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Book Club Review: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

3/31/2017

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Synopsis

Alice Love is twenty-nine, crazy about her husband, and pregnant with her first child. So imagine Alice’s surprise when she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! She HATES the gym) and is whisked off to the hospital where she discovers the honeymoon is truly over—she’s getting divorced, she has three kids, and she’s actually 39 years old. Alice must reconstruct the events of a lost decade, and find out whether it’s possible to reconstruct her life at the same time. She has to figure out why her sister hardly talks to her, and how is it that she’s become one of those super skinny moms with really expensive clothes. Ultimately, Alice must discover whether forgetting is a blessing or a curse, and whether it’s possible to start over...
Last night, I hosted a book club meeting at my house. There was wine, cheesecake, chicken salad, and fun to be had! Earlier this month, I picked "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty. Today's review will be a little different, as I'm going to cover a couple of discussion questions in the back of the book that we covered last night. 

1. Did you like the younger Alice the best? Or did you relate more to the older Alice?
Group consensus: Younger Alice was naive and needy, and a tad bit annoying. However, older Alice was bitter, and jaded.

My thoughts: I didn't think it was fair to pick which version of Alice I liked. After all, a decade of life experiences seperated them. I liked younger Alice because of her naivete. I liked how she viewed the world with silliness, and yes, it was annoying that she relied on other people to bring her up.....but didn't we all at that age? Which brings us to questions two and three.

2 and 3. What would your younger self of 10 years ago, think of the person you are today? What would surprise your younger self about the life you are leading? What would disappoint you?
Group consensus: Varied. I mean between all of us, our experiences differed. Some of us 10 years ago, was in high school, others in college, some had just had their first or second child and still fresh into motherhood. 

My thoughts: 10 years ago, I was 24 and trying to get out of college as fast as I can. I was probably having panic attacks about my upcoming nuptials, and graduation. I would look at my 34 year old self and wonder where the strength came from. I'd marvel at my daughter, and coo with the baby. 10 years has given me so much grief, wonder, job experiences, new friends, new towns/cities, growth, faith, anger, depression. I wrote, and was published by a small traditional publishing house , which my 24 year old self would be shocked that we managed to cross of that dream. But then for all the tears, bargaining to God, and prayers; my 24 year old self would be disappointed that I'm not even working after all that we've been through! But then I'd shout and say, listen, you have no idea how much daycare for two kids cost because you think you'll live close to family and always have that access to free babysitter/daycare. I mean, at 24, I went to the movies, restaurants and roadtrips at the drop of a hat. At 34, I have to wonder if the cost of babysitting is worth a trip to the movie. FYI, it's not. The last one charged me $15/hr + $5 for the baby. $20 for ONE HOUR. 

Our identity as we get older changes due to our life experiences gained over time. I was a college student, and therefore I was everything about that identity. Post graduation, I went from jobless with a college degree, to my Nutritionist/Site Supervisor title. That became my identity for almost 6 years. I am a wife to my husband. And then five years ago, I became a mother. During our discussion, we shared that motherhood is something that society places so much emphasis on. The working mom. The stay at home mom. The woman with the infertility issues. The woman with too many kids. The woman who was too old to have kids. The woman who was too young to have children.
As a woman, we identify our future selves knowing that in our hearts, we will probably wind up with a kid or two. But as much as I love my own kiddos, I understand that it may not be the "end all/be all" for a lot of women. And that's okay. I don't think the woman is selfish. Or too career driven. Or too "stressed" to not let nature do its job. There are way too many factors about the whys, and I'm not going to judge someone for their choices or lack thereof. I appreciate Elisabeth's letters. She gave me insight on what it was like to go through failed IVFs, miscarriages, and what that must have been in their marriage. To have that in her identity card. To hold your breath at each ultrasound and let out a cry in the dark at each 'no heartbeat' heard.
This book with its colorful cast of characters made me think about what would it be to misplace 10 years; What would my family look like? What would they think of me over the decade? Would I even like what they have to say? As they say, some learned or unlearned lessons, and mistakes are blessings in disguise. These are the things that Alice examines after her accident. She has to relearn her identity before, and after the accident. Is she better for it? Perhaps. Or perhaps, she needed to reclaim her old self after all that has happened. Maybe she needed to redo the spiraling madness. But to do the redo, would you trade forgetting your life? Yes, you don't have to remember the grievances, or the hurts, or the rage. But then you'll have to forget the happier ones like kissing your husband at the altar, and then holding on to your precious baby, seeing their first steps, and watching them grow. These are some of the precious memories and experiences that time gave her are What Alice Forgot.....and I don't think anyone would trade those for a redo. 

About the Author

Liane Moriarty is the Australian author of six internationally best-selling novels, Three Wishes, The Last Anniversary, What Alice Forgot, The Hypnotist’s Love Story and the number 1 New York Times bestsellers: The Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies.

The Husband's Secret has sold over three million copies worldwide, was a no. 1 UK bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of 2013 and will be translated into over 40 languages. CBS Films has acquired the film rights. 

With the launch of her novel, Big Little Lies, which has sold over one million copies in the US alone, Liane became the first Australian author to have a novel debut at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. An HBO series based on the book is currently in production with Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley playing the three lead roles.

Liane’s newest novel, Truly Madly Guilty, will be released in July 2016. 

Liane lives in Sydney with her husband, son and daughter. You can find more at www.lianemoriarty.com and www.facebook.com/LianeMoriartyAuthor
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Review: Icing by Debra Sue Brice

3/29/2017

4 Comments

 
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SYNOPSIS
Some people can only dream of living out their fantasies. Cupcake shop owner Denie Shaw is the exception to the rule. This young, witty and charming woman seems to have a perfectly balanced life.


Years of making bad relationship decisions had given Denie, owner of Icing, the opportunity not only to become a strong, successful business woman, but also managed to involve her three best friends in her crazy cupcake adventures.

Denie’s sweet life gets turned upside down when she meets her crush, Tom Billingsly, right wing for the Cleveland Monsters hockey team. Together, Denie and Tom strike up a relationship that seems to have all the right ingredients.

Will Denie allow the fear of heartache to guide her choice, or will she take the leap of faith and trust God to provide a solid recipe for her life?

Review

​Isn’t it always the case when we decide to ‘swear off’ something, like dating, or men, or giving up sweets to try a new diet/fad that suddenly, that which we swore off, comes by, looks up at us with its hopeful eyes, and we fall head over heels before we remember we swore off said thing, and the reason why we did it in the first place??

As was the case for Denie. She decided, after her last relationship completely drained her, that she was done. She didn’t want to fall in love and have her heart shattered all over again. Unless he was her “dream crush wearing a number 29 on the back of his hockey jersey.” And lo and behold, there he was, just as excited about the prospect of being with her.

This was such a cute little story! I love Debra Sue Brice’s writing.  She wrote out Denie’s internal monologues of fear, of love, of brokenness and conviction that I was rooting for Denie’s happy ending. She was real to me. And I wanted her goodness recognized, and her happiness realized. In fact, I almost wanted to maim a certain hockey player but goodness, you’re just going to have to read through this one to understand the level of anxiety I had!

I have met very few people that matched Denie’s goodness and love for her friends and family, and her amazing faith in Christ. That’s the thing when we try to move forward knowing that pain is inevitable but it’s the love that Christ has for us that we know we are also equipped with support, and strength that we didn’t realize we had. Very few of us understand the gravity of Grace.
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This is a beautiful and simple story about a girl and a guy in a chance meeting and falling in love. It’s a story about a girl finding peace in God’s grace. It’s about a guy who finds God and what his newfound faith could become. And to top off the fact that this story has cupcakes?? Which are a favorite of mine, fyi. Well, that’s just the Icing on this sweet romance.

About the Author:

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Debra Sue Brice is a first grade teacher, avid baker, fanatic Cleveland Monster hockey fan, and successful equestrian. She was born and raised in Ohio and author of several novels including, Crossing Boarders  and Icing.
You can find her at her website: 
http://www.debrasuebrice.com/
Facebook: @DebraSueBrice
Twitter: @DebraSueBrice


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Cover Reveal: Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise by Paula Berinstein

3/27/2017

1 Comment

 
Today is the cover reveal for Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise by Paula Berinstein. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. This cover is designed by Anna Mogileva.

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Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise (Amanda Lester, Detective #6)
By Paula Berinstein
Genre: Detective/ Mystery
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 27 March, 2017
 
Blurb:
What is Professor Scribbish hiding?
 
Amanda and her friends have known about the mysterious Detective’s Bible for some time. But what they never dreamed was that old Lovelace Earful, Legatum’s founder and the author of the precious book, had much more up his sleeve than that.
 
Now a strange pair of gold-rimmed spectacles he designed has fallen into the hands of the Moriarty brothers. But the glasses have been stolen, and it falls to Amanda to figure out where they are and get them back before . . . what? All she knows is that they’re powerful and the bad guys want them. But in order to acquire them she’ll have to penetrate a fortress where a new enemy is waiting—one who has already targeted Scapulus Holmes and is coming for her next. 
 
What she doesn’t know is that sometimes you should leave well enough alone.
 
You can find Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32997634-amanda-lester-and-the-gold-spectacles-surprise
 
You can get your copy of Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise for free for a limited time on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Lester-Spectacles-Surprise-Detective-ebook/dp/B01N9XL9Q2/
​

About the Author

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Paula Berinstein is nothing like Amanda. For one thing, she’s crazy about Sherlock Holmes. For another, she’s never wanted to be a filmmaker. In addition, compared to Amanda she’s a big chicken! And she wouldn’t mind going to a secret school at all. In fact, she’s hoping that some day she’ll get to build one.
 
You can find and contact Paula here:
- Website: http://amandalester.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLesterDetective
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/pberinstein
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/969582.Paula_Berinstein/  
- Paula's blog on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/969582.Paula_Berinstein/blog
- The Writing Show podcasts: http://www.writingshow.com
- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bQW4GP
​

​Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise. These are the prizes you can win:
- a 30$ Amazon gift card
- 2 paperback copies of Amanda Lester and the Gold Spectacles Surprise
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Review: Broken Ties (Prequel: The Mentalist Series) by Kenechi Udogu

3/23/2017

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I read this before I read the other three. I was immediately hooked. I wanted to know the story behind Paul Colt and his dad. I needed to figure out what was happening with Nora Brice. If you've read the other ones first, then you know that this story is how Gemma's parents fall in love. 

There is just enough mystery to keep you guessing, and turning page after page. I love that Kenechi switches points of views between Nora and Paul. This was sweet. It was short (my only complaint). And it does lead you to understand some actions Paul takes later on in the series. Love is such a powerful motive. But grief, anger, guilt and shame are just as powerful enough to make you forget why you're fighting and who you're fighting for. This is a boy meets girl story in which you already know the sad fate. But this beginning shows you just how powerful Gemma is. If she is anything like her parents, and I'm not talking about her amazing abilities, but the strength and goodness of her mom and the fierce protectiveness and loyalty from her dad. What more could you want in a heroine? 

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ​

The Mentalist Series

Synopsis

"There was nothing unusual about the night everything changed. No flashing lights in the sky, no searing fire in my belly; no sign whatsoever to suggest the shift which was to come…Nora Brice did strange things to me. Strange and awful things…" 

Paul Colt has a problem, and it is not one most teenage boys face. Yes, he likes a girl; one he’s pretty certain he’ll do foolish things for, given the chance. But he can’t go after her, or any other girl for that matter. That’s what he gets for being an Averter; forced to toe the line for the propagation of the collective. He knows some rules are okay to trifle with, and there are some which should never be broken. The gravest of them all?

Don’t fall in love.

Ever.

This is the story of how Paul breaks that rule.

This prequel novella to the Mentalist Series can be read before or after Aversion, Book One of The Mentalist Series.

About the Author

Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdog
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Review: Keepers (Book 3 of the Mentalist Series) by Kenechi Udogu

3/22/2017

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The third act of a play is where it all usually comes together. The waiting, the mystery of two forces, and the inevitable meeting and fighting back ends here. Right here in this third and final book of the Mentalist Series. The gang is officially tired of running away. I don't like giving away spoilers, so I won't say a whole lot about this book. I will say that this was written in both Russ and Gemma's point of view. We can hear Russ' running internal dialogue of being galant trying to find a way to protect his lady love, and then the reality that he's still just a teenage boy and he's afraid. And he's not as strong or equipped to protect his love as he wants to think he is. The world he knew as a kid is not the same one he's been running around in. Bad guys do exist. Powers beyond our control can be manifested to hurt us and others. Words and alliances can be twisted. 
Gemma's internal musings are no different. One the one hand, she has accepted whatever fate lies ahead but she is still just a girl who wants to be home and safe with Russ, and her dad. She does gets braver and takes more risks with each book. More action, foreshadowing, a looming threat, and perhaps, a happy ever after........but one can never be sure what's in store for these twins! Once again, thank you, Kenechi Udogu, for supplying me with this book. I was sweating bullets there for a while but way to end the series! I can't wait to read more of your work!

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
* For my review on BOOK ONE, click here.
* For my review on BOOK TWO, click here. 
Aversion - Book One
Sentient – Book Two
Keepers – Book Three
Broken Ties – Prequel
​
The dust appears to have settled after the brief descent of the Progressive Empaths on Sandes. But, if there is any truth to Anthony’s story, Gemma and her friends know they might soon have to face the mysterious Keepers. Myth or real threat, one thing is certain; running is no longer an option, for any of them. Can Gemma protect the ones she loves without forming an unlikely alliance?

About the Author

​Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdog
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Review: Sentient (Book 2 of the Mentalist Series) by Kenechi Udogu

3/16/2017

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Ahh book 2. The second book of a trilogy is usually a little more slower. We get to know more about Gemma, and more about the world of Mentalists. In the previous book, there was enough mystery to keep us interested. In Sentient, we started getting bombshells! So much happens in this one, and I'm not going to spoil anything!! Just trust me when I say that the second book of ANY TRILOGY are usually my favorites (Catching Fire for Hunger Games, and the Scorch Trials for the Maze Runner just to name a couple).

Gemma and Russ, we learned at the end of Book One, are Sentient Twins. This would explain why they both are pulled towards each other. She learns more about some secrets her dad kept from her, and a little more about why she's "special." In this one, we meet quite a number of people that pull the story along. There are more actions, but also a lot of waiting around for the other shoe to drop. 

It's this waiting for the other shoe to drop that drives Gemma. She's more anxious and more on guard. In this book, we also get to know more about Russ. Russ has become my favorite! He stays grounded, stays calm, and is the voice of reason to Gemma's runaway thoughts. Together, they realize the strength they have. Apart, well.....apart, Russ is still the voice of calm, and Gemma is still anxiety filled. Although she's the "special one," and the one with the abilities, you realize it's Russ that grounds her, and allows her to focus on what really matters. Chasing bad guys, fine. Giving bad guys a taste of what you can do when you put them together? Priceless. What more could you want in a Sentient? .

* For my review on BOOK ONE, click here.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Synopsis


Aversion - Book One
​

Sentient – Book Two
Keepers – Book Three
Broken Ties – Prequel
​

Mastering her Progressive Empath abilities isn’t going as well as Gemma hoped. In fact, months after finding out what she really is, she still has no clue what this truly means. All she can do is wait to see if any new abilities will eventually manifest. Things aren’t going great with Russ either. Unsure of how to handle her Sentient Link with him, she tries to integrate herself in his busy social life but struggles to adjust to her new circumstances.

When she is plagued by recurring nightmares, Gemma realises things are changing and knows she has to do something, fast. The arrival of two sets of strangers in town, both offering the much needed assistance she needs to unearth her powers, escalates the situation even further. Gemma attempts to decipher whose intentions are genuine, but does she have enough time to figure out who has her best interest at heart?

About the Author

​Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdog
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Review: Aversion (Book 1 of the Mentalist series) by Kenechi Udogu

3/14/2017

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*I received this book from the author in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

In Book 1, Aversion, we are introduced to Gemma Green. She’s your typical teenage outcast. You know the one: beautiful but doesn’t believe she is, smart, and keeps to herself? She has this ability to avert people’s actions by mind control, and comes from a line of Averters. Only, she’s a girl, which is unheard of. Averters are almost always male. She already knows she’s different being what she is, and then to know you’re also an anomaly in a world of “abnormals?”

On her first day of becoming an official “Averter,” she feels like she messed it up because the person whose mind she was controlling, was supposed to forget about her. Only he doesn’t. And he’s not just any person, he’s the school’s tennis champ. And he starts to follow her around, and starts asking questions about who she is.
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This series was so great that I ignored my family that was visiting for Spring Break week! It was quick and fast paced enough for me to keep turning the pages – er swiping the screen – and well written enough that I was mesmerized by Gemma, and whatever she actually is. I’ve read enough YA paranormal to already know how *most of them turn out. But this series? The concepts weren’t anything new – Empath, people with abilities, people with abilities being chased by powerful people, but I like how  Kenechi Udogu paced this book, and wrote out Gemma’s 15 year old thoughts without sounding too cliché and too cheesy. Yes, there was some teenage angst about not fitting in, but she was mature enough to understand the whys of their situation. Any 15 year old would have cause to rebel, but Gemma doesn’t. There is loyalty in her father, faith in what she is, and what she’s meant to do, and enough strength to question those loyalties, her abilities, and who she could become.
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You are some kind of special, Gemma Green, and not just because of all these things that people say you are or aren’t. This was my first foray into your world, and I can say, you are definitely not an aversion! 
Aversion - Book One
Sentient – Book Two
Keepers – Book Three
Broken Ties – Prequel
 
Aversion Synopsis
For Gemma Green’s first time, things should have been straightforward. Find your subject, hold their gaze and push a thought into their head to save them from future disaster – Aversion complete. A pretty simple process given that the subject was to have no recollection of the experience. But Russ Tanner doesn’t seem to want to forget. In fact the more she tries to avoid him, the more he pushes to get to know her. Gemma knows she has a problem but is she facing the side effects of a failed Aversion or has the school’s tennis champ really fallen for her?

About the Author

Kenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu

Twitter: @KenechiUdogu
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Review: Letting Go by Maria Corley

3/11/2017

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This is going to be one of those "too much information" thing but I feel like I need to say it in order for you, the future reader, to understand why this particular reader found this book wonderful.

Of course, set in parts of Canada that I will never visit, and part of New York that I can only dream of, this book, along with the 'will they/won't they' story line, this story is already wonderful. I love the humor, the wit, the charm of both Langston and Cecile. I could feel the energy emanating from the pages when they first met. 

The thing that I will always gravitate to are stories with faith in its pages, and people that we may never relate to but they have the same testimonies and fears as us. I lost my virginity at 23 with my now husband. But this was three years before we got married. I know, TMI, right?? The thing is, I still remember vividly going home, crying over my Bible, and absolutely convinced that I'm going to hell. My roommate thought I was silly, and thankfully, I'm married to my 'one and only.' But that day feels like a blot in my entire existence. During my low anxiety filled moments, I often look back and think this is my punishment for premarital sin. 

There are very few books that I've come across that I think, "aha, that's me!" I'm not a huntress. I'm not a seducer. I'm not even that nerdy for some hot guy to stumble into me. But aside from the immense musical talent, of which I do not possess one iota of, I saw myself in Cecile. (Also, I'm a total sloucher, and beauty is subjective no matter who you are, but this is less about physicality and more about people's motives, and personality). I could see the cracks in her Type A personality. I can remember the need to please God, but then remembering the pleasures of sex, and forgetting God just for a little bit.

I still remember accepting that my life, as it is, isn't a punishment from God.

I loved peering into Cecile's diary. I could see her naive faith grow and transform throughout the book.

I appreciate that Maria Corley took anxiety and guilt, and weave them in so slowly throughout the book. Society often depicts anxious depressed people in dark rooms, and clad in black. But, people with high functioning anxiety are always misunderstood as people pleasers, perfectionists, strong, emotionless, OCD...I could go on and on......

Ms. Corley, thank you, for this well written novel seemingly about two people doomed to be in the "star cross lovers" category. It was more than I thought it was. It was more than love. More than a book about faith, and music, and family. More than witnessing a broken soul.......it was about taking hold of all that we are: our faults, our sins, in being loved by God no matter what, and our anxieties, and trusting in our self, our place in the Universe,........and Letting go. 

Take a bow, honey. This was a lovely read. *I received this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts, and opinions are my own. 

Synopsis
​Even though she lives hundreds of miles away, when Langston, who dreams of being a chef, meets Cecile, a Juilliard-trained pianist, he is sure that his history of being a sidekick, instead of a love interest, is finally over. Their connection is real and full of potential for a deeper bond, but the obstacles between them turn out to be greater than distance. Can these busy, complicated people be ready for each other at the same time? Does it even matter? Before they can answer these questions, each must do battle with the ultimate demon--fear. 
Told in a witty combination of standard prose, letters, emails, and diary entries, LETTING GO, in the tradition of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's AMERICANAH, is a long-distance love story that also examines race, religion, and the difficult choices we make following our passions. From the Great White North to the streets of New York City to the beaches of Bermuda, LETTING GO is a journey of longing, betrayal, self-discovery and hope you will never forget.

About the Author


Maria Thompson Corley is a Canadian pianist (MM, DMA, The Julliard School) of Jamaican and Bermudian descent, with experience as a college professor, private piano instructor, composer, arranger and voice actor. She has contributed to Broad Street Review since 2008, and also blogs for Huffington Post. Her first novel, Choices, was pubished by Kensington. 

Catch her on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15470439.Maria_Thompson_Corley
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MariaCorley​

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Review: The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller

3/10/2017

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I don't remember where, when, and how I fell in love with Liz Bennett and Mr. Darcy. But does it really matter? Austen's Pride and Prejudice is much more than a classic love story. I think any romance story that pairs a "high spirited" heroine that goes against the societal grain, with a cool, arrogant and handsome man should owe their thanks and beginnings to Jane. 

At least, that's what this book made me think about from the moment I pictured Lavinia Ellison. Her in her haughty gray eyes, her wit, her goodness, and her unfailing stewardship to her neighbors in need. This one is a keeper. Of course, her intelligence and her less than subtle ways of not wanting to fit in does not sit well with the 1800s high society crowd. 

There were a few moments in this book that brought tears to my eyes. Lavinia was faithful in her worship, and prayer to God, but her pride and anger kept her from forgiving her 'enemy.' 

The enemy being Earl Hawkesbury. He is haunted with memories of war, conflicted with what is expected of him, and what to make of his Elusive neighbor. But something more is offered within these pages than just a reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice. Something so much more beautiful than a love story. 

Carolyn Miller weaves faith, salvation, God's grace into this book. I have never read a Christian historical fiction, and I can tell you this is not going to be my last book of Ms. Miller's. 

I love the Earl's marvel at how 'simple' it is to follow the cross. How simple God offers salvation with nothing more than a prayer, a want and need for Him to live in us. I was moved by the tug, and pull of him trying to do right by God, by his overbearing mother, and by Lavinia.....and failing. And only by coming to understand who he is at the foot of the cross - a sinner, who is loved beyond measure - does he become more real for me, and dare I say, much more than Mr. Darcy could ever be.

This man, Nicholas Hawkesbury, with all his faults, and arrogance, and charm, and wit, and handsomeness could make women around him swoon, but it is his heart, his discovery of faith, and belief in forgiveness and grace that caught the eye, and heart of the Elusive Miss Ellison. 

*I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the book:

Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions.
That's the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister's daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won't take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia's pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother-who stole the most important person in Livvie's world.
Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he's just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there's already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.
That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn't the only heart that needs to change.
These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.
Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the Author:

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Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.
Website: https://www.carolynmillerauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolynMillerAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolynMAuthor

THE ELUSIVE MISS ELLISON BY CAROLYN MILLER | BLOG TOUR AND KINDLE AND A CUPPA GIVEAWAY

Regency romance fans have another must-read novel to add to their lists: Carolyn Miller’s The Elusive Miss Ellison. Enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.
Settle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa and a Kindle from Carolyn!
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​One grand prize winner will receive:
A copy of The Elusive Miss Ellison
A Kindle Fire
Two William Morris mugs (winner’s choice)
A box of tea
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.
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Information about the book, and the author go here: ​http://litfusegroup.com/author/CMiller
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Cover Reveal: Twice Upon A Time by Santana Blair

3/7/2017

1 Comment

 
Today is the cover reveal for Twice Upon A Time by Santana Blair. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The cover is designed by RE Creatives: https://recreativesdesigns.wordpress.com/   
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​Twice Upon A Time (Paradise Cove #2)
By Santana Blair
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: April 2017
 
Blurb:
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a young prince who fell in love with the fairest maiden…
 
Four years ago, Jayden Williams left Paradise Cove as a young kid with big dreams. But now he’s back home and coming face to face with a dream he thought was long-lost.
 
On the court he’s known for making some of the riskiest shots under pressure. So now that the girl who got away is back, Jayden is about to take the most precarious shot ever…
 
Because sometimes love comes twice upon a time.
 
You can find Twice Upon A Time on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33517847-twice-upon-a-time  

Previous books in this series

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When you think you might lose the one person that means everything to you, you learn to play harder…
 
Start the series with And She called Him Romeo (Paradise Cove #1)! The series is one of interconnected standalone books. Each book could be read independently but it also works as a sequential series. You can find this book online:
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30076400-and-she-called-him-romeo
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Called-Romeo-Paradise-Cove-Book-ebook/dp/B01HHI9OAE/
- Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/and-she-called-him-romeo-santana-blair/1124062440?ean=294015829225
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One moment. One kiss. One Girl... and thirty days... changes everything.
 
Continue the series with Thirty Days in Technicolor (Paradise Cove #1.5)! You can find this book online:
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31819655-thirty-days-in-technicolor
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZM1UV1/
- Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thirty-days-in-technicolor-santana-blair/1124747596?ean=2940156957811

About the Author:

​Santana Blair lives in Connecticut with her husband and three kids.
 
She enjoys long walks through bookstores and stationery aisles. Her personal philosophy is that rainy days are perfect for getting lost in a good book. She’s a sucker for a good love story.
 
When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys music, movies, and relaxing with family.
 
Santana loves connecting with fellow readers via social media.
 
You can find and contact Santana here:
- Website: http://www.santanablair.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsantanablair
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/santanawrites
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SantanaBlair
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Santana-Blair/e/B01HX3ERG4/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsantanablair
- Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b1Inc9
 
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Twice Upon a Time. One winner will win a signed set of 3 paperbacks from The Paradise Cove Series. Includes: And She Called Him Romeo, Thirty Days in Technicolor, and Twice Upon A Time by Santana Blair.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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