Book Review: Worlds Collide by Traci Hunter Abramson

 

Worlds Collide by Traci Hunter Abramson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Source: Purchase and received a review copy.

Book Description:  Pairs figure skaters Tyler and Amaliya have achieved the ultimate victory: a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics. But somehow, that victory holds less weight than what faces Tyler next: asking Amaliya’s overprotective father for permission to marry his daughter. When Robert senses a disconnect in Tyler’s and his daughter’s goals, he withholds his blessing, and the couple must determine if what lies ahead for each of them can truly align. As they consider their next steps together, they are unaware that their careers are in jeopardy. They have caught the attention of dangerous and powerful men—men who have vowed to never again allow the American pair to rise above the Soviet’s.

Amaliya’s mother, Katerina, is haunted by the decisions of her past and longs to be reunited with her brother, who is trapped behind the Iron Curtain. But her attempts to see him do not go unnoticed. The KGB does not let its people go easily, and now they know where to find Katerina, the defector. With danger closing in on Katerina and the competition heating up for Tyler and Amaliya, it seems that their dreams for the future may shatter.

My thoughts: Wow!

The Dream's Edge series is so good. It began with the novella Dancing to Freedom. The final book, Worlds Collide, brings the series full circle.

I have loved getting to know the characters. Tyler and Amaliya are very talented. After winning Olympic Gold they head to Canada to participate in the World's competition. There is more at stake than winning gold, Amaliya's mother wants to see her brother. She defected from Russia and knows she is at risk if she comes near the KGB or her brother. This book is intense with political intrigue, high-speed chases, romance, and reunions. I loved it!

Traci Hunter Abramson's writing pulled me in. Her pacing and story are excellent. I highly recommend this series. I wouldn't mind if there is a spin-off series and I can reconnect with the characters.

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

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

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

Start where it all began: 

Shifting Sands by Kathi Oram Peterson ~ Book Review

 

Shifting Sands by Kathi Oram Peterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book Description:  All Gloryanna Griffin needs is a full-ride scholarship to finish her master’s degree in marine biology in order to pursue her dream of saving the ocean. However, to be a serious contender for the money, she needs to publish in a prestigious magazine. A research dive off the Olympic Peninsula is a dangerous proposition but one that just might give her article the impact it needs. But when she’s swept into an underwater vortex, she realizes her life may be the price she pays instead.

When she awakens on the rocky beach—miraculously alive—the first person she sees is the handsome stranger who saved her. Over the years, Jonathan Dawson has saved countless lives from the perils of the ocean. But until now, no one has ever seen him. Nearly eighty years ago, he died on this same beach, and his spirit has been tied to the spot ever since. Now Gloryanna and Jonathan are irrevocably linked as they are plunged into a decades’ old mystery that promises answers to the past and keys to the future. But they soon discover that some secrets may be better left undisturbed.

My thoughts: As strange as it may sound, I wanted a human and a ghost to find a HEA.

Gloryanna is a marine biology student on a dive with her instructor and another student vying for the same grant that she is. Strange things happen on the dive that lead her to be sucked into a vortex.

Johnathan was a "sound pounder" during WWII. He stumbles into a situation he wasn't supposed to see and is murdered with his dog.

Their worlds collide when Johnathan pulls her from the sea saving her life. The catch is that she can see and hear him. She is the first person who has been able to. It quickly becomes apparent that their fates are intertwined and that they need each other to solve a mystery that links the past and the present.

Shifting Sands really pulled me in. It was an unlikely situation that worked! I quickly became fully invested in the plot and characters. Gloryanna and Johnathan work to solve the mystery surrounding them before Gloryanna loses her life to a killer. There are many trails that need to be explored before they can solve the mystery. All of them are plausible, this adds to the suspense and kept me turning the pages.

I really enjoyed the time I spent in this novel. It has non-graphic violence.

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

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

About the Author: Kathi Oram Peterson is the Whitney Award winning author of A STRANGER WATCHES (2020) and A FAMILIAR FEAR (2018).

Kathi's heart-pounding suspense novels make readers double check door locks and sleep with a flashlight. Her YA Time Travels bring readers to historical events as if they are there. Her novels have richly-drawn characters and plots that hook readers and make setting the book down nearly impossible.

Keep connected with Kathi--and stay informed about special deals, new released, and other reader perks--by signing up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cE52Y1

Visit Kathi at:
Her website http://authorkathiorampeterson.com/
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Book Review and Blog Tour ~To Win her Hand by Jen Geigle Johnson

 

An expert at winning a woman's hand. A woman who cannot be won.

Lord Featherstone has the world on his shoulders. Or at least his world. With two brothers and

a failing estate he must make funds somehow. But what happens when he falls for a woman?

Will his tactics work when the situation is so close and personal?

Everyone thinks Lady Loveluck is a wealthy widow. What they don't know is that she is on the

brink of hiring herself out as a Governess in order to pay for her next meal. The only thing

keeping her from employment is a growing reputation as a matchmaker. As long as she never

falls for another man, as long as she doesn't allow herself to be fooled into marrying, she will

be just fine.

But she never counted on being caught up in the beguiling tactics of London's renowned and

not so secret matchmaker for men.

My thoughts: Have you read a book by Jen Geigle Johnson? If not, why?

To Win Her Hand has the elements that I love in a Regency romance.  I love banter.    It is definitely one of my favorites.  This book definitely has that.  I love likable and relatable characters.  I love a good story with excellent pacing.  All of the above are found in the pages of this novel.

A male and a female matchmaker make a friendly wager. They both have a client, the one who makes the first match wins. The stakes are high, the loser has to move from London and establish themselves in Bath.  

The matchmakers have finally met their match.  I loved this story. 

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

~Lisa~

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

About the Author: Jen Geigle Johnson is an award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance, 

Jen has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well. 

Six children and an inspiring husband keep her going and make certain she doesn't stay glued to a keyboard or lost in obscure fascinating details of old castles. 

Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

PRAISE FOR TO WIN HER HAND

• "I loved the character growth, watching them learn more about the other’s heart and hardships, and the realization that perhaps they had more choices than they first thought. Such a sweet regency. I’m so grateful I had the chance to read this one."— Makayla Branson, Reading Past Bedtime

• “The house party, the quiet moments, the collection of other characters, and much more all combined together made this is delightful read.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads

• “Two matchmakers with a wager. What fun for all! [A] heart touching story.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads

COVER REVEAL ~ A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen

 

When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal couple's male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they've invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home.

Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent's handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.

Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

About the Author:  Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than a million copies and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been honored with the Minnesota Book Award, Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

AUTHOR MESSAGE

Dear Readers,

I am excited to give you an insider’s look at my December 2023 novel, A Winter by the Sea. This is the second book in the On Devonshire Shores series. Book One, The Sisters of Sea View, has been enthusiastically received and reviewed. I am grateful for each of you who helped spread the word about it!

During my research, I learned that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their baby daughter stayed in Woolbrook Cottage (very near fictional Sea View) during the winter of 1819-1820. I instantly knew I wanted to include them in the novel to give readers a glimpse of the early life of Queen Victoria and her parents. The royal party arrived with too many attendants to accommodate at Woolbrook, so some were lodged elsewhere. I thought it would be fun to have a few staff members stay at Sea View, including a pastry chef who invades their kitchen, a man in desperate straits, and the duke’s handsome private secretary.

It was also interesting to write a seaside novel set during wintertime (it was unusually cold and snowy that year). Because I live in frigid Minnesota, cold weather details and sensations were easy to imagine. 😊

When I began writing this series, I had not yet traveled to Sidmouth, where the series is set. I am happy to say I was able to visit in August 2022 and was thrilled to experience this delightful town in person. The highlight of that trip was meeting the staff and volunteers of the Sidmouth Museum who have been extremely helpful in answering research questions and checking setting details for me.

A Winter by the Sea focuses on beautiful Emily Summers, who finds herself caught up in two rivalries. First, while striving to further her writing aspirations, Emily is torn between her loyalty to a well-established publisher & bookseller and his flamboyant competitor. Second, despite her best intentions, she is attracted to one of their new guests, but an old love comes to town, determined to renew their courtship.

I hope you are eager to return with me to the English seaside for Book Two of the On Devonshire Shores series. Thank you for all you do to support my books, and readers everywhere! 

Gratefully, Julie

COVER REVEAL ~ Royal Rebel by Heather Frost.

A PRINCE fighting to save a princess
A SERJAH torn between duty and desire
A PRINCESS willing to sacrifice everything
A DECOY with nothing to lose
A WORLD about to be torn apart

After his father’s latest punishment, Grayson isn’t at his full strength. Trapped in Ryden and surrounded by enemies, he knows escaping with Mia will be more complicated than anticipated. Tyrell is determined to claim Mia for himself, and Henri’s plans for the rest of Eyrinthia are more horrific than Grayson ever imagined. Despite the increased danger, he and Mia must return to Mortise and warn Desfan of what’s coming—even though it may already be too late.

In Mortise, the palace is still reeling from the brutal attack that left many dead and even more wounded. Regardless of the chaos, Desfan is determined to continue with his coronation. As serjan, he hopes to bring stability to his country and solidify the peace with Devendra. But things in Eyrinthia are always complicated. When Prince Liam reveals they may be facing dangers from old enemies, Desfan will have to decide what kind of ruler he will be.

Devastating news from home has left Clare broken. Despite her heartache, she must once again be Serene’s decoy when a terrifying report sends the princess on an unexpected mission to Zennor. Left at the palace, Clare helps Desfan build trust with the elite in Mortise while guarding a treasonous secret. Because as her grief transforms into a burning desire for vengeance, she is finally ready to embrace a new role—rebel.

Eyrinthia is consumed by uncertainty. Duty. Desire. Sacrifice. Every rebellion has its cost.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for a loooong time.  Heather Frost is one of my go-to authors.  If she writes it, I want to read it. Royal Rebel releases on April 21st.  You can pre-order a copy and get a gift from the author!  Here are the details:

Pre-order ROYAL REBEL (Fate of Eyrinthia #4) in any format, then fill out the form below to receive an exclusive short story: The PRINCESS AND THE NEW BODYGUARD.

About the short story: 

Serene knows things have been strained between her parents since the civil war ended. She hopes a trip to Lambern Lake will bring her family back together. What she doesn’t expect is to grow closer to her new bodyguard, Cardon. Serene is about to learn that one day can irrevocably change the course of a life.

Pre-order Gift Form:
https://forms.gle/M3CPw3Y6RaLLChdw6

 

Cover reveal ~ "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord: A Mystery" by Celeste Connally with a giveaway!

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era cozy series with a feminist spin.

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding,

she makes the shocking proclamation―in front of London’s loosest lips―that she will never

remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and

freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become

confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and

enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while

in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper―

uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away,

or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her

own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in

jeopardy.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

About the Author: Celeste Connally is an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. A lifelong devotee of historical novels and adaptations fueled by her passion for history—plus weekly doses of PBS Masterpiece—Celeste loves reading and writing about women from the past who didn’t always do as they were told.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS 

GIVEAWAY CHANCE

Author Celeste Connally and her publisher Minotaur Books are generously offering a fabulous

giveaway for your readers that you can add to your post and on social media.

Giveaway Details:

Two (2) winners (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s

paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.  One (1) winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s

paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord and a gift prize package containing the following: 

1. A Jane Austen 'Obstinate, Headstrong Girl' mug from the Jane Austen Centre giftshop. 

2. A bookmark, and a bookplate signed by the author.

3. A medley of Harney & Sons teas in various flavors individually wrapped teabags. 

4. A handmade ceramic tea tidy in the shape of a teapot for teabags.

5. A box of English tea biscuits. 

Giveaway period: Open from 12:01 am Pacific time 02/22/23 until 11:59pm Pacific time on 03/19/23.

Terms & Conditions:

The giveaway is hosted by Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books. No purchase is necessary.

Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain

confidential and will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate

postage of the books and prizes to the winners. Void where prohibited. One giveaway item per

eligible entrant. 

Announcement of Winner: 

Visit author Celeste Connally’s website on March 20, 2023, to see if you won one of the three prizes.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway