Monday, March 31, 2014

Fortune Cookie by Josi S. Kilpack -- Book Blast


Fortune CookieFortune Cookie
Sadie Hoffmiller has always liked things to be just so. A place for everything and everything in its place. Order over chaos. And of all things Sadie should be able to control, her own wedding is at the top of the list.
With the big day just three weeks away, Sadie is busily adding the final touches to her wedding plans but the arrival of a mysterious letter from San Francisco changes everything. The only person Sadie knows in San Francisco is her older sister, Wendy, whom she hasn’t seen since their mother’s funeral nearly fifteen years ago.
Sadie has faced off against murderers and criminals in recent years, yet the possibility of reconnecting with her sister is both overwhelming and frightening. Sadie soon discovers, however, that the letter is just the beginning when Wendy’s world turns out to be a place of unanswered questions, twisted truths, and more than one person with a motive for murder.
The more Sadie digs into her sister’s past, the more she places her own future at risk.
Culinary Mysteries
Fortune Cookie Tour
JosiAuthor Josi S. Kilpack
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Her novel, Sheep’s Clothing won the Whitney Award 2007 for Mystery/Suspense. Lemon Tart, the first book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series was a finalist in 2009.  Josi currently lives in Willard Utah with her husband, children and super-cute cat.
book blast button



Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/30/14
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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin -- Spotlight


Updated Silver
Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin
Drew Westfall wants nothing more than to forget what he had to do in the name of “smart” business. Cutting off all ties with his parents—including handing over the entire contents of his trust fund to a charity—he takes off for Bridger, Colorado where his best friend has an extra room for him. It doesn’t take long for him to realize that his business degree won’t do him much good in a town as small as Bridger, but he’s broke and has nowhere else to go.
Eden Torresi has every reason to wallow. Not only did she have to sell her house to pay for her mother’s medical expenses, but she also had to drop out of school and is in a relationship with a guy unwilling to commit. But Eden isn’t the wallowing type. Instead, she chooses to spend most of her time taking care of the seniors at Silver Linings Assisted Living. When she learns that her boyfriend’s new roommate is down on his luck, her caring nature makes her want to reach out to him and offer what help she can. But the more time they spend together, the more complicated things get, especially when the seniors of Silver Linings decide to play matchmaker.
KayleeAuthor Kaylee Baldwin
When Kaylee Baldwin isn’t writing, she’s usually chasing after her four children, checking her email, trying to get motivated to train for that race she shouldn’t have signed up for, hanging out with her pretty awesome husband, and reading whatever good book she can find. She graduated from Arizona State with degree in English Lit. Her published books are Meg’s Melody, Six Days of Christmas (part of the All I Want collection) and Silver Linings.
 Updated Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series 
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors.
“Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love.”
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/14/14

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Schedule
Monday, March 31st
Tuesday, April 1st
My Book A Day – Review
Bitten by Romance – Review
Literary Time Out – Review
Hide the Matches – Review
Confessions of a First Time Novelist – Review
The Opinionated Me – Spotlight
deal sharing aunt – Spotlight
Room With Books – Review
Manic Mama of 2 – Review
Wednesday, April 2nd
 Thursday, April 3rd
Angee’s After Thoughts – Spotlight
Bonnie Gets A Say – Review
Getting Your Read On – Review
Cici’s Theories – Review
Southeast by Midwest – Review
Paulette’s Papers – Spotlight
Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
Bookworm Lisa – Review
Ranee` the wRiter – Spotlight
Romance With A Book – Review
My Devotional Thoughts – Review
Sarah Ballance – Spotlight

Friday, April 4th

Saturday, April 5th
A Book Lover’s Retreat – Review
b00k r3vi3ws – Review
Booknerd – Review
Live To Read ~Krystal – Spotlight
i blog 4 books – Review
From the TBR Pile – Review
Book Him Danno – Spotlight
Literary Winner – Spotlight
BookHounds – Spotlight
The Serious Reader – Spotlight

Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Light We Share by Harriet R. Uchtdorf


Light_We_Share_detailThe Light We Share


Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-869-0

Hardcover: 48 pages

Nonfiction

FTC FYY: I received a hardcover book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Jacket

"Oh how glorious from the throne above

Shines the gospel light of truth and love!" Hymns, no. 264

What difference does it make to have the light of the gospel in your life?  To a twelve-year-old girl in post-World War II Germany, it made all the difference.

In this charming book, Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf reflects on the power of heavenly light in her own life and recalls the joy it brought to her family during a dark and difficult time.  "It was like a miracle," she explains as she describes how hope came back in their lives.

Discover how the light we share can make a life-changing difference to those whose lives we touch - as family members, leaders, missionaries, teachers, friends, and brothers and sisters in the gospel.

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book.  Sister Uchtdorf's experience with finding light in her life was heart-felt and lovely.  The pictures were beautiful and they really added to her words.  I love reading about or hearing personal experiences from the leaders of our church, and to have some from their wives, is even more special. She tells about a sad, hard time in her life when her father passes away and her mother can't seem to go on.  They went to their church in Germany, but there was something missing.  Eight months after he passed away, two American missionaries come to their door.  They were taught, among other things, that families can be together forever.  It was the missing light in their lives that they needed.  Sister Uchtdorf, her mother and sister were baptized.  Soon after, their light spread to other family members needing that in their own lives as well.  I was particularly struck by this quote that tell us what we can do to help others:
"You will be an example to our children and youth -- an example in decency and quality in everything that affects our lives.  You will teach our youth to pray and to study.  You will teach them to be confident and have faith in Jesus Christ.  You will teach them leadership and humilty, and you will help them to claim the gift of decernment through their own righteousness.  You will teach them that the truth will not always be popular but that it will always be right.  And after all of this, you can promised them:
That which is of God is light;  and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light;  and that light growth bigger and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) page 41
This beautiful story can be shared with all who know of the light of the gospel and to those who are seeking their own light.

Author the Author

Harriet R. Uchtdorf received a degree in business administration in Frankfurt, Germany, and worked in the private printing sector and with the public transportation department prior to her marriage to Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who now serves as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  she has served in many callings in the Church, including as a stake Young Women president and institute teacher.  She and her husband have two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Purchase Links

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Imperfect Love by Rebecca Talley -- Spotlight/Excerpt


Imperfect Love
Imperfect Love
Lauren Wilson is well on her way to her happily-ever-after. She has a career she loves, a husband she adores and a baby on the way, but a devastating diagnosis changes everything. The life she’s built suddenly crumbles around her when her husband insists she choose—the baby or him.
Returning to her small hometown to rebuild her shattered life, Lauren crosses paths with Ethan Campbell, the man who stole her teenage heart. The old attraction is still there, but Lauren won’t admit it to anyone—least of all herself. Her only priority is providing a life for her child, and she can’t afford to get it wrong. Ethan is confusing everything, including stirring up feelings she’s not prepared to face. Will she spend her life raising her baby alone or is the family she’s always wanted finally within her reach?

rebeccaAuthor Rebecca Lynn Talley
Rebecca Lynn Talley grew up in the gorgeous seaside city of Santa Barbara, CA. She met, and married, her husband, Del, while attending Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She currently lives in rural Colorado on a small ranch with a dog, too many cats to count, and a herd of goats. She and Del are the proud parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children.
Rebecca is the author of a children’s picture book, Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), a children’s chapter book, Gabby’s Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), four novels, Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), and Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012). She has also authored numerous children’s stories and articles for both print and online magazines.
When she isn’t writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house. She has folded at least one million loads of laundry, baked hundreds of batches of chocolate chip cookies, and eaten 5,478 gallons of ice cream.
 Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog 

Excerpt 

When she arrived home, Lauren checked her phone. No text from Paul. Opening the refrigerator, she decided to try to resurrect the dinner from last night, even if she had to eat it by herself. No need to waste a perfectly good meal.

She reheated the steak and the potatoes, and just as she was setting them on the table, Paul opened the front door and came in with a bottle of champagne in his hands. 

“Guess what?”

“I don’t know.” Lauren was so happy to see him, she didn’t care what he had to say. She’d finally be able to tell him.

“We won the Jackson case.” He hugged her and picked her up off her feet.

She laughed. “That’s great.”

He set her down. “I’ll say. It was a huge case too. And because of my investigations into the Durhams, we won the case.” He grinned, his hazel eyes sparkling.

“I’m proud of you.”

He opened the cupboard and found two wine glasses. “Let’s celebrate.”
Lauren bit her lip. “I want to celebrate, but I think I’ll skip the champagne.”

“Huh? Why?” He gave her a perplexed expression.

Lauren grabbed her purse and pulled out the baby bottle. Without a word, she handed it to Paul.

“What’s this?” With a bewildered look, he read the card attached to the bottle. 

“Wait… what?”

Lauren nodded, her smile so wide it hurt her cheeks.

“We’re going to… you’re… we’re having a…” The happy questions hung over them like a bouquet of fresh roses.

“Yes. We are.” Her heart beat with rapture.

Paul collapsed onto a kitchen chair and raked his hand through his hair. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

Ignoring his body language, Lauren said, “That you’re as thrilled as I am.”

“Well, yeah. Of course.” He sat back against the chair, looking as if he’d lost all the air in his lungs.

“But?”

“I didn’t expect this. I’m surprised.” He gazed at her, the baby bottle rotating in his hands.

“Surprised in a good way, right?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer.

“It’s just that I’m so busy at work trying to open this new office and… but this is great news.” He stood and pulled her in for a hug.

“Really?’

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

He looked at her, “Yeah.”

Lauren tried not to let her disappointment in his reaction show. What had she expected, exactly? Cartwheels? Hollering at the top of his lungs? Dancing? Singing? Probably not, but at least a little more enthusiasm.

“Lauren?” Paul said.

“We’ve been trying for a while, and it’s finally happened. I wanted you to be—”

“I’m totally happy about it.” He embraced her again. Maybe she’d expected too much from him.

“I’m not sure of the date. I’ll call tomorrow and make an appointment to see the doctor. Can you come with me?” She wanted Paul to be there with her every step of the way. This was their baby, and she wanted them to share everything together.

He stepped back from her. “I really want to, but we’ll have to see what my schedule is like.”

She nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. “Okay. I’ll let you know.”
Blog Tour Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/10/14
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 authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, March 24, 2014

Not Your Average Happy Ending by Chantele Sedgwick


NotYourAverageHappyEnding_ChantelSedgwick_1000x1500[1]-1Not Your Average Happy Ending


Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Published: March 3rd, 2014

Paperback: 257 pages

ASIN: B00IQAERR8

FTC FYI: I received an ePub copy from the author in exchange of an honest review.


Goodreads Summary

When Ash Summerland left the Academy of Magical Beings, he was sure he’d put his troubles behind him. But when his girlfriend, Kendall, is almost killed by an old enemy over something he knows little about, Ash is forced to confront the demons of his past.

With his fairy magic fading and his darker djinn magic more powerful than ever, Ash isn’t sure he can stop the evil from closing in around him. Although Kendall is the only thing keeping him from going over the edge, if he can’t learn to balance out his magic and find a way to defeat his enemies once and for all, both his world, and the girl he loves will be lost forever.

My Review

I LOVED Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele.  Everything about it was magical.  If you are new to this series, I would read Fairy Tale first.  That being said, I was thrilled with the release of Happy Ending, as I knew it would be just as enjoyable as the first.  I was right.  Like the first book, both Ash and Kendall are telling the story from their point of view, rotating chapters.  We find out at the beginning, from Ash, that three months has passed.  Ash has been living in the human world in an apartment near Kendall, while she is in school.  While Ash is getting used to the whole "half djinn/half fairy" thing, Kendall is nearly killed by Dax, Ash's half brother.  He wants something from Kendall that confuses Ash as to the reasoning behind it.  This starts a chain of events that lead to many battles, healing, dragons, banshees, and many more exciting adventures that lead to more questions for Ash and being lead to those who have been lost.

4 out of 5 stars.  I really enjoyed Happy Ending.  Just like the first book, Chantele did an amazing job with character development and plot.  I was drawn immediately back to Kendall and Ash's world and what I loved about their relationship in Fairy Tale, was just as fabulous in Happy Ending.  Chantele is not only an amazing author, she is a great friend of mine.  I love her books and can't wait for more titles from her.

Author Links


Purchase Links

Breathtaking: Seven Bestselling Novels of Love and Suspense Boxed Set

Breathtaking: Seven Bestselling Novels of Love and Suspense
Boxed Set is only $.99 March 24th through March 29th.
 
Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon Deliah Dreser's in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there's more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole's in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. Is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brother's murders? Bestselling author Sherry Gammon's reviewers exclaim; "She has a gift for touching her readers with beautiful, gripping stories that you can’t put down."





  Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt Nothing good ever happens after dark. Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated. Now her father is dead, and Daleigh finds a hidden journal hinting that his death was no accident. Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe Daleigh. As the two work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole. Award-Winning Suspense Novelist and Bestselling Amazon Author, touted as "scary, funny, passionate, and quirky" by USA Today.




  Baggage Claim by Amanda Tru Rachel Saunders is looking forward to her all-expense paid weekend trip to New York. But, when her luggage is lost and she is accosted by an infuriating Homeland Security agent, events take a dangerous turn. Amanda Tru, Bestselling Amazon Author of Romance and Suspense. Discover the author who, as an Amazon reviewer raves, “continues to impress me and dominate my time with a book I can’t put down even after it’s ended.”



Cassie's Cowboy Crave by Kimberly Krey In a moment of weakness, Shane steals a kiss. In return, Cassie steals his heart… When Cassie is forced to join the witness protection program, she fears her life is over… but then she meets Shane Emerson — the hunky cowboy posing as her husband. Will this sham marriage turn into the real thing, or will a hidden danger put it all at risk? Kimberly Krey writes romance that’s clean without losing the steam. What’s Beyond Forks calls this Best-selling Western Romance author “the master of romantic tension.”

 


A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis Cami DiCarlo is not happy when her father forces her into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel and unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, insisting they live together while they launch the new resort. When she meets Vince, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything.


You Belong with Me by Shannon Guymon Layla Kendall is a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression. When she and her sisters inherit their grandmother's bakery, she doesn't know if she can trust her good fortune or not. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heartache and pain she's faced day in and day out is a chance she's going to take. With Layla's new life, come new friendships, including Michael Bender, a single dad. She doesn't trust men but Michael's little girl grabs her by the heart and won't let go. Shannon Guymon is an Amazon Bestselling Author of lighthearted and clean romance who according to her many fans, has the ability to paint pictures of her characters so real that readers would know them if they saw them walking down the street.
 
Blog This by Cami Checketts Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot exposes the dangers of Matthew Chrysler's violent video games, bankrupting and humiliating him. Chrysler sends a hit man after her. In a race against time, can Natasha expose Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world? Bestselling author Cami Checketts has been touted as, "A genius! She writes about topics that aren't widely discussed, and she does such a brilliant job of crafting these things into wonderful stories that touch your heart and remain with you for days afterwards."
a Rafflecopter giveaway