a historical guide for his aunt's store - a homage to all things Alcott. Conspiracy theories abound about his mangled lower leg - but no one has been brave enough to ask. Till Mia. 

Something is awry with the Underground Railroad tunnels beneath his aunt's home. Mia and Morgan enter the world of a secret Literary Society - and are drafted to help bring a rogue Literary giant to justice, solve the mystery of her heart donor, and the real fate of Beth from Little Women.

Goodreads│Amazon

About the Author

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest

Other Books by the Author

  

  

Blitz Giveaway

1 winner will receive a print copy of HEART MURMURS (US only)

1 winner will receive an audiobook of HEART MURMURS (US only)

1 winner will receive a $5 Amazon eGift Card (Open internationally)

Ends January 10th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Join the Facebook Launch Party for Lady of the Lakes

I am looking forward to reading this book.  In fact, look for my post on January 10th!

In the meantime, there will be a facebook party this Friday, the 6th,  The schedule is listed below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/367289370290370/

Learn fun behind-the-scenes facts about the book, chat with fabulous historical romance authors, hear what's coming up next in the Proper Romance Line, and win prizes throughout the party!

Timeline:

12:30- The Party Begins!

12:35- Q&A with author Julie Daines

1:05- Q&A with author Donna Hatch

1:35- Q&A with author Josi S. Kilpack

2:05- Q&A with author/editor Lisa Mangum

2:25- Q&A with Heidi Taylor, manager of the Proper Romance line

Cover Reveal ~ The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson (with a giveaway)

 

  The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson To escape an undesirable match, Miss Notley must give up her riches for rags. When Miss Coralynn Notley’s father barters her off to the first titled gentleman to come along, she realizes she must flee her home or be forced to wed a despicable man. Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow. The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced for the position, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe? The Rise of Miss Notley is the delightful tale of a mysterious gentleman and a determined young woman, caught together in a web so tangled it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

Coming February 2017

   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.

Website

 

  $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 1/25/17 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

Looking forward to "Condemn Me Not" by Heather B. Moore #heatherbmoore

I am excited for this book to come out.  I love the era and stories from the Salem witch trials.  It is a fascinating time period.  This book comes out in March, hopefully you will be as excited as I am to read it.

Pre-order a copy today!

Amazon

About the Book:  “This woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures of this world; and she did now throughout her whole trial discover herself to be such a one. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief plea was that she had led a most virtuous and holy life.” —Reverend Cotton Mather, 1692

USA Today Bestselling author Heather B. Moore brings the life of her 10th great-grandmother to center stage. Susannah North Martin, accused of witchcraft in 1692, joins five women in the Salem Jail, all sentenced to death for their crimes. Amidst tragedy, Susannah finds hope and compassion as she remembers a well-loved life, and readers discover that love reaches far beyond the grave as Susannah faces the magistrates in Salem.

Shadows of the Forest by Emma Michaels

Shadows of the Forest by Emma Michaels
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Received eBook to Review
Genre: Fantasy

Book Desciption:  Everyone is dying to live in the Shadows of the Forest.
They gave me three rules to follow in exchange for my brother’s life:
1. Do not enter the West Wing;
2. Do not go outside after darkness falls; and
3. There is only one exit; The Gates.

This is what happened when I broke them…
My thoughts: There is something hauntingly beautiful about this book. It may have been the descriptions of the forest, or maybe that Lily had finally found peace? That is one thing that I loved about the book, the peace and beauty that was found in spite of the pain that propelled the scenes of this book.

At times the story seemed a little confusing. There is a lot of information given to the reader. Most of it is open for reader interpretation. (I did like that.) But it could have been set up a little better. Overall, this is a beautiful story that it steeped in ancient lore. It is not a simple book to be picked up and read quickly, but one to take your time with and let the deeper meanings take hold in your imagination.

Purchase a copy at:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble