Forever Yours Event ~ Get to know Liwen Y. Ho's book "The Sweet Spark"

 

The Sweetest Spark by Liwen Y. Ho

He’s a fun-loving ice cream shop owner looking for more than a fling. She’s a straight-laced food critic too scared for love. Little did they know how much a foolish kiss would trigger an avalanche of emotions too great to contain. Colin Spark may not have the best track record when it comes to his career choices, but he’s loved the same woman since he was thirteen. His only obstacle to winning her heart is proving he’s ready to settle down—an impossible task now that his store is going out of business. Since her sister’s passing, Candy Connelly has survived by being in control and protecting her heart. There’s only one man she’s let her guard down with, but his unreliable past shakes her confidence in his future. Colin won’t give up pursuing his passion; Candy won’t give in to her attraction. That is until an accident brings all their unspoken issues to the surface and forces them to listen to their hearts. Will this incident be the spark that drives them apart for good or gives them their sweetest taste of romance yet?    

 Candy followed Abby as they headed back to their table, her heels clicking against the wooden floor, until a tall figure stepped in front of her. One whiff of the man’s musky cologne confirmed Colin’s presence, as did the warmth radiating from his body. Candy would’ve liked to wrap herself up in it, especially in this cold winter weather. Instead, she stepped back, careful not to make contact with the man who had a way of worming his way into her heart. “Excuse me,” she stated, trying to side step her way around him. “Candy, can we talk?” Colin stood firmly, crossing his arms as if he meant business. “Please?” “Colin, that’s not a good idea.” Candy peered around him to look for Abby and see if she’d help her out of this situation. No luck though; her friend was long gone. So much for counting on her friend’s nosiness. She crossed her arms and peered up into Colin’s pleading eyes, then immediately dropped her gaze. It was best not to look directly into his eyes. That’s how she’d found herself letting down her guard around him. “I thought I made it clear; there’s no future for us. We’re too different. It would never work.” He stepped close, leaning his head down next to hers. His voice was husky when he spoke. “If that’s the case, I want you to tell it to me straight. Look me in the eyes and say there’s no future for us. Then I’ll let you go on your way and never bother you again.” “What? What difference does it make how I say it?” Candy turned her head to the side, away from his face. She stared at the intricate pattern of the tiles on the wall, anywhere but his eyes. For some people, sugar was their weakness; for her, it was Colin.

   

"I loved the chemistry and banter between Candy and Collin. Their escapades and experiences drew me into the story and their love and forgiveness stayed with me long after the last page."

"Colin really is the sweetest Spark! He and Candy had such beautiful character arcs as they grew to trust God and each other more. The romance was tender and the Christian elements gentle and poignant. I found I could actually identify with parts of both of their personalities, and that make me cheer for each of them even more. The push-and-pull of their relationship was the richest of any Liwen Ho book I’ve read yet, and I’m already a fan. She just keeps getting better!"

 "The Sweetest Spark is a book where the characters just walk right into your heart-well, by book 3 of the Spark Brothers, you are invested in these lovable and fun people - uh... CHARACTERS (Characters in a book, NOT real people-yes, I know! Really!) Colin and Candy are wonderful characters BECAUSE of their issues that they work through... and discover that everything works when they work together. Isn’t that something that we would all benefit from learning!!! I am looking forward to the rest of the series!"

Author Liwen Y. Ho Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and an author by night. She writes sweet and inspirational contemporary romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots). In her pre-author life, she received a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children.

 

 

 




Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 2/5/19 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 may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.     a Rafflecopter giveaway

Forever Yours ~ A Friend in Paris by Jennie Goutet (Enter the Giveaway!)

  A Friend in Paris by Jennie Goutet Friendship between a talented young artist and her handsome French neighbor is a promising start—until it’s not enough.

 April promised her dying father she would study painting in Paris, but friends are few, her budget is tight, and her landlord increasingly won’t take "no" for an answer. Then she meets Victor. Victor is as chivalrous as he is wealthy, and if it weren't for him, April would have already left the City of Light behind. Too bad Victor still has eyes for his ex-girlfriend, who is now back on the scene and wants to get married. Although April and Victor swore to remain just friends, magical Paris seems to weave a different spell. The more their connection deepens, the more it becomes difficult to keep a proper distance. Or to remember why they should.

        

 Penelope peeked into the hallway. “We’re about to play poker. Who wants in?” “Me,” April said. “But I need a refresher for the rules. It’s not for money, right?” “Nope, just for chips. Hey, Victor,” Penelope said, “Are you able to take April back to your grandmother’s apartment tonight after you bring Margaux home? She probably won’t ask for help, but we’re afraid Lucas is following her, and we want to make sure she doesn’t get stalked.” “Sure.” Victor turned to her in consternation. “Another thing you’re not telling me, April. Please tell me these things.” A flash of anger came over April, and she replied without thinking. “Don’t expect me to tell you everything. It’s not like I’m your girlfriend. I don’t owe you explanations, or details, or anything.” “Er…let me see how the game is going.” Penelope turned, whisking away a smile. “What are you talking about, April. We’re friends. Friends talk.” “Victor,” April hissed. “It’s like you expect things from me you don’t even expect of your own fiancée. You want me to come to you for help and tell you everything. But you don’t even know what Margaux was doing that whole year in Monaco. You don’t know what brought her back or…or whether the baby is even yours.” There. I said it. April’s pulse pounded in her temple. “Victor doesn’t ask me these things, because he already knows the answer.” Margaux's cool voice came from where the living room joined the hallway. “And, since he is satisfied, I don’t see what business it is of yours.” Margaux managed to communicate all her disdain in two sentences. April’s face was crimson. She could feel the heat of shame emanating from her. She’d let everyone know how she felt about Victor as plain as if she’d announced she was in love with him at the dinner table. It’s not like I’m your girlfriend. And what was even worse was that she was completely in the wrong attempting to sow seeds of doubt. She was not the type of person to try to break people up. She was not “the other woman”. It was not her style. If a man wasn’t free to love her, she had absolutely no interest in him. So what had happened? How had she gone so wrong? Victor’s eyes were fixed on hers. He hadn’t answered, but now he looked toward Margaux and the crowd that was gathering behind her. “Hey guys, could you give us a minute? Margaux, I’ll be right there to take you home. I imagine the baby needs you.” Margaux folded her arms and planted her feet. So Victor took April’s arm and pulled her into the first room he saw. It was the toilet, and they had only enough room to stand face to face. He fumbled for the light, and when it went on, April wouldn’t look at him. He grabbed her by the arms. “April, I need to say this fast so no one gets the wrong idea about us being in here together.” They were standing in a tiny cubicle, nose to nose, and his words brought on an insane desire to laugh. She needed to get a hold of her emotions. He’s not available. “I think one of the biggest regrets of my life,” Victor said, “will end up being that I wasn’t free to follow my feelings in this instance. But I’m not. I’m a father, and that comes first.” I am a great fool, April thought, and any wisp of humor over the situation fled. To complete her shame, her eyes filled with tears. “If I could’ve followed my feelings…” He stopped short, looking at her eyes, her lips…They heard only the sound of their breath. Then Victor dropped his arms, turned in the tight space, and opened the bathroom door. “Margaux and I need to get going. Penelope, do you think one of you could see April home safely?” “Sure,” Penelope said. She handed the pack of cards to Auriane and slid past Victor to where April was. “You guys go ahead and play.”

     

 Once I began to read I couldn't put it down until I finished. The characters are well developed and I easily identified with their struggles and triumphs. A wonderful story you will want to read again   A Friend in Paris is rich with everything a romance needs and more – drama, plot twists, characters you’ll fall in love with…and some you’ll love to despise. The setting of Paris and the wonderful descriptions are added bonuses! I devoured this book in two sittings.   Really enjoyed this read! I was completely absorbed into the Paris setting. Felt like I was there! The hero and heroine are interesting, believable, and their chemistry was natural and lifelike. Nothing felt contrived. The supporting characters were intriguing too. Highly recommended.

   




  Author Jennie Goutet Jennie Goutet is an American-born Anglophile, who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her upcoming romance, A Regrettable Proposal, is set. Jennie is the author of the sweet, contemporary romances, A Friend in Paris and A Noble Affair, as well as the award-winning memoir, Stars Upside Down. A Christian, a cook, and an inveterate klutz, Jennie writes about faith, food, and life—even the clumsy moments—on her blog, aladyinfrance.com.  

 

   



Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 2/4/19 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 may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.     a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wager for a Wife by Karen Tuft

Wager for a Wife by Karen Tuft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Regency Romance

Book Description:  William Barlow's life has been forever altered: his estranged father is dead, and William has inherited the title of Viscount Farleigh. Along with the title comes a neglected estate, an enormous amount of gambling debt, and one astounding acquisition that will turn William's world upside down . . .

It is her first London Season, and Lady Louisa Hargreaves could not be more pleased. She has attracted the attention of the Earl of Kerridge, and the two are on the cusp of an official betrothal. That is, until she learns of a generations-old family debt: her grandfather gambled her hand in marriage and lost, and now Louisa must pay the price. She will marry not the earl but a man she just met, who has taken her freedom in one fell swoop. Even as she struggles to understand the handsome and aloof man she is to wed, Louisa is irresistibly drawn to him—and he to her. But she soon realizes he is harboring secrets, and as her wedding day approaches, she must discover what her future husband is hiding before she makes the gravest mistake of her life.


My thoughts: Some wagers are worth the risk. William Barlow life has been devastated by his father's gambling. He was raised to understand the risk and how to successfully wager. In order to save his friends and family, he takes the biggest gamble by demanding that the Hargreaves family honor a wager made years ago. He asks them to them to give them their daughter in marriage.

I loved the characters in this book. (The ones living.) The family camaraderie with the Hargreaves was delightful. William was not raised that way and it was good for him to see what a loving family acts like. William is an honorable man, even though his circumstances require him to act a little less honorable. He does so with the best of intentions.

Louisa is a strong young woman. She was raised with affection and shown by example how to behave in less than ideal circumstances. She is intelligent and compassionate. She longs for a marriage of affection.

This book doesn't move quickly. It is about two strangers learning and growing. They are both looking for common ground and understanding of each other before they are wed. I loved the humor and the emotions that came to play in this book. It is about overcoming past demons and disappointments to find happiness. It is clean with kissing.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book

About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU and graduated from the University of Utah in music theory, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies.

In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger. She has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions along the Wasatch Front. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel whether it's by car, plane, or paperback.

Saving Susannah Jones by Carolyn Twede Frank (Blog Tour with a giveaway)

Saving Susannah Jones by Carolyn Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Historical Romance

Book Description:  In the still of a cool Colorado evening, the Circle J Ranch house burns to the ground, leaving Susannah Jones and her two brothers orphaned and homeless. Embittered by the tragedy, Susannah’s older brother grows increasingly cruel, leading Susannah to make the difficult choice to leave the last of her family behind to forge a new life for herself. It is the kindness of Dr. Kate, the woman physician in town, as well as a chance meeting with a rugged homesteader that give Susannah the strength she needs to escape.

When Joseph Iverson encounters the harassed young woman on his land one day, he has no thought but to provide the assistance she so clearly needs. Overcoming his shyness, he takes Susannah under his wing and agrees to a marriage of convenience to liberate her from her brother. As the pair works side by side, their mutual admiration deepens. But their happy existence is threatened all too soon by a series of “accidents” on the farm. With danger looming ever closer, Susannah and Joseph must discover who is bent on their destruction before the life and marriage they’ve built together goes up in flames.

My thoughts: Life on the frontier can be difficult. Susannah Jones has just lost her father due to a fire. She is expected to stay and take care of everyone else when she has been injured and not dressed properly. She is a caregiver. She finds satisfaction in a job well done and helping those whom she loves. When she's taken advantage of, the independent streak comes out. That is the Susannah that I enjoyed in this book!

Joseph is lonely. He lives on an isolated homestead. Having Susannah show up unexpectedly on his land was a banner day for him. I loved how they were able to overcome fears and become friends before there was romance. They are both honorable and having them together was a treat. They are the kind of couple that I like to root for in a book.

This book deals with a lot of hardships taking care of an isolated farm. Joseph is friends with Native American's and I loved the role that they played in this story. I loved that the characters looked past prejudices and saw the person.

This story contains a little bit of mystery/suspense. Someone is trespassing on Joseph's land and sabotaging his farming efforts. This book comes to a great climax that kept me wanting to read.

This story contains Christian elements, kissing, closed-door intimacy, and non-graphic violence.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  About my writing: I don't like to write candy for the brain. But I do like to try to make my books not only fulfilling, but entertaining. Candy is nice, but a meal of meat, potatoes, and veges can leave you more satisfied. My books give the reader a good taste of history and/or science along with a dash of mystery folded into the story.

About me: I've always loved writing, but haven't gotten serious until the past seven years. When I'm not writing, I like to garden, sew, fix up old houses, or anything else creative. My favorite movies are ones about history.

Visit her WEBPAGE

Enter the Tour Giveaway:

(Prize and winner notification will be provided by Covenant Communications.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the Tour Stops:

*Jan. 7^th: http://mybookaday.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*Jan. 8^th: https://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/,

*Jan. 9^th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*Jan. 10^th: http://empowermoms.net/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*Jan. 11^th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/, https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

Forever Yours $100 Giveaway ~ A Clean Wholesome Romance Event

Forever Yours Clean Romance Event!

January 2019

During the month of January, we will be featuring 12 fabulous Authors who write clean romance! There will be $400 worth of Giveaways plus great deals on books! You are invited to join the fun, learn about these great authors & find your next favorite book! There will be FREE ebooks, awesome sales & great giveaways! Check out this great list of featured authors who are sponsoring this event!

Jennie Goutet Liwen Y. Ho Crissy Sharp Jo Noelle Laurie Winter Sophia Summers Stephanie Fowers Lorin Grace Ranee S. Clark Rebecca Connolly Reina M. Williams Jess Heileman

  Never miss a giveaway, freebie or sale by signing up for Clean Wholesome Romance’s Reader Newsletter! 

 Are you a blogger or reader who would be willing to post about this event on your blog or social media? Sign up here.

 Are you an author who writes clean romance? Learn more about CWR upcoming events here, or Sign up for my Author Newsletter.  

To start things off we have a $100 Giveaway!

Giveaway Details $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 2/3/19 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 may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream by Pepper D. Basham

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream by Pepper D. Basham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: I requested a review copy from Netgalley
Genre: Historical Romance

Book Description:  Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 where Laurel McAdams endures the challenges of a hard life while dreaming things can eventually improve. But trouble arrives in the form of an outsider. Having failed his British father again, Jonathan Taylor joins is uncle's missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse. Laurel feels compelled to protect the tenderhearted teacher from the harsh realities of Appalachian life, even while his stories of life outside the mountains pull at Laurel's imagination. Faced with angry parents over teaching methods, Laurel's father's drunken rages, and bad news from England, will Jonathan leave and never return, or will he stay and let love bloom?


My thoughts: A culture shock awaits Jonathan Taylor as he enters the rustic small town set in the Appalachian Mountains. He has come seeking redemption from an overbearing father, not being "fit" to serve in WWI and the squashed dreams of becoming a Doctor. He needs to feel as if he is making a difference, somewhere.

Life turns out to be different than he expected. Instead of finding a society of "backward" people, he realizes that joy doesn't come from possessions, but how you live your life. The best example comes from a young woman he meets right away, Laurel McAdams. She has a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face even though her father disappoints her and her family lives in a small cabin.

The lessons of joy, love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding are priceless. I love the message that happiness doesn't come from circumstances but from joy and love and belief in God. Joy can be found in a shack.

I loved the description of the town, the beliefs of the townspeople, and a simpler way of life. This book is Christian fiction. It is clean with kissing.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  (Taken from Goodreads)  Pepper D Basham has been telling tales ever since she was a little girl. When her grandmother called her a “writer” at the age of ten, Pepper took it as gospel and has enjoyed various types of writing styles ever since. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate, Pepper enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction wherever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she works with kids who have special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends at her writing blog, The Writer’s Alley.

Visit her Website:  

http://www.pepperdbasham.com

Bright Ruin (Dark Gifts #3) by Vic James

Bright Ruin by Vic James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley for review
Genre: Dystopian



Book Description:  Magically gifted aristocrats rule--and commoners are doomed to serve. But a rebellion threatens the old order. The dystopian trilogy that began with Gilded Cage and Tarnished City concludes.

In a world where the lower classes must endure ten years of forced service to unfairly advantaged, magically powered rulers, a teenage boy dreams of rebellion, his older sister yearns for love and knowledge, and a dangerous young aristocrat seeks to remake the world with his dark gifts. In Bright Ruin, the final book in the trilogy set in modern-day England, our heroes will lead a revolution that will transform--or destroy--the world.

My thoughts: What an ending to a great series. I finished it last night and I am still mulling over the ending. I am hoping that there will be a series after this one so that I can find the closure. I understand what happened, I just want to know what happens next.

This is the third book in a series and they have to be read in order. The basis is that the ruling class in England have powers that allow them to keep a choke hold on the people without "skill". They devote years of their lives as slaves in order to provide free labor to those who are already wealthy. This book is the final of an uprising.

The story basically revolves around two families: the Hadleys and the Jardines. The Hadleys are oppressed and the Jardines are the rulers of the country. There are some unexpected developments between the two families that made me feel good and uncomfortable. It is a complicated relationship. One of hate, respect, betrayal, and romance.

Vic James does not pull any punches in this story. It is brutal and fascinating at the same time. I can't help but compare it to some modern-day governments. It is really a commentary on the abuse of power and the resiliency of the oppressed. If you are looking for a light and easy read, this series is not for you. This is a book that makes you think. It is violent and contains innuendo. Some of the main characters are masterminds of evil, there is a lot of coarse language including the "f" bomb.  There are also same-sex relationships.

I usually stay with the light and fluffy books, but I enjoyed my time with this trilogy. I would definitely read more from Vic James. She paints a picture that is fascinating.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author (Taken from Goodreads):  Vic lives in London’s Notting Hill, but her life is more action-adventure than rom-com.

She studied History and English at Merton College, Oxford where Tolkien was once professor. Relocating to Rome, she completed her doctorate in the Vatican Secret Archives (they’re nothing like The Da Vinci Code), then spent five years living in Tokyo where she learned Japanese and worked as a journalist. She now alternates writing full time with directing documentaries for the BBC.

Vic has scuba-dived on Easter Island, camped at Everest Base Camp, voyaged on one of the last mailboats to St Helena, hang-glided across Rio de Janeiro, and swum the Hellespont from Europe to Asia. But there’s little she loves more than lying in bed till midday with a good book and a supply of her favourite biscuits.

Visit her WEBPAGE!