Friday, September 30, 2016

Freebie Friday!



I was excited to see this book offered for free today and share it with you. It's The Other Side of the Stars by Katherine King. This is a historical fiction dealing with the aftermath of World War II that includes intrigue, romance, and lots of emotion. It was one of my favorite books this year.

Here's the back copy:

After the death of her parents, immigrant Gita finds herself in post WWII America with nothing but a few haunting childhood memories and an arranged marriage to Max. Despite her initial hesitations and his elusive nature, the awkward tension soon dissipates as they settle into life together.
But with the arrival of a stranger, Gita realizes she may know very little about the man she married.
As her world seems to unravel and the missing pieces of her childhood fall into place, the lives of a Nazi, a young girl, and a prisoner at Auschwitz intertwine, revealing the beauty of what can happen when fate, hope, and resiliency collide.

Download your free Kindle copy here

Thursday, September 29, 2016

My Thoughts on Designated Survivor and The Blacklist

Designated Survivor

I am really loving Designated Survivor so far. There are times, though, when I want Tom Kirkman's character to have a little Jack Bauer in him. Don't run away from the chaos and hide in an empty room! Shout and flip a table! Haha.

On a more serious note, I really do like how the show is taking relevant societal issues and shining a light on them. I'm enjoying the little conspiracies that are developing and how one man is trying to keep a country together as well as his own family. Tom seems a little weak at times, which I think is realistic, and he's dealing with a thousand problems coming at him in warp speed, while also mourning a lot of his friends and colleagues. I like that there is a very diverse cast that add a voice into the narrative, and each one brings a lot of emotional shades and layers to the table. I think the casting is superb and I'm wishing every week that each episode was two hours long so the story can unfold faster since the plot is so riveting. But really, who wouldn't turn in to watch Kiefer Sutherland? He is fantastic.

The Blacklist

I also enjoyed the season premiere of Blacklist last week. I'm a little sad they're doing a Find Liz thing again this season since we had that last season, but at least there's the father twist of Kirk this time around. I like seeing Red use his resources and yet be on his heels a bit. He's usually so unflappable, except when it come to Elizabeth.

I'm hoping the writers are going to give us some solid answers as to their relationship this season instead of just jerking us around. I am so glad that Ressler is standing by Liz, even with her lies, but I thought it was totally realistic that Samar didn't agree and pointed out that a lot of Liz's problems are a result of her own poor choices. Hopefully that kind of truth-telling continues and Liz's character can actually do some real growth. My heart is going out to Mr. Kaplan, though. Betraying Red is never a good idea and you know there's going to be consequences. She's still a little mysterious as to what her endgame is, but what was that little kiss about with the bad guy dressed in western wear? Hopefully we find out more tonight! I can't wait.

Did you watch? What did you think?

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells



Sarah Eden came to our book club last week and I have to say, everyone there is now a lifelong fan of hers. She is not only witty and fun, but took time to make each person who came feel like they were the only people in the room. She is amazing, just like her books!

As you all know, my favorite Sarah Eden book is Kiss of a Stranger. I love all of her books, but that one struck a chord in me since it was the first one I'd ever read of hers.

All of that is out the window now, though.

Sarah's new release, The Sheriffs of Savage Wells, is hands down my new favorite Sarah Eden book. It is so funny, but has emotional tension running underneath it that will keep you turning pages when you should be doing things like eating or sleeping.  This will be a book that you come back to on rainy days just so you can experience it again. I loved it!

Paisley Bell has been "filling in" for the town's unmotivated sheriff for months, but the town council puts out an advertisement for a new sheriff when the old one finally leaves town. Paisley throws her hat in the ring for the job, but three other men are also vying for the position. (I loved the little challenges they had for the sheriff's job. So funny!) Paisley is a woman with a steel backbone. She's seen heartache in her life and is trying to deal with it the best she knows how, but the fact is, she needs the money that job would bring. She's already been unofficially doing the job, but would they give it to her, even though she's a woman?

Cade O'Brien has a reputation in the West for being a gun-slinging, law-abiding, amazing sheriff that can keep the peace. He's even had a gun named after him, but he's tired of that life. He's ready for a sleepy little town where the biggest crime is a forgetful storekeeper who misplaces things and believes they are stolen. Savage Wells just might be the town he's been looking for, but when Cade meets Paisley, the sparks fly between them. Her will and determination earn his respect, but the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes she might steal his heart if he's not careful. If only they weren't competing for the same job. And if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when bank robbers come to town. Which one of them can keep the town safe?

This book is the perfect balance of suspense and romance. I loved Cade and how he is so exasperated with the townspeople and their unique problems and quirks, but is slowly softened the longer he's with them. His interactions with Paisley, though, are the highlight of the book. They are fun and frustrating and full of romantic tension. Both of them are strong-willed, yet vulnerable and had things in their past that shaped who they were.  The secondary cast of townspeople were memorable and they each could have their own book! There were laugh out loud moments and heart-tugging scenes that make this a standout historical romance.

Here's the back copy:

Paisley Bell knows the eccentric people of Savage Wells. From the absentminded shopkeeper who always thinks she's been robbed to the young man who has returned shell-shocked from the war, Paisley has compassion for them all. When the sheriff up and leaves town, Paisley steps up and assumes the responsibility, partly because she loves the work, but also because she needs the income to take care of her sick father. So when the town council decides that the position of sheriff should really go to a man, Paisley finds herself fighting to prove that she's the perfect candidate for the job, even though she wears a skirt.

Cade O'Brien is heartily sick of shooting people. In his many years as a lawman, Cade has seen his share of blood and violence. So when he answers an advertisement for a sheriff job in the sleepy town of Savage Wells, he believes he's found the peace and quiet he's always desired. But when he discovers that his biggest competition for the job is a woman, he begins to question his decisions.
Tension between the two begins to sizzle when both Cade and Paisley realize the attraction they have for each other, but when Paisley's former beau shows up in town, along with a band of bank robbers, the blossoming relationship between the two sheriffs is tested. They will have to work together to thwart the bank robbers and keep the town safe.

Download your copy here

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Book Review: King of the Friend Zone




Sheralynn Pratt is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her book, The Kiss That Launched 1000 Gifs is one of my favorites, but King of the Friend Zone is not far behind.

Esme Taylor gets engaged and is excited to tell her lifelong best friend Hunter. Only Hunter isn't thrilled exactly, since he's had a crush on Esme for years but never told her. He sucks it up, though, and tries to be nice to the fiance, since he really only wants Esme's happiness. The problem is, the fiance picks up on the fact that Hunter loves her and wants to cut him out of Esme's life for good. And that's where the story gets good.

There are so many ups and downs and twists to this story, my emotions were all over the place! I loved Hunter and how amazing he was. He was a swoon-worthy hero and I really, really wanted him to get his happily-ever-after. Esme was a fun, quirky character that I could totally relate to and felt so bad for her with the situation she found herself in. Of course since this is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series, Miss Pearl is an integral part, and I loved how the author gave her a cookie cart to illustrate to her "customers" the differences in love.

Ms. Pratt truly shines in the witty dialogue and how down-to-earth her characters are. They have so much depth from every angle, it was easy to immerse myself in the story. There's just enough angst to keep me completely engrossed and turning pages. This is an awesome addition to the Matchmaker set and readers will come away with a happy sigh.

Here's the back copy:

Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancĂ©, a lifelong best friend, and a problem. The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancĂ©, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.

Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.

The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.

When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.

They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.

Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?

Download your Kindle copy here

Monday, September 26, 2016

Hawaii Five-O Season Premiere Thoughts

I have been waiting on pins and needles for the season premiere of Hawaii Five-O. Last season we left off with McGarrett getting a liver transplant from Danny and the new season picks up from there and there were so many things to love about this episode.

Well, one of the most talked about thing on the premiere was the "appearance" of Jack Lord in the form of a CGI cop in the chapel. Steve is reflective of his life choices, wondering if he let the right woman get away because of his job. (It is so clear that he still loves Cath and my heart was happy about that.) Jack is there, waiting for his wife to get out of surgery, and tells him his legacy is helping people and giving them closure. The sentiment behind the scene was beautiful, but that CGI Jack Lord was creepy. He didn't look real and it took me out of what they were trying to do.

The other talked about part was the wheelchair race between Steve and Danny as they are being released from the hospital. Both of them cheated, scared doctors and patients, and yet it was still fun and so them. They have such a brotherhood, it makes it fun to watch in those sorts of scenes. The carguments are still a little on the whiny side for me and the witty banter in them is few and far between, so I liked the wheelchair race a lot, since it represented so much without saying a word.

Of course the big conversation piece was the chase scene that lasted six minutes. I'd never heard of parkour and free running, but the parkour guy in the show was amazing! Definitely more of a Spiderman feel and quite impressive. For me, it went on a tiny bit too long, but having Steve realistically have to stop chasing him since he was just released from the hospital was good to see. It was definitely not something you see on TV every day!

My favorite comedic part, besides the wheelchair race, was when Danny was reminding Steve that he's not supposed to be driving so soon after being released from the hospital, so he gets out and offers the driver's seat to Danny, but he can't drive either, so they have to call Chin. The look on all their faces was hilarious!

Chin had a great storyline as well. Little Sarah is sticking around for a while and Chin is playing daddy/uncle. I love him in this role, he's so natural! Abby is sticking around, too, as part of HPD and I like them together, so I was glad.

The main plot was creepy, with two serial killers being killed and leaving their bodies in H50 headquarters and Lou's truck. (When are they going to get some decent security?) Chess pieces were stuffed in their mouths and even though at the end of the ep they thought they'd caught the killer, Steve has a little run-in and he knows they haven't. Dun, dun, dun. It will be interesting to see where the writers go with it.

It was an exciting opener that has me anxious for next week. Did you watch? What did you think?

Friday, September 23, 2016

Freebie Friday



Since it is dark and stormy at my house today, I'm going to highlight Star Crossed Hurricane by Wendy Knight as my Friday Freebie! It looks romantic and spooky all rolled into one.

Here's the back copy:

You don’t date your best friend’s ex.

Ever.

It doesn’t matter how head-over-heels, absolutely and completely in love with her you are.

Does it?

Sawyer met the girl of his dreams, and then found out she was the ex his best friend can’t get over. He’s forced to keep her in the friend zone, no matter how much it hurts him. And the fact that he knows she wants him, too, only makes it harder. But it’s a fight he’s determined to win.
Until they’re trapped together in a condemned house during a massive storm. For the first time since he met her, Sawyer’s not sure he can keep his heart to himself.

Download your free Kindle copy here

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Premiere Week And I'm Excited!

I have been waiting for this week all summer!

Last night I watched the premiere of Kiefer Sutherland's new series, Designated Survivor, and it was amazing! Seriously, it was like watching a feature film and I wish it had been a two hour premiere. Lots of intrigue and character investment right up front with tons of places to go. Although I have to say, there were a few times when I wanted him to start tossing the table and going Jack Bauer on some people. There was also a defining moment with the Iranian ambassador that just made a shiver run down your spine. The writers seem to be running a tight ship so far and I cannot wait for next week! Did you watch? What did you think?

The two other premieres I've been waiting for are Blacklist (which we are about to watch as soon as the popcorn is popped) and Hawaii Five-O tomorrow. Woohoo! James Spader and Alex O'Loughlin are fantastic actors (each in their own way, of course) and I'm looking forward to this season's storylines.

I still miss Castle Mondays, though. That was a staple in my life for so many years. *sigh* *moment of silence*

What premiere are you looking forward to this season?

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

What I'm Reading Wednesday



I've been reading a wagon trail romance called Phoebe's Promise by Kay P. Dawson. This is a new author to me and so far, I've enjoyed her writing style. As you all know, I enjoy historical romance and this novella has just enough romantic tension to keep me turning pages.

Phoebe is fleeing an abusive uncle with her younger sister and they join up with a wagon train heading to Oregon. At first, Phoebe dresses as a boy, but the wagonmaster, Colton, figures out pretty quick she's a woman. He does his best to protect her, but there's a lot going on, including facing death and uncertainty.

I think the author describes the setting really well so the reader can experience the trail along with the characters. The plot is straightforward with enough depth and an easy pace to keep me invested. Colton has a few secrets he's keeping that may keep them apart, so I'm anxious to see if they get their happy ending!

Here's the back copy:

In order to keep a promise she made to her dying mother, Phoebe sets off with her younger sister to head across the country on a wagon train bound for Oregon. Dressed as a boy, all she has to do is find the captain of the outfit and convince him to take them along.

When Colton sees the young boy in front of him, he knows instantly it’s a woman - and he has no choice but to take them along. Their wagon is packed and ready to go.

The weeks ahead will bring many challenges, heartbreak and hardships. Does Phoebe have the strength to get them safely to Oregon? And, can she learn to trust Colton to help when it’s needed?

You can download your copy here

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

My Week From You Know Where

Last week I had some minor same day surgery, but all did not go as planned. I had a reaction to the general anesthesia and I could not get out of bed without vomiting and I was extremely dizzy. It was so hard! I hadn't planned to recuperate for an entire week in bed, but I'm so grateful to finally be feeling better and to be able to sit up without the room spinning. It's amazing how much I take my health for granted.

Unfortunately, my illness has put me behind for my new book release. I thought I was going to be able to go forward with the release of Love's Broken Road for Oct. 10, but I think I may have to postpone it for two weeks. I hope you all understand! I'm really excited to share this book with you, but want you to have the best story I can give you and if that means a small delay, I would rather do that so no one is disappointed. It's so hard! But I have the best fans in the world. I truly do. And thank you so much to everyone who has emailed and messaged me. Your support means the world to me!

Monday, September 19, 2016

Book Review: The Second Season



The Second Season by Heather Chapman is billed as a regency romance about a young girl named Caroline. She missed part of the last social season due to illness, but is back for her second season and has caught the eye of a duke. Her mother is anxious to make the match, but there is another suitor, who may not be exactly suitable. Will Caroline follow her heart?

This book actually highlights three romances--Caroline and her love triangle, Lucy, a sister who has a potential romance, but a frightening experience may ruin it, and also their mother Eleanor's romance through flashback. I really enjoyed two of the romances and wished the author would have given each woman her own book. With the way it is currently written as three romances squished into one book, the author isn't able to give the characters the depth they needed to truly make this story shine.

However, in spite of that, I loved Lucy and Eleanor and how the author explored their feelings about marrying for love compared to the alternative of marrying according to society's dictates or financial gain.  I had a harder time relating to Caroline as she came across as very young, spoiled, and selfish. I actually liked the duke who was courting her despite her shortcomings, but who doesn't love a dashing duke? Not to mention the tradesman with a heart of gold that turned her head.

I also loved learning more about what a cordswainer did and thought the research was woven in beautifully. The author showed her talent in immersing the reader in the time period and social restrictions of the day. The flashbacks slowed down the pacing, but beyond that, the plot was an easy read. Ms. Chapman is a new author to me and I think she has a lot of potential in the regency genre. I would definitely try another book by her.

Here's the back copy:

Caroline is not looking forward to this year's Season in London. Her mother already has schemes for her marriage prospects--and none of them include love, it seems. But when a dashing young duke begins to pursue her, Caroline has second thoughts. Caught between ambition and desire, Caroline may gamble her heart away without even realizing it . . .

You can download your Kindle copy here

Friday, September 16, 2016

Friday Freebie




Today's Friday Freebie is a romance called Jessie Belle by Jennifer Peel. With the weather starting to turn colder, I'm ready to curl up with a good book!

Here's the back copy:

Nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, lies the quaint town of Merryton, Colorado. You will never find finer people or better friends. But try keeping a secret in Merryton and you will soon find that the good townspeople are better than any private investigator or undercover journalist. The men and women of Merryton are like living barometers, and when a storm is brewing in the life of one of their own, they are sure to get to the bottom of it--and forecast it on the Merryton grapevine.

Jessica and Blake Summers know a thing or two about what it’s like to be the latest and greatest news on the vine. Their thirteen year marriage has had more than its fair share of heartache and loss. Then the past comes knocking, in the form of a teenage girl, a daughter Blake never knew existed. The news sets the Merryton grapevine on fire.

In the wake of this revelation and firestorm, Blake and Jessica are forced to reevaluate their own relationship and priorities, all while learning that raising a teenage girl is not for the faint of heart. But in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, they discover that Madeline may just be what the doctor ordered to heal their broken hearts and mend their own tattered relationship.

Will they have the courage to look forward and find a greater love than they could ever imagine? Or will past hurts and the town grapevine tear them apart?

Download your free Kindle copy here

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Movie Review: The Last Descent



Just before Thanksgiving in 2009 the news all over Utah was of a man trapped in Nutty Putty cave. That cave was popular for scouts and my family had been in it before. I'd thought about going myself, but never did. When I heard about the young father named John Jones trapped in there, I could only hope he'd be rescued and reunited with his family.

He wasn't.

When I heard a film was being made about it, I didn't know if I could see it since I knew the ending. It was such a tragic story and since I had children nearly the same age as the Jones family, it was emotional for me. But I decided to go to the movie because I wanted to know more about the why. Why couldn't they get him out? Why had he gone in the first place? Why was this film being made now?

Before the film started, Isaac Halasima, the writer and director of the film, addressed the audience to talk about what filmmaking meant to him. How he expressed himself through his art, to remind us all of our human experiences and those of others. To help us to feel and be moved and take that to touch others and change lives.  With that in mind, the film started.

The film has such an innocence about it in the beginning. John is coming home to spend the holidays with family. He's been in medical school and is anxious to just be with family. He heads to the newly reopened cave with his brother, laughing that they need to go before the big dinner since that would make it impossible for them to get through the tight spaces.  The stage is set for how and when John gets stuck. As the rescue begins, the audience gets glimpses of the life John Jones led and how he met his wife Emily. It was sweet and tender getting to know these ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

So many people came together to help John and the filmmaker used a composite to make one memorable rescuer who stayed the entire time John was down there. Even in the face of such a trial there were some laughter amid the tears and the audience is completely drawn into that dynamic. The filmmaker did an exceptional job with casting and completely met his goal to show the audience a mirror of emotions as they experience this sacred last day with John Jones. It's not a movie I will soon forget and now I know all the whys. My question has moved from why did this happen to what will change about me because it happened. Make every day count. Tell people you love them. Be happy in the face of extreme odds. Never give up.

The Last Descent is a movie that will make you feel and hope and laugh and cry. It will stay with you long after the lights come up. It opens in theaters Sept. 16th. 

You can find out more at the official movie website here



Watch the official movie trailer below


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Book Review & Giveaway!




I know, I already posted a book review and giveaway this week, but I couldn't resist this one! GG Vandagriff has a new regency out and I was excited to be part of her blog tour.

Miss Penelope Swinton is innocently sketching three men in the park when one of them comes over and snatches her drawing away, ripping it into pieces. This starts a chain of events that changes Penelope's life forever. Her life is threatened now, and her self-appointed bodyguard, Viscount Beau Wellingham, finds himself in a situation where the only way out is to marry Penelope.

Neither of them particularly want a hasty and somewhat forced marriage, but Beau is the kind of person that takes care of those he cares about. He doesn't want Penelope hurt because of him. Penelope is a little more stubborn than most, however, and makes some decisions which put them both into a difficult situation. Can they find a way to admit their growing feelings before it's too late?

Ms. Vandagriff's book are always a treat---just a nice afternoon escape read. All the elements are there of a couple trying to make the best of society's rules, while still wanting to marry for love. Beau was a dashing hero and honorable as well. Penelope is a woman who wants some independence in her choices, but finally faces her fear and reaches for a chance with Beau. There were quite a few twists and turns on that bumpy road to love that will keep a reader turning pages to see how it all turns out. And we also get a glimpse of favorite characters from past books, including the Duke and Duchess of Ruisdell, and Henry V the turtle. It's always fun to catch up with old friends.

Don't forget to scroll all the way down and enter the giveaway!

Download your Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

Beautiful Miss Penelope Swinton wants to live out her life as a spinster in her beloved Northamptonshire, but with an ailing father and an entailed estate, she must come to London and enter the Marriage Mart. And if she must marry, she is determined to marry for love.

In a brief respite from the social whirl of the season, she retreats from the restrictions of the ton to sketch in the park and stumbles over a French spy. When Penelope finds her life in danger, Viscount Beau Wellingham steps up to protect her, however he has secrets of his own. Wellingham leads a clandestine life as an agent for the Foreign Office trapping spies. In defending her life, he unwittingly puts her reputation at risk. 

In order to save Penelope from society’s scorn, Beau presses for a betrothal. Though she resists, he insists. Soon Beau is unable to deny the attraction he feels towards her. Before he can act on his feelings, danger rises again. This time, his life is on the line. 

With a desperate spy closing in, Penelope must choose the safety of what she has always known or a chance for love. But will she be too late?



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Tour schedule

Sept. 12 – LDS and Lovin’ It / Bubblebath Bloggers
Sept. 13 – My Book a Day / Bonnie Gets a Say
Sept. 14 – LDS Writer Mom / Wishful Endings
Sept. 15 – Smiling Book Reviews / Literary Time Out
Sept. 16 – Katie’s Clean Book Collection / Singing Librarian Books

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

First Chapter of My New Novel!



As you all know, my new novel, Love's Broken Road, comes out on Nov. 1st! I'm really excited about it and thought you might like a sneak peek into the first chapter!

Chapter One
Copyright Julie Coulter Bellon
All Rights Reserved

The sun peeked out from between the clouds, adding light to the somber tombstone gray all around her. Victoria didn’t even know why she was there.  Standing in this exact spot at her husband’s funeral a year ago she couldn’t even pretend she was grieving. A twinge of guilt flickered deep in her gut. She’d wanted him dead and now he was. He’d died on their sixth wedding anniversary, too, which was a strange benediction to a marriage that had died long before.
“Caldwell, it’s time to go.” She called for her five-year-old son who had gotten bored looking down at his father’s headstone and had followed a butterfly to another grave. She probably shouldn’t have brought him. The reality was, she wanted him to forget his father— his moods, his shouting, the fights. Yet, for some reason she wanted this closure for both of them. To walk away and never look back. Too bad she hadn’t been able to do it when her husband was alive.
Caldwell stood beside her and she squeezed his hand. “Honey, is there anything you’d like to say to Daddy before we get on the airplane?”
Caldwell pushed his glasses back on his nose. “No.”
He was solemn. Too solemn for his age. His eyes had seen too much in his short life. Regret zinged through her and combined with the guilt, tied her stomach in knots. They both needed to start over in a city with no memories of what they’d endured.
She squatted down in front of him and touched his chin. “Are you excited to move to Lincoln?” Victoria had researched the safest cities in the nation, and Lincoln, Utah, had popped up as number fifteen. It was a smaller city with just under thirty thousand people, and it was full of parks and open spaces, but most of all, it had a high school that needed a math teacher.
Caldwell nodded his head once before he wrapped his thin arms around her neck and held her tight.
Victoria hugged him back, his warm body like an anchor in the storm they’d lived through.  Her husband was the worst thing that had ever happened to her, but Caldwell was definitely the best. “We’d better get to the airport. Are you excited to fly on a plane?”
“Yeah.” He drew back and took her hand again. The stoic look on his face made her throat tighten. She wanted him to be carefree and full of childlike curiosity like she’d been at that age, but he wasn’t because of the choices she’d made.
Victoria straightened and they both stood there a moment longer looking at her husband’s name on the headstone. Caldwell Newel. Her jaw clenched. How many times had he told her she disgraced his name? That she would be nothing without him. Well, she was going to walk away with their son’s hand in hers and prove him wrong. The loose ends of the estate were all tied up, the life insurance had paid, and they’d both said goodbye. Well, Caldwell had. She didn’t have anything to say. She’d only come to stand on his grave, to know they were truly free, and he couldn’t hurt them again. She would make sure no one would.
They headed toward the far side of the cemetery where a taxi was waiting. The driver saw them coming and got out to open the door for them. “Thank you,” she murmured. He watched them get in, giving her an appraising look. Instead of trying to make herself as invisible as possible, Victoria raised her chin and met his gaze before helping Caldwell into the car. There was no reason to hide or think she was doing something wrong. Her therapist had helped her see how her identity had slowly been chipped away during her marriage, but she didn’t want to be lost or invisible. Not anymore.
She took a deep breath as the driver got in and pulled away. All Victoria felt as they left the cemetery was overwhelming relief. This was her first step into light and life after six years of suffering. She was going to meet it with a smile.
“I see a plane, Mommy,” Caldwell said, as he craned his neck to see out the window. “Is that the one we’re going to ride on?”
“Maybe.” She moved closer to him, taking one last glance at the skyline of Hartford. This was the only place he’d ever known as home. Hopefully Lincoln would come to feel like home sooner rather than later for both of them. “I guess we’ll see if our plane is still in the sky or waiting for us when we get to the airport.”
She reached in and took her phone out of her pocket for one more email check before their flight. A notification that she had one new message popped up.  Tapping on it, she was surprised to see it was from the principal of Lincoln High School.  Her heart rate picked up. If there was a problem now . . .
No, she wasn’t going to borrow trouble. She’d been hired and had signed the contracts. Opening the email, she quickly scrolled down. It was just a welcome-to-our-school letter. Victoria let out a breath and sagged against the worn taxi seat. Dr. Wellborn, the principal, had given off the impression that he was a thorough, by-the-book administrator and Victoria liked that. No surprises. Well, except for her imagination running away with her that this job was too good to be true. It certainly had fallen into her lap as if it was meant to be.
She bent to read the rest of the email. After the welcome to our school paragraph, he went on to inform her that since she was new to the school, he’d assigned a Mr. Dalton to give her a tour and answer any of her questions. The last line reminded her that the opening staff meeting before Back to School Night was Monday at three sharp. All was as expected, except for someone being assigned to escort her around the school. But, she wouldn’t question it. Finding a rapport with her fellow teachers would be crucial for her success and she might as well get started off on the right foot.
Victoria turned her phone off and reached out to touch Caldwell’s shoulder. He immediately snuggled into her side, and she kissed the top of his head. Everything was happening so quickly, but she’d been trying to look at it like she was tearing off a bandaid. She had the weekend to settle into their condo and two days to get her classroom ready.
Anxiety pressed down on her shoulders, adding more weight. The ability to make her own decisions had been taken from her a long time ago and it was strange to have the control back in her hands. She’d decide what she ate and when, what clothes she wore and where she went. And now she made all the decisions for Caldwell on her own. That alone was intoxicating, not to mention a little unnerving.
Right after her husband’s death, she’d plodded along as if he were still here and coming home at any moment. But the last six months, she’d been chafing to get away from the house, the memories, everything. She straightened as they pulled up to the airport. Choices were scary and exhilarating, and her mind kept second-guessing every decision she made, but, right or wrong, they were moving to Utah. Today.
Caldwell slept most of the flight and Victoria dozed beside him. The stress of the job hunt and move had taken a toll, but they were leaving that all behind.  When the plane landed in Salt Lake City, their luggage was some of the first off the carousel. Victoria smiled. Maybe their luck was changing already.
“Let’s go see our new place, okay?” She kept Caldwell close to her side. He moved slowly beside her, mesmerized by the crowds of people around them.
“Can I take another plane ride, Mommy?” He looked up at her, his face pleading. After what they’d been through she didn’t want to deny him anything, but even she knew better than to make promises she couldn’t keep.
“How about we look at the toy store and see if they have an airplane there?” He seemed satisfied with that and they wheeled their carry-on luggage to the carousel to collect their suitcases. His step seemed lighter as they walked together and that brought another smile to her face.
The car rental went smoothly, and soon they were on the road toward Lincoln. She consulted her GPS to make sure she was headed in the right direction and glanced in the back seat at Caldwell.
He couldn’t stop staring out the window. “Look at the mountains, Mama,” he exclaimed. “They’re so close. Can we climb one?”
“Definitely.” Her heart expanded in her chest. He hadn’t asked for anything for so long and since landing, they’d already talked about getting a toy and going hiking. That was how she’d always dreamed their life would be— simple and carefree.  
She rolled down the window and let it blow through her hair. This was something she could get used to.
“You should close the window, Mom. You’ll muss your hair and look bad.” Caldwell’s voice came from the backseat, the words sounding just like his father and her heart sank. No matter how hopeful she was for the future, they still had things from the past to work out. 
“No, sweetheart. We’re going to roll down our windows and sing to the radio. Every time we’re in the car.” To prove her point, she turned the radio on, found a song with a good beat and turned it up loud.  Caldwell’s face, framed in the rearview mirror, looked shocked, but after he watched her for a moment he began to copy her head movements nodding to the beat.
Babysteps, she told herself. Someday, everything Caldwell Senior had ever said to them would be a distant memory. She started singing along with the chorus, and after she’d sung it twice, Caldwell’s little voice joined hers. Victoria wanted to pump her fist with the little victory, but just kept singing with that silly grin on her face.
They sang all the way to Lincoln city limits. It was only a short drive through Main Street, which had some charming, older buildings. An old-fashioned drugstore was closest, with a bank next door, a candy shop in the middle, and a diner at the end of the street. It was as if she’d stepped back in time to when the world was a simpler place. She loved that.
The town was only about forty minutes from the airport, but once they got out of the sprawling city limits of Salt Lake and onto Main Street in Lincoln, it was like night and day. Victoria could definitely get used to a more small-town country feel. The GPS guided them through town and within minutes they were parking in front of their new townhouse. It was a small complex of four upscale duplexes facing a grassy courtyard with a play area in the middle. Another big change from the mini-mansion they’d been living in.
Victoria turned the car off. “Ready to see our new house?” she asked, turning around in her seat.
“Yeah.” Caldwell looked a little uncertain, so Victoria forced a bit more cheer into her voice. “Once we take our stuff inside, maybe we can eat at the restaurant I saw back there.”
That made him smile. “Can we have pizza?”
Victoria tilted her head. “Maybe. Let’s look at the menu and decide, okay?” She got out of the car and came around to Caldwell’s door. “But first, I want to see your new room.”
He took her hand as they walked to the trunk and took out their luggage. They hauled it to the front door, and Victoria fished inside her purse for the keys the realtor had sent. Slipping the key into the lock, the door opened and they stepped through.
Victoria set the suitcase down and surveyed the living room. Definitely smaller than it had looked in the picture, but still adequate. The carpets looked like they’d been recently shampooed, and the furnishings that came with the townhouse were simple and homey. “What do you think?”
Caldwell nodded. “I like it.”
They walked down the short hallway to the bedrooms. Compared to their previous home, the entire townhouse could fit in the front entryway. But this was theirs, and that knowledge made it the best house Victoria had ever seen.
They stopped in what would be Caldwell’s bedroom, just down the hall from hers. It had a twin bed and a dresser, but not much else. They would definitely need to go shopping tomorrow for a few personal touches. She walked over to the window, glad there was a nice view of the complex courtyard’s little playset in the middle. The whole place had a peace surrounding it that reminded her of her grandparents’ farm where she’d spent her summers. Taking that feeling as a sign, Victoria knew this was where she was meant to be.
“Can I go play?” Caldwell asked, joining her at the window.
She put her arm around him. “It’s getting late. What about we do the playground tomorrow and right now, we unpack and go eat?” she asked. Suddenly she was famished.
“Okay.” He turned and tried to pull his suitcase up on the bed, but it was too heavy. She helped him get it on the mattress so he could unzip it. It didn’t take long to put his clothes away in the closet and dresser and soon they were doing the same to her clothing. Caldwell was always eager to help and she found herself humming as they worked.
“We’re happy?” Caldwell said it as a question, his brown eyes watching her hang her dresses in the closet.
She sobered. “Yes, we’re happy. I’m excited, too,” she said carefully. “I think I’m going to like it here.”
He nodded and pushed his glasses back up on his nose. They were forever slipping down, and she needed to get them fixed. Maybe now they were here she could tackle those little things.
“Are you sad, sweetheart?” she asked him.
“No. I want to go to school and find a friend. Like Paddington, but real.” Paddington was the bear that Caldwell slept with at night. His voice was wistful and Victoria’s heart lurched. They’d been isolated for so long that Caldwell hadn’t had the opportunity for friends and playdates. 
“You’re going to have tons of friends,” she reassured him as she ruffled his hair. “Everyone who knows you loves you.” Granted, his circle of acquaintances had been severely limited to this point, but she knew he would make friends fast if he could be himself around people.  “Now, are you hungry? Let’s go eat.”
“I’m starving,” he said, taking her hand.
They headed for the front door and she carefully locked it behind her. Caldwell swung her hand in rhythm with their steps as they walked to the car. She couldn’t help but smile down at him. He made everything worth it.
Before long they were buckled in and driving back the way they’d come. When they got to the nearly empty parking lot of the diner, Victoria released a breath. The room wasn’t packed and a quiet dinner was just what they needed.
They waited by the register to be seated, a hum of hushed conversation coming from several booths. A young woman came around the corner and when she saw them she grabbed two menus, one for an adult and one for a child. “Hi, welcome to Rosie’s. Right this way.”
Victoria waited for Caldwell to go first, and they followed the waitress to a booth in a corner. When they were seated, Victoria opened the menu. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Pancakes,” Caldwell said without hesitation.
Victoria laughed that the pizza he’d wanted earlier was forgotten. “You would eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I let you.” He smiled back and for a split second any lingering hesitations about their cross-country move was lifted. This was right. She knew it. She just had to trust it.
She quickly picked a pasta dish she shouldn’t eat, but this was a celebration. Caldwell took out the crayons that the waitress had left and began coloring the pictures on the kid menu. Victoria took in the restaurant.
There was an old-fashioned bar where an older man sat sipping a drink and reading the newspaper. Some teenagers were in another corner booth snapping selfies. She watched them for a second, wondering if any of them would be in her high school math class.  Even the thought of having her own classroom after all this time made her shrink. Thankfully she’d kept her certification up-to-date, and Dr. Wellborn had said he would work with her on getting teaching credentials for the state of Utah. She’d taken the leap and, so far, there hadn’t been a hard fall. A tiny part of her was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but she was doing her best to ignore it.
A little bell dinged from the back and Victoria knew that had to be their food. Before the waitress could bring it by, though, the front door opened and a man dressed in a white t-shirt with a large black smudge across the front of it stepped through. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his body lean like a runner’s instead of someone who spent his time in a gym. His jeans were ripped on the knee and he wiped his hands on his thighs before he greeted the waitress with a friendly grin. “Hey, Emma, do you have my dinner for me?”
Victoria shamelessly eavesdropped while watching the waitress flip her hair over her shoulder and give the man a coy smile. If she were in the waitress’s shoes she would have done the same. The man had an easygoing air and combined with his good looks, he’d appeal to any woman. But it had been so long since Victoria had even thought of flirting. She’d probably forgotten how. Not that she wanted to flirt with anyone, anyway. She leaned over Caldwell’s shoulder to put the man and all her can-I-flirt-or-not questions out of her mind.
“I was starting to think you weren’t coming in tonight,” the waitress said to him, loudly enough anyone could hear their conversation whether they wanted to or not. Victoria couldn’t help herself and bent her head toward them.
“Ended up out at my parents’ longer than I thought. Their truck needed an oil change.” Victoria looked up just in time to see him run a hand through his hair, making it stick out at the ears. He didn’t seem to have a clue how adorable he looked. The waitress sure did, though. She practically swooned, but held on to the counter instead.
“What do I owe you?”
“Just the usual.” She stepped a little closer, holding his to-go bag next to her body.
Victoria couldn’t take her eyes off them. What was his usual? Steak and potatoes? Pizza? She tilted her head, trying to get a better look at the bag when his gaze traveled past the waitress and landed right on her. He matched her angle and gave her a half-grin, before he took his wallet out of his jeans pocket to pull out some bills.
“Thanks for keeping it warm,” he said to the waitress, but then was obvious about giving her a pointed look, his eyebrows raised.
The waitress started to turn around, but Victoria quickly dropped her head to stare at her table and act like she hadn’t noticed either of them. Why hadn’t she minded her own business? Had he left yet? She peeked over to see if he was gone. Her eyes met his and for just a second, the restaurant faded away and all she could see was him.
Until the waitress broke in, moving between them.
“You know I’m here to help with whatever you need.” The waitress held the bag of food out to him, and if Victoria had to guess, the girl was definitely batting her eyelashes at him for all she was worth.
Curiously, he seemed oblivious to the girl’s intentions. He took the food and gave her an absent smile before he left. 
Ouch.
The waitress stared at the door for a moment longer before she turned away. Victoria didn’t know who that man was, but he obviously had an admirer. Maybe two if she was being honest with herself.
She shook herself mentally, knowing she wasn’t in a position to date anyone and had no business even looking. Her focus had to be on making a new life for herself and Caldwell. This was her chance and she was going to seize the opportunity.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Book Review and Giveaway: Southern Charmed



I really enjoy Melanie Jacobson's lighthearted romances, but after what happened in Louisiana the past few weeks, it became much more than just entertainment. Southern Charmed highlights the culture and landmarks of a beautiful state and when you see the devastation the floods have wrought on it, well, my heart just aches. I love that the author donated a portion of her proceeds from this book to help not only her own family members, but everyone affected by this tragedy. (You can see pictures and read more that here.)

Our heroine, Lila Mae, loves everything about Louisiana. She was born and raised there, and now lives at home with her widowed mother and teaches at the high school. Her mother gently reminds her quite often of how she should be out there looking for Mr. Right. Lila Mae wants to find him, too, but her only option at the moment seems to be Max Archer, a "Yankee" who once hated everything about Louisiana and humiliated her at a church dance while they were teenagers. She doesn't even count him as an eligible guy until they get put on a conference planning committee together. As they search out venues and ideas for the conference, they get to know each other and put away the prejudices they'd had from when they were teens. But Lila knows they can never go anywhere because she's not leaving Louisiana and Max won't stay. This sweet love story will have you turning pages to see if they can work it out and get their happily-ever-after.

I really liked both Max and Lila Mae. They both have passionate feelings for their work and family, they both have regrets that they try to make up for, and they both fight the answers that are right in front of them. I thought they both had a lot of depth to them and were easy to relate to. The dialogue was easy and fun and the romance was the kind to give the reader butterflies. (The perfection was only marred by a few typos, including a misspelling of the country of Colombia. That poor country never gets spelled right! LOL) But, the setting was done incredibly well and the venue search gives us a glimpse of several areas of Louisiana that made me wish I'd visited there.  You'll definitely walk away with a feeling of being "southern-charmed."

Download your Kindle copy here

Don't forget to scroll down and enter the giveaway!

Here's the back copy:

Lila Mae Guidry is a Southern girl through and through. As a fourth-generation Latter-day Saint in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she's proud of her heritage as both a Southerner and a Saint—and she doesn't take kindly to people who disparage either. Ten years ago, Max Archer was just that kind of jerk. As the mission president's son, Max spent his entire three years mocking the South . . . and teenage Lila. After Max's family moved away, Lila forgot about her sworn enemy. Almost.

When a new job brings a grown-up Max back to Baton Rouge, Lila is less than thrilled with his reappearance, especially since everyone seems intent on throwing her together with this old adversary. Yet fight as she may, Lila soon realizes resistance is futile—their connection is undeniable. Max embodies everything she wants in a man—except perhaps the most important thing—her life is rooted in the city she loves, but his dreams are bigger than Baton Rouge. With such mismatched visions of the future, Max and Lila are faced with a life-altering decision: jeopardize their aspirations or risk losing love.



Blog Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 12th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 13th: http://thethingsilovemost.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 14th: http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://iamareader.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 15th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/

*Sept. 16th:http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/

Friday, September 9, 2016

Friday Freebie



Today's Friday Freebie is a romantic comedy called Her Best Match by Tamie Dearen. I'm attracted to romantic comedies lately, and this one looks like it could have a lot of laughs in it.

Here's the back copy:

Feisty, stubborn, and bored with life in Texas, Anne Best is about to get more than she bargained for.

The lovely widow heads off to the Big Apple for a job interview, expecting no more than a few days adventure in New York City, only to find herself with a new job working for the most infuriating man she's ever met.

Billionaire Steven Gherring is one of New York's Most Eligible Bachelors, and he has every intention of staying that way. But Gram has other ideas. She's on a not-so-secret campaign to find a wife for her grandson.

As fearless as she is clumsy, Anne tackles every challenge (including her new boss) enthusiastically, with two lone exceptions... public speaking and recognizing her own feelings. Passions rise along with hemlines as Gram joins forces with Anne, a veteran matchmaker, to find the perfect match for Steven.

“If you like Hallmark movies, you’ll love The Best Girls!”
"It may not be realistic, but I wished it could actually happen."

You can download your free Kindle copy here

Thursday, September 8, 2016

I'm Going To The InD'Scribe Conference!


I am super excited to announce that I will be at the InD'Scribe Author/Reader Conference in Burbank, California, October 6th through the 9th. There will be a ton of other amazing authors there as well, as you can see by the list above, and if you are in the area, you should come to the conference!

There's also the RONE Award Gala, and as you all know, my book, The Captive, is up for Best Suspense. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

Most of all, though, I love the energy that these conferences have and the amazing people I get to meet! It's going to be epic, I can already tell, and I'll be sure to keep the blog updated with all the fun!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Blog Tour and Giveaway For Slave Queen!


I know I already reviewed Slave Queen, but I loved it so much I wanted to be part of the blog tour and giveaway! If you haven't read this thriller, then you need to go to your nearest store, online or brick, and buy it! It is really good.

Here is my encore review of it:

This book is fantastic! An antiquities collector who is also trying to safeguard the lineage of the Royalists from the Ottoman Empire has discovered a letter that proves the rightful heir was wrongfully executed in the 1500s. With that evidence, he can recruit more people to his cause, perhaps make a name for himself in history. That is, until Omar is put on the case.

This story is a thrill ride. I loved catching up with Omar and his quick-wittedness in the field. As always, Ms. Moore's research and setting are incredible and add another layer of believability. The characters are deep and well-drawn and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The roller coaster was non-stop from the story of the sultan and his bride to Omar tracking down a killer. Make some time for this one because there's no good place to stop!

Here's the back copy:

Special Agent Omar Zagouri’s latest case is his most dangerous—and his most personal yet. The discovery of secret sixteenth-century letters unveils a plot between the sultan Suleyman and his chief wife, Roxelane, to change the course of the Ottoman Empire. A descendent of Roxelane, Zagouri learns he has an enemy whose revenge has been centuries in the making.

Targeted by an antiquities collector who’s also descended from a chief rival for the ancient throne, Zagouri soon uncovers a modern-day conspiracy that threatens the lives of his family and the security of a nation.

To expose the plot, Zagouri must team up with Naim, the son of his nemesis, who heads an international black-market operation that may have ties to the killings. From ancient Constantinople to the present-day Middle East, Zagouri is on a collision course with history. Time is running out to solve a royal mystery and stop a ruthless killer—one who has Zagouri’s name on his hit list.

You can download your copy here

And enter the giveaway below!


Here's the blog tour schedule so you can see what everyone else is saying!

Tuesday 6th - Katie's Clean Book Collection
Wednesday 7th - Lisa is a Bookworm / LDS Writer Mom / Mel's Shelves
Thursday 8th - Empower Moms
Friday 9th - My Book a Day
Saturday 10th - Wishful Endings

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Preorder My New Romance!


My new romance novel, Love's Broken Road, is up for preorder! I am so excited about this novel, but a little nervous, too, since it's my very first romance! (I totally love that cover. I could look at it all day. It's so perfect for my story.)

But, the big news is the book will be out October 10th, and you can preorder your Kindle copy here for only $2.99!

Here's the back copy:

After surviving an abusive marriage, Victoria Newel needs a clean slate for herself and her son. Taking a job as a math teacher, she moves across the country to the small town of Lincoln, Utah, where no one knows her and she can start over. However, her new colleague, Drew Dalton, offers her friendship and maybe something more. But has her heart healed enough that she could trust again?

Drew Dalton lost his wife to cancer years ago and he locked his heart away, throwing himself into his teaching job. But when Victoria Newel starts working at the high school, she awakens something in him that he never thought he’d feel again. Her gentle nature and quiet strength draws him to her, but it’s obvious she’s hiding something in her past from him. Can he open his heart to a woman who harbors so many secrets of her own?

Monday, September 5, 2016

Book Review and Giveaway!


I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for Jennifer Moore's new novel, A Place For Miss Snow. I've really enjoyed her previous novels and this one is a bit of departure from those, but still a great read.

A Place For Miss Snow is billed as a regency romance, but for me, it wasn't traditional regency romance. My favorite regencies are generally set in London and have several foundational pieces of the time period with dashing heroes and heroines trying to finagle through all of society's restrictions. A Place For Miss Snow does have a British heroine and it takes place during the regency time period, but other than that, it is a historical romance set in Greece.

Diana Snow has been hired as a chaperone to a young lady traveling to Corfu. While there, they meet a man named Alexandros Metaxas. Diana feels a connection to Alex and when she tries to return his gloves to see if the connection was just a figment of her imagination, she is captured by pirates. Spirited away with Alex, Diana fights her feelings for the enigmatic man all the while trying to fit into the new life that has been thrust upon her until she can be rescued.

I loved the setting and the detail that Ms. Moore includes. It is easy to visualize the scene from the vivid descriptions and it made me want to go back to Greece! I thought the historical storyline, based on real people and events, was an entertaining lesson in Greek history and their wars with the Turks, although at some spots the pacing dragged a bit. Diana was definitely a relatable heroine who has never really belonged anywhere or to anyone and she is afraid to love in case she loses them. Her attempts to find order and control in her life are so endearing and yet frustrating when she puts up all those emotional barriers. Alex is a swoon-worthy hero who has endured unimaginable loss and heartbreak. His broken heart finds solace as he gets to know Diana, but he has so many secrets in his spy life, it would be too dangerous for them to be together. But how can they ever be apart?

I thought this book was a fun Greek adventure, with pirates, and Turks, and curses and villains, all wrapped up in a sweet romance that will leave you with a smile when you close the book. Another Moore novel for my keeper shelf!

You can download your Kindle copy here

Don't forget to scroll all the way down and enter the giveaway!

Here's the back copy:

Miss Diana Snow is everything a British chaperone should be—she finds satisfaction in order and depends wholly upon the rules of decorum as she negotiates the isle of Greece with her young charge. But Miss Snow's prim and proper exterior masks a disquieting past: orphaned and alone in the world, she has only her stiff upper lip to rely on. When a brief encounter with a handsome stranger challenges her rules of propriety, Diana is unwittingly drawn into an adventure that will turn her ordered world upside down.

Alexandros Metaxas is a Greek spy working to recruit individuals to the cause of revolution. His mission seems to be going perfectly until he encounters Diana Snow, a captivating—if slightly cold—beauty. When their paths cross again, the ill-fated reunion threatens all Alex has been fighting for. But more importantly, it places Diana's life in jeopardy. There is only one way to save her: they must put themselves at the mercy of the most powerful pirate family in the Mediterranean. Soon, Diana is plunged into a fantastic world of gypsy curses, blood feuds, and unexpected romance. But when a bitter vendetta places her in mortal danger, will she have the courage to fight for life and love?


Here is the blog tour schedule:

*Sept. 5th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/

*Sept. 6th: https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, https://atransparentmom.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 7th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 8th: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/

*Sept. 9th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/

Friday, September 2, 2016

Freebie Friday



Today's Freebie Friday is My Double Life, a YA romantic comedy by Janette Rallison. It's sounds hilarious and I can't wait to read it!

Here's the back copy:

Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like rock star Kari Kingsley. But being a famous person's doppelganger hasn't turned out to be the teen fantasy you'd expect. People look at Alexia like she must be as ditzy as her counterpart. One day when Alexia's photo filters through the Internet, she's offered a job as Kari's double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime--or at least a way to make some fast cash--but Alexia's mother has always warned her against celebrities. They can't be trusted. They'll use her.

Alexia can't resist the siren call of fame. Who could say no to Hollywood, hot guys, and . . . um, did we mention hot guys already? She flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she also romances the hottest lead singer on the charts and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

This Prince and the Pauper retelling is teen comedy at its best.

Download your free Kindle copy here

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Farewell To Summer $250 Cash Giveaway!

Farewell to Summer

Farewell to Summer
$250 Cash Giveaway
September 1st to 22nd

I'm really sad to see summer go, but doing a giveaway for $250 might help with saying goodbye! So, along with an awesome group of other authors and bloggers, we've joined together to bring you one fabulous prize of $250 in Paypal cash OR you can choose a $250 Amazon.com eGift Code.

What are you waiting for? Scroll down and enter to win!


Sponsor List Thanks to these great authors & bloggers for making this giveaway possible!

I Am A Reader
Lori's Reading Corner
J.L. Weil
Simple Wyrdings
Maria @A Night's Dream of Books
Julie Coulter Bellon
Fire and Ice
Laurie Here - Cont Fiction and More
Author Deb Atwood
Dawn Malone
Diana's Book Reviews
Glistering Bs Blog
Aubrey Wynne: Vintage Romance for Today
A Journey Without Map
Caroline Clemmons
Author Georgina Young-Ellis
Erin Richards
Rachel Matthews, Author of sweet, cozy reads
Jennifer Bardsley
Author Rachael Anderson
The Lovely Books
Author Charissa Stastny
Pat Esden
Author Jessica Gunn
Suzi Love
Tamara Gill - Historical & Time Travel Author
Paperback Parlor
Talia Jager
Helen Smith
Heather Gray
The Page Unbound

Giveaway Details $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 9/22/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. 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, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.