Friday, February 25, 2022

Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk #BookReview #RegencyRomance #Giveaway #summerhaven


 

SummerhavenSummerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Regency Romance
Source:  Received to Review

Book Description: Hannah Kent and Oliver Jennings pledged their hearts to each other as children. Now, years later, Hannah is thrilled to receive an invitation to spend the summer at Oliver’s family’s country estate. The path to wedded bliss is clear—so long as Oliver’s highbrow older brother, Damon, has ceased his juvenile antics, Hannah’s future looks bright indeed.

But from the moment Hannah arrives at Summerhaven, nothing is as she expected. Oliver seems disinterested in renewing their acquaintance, and Damon is not the brutish boy she remembers but a man intent on avoiding marriage. Although she has loathed Damon her whole life, when he contrives a ruse designed to win them both what they desire, Hannah warily agrees. All she has to do to reclaim Oliver’s attention is pretend to be madly in love with Damon. But when Damon is surprisingly convincing in his role as a suitor, it proves difficult to discern the line between pretense and true love.

My thoughts: Tiffany Odekirk has created her first Regency romance. I enjoyed her contemporary novels and was very excited to read Summerhaven. This story did not disappoint. The plot is established and plausible.

Hannah was excited to visit Summerhaven. She spends many idyllic summers there as a child. She longs to rekindle her romance with Oliver. Their mothers plotted to have them marry as adults and Hannah is anxious to make it happen. Unfortunately, Oliver is not the same as the boy she spent her youth with. His older brother, Damon, was her nemesis. He teased her and tormented her. But he has a plan to foil his father's designs to have him marry and make Oliver jealous and help remind Oliver of his feelings for her.

Fortunately (for me), she starts to realize Damon's charms. He is no longer the boy who loved to tease her. He is handsome and considerate. A friendship of convenience leads to a very interesting story. At one point she considered him to be her enemy. An enemies-to-lovers story is always a lot of fun.

This story was everything that I hoped it would be. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more Regency stories from the author.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.


Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

Read an Excerpt:

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

Damon stepped forward, and his watch key and seal—visible reminders of his status and self-importance—clanked together. He bowed. “Miss Kent.”

“My lord,” I returned with a shallow curtsy. 

The corners of his mouth curled into a smile. “I see someone has managed to make a lady out of the wild girl I once knew,” Damon said, and before stepping back in line with his mother, he met my eye and added, “A pity.”

My eyebrows pulled together in surprise. 

“Do try not to scowl, Miss Kent. It will crease your lovely brow.”

“Damon Jennings,” Lady Winfield scolded. “You have been taught better manners.”

“My apologies, Mother. Teasing a beautiful woman is one of few things that has yet to be lectured out of me.” 

I gaped. Never in all my life had a man spoken so casually to me. Damon may have grown into a man, but he was not a gentleman.



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



 About the AuthorTiffany Odekirk is an Amazon Top Ten bestselling author and a 5-star Reader's Favorite medallion earner. She has traditionally published four contemporary novels (Love on Pointe, Love Unscripted, and Love Sidelined) and one Regency novel (Summerhaven) with Covenant Communications. Her first Regency novella (Falling for Felicity) releases May 3, 2022. Before becoming a writer, Tiffany earned her BA in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, then worked in the social services. These days, you can find her reading or writing a book in her southern California home where she lives with her husband and four children. You can also find her on FB, Instagram, and Bookbub @AuthorTiffanyOdekirk.



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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh #BookReview #ChristianFiction

 



In Search of a Prince
by Toni Shiloh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  Received to Review
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Book Description: Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells--Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.

Distraught by her mother's betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council's list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.
 

My thoughts: When I started reading In Search of a Prince I thought it was going to be like the Princess Diaries. A young woman learns that her royal heritage finds out that it has been hidden from her. She travels to the country and receives opposition when she is presented as the heir to the council. That part is similar, but that is where the book diverges.

I had fun reading this story. Brielle is a down-to-earth main character. She sees people as individuals and is not interested in their social status. She learns to love the small island kingdom set off the coast of Africa. In reading the pages, I came to love the culture and the people. If it wasn't a fictional island, I would love to visit. :)

Brielle has an instant attraction to a palace runner. She receives a list of council-approved prospects for her husband. Tomori is not on the list because of his station in life. The book is about her struggle to find a groom while comparing all of them to him. She uses God as her compass and her faith to pick the husband who would be the best choice for the kingdom.

There is an element of suspense. Toni Shiloh did a fantastic job at setting up several characters as the "bad guy". I hate to admit that I was blindsided when all was revealed at the end.

This is a perfect book for anyone who imagined they were really a princess as a child. (That would be me.) The characters in the book are Christian who have a lot of faith and offer prayers in the dialogue.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.




Online Purchase Links:




About the Author Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

Visit her WEBPAGE!

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

When WE Became Three by Jill Caryl Weiner


 

When We Became ThreeWhen We Became Three by Jill Caryl Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book Description: Chronicle the blissful chaos of pregnancy and parenting with this one-of-a-kind family journal. Together with your partner, record your journey through parenthood and your child's transformation from baby bump to the first birthday and beyond. 


My thoughts:  This little journal is not like other baby journals. Usually, they are only about the baby, which is fine. This includes pages for the parents to record their journey in becoming parents. There are places for parents to include their love story, their dates post-pregnancy, etc.

It includes so much more! If you are looking for a shower gift, this would be a very good gift.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

 




Online Purchase Links:



About the Author:  Jill is a journalist and author who has covered people, parenting, New York and sports for clients 
including The New York Times, New York Magazine, Time Out New York Kids and Mom365.com.

"When We Became Three: A Memory Book for the Modern Family" was named as "one of the best pregnancy books of all time" by The Book Authority and Carpool Goddess said "It's the most clever and creative baby journal I've ever seen." Her new book "When We Became Four: A Memory Book for the Whole Family," is a funny, family-friendly journal for the family having their second baby. Jean Kim, M.D. says it's an invaluable way to both enrich and commemorate the family experience" and that it gives the older sibling a healthy outlet for their complex emotions.

Jill lives in New York City with her husband and two children. 

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Dreams of Gold by Traci Hunter Abramson #blogtour #giveaway


 

Dreams of Gold (Dream’s Edge #2)Dreams of Gold by Traci Hunter Abramson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source:  Purchased by Me


Book Description:  Nine months ago, Amaliya Marcell’s world was rocked when she nearly lost her parents in a devastating accident. In that moment, everything changed, and it was with no small amount of determination that the former ballerina rebuilt her life into something wonderful alongside the man she loves, her pairs ice-skating partner, Tyler.

Since he was a child, Tyler Linden has dreamed of Olympic gold. And with Amaliya by his side, he’s confident that his goal is finally within reach. The pair is on track to compete in the Winter Games in Leningrad, but the path to gold turns out to be rougher than they expected. A painful injury on the ice shakes Amaliya’s confidence, and it will take every ounce of willpower to keep working toward the competition of her life. But when the discovery of a family secret connects her to the Soviet Union, the truth of her history forges within Amaliya a renewed determination to make her Olympic dreams a reality.



My thoughts:  First thing, the cover is amazing. If I didn't love the author and the series I would pick it up just for the cover alone. The second is pairs ice skating. It is one of the most beautiful sports to watch.

Traci Hunter Abramson knows how to write a good story. This is the second installment featuring Tyler and Amaliya. The series has fascinated me as it details the process of training to be an Olympian. The hours of practice and film that the athletes endure is inspiring. Tyler and Amaliya are a fun couple to read about. They are a perfect pair on and off of the ice.

Amaliya has recently taken up the sport after receiving training for ballet and ice hockey since she was a child. During the story, she has a few setbacks that threaten their dream of competing in the Olympics. Tyler shows great patience in helping her mentally and physically.

This is a story that leaves you feeling good. The characters are fantastic, the plot is so good, and the setting is inspiring.

I highly recommend this book.

Source: I received a digital complimentary copy. I purchased a digital copy, and I purchased a signed paperback. I may be slightly obsessed.


Online Purchase Links:




About the Author:  Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a seven-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than thirty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson




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Monday, February 7, 2022

Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Barron #HistoricalMystery #BookTour #JandAndTheYear #AustenprosePR


 
Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Barron

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Source:  Received to Review


Book Description: May 1816: Jane Austen is feeling unwell, with an uneasy stomach, constant fatigue, rashes, fevers and aches. She attributes her poor condition to the stress of family burdens, which even the drafting of her latest manuscript—about a baronet's daughter nursing a broken heart for a daring naval captain—cannot alleviate. Her apothecary recommends a trial of the curative waters at Cheltenham Spa, in Gloucestershire. Jane decides to use some of the profits earned from her last novel, Emma, and treat herself to a period of rest and reflection at the spa, in the company of her sister, Cassandra.

 
Cheltenham Spa hardly turns out to be the relaxing sojourn Jane and Cassandra envisaged, however. It is immediately obvious that other boarders at the guest house where the Misses Austen are staying have come to Cheltenham with stresses of their own—some of them deadly. But perhaps with Jane’s interference a terrible crime might be prevented. Set during the Year without a Summer, when the eruption of Mount Tambora in the South Pacific caused a volcanic winter that shrouded the entire planet for sixteen months, this fourteenth installment in Stephanie Barron’s critically acclaimed series brings a forgotten moment of Regency history to life.


My thoughts: There are many books and movies about the life of Jane Austen. I fell in love with her stories while taking AP English in High School. She captures a time period and writes the most amazing banter. I felt intrigued when I read the synopsis for this novel. A novel was written about Jane Austen from her point of view. Yes, please!

When I started reading this book I went about it in the same way that I begin most books. I started reading. It didn't take me long to figure out that I couldn't go at the same pace as other books. I quickly realized that I needed to slow down and pay close attention to the words. Not only is it a book about Jane, but it is also written in Jane's style of writing.

A little further in and I noticed footnotes? Footnotes in a piece of fiction? Stephanie Barron has taken facts from the life of Jane and her family. She did research into Janes's life! Not only that, she listed her sources. This is definitely NOT your typical fiction book. The book is also written in the first person. It lends a feeling of anticipation, you know that something is coming.

This is a book that is to be savored. You don't start this book to read quickly and move on to the next book. You need to pay attention and enjoy. I noticed that it is the 14th book in the Jane Austen Mysteries series. This is my first book by this author, but it will not be my last.

I love mystery and I love Regency. This is a great blend and one to capture your imagination, interest, and pique your curiosity.




Francine Mathews was born in Binghamton, New York, the last of six girls. She attended Princeton and Stanford Universities, where she studied history, before going on to work as an intelligence analyst at the CIA. She wrote her first book in 1992 and left the Agency a year later. Since then, she has written twenty-five books, including five novels in the Merry Folger series (Death in the Off-Season, Death in Rough Water, Death in a Mood Indigo, Death in a Cold Hard Light, and Death on Nantucket) as well as the nationally bestselling Being a Jane Austen mystery series, which she writes under the penname, Stephanie Barron. She lives and works in Denver, Colorado.


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Advance Praise

“Outstanding...Barron fans will hope Jane, who died in 1817, will be back for one more mystery.”— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“No one conjures Austen's voice like Stephanie Barron, and Jane and the Year Without a Summer is utterly pitch-perfect.”— Deanna Raybourn, bestselling author of the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries

“…a page-turning story, imbued with fascinating historical detail, a cast of beautifully realized characters, a pitch-perfect Jane Austen, and an intriguing mystery. Highly recommended.”— Syrie James, bestselling author of The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen 

Jane and the Year Without a Summer is absolute perfection. Stephanie Barron expertly weaves fact and fiction, crafting a story that is authentically Austen in its elegance, charm, and wit. The characters and setting will enchant you, and the mystery will keep you guessing to the last page. This Regency-set gem is truly a diamond of the first water.”— Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Siren of Sussex