Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Book Review ~ "Rags to Romance" by Killarney Sheffield

Rags to RomanceRags to Romance by Killarney Sheffield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Received from the author to review
Genre: Historical Fiction Romance

Book Description:  Finny Donelly is not lady-like, in fact she isn’t a lady at all, she was born in White Chapel, the slums of 1858 London. When Devon Dowell, an adventure seeking lord stumbles upon her he figures she is sure to teach his overbearing, society climbing stepmother a lesson about meddling in his affairs. He couldn’t be more wrong. When Finny collaborates with Lord Dowell’s sister to win his love he gets more adventure than he bargains for. Can the scrawny girl in rags really be his dream lady? 


My thoughts: When I began to read this book I was reminded of "My Fair Lady." Finny is a young woman living in the slums of England. Her father is killed and asks a stranger who happens to be a noble, Devon, to look after his daughter.

She is plucked from her home and immediately married. He does this to get revenge on his step-mother who is pestering him to marry, so he won't loose his inheritance to a cousin. He promptly leaves on a voyage to the Orient.

Devon's sister is a bright spot in the story. She sees the potential in Finny and begins to train her to become a lady in language and refinement. She takes a girl of poor breeding and makes her into a lady. She learns to read and write, which opens up a different level of misunderstanding between Finny and her husband.

There are quite a few comedic moments in this historical-fiction romance. Finny is a very likable character, and Devon grew on me. This book is not one that I would classify as a clean romance. It contains mild swearing and a sex scene.




Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 3:30 AM 0 comments

Monday, April 27, 2015

Book Review ~ "Together with You" by Victoria Bylin

Together with You by Victoria Bylin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Book Description:  A Tender Contemporary Romance about Finding Unexpected Love 

 When a Lost Child warning blasts over the mall's PA system, toy store manager Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about five-year-old Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that Penny suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's own past suddenly confronts her. Never again will Carly become involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart. Before she has time to think it through, she agrees to a much-needed job as a nanny. 

Dr. Ryan Tremaine knows he messed up his life. But this summer he will redeem himself. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan is dedicated to his sink-or-swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruiting Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny. 

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?


My thoughts: This book drew me in from the very first page.

I felt that Ryan and Carly were portrayed realistically and I liked them as individuals. Together they were better than they were alone. Both Ryan and Carly have mistakes from their past that limit their ability to move on in life.

Ryan had an affair that resulted in a child with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). The affair ended his marriage. His daughter, Penny, is a hand full. I couldn't help fall in love with her character. She has so much to give, but is often misunderstood.

The book begins with Penny missing in a mall. He entrusted her care to his son from his marriage. It soon becomes apparent that his family is in crisis. This is where Carly comes in. She has the knowledge and the love to bring this family off of the brink and help them love and accept each other.

This book didn't have instant love, but it did have instant attraction. The major theme of the book is about forgiving yourself from past mistakes and trusting God. Ryan is agnostic, but Carly has a deep love and faith in her Savior.

I enjoyed this book and I am grateful to Bethany House for providing me with a review copy.






About the author (taken from her Webpage):  Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin writes both western and contemporary inspirational romance. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband currently live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:00 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Blog Tour ~ " A Love Like Ours" by Becky Wade + tour giveaway!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.


A Love Like Ours (Porter Family #3)A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley to review
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description:  Deeply scarred from a day he wishes he could forget during his military service, Thoroughbred trainer Jake Porter has given up on love. He struggles against symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, returns to their hometown of Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake trusts her with his prized racehorse, Silver Leaf, then battles his hopes for his horse against his increasing fear for Lyndie's safety.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?


My thoughts: This is the third book in the Porter family series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I am grateful that I had the opportunity to read the first two books before this one.

Jake and Lyndie are wonderful characters who seemed like they could be real people to me. They both have challenges that effect their attitude and their drive to succeed in life.

Lyndie has a disabled sister. The compassion and love that she shows are admirable. Lyndie is loyal, smart, and talented. The love that she exibits toward her sister shows in the way she treats the horses she works with.

Jake was a marine. The wounds he carries from his time in Iraq are not all visible to the eye. He has a scar on his face, but his real battle is in the PTSD that is a part of his everyday life. I really liked that the book looked into a topic that is the battle that extends long after a soldier leaves the military. The book looks at how everyday situations can impact a person struggling with PTSD.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is clean and has a Christian theme.







Order your copy of A Love Like Ours by May 17th to have part of your proceeds go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (more details on the Launch).
(Pin this image linking to the Tour Launch for an extra giveaway entry.)




During her childhood in California, Becky Wade frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. She's the Carol Award and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, and Meant to Be Mine.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.


Other Books by the Author
Tour Schedule:
April 20th - Launch
April  27th - Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

 $50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
Signed copy of A Love Like Ours (US Only)
1 Kindle ebook (gifted through Amazon) of A Love Like Ours (INT - if available in your area)
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:30 AM 5 comments

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Book Spotlight ~ "Katia's Promise" by Catherine Laningan


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Katia's Promise
(Shores of Indian Lake #4)
by Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
May 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Katia Stanislaus is a top insurance agent in Chicago, but her company is about to fold if she can't pull off a miracle. She convinces her boss to relocate to Indian Lake where she lived as a child and broke the heart of the one man whose account would be enough to save her job and her company. The only problem is that Austin McCreary has been a near recluse since the day Katia left him. Austin won't take her calls and appears set on revenge for the pain Katia has caused him. Just seeing Austin, catapaults Katia back to the time when she was 16 and so very much in love. But it was just a teenage crush, wasn't it?




Read an Excerpt
*********************

Her eyes locked on his, and though he saw her, he didn’t seem to recognize her. Or he did, and he was a superb actor.
Austin’s hands dropped to his sides. Though he kept a smile clamped on his face, he remained rigid.
The crowd dispersed slowly, like the shifting sand after a wave has rushed onto shore.
Mrs. Beabots was the last to leave the room, and then it was just Katia standing across from Austin in the front parlor of the house she grew up in.
“Hello, Austin.”
“Katia.”
She thought her heart would hammer a hole right through her chest, but she didn’t dare let him know how much he affected her. She couldn’t decide whether to smile at him, rush to him and hold his hand or ask his forgiveness on the spot. She felt as if she’d turned to stone. She couldn’t think or move.
She was filled with blistering guilt.
“Austin, I’m so—”
His hands shot up to silence her. “Katia, leave. Now.”
“But, Austin, I want to talk to you...”
He shook his head. “Leave. It’s what you do best.”
He spun on his heel and stormed into the hall. Katia followed him out of the front parlor and stepped into the main hallway in time to see him talking to a woman carrying a tray of marinated shrimp. Katia assumed she was his cook or housekeeper.
“Daisy, there is a woman in the living room,” Austin was saying. “If she’s still there after you put that tray in the dining room, call the cops and have her removed.”
“Sure thing,” Daisy replied.
Katia watched as Austin raced up the majestic staircase and disappeared.



*********************




Other Books in the Series

Love Shadow (The Shores of Indian Lakes)  A Fine Year for Love (Shores of Indian Lake #3)

Links for Love Shadows
(Shores of Indian Lake #1)

Links for Heart's Desire
(Shores of Indian Lake #2)
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

 Links for A Fine Year for Love
(Shores of Indian Lake #3)

Catherine Lanigan is the bestselling author of over thirty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, “Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart”, Chocolate for a Woman’s Spirit”. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available on audio-cassette, CD and on electronic format. A prolific writer, she is always writing wonderful stories. She has several titles only available in ebook format on Amazon.com Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine for December, 2002, and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference. In March, 2006 Divine Nudges: Tales of Angelic Intervention and the second in Lanigan’s Angel Watch series of books, was published by HCI, the Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher.


Tour Schedule:
April 19th - Launch
April 20th - Coffee Books & Art
April 21st - Deal Sharing Aunt
April 22nd - The Written Adventure
April 28th - Mel's Shelves
May 1st - Grand Finale

Cover Reveal & Tour Giveaway

 $100 Amazon Gift Card
3 ebooks of Katia's Promise by Catherine Lanigan
Open internationally.
Ends May 8th

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 1:46 PM 4 comments

Monday, April 20, 2015

#FREE eBook ~ "Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan

 
Fields of Elysium
by A.B. Whelan
Best seller in Teen & Young Adult Fantasy
4.3 stars on 86 reviews
Price: $0.00 Save $14.35
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Apple iBooks
Award-Winning Author
CAN LOVE MEND A HEART FULL OF HATE?
Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful.
Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers.
While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly’s life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor.
Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.
Would you fight to be with the one you truly love? What cost would you be willing to sacrifice for that love?
Fields of Elysium Dream Cast
Fields of Elysium Book Trailer
Fields of Elysium Playlist on YouTube
Click here
Special Offer
After reading this story you will find your heart racing whenever you enter a cave.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 1:51 PM 1 comments

Tour Launch for " A Love Like Ours' by Becky Wade

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're launching the REVIEW & EXCERPT TOUR for:
A Love Like Ours
By Becky Wade

Is there hope for Jake Porter after struggling with PTSD? Will the love of an old childhood friend, Lyndie James, be enough? Come along with us as we share reviews and excerpts from their story. And be sure you order your copy of A Love Like Ours by May 17th to have part of your proceeds go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (more details below).

Tour Schedule:
April 20th - Launch
May 27th - Grand Finale

Part of the Proceeds from A Love Like Ours to Go to Charity
From Author Becky Wade

(Pin this image linking to the Tour Launch for an extra giveaway entry.)

First of all, I was inspired to give to a charity through my novels because of general market author Kristan Higgins. For her past several releases, Kristan has donated a portion of the proceeds on her book’s first week of sales to The Fisher House Foundation. I thought it was wonderful — that she’d found a way to give back through her work. Not only was she donating money to Fisher House, but she was also raising general awareness about the charity. I'd never heard about Fisher House before Kristan, but now I know about them and about how they help veterans and their families.

My research prior to writing Jake’s book further motivated me. I read a biography written by a Marine with PTSD. I researched PTSD and I read lots of online accounts of servicemen who experienced trauma while serving overseas. (Who’d had first hand experience of IEDs, etc). THEN I actually wrote Jake’s book and tried to put myself in his shoes.

All that to say… I definitely felt led to give some of my earnings on A Love Like Ours to an organization that helps veterans.

I picked Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF for short). Check out their website which contains more details about how they support veterans. They have a series of excellent videos on YouTube of veterans talking about their experiences and how IFHF has helped them.

I love what they do because they focus on psychological health conditions like PTSD as well as physical injuries and brain injuries.

I’ve been corresponding with IFHF and staff members at Bethany House and it’s official. I'll be giving a percentage of my earnings on A Love Like Ours from whenever the book starts selling through May 17th to IFHF.

A Love Like Ours (Porter Family #3)A Love Like Ours
(Porter Family #3)
by Becky Wade
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback, 368 Pages
May 5th 2015 by Bethany House Publishers


Deeply scarred from a day he wishes he could forget during his military service, Thoroughbred trainer Jake Porter has given up on love. He struggles against symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, returns to their hometown of Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake trusts her with his prized racehorse, Silver Leaf, then battles his hopes for his horse against his increasing fear for Lyndie's safety.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?


During her childhood in California, Becky Wade frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. She's the Carol Award and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, and Meant to Be Mine.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.


Other Books by the Author
Tour Giveaway

 $50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
Signed copy of A Love Like Ours (US Only)
1 Kindle ebook (gifted through Amazon) of A Love Like Ours (INT - if available in your area)
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:30 AM 2 comments

Friday, April 17, 2015

Blog Tour ~ "The Perfect Fool" by Bethany Zohner Herbert

Visit the Cedar Fort Tour Page!


The Perfect Fool by Bethany Zohner Herbert
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review


Book Description:  Plucked from the streets to become a court jester, Farrago’s life couldn’t be better, especially now that he’s flirting with scullery maid Thea. But when Thea turns out to be a queen in disguise, Farrago may become as much a fool in love as in his occupation. This medieval tale is filled with romance, humor, and twists that will keep you guessing to the last page.


My thoughts: Little Thief watched the Fool entertain a crowd.  He wanted the juggling balls, and since he is a thief, it was easy enough to take them.  He didn't realize that he would be caught easily.

The "Fool", Fendral, see's something in the boy and takes him as an apprentice. He gives him a name, Ferrago, and a purpose. He takes a trouble boy off of the street and teaches him to be an honorable man.  He also has a smile that Ferrao covets.

This book is told from Ferrago's point of view.  I love the voice that is used.  Ferrago is engaging and his thoughts are enlightening.  He is a little sarcastic (something I really like) and sees things beyond the surface.  He is loyal to his friends and a formidable enemy.  Not many people can get away with cutting holes out of people's clothing while they are wearing them.

Because Ferrago is meant to be funny, he is able to bring clarity to muddle situations.  His mentor taught him to bring out an opposing viewpoint with humor and diffuse difficult moments.  A fool has a little bit of immunity to political wrangling.

Ferrago takes the knowledge that he learned and is able to use it in a very different situation.  He has vowed not to let anyone that he loves to slip away from him.  This vow has him follow his child food friend and love interest to another country.  He has spent time acting, using his "fool" faces to mask his emotions and thoughts.  This ability serves him well.

This book is full of humor, political intrigue, good verses evil, etc.  It's also a clean read. :)






About the Author;  Bethany Zohner Herbert was born in Salt Lake City, and aside from a short amount of time living in England and the South, she is back in her native Idaho where she grew up. She has been a fan of books since before she could write. She earned her Bachelor’s in creative writing from BYU-Idaho and her Master’s in literature and writing from Utah State University. When not coming up with weird stories, she likes participating in and teaching Zumba, making crafts (silly ones like puppets) reading, and dating her husband.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:00 AM 1 comments

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Book Review ~ "Rough Edges" by Kimberly Krey

Rough Edges, Allie's Story, A Companion to the Sweet Montana Bride Series by Kimberly Krey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description: Divorced mother, Allie Emerson, never imagined she’d be raising two teenage girls on her own. Between parenting and paying the bills, she hasn’t even thought about meeting a man. That changes once she hears local carpenter, Braden Fox, is in need of a secretary. Back in high school, Allie had done all she could to deny the sparks burning between her and Braden; perhaps now they could explore the possibilities. 

Braden has heard all about what Terrance did to Allie and the girls, has been planning to stop by and see how she’s getting along, but Allie beats him to it by showing up at his shop in search of a job. Her single visit reignites the old flame Braden used to torch for her; trouble is, old feelings of resentment return as well. Allie did choose Terrance over him, after all. And as much as Braden wants Allie in his life, he’s not sure he can open his heart again. 

With this second chance at romance, will the bumps in their relationship be too much to get over, or will this carpenter learn to smooth out the past?

My thoughts: Second chances do happen once in a while. Allie is divorced and trying to make it on her own with her two teen daughters. She needs a little more income until she can get her jewelry business running well.

She takes a chance and goes to apply for the job as the secretary to her ex-husbands best friend. She remembers the sparks that flew between the two of them as teens and would like to get to know him again.

Braden hires Allie against his better judgement. He has had a hard time getting over her feeling for her and is not sure he wants to re-open old wounds.

This book is fun to read. I loved the Allie and Braden. It was also nice to have a few characters from her Kinmberly Krey's Sweet Montana Bride Series pop in a couple of times.

The book contains some pretty serious kissing, mild swearing, but it's pretty clean.





Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:30 AM 1 comments
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