Freebie Friday with FIVE Romance Novels!

Victorine Lieske's Clean Fake Marriage Romance boxed set is being offered for FREE today! If you're looking for a fun romantic weekend read, you can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

This collection has five clean romances in it. They are full books, not samples or novellas.

Book 1: Accidentally Married
Madison get swindled into pretending to be Jared's girlfriend for a family dinner. When she finds out he lied to her, she gets him back by telling his family they are engaged. A hilarious rom com with a great cast of characters.

Book 2: Reluctantly Married
Megan and Adam have knocked heads for some time. When forced to pretend to date on a TV show, real feelings get in the way. And when they say I do, Megan worries her heart will not be able to take it.

Book 3: Mistakenly Married
Things get a little crazy when Penny accidentally marries the wrong man. Then when he convinces her to stay married just until he gets his inheritance, she agrees. What she didn't expect is for her heart to get involved.

Book 4: Blissfully Married
Sydney pretends to be engaged to help her matchmaking business succeed. Luckily, she's got a fake ring on her finger when her childhood crush walks in the door. Blake stays at arms length from Sydney until he realizes she's been lying to him. He makes it his mission to get her to admit she's not really engaged.

Book 5: Acting Married
When Tara agrees to marry Rick Shade as a publicity stunt, she doesn't expect to fall for him. She can't get her heart involved, she needs stability in her life.

Book Review and Giveaway!

After I read the back copy for Love Unscripted, by Tiffany Odekirk, I couldn't wait to read it! Who doesn't love the idea of meeting their actor crush and actually getting to know them?

Evie Jennings is recovering from a broken heart when she meets heartthrob Ridge Dashly who is hiding out from his fans in a girls' bathroom on campus. They have a memorable conversation before she climbs out a window in order to escape the mob and get to class. Ridge is intrigued. Who wouldn't be? Girls don't usually run away from him. But his path crosses Evie's again and eventually they become friends. (And it's a really cute friendship!) There's a chance for romance between them, but both Ridge and Evie are battling issues from their past. Can they get beyond all of that and find their happily-ever-after?

I really loved the author's style and the characters' distinct voices. There were so many cute moments and the romance was sigh-worthy. I liked that the author also tackled issues like anxiety and divorce and did justice to them by realistically portraying them and all the emotions and baggage they carry. There was a good balance with fun and frustration and the characters were so relatable. There is a great supporting cast and we get to catch up with characters from the previous book as well.

The author hits so many emotional beats and I was definitely caught up in the story. I could hardly wait to get back to read it whenever I had a free moment. This was a sweet story of redemption and romance with the backdrop of fame and glamour just to add a twist on Evie and Ridge's journey to love. I really enjoyed this one.

You can get your copy here

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

 

Here's the back copy:

Evie Jennings doesn’t believe in happily ever after—it’s been a year since moving home to Los Angeles to gather the pieces of her broken heart after her divorce, but she is only going through the motions. That is, until a chance encounter on her college campus brings about an unexpected turn of events: Evie finds herself face-to-face with the heartthrob whose poster decorated the wall of her teenage bedroom. And he’s desperate for her help. Hollywood sensation Ridge Dashly is facing a career crisis—a bad review threatens his A-list status. Desperate to win back the favor of the media and his fans, Ridge reluctantly agrees to enroll in college, never dreaming he’ll meet someone who can see past his fame to his true self. As their paths continue to cross, Evie’s seeming disinterest intrigues Ridge, and the pair form a tentative friendship that slowly grows into something more. But when confronted with the unrelenting paparazzi and the nagging shadows of their pasts, will they follow everyone else’s script or fight for their own happy ending?

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Blog Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 24th: http://mybookaday.com/

*Sept. 25th: http://fireandicereads.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 26th: http://thoroughlyhere.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 27th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/

*Sept. 28th: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

A Little Hawaii Five-O News!

Well, I was really excited for the premiere of Hawaii Five-O on Friday night, but the sneak peeks were released and I was so happy because of two things that were said.


**If you don't want to be spoiled DO NOT READ ON**


Steve meets up with an old girlfriend and they talk about how he planned to see her again after their weekend together, but he says things got complicated. The old girlfriend tells him she met up with Catherine Rollins later so she knows all about it. The look on Steve's face was priceless! I love that Catherine was mentioned in a positive way, that it was clear this woman was before Catherine's time, and that Steve didn't pick back up with her because of Catherine. I really, really hope we get some McRoll this season. I miss them.


The second interesting thing in the sneak peeks was that we found out Steve and Lynn have broken up and he hasn't dated anyone since their split. I wasn't a big Lynn fan (she never really seemed to fit with him, in my opinion) so I'm not sad she's gone. I was surprised though.

So with those two little spoilers I am even MORE excited to watch on Friday. What about you? What premiere are you excited to watch?

A $100 Giveaway! Don't Miss This One!

 

 An amazing group of authors has joined together to bring you one great prize! Just think how many books you could buy with $100! Or maybe you need a new Kindle! Or maybe you want to try Kindle Unlimited! So many possibilities!! Please show these amazing authors some love! Visit their sites. Sign up for their newsletters. Download their books. Review their books. Follow them on Social Media. There are so many ways you can support them!

Giveaway Sponsors

Bree Livingston Crissy Sharp Debra Erfert Elana Johnson Evangeline Kelly Heather Gray Heidi Kimball Jenna Brandt Jennifer Griffith Jewel Allen Jo Noelle Joanna Barker Joyce DiPastena Kaylee Baldwin Kennedy Larsen Kristen Ethridge Laura D. Bastian Lorin Grace Marie Higgins Tiana Smith

Now it's time for the giveaway! One winner will be awarded $100 in Paypal Cash or a $100 Amazon Gift Code!

 Winning entry will be verified! Make sure you actually subscribe and confirm your entries so you don't get disqualified. If you already subscribe to an author's newsletter you can, of course, claim the entry!   

  Giveaway Details $100 Amazon Gift Code or $100 in Paypal Cash Ends 10/28/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter, Amazon, Paypal or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. The giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader/Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

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My New Book Cover! What Do You Think?

I have a new romantic suspense coming out soon and I can hardly wait for you to read it! It's called Second Look and it's the fourth book in my Griffin Force series. I am so excited to share this one! I think it's been one of my favorite to write. 

Here's the cover and back copy. What do you think? *bites fingernails*

When the most wanted terrorist in the world escapes from a high security prison, Nate Hughes is part of the task force sent to recapture him. During the mission, he meets Abby, and she seems like every other intelligence officer he’s ever worked with---focused, capable, and confident. Nate assumes she’s one of the good guys, but when her past is revealed, her loyalties are called into question. Could she have turned against the country she once held dear?

Nate isn’t sure.

With a terrorist attack imminent, Abby seems to be the only person in a position to help them stop it before it happens, but if she is a traitor, all is lost. Nate must make a choice to either trust her or turn her in---and the wrong decision would clear the path for the largest attack on freedom the world has ever seen.

And time is running out.

In the Non-Fiction Corner---Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues Then and Now

In the Non-Fiction Corner with Lauren

This book. I have a feeling that I won't be able to describe to you how much I liked it and how well written it was. But, for the sake of this post, I am going to try anyway.

First of all, I (probably like you) don't usually seek out books on slavery. I have lots of siblings and teach elementary school, so I usually feel sick when I read about children suffering. But this book is different. Even though Tim Ballard doesn't spare you the details, this book focuses on hope. You can't wait to hear the rest of the story and see what the people he writes about are able to overcome. I could not stop reading, I almost finished the entire book in one sitting!

Here's why. This book switches between two stories. Apparently, not only does Tim Ballard save children but he is also an expert in American history. Could he get any cooler? So the two stories are how Ballard saved many, but specifically two very special children in Haiti, and how a slave in the 1800's named Harriet Jacob saved herself and her two children from the darkness of slavery. But how Ballard tells the stories is truly genius! You're reading along and get to the end of the chapter, and can't wait to see wait to see what happens next. But then he switches back to the other story! You're torn because both are suspenseful and you can't wait to finish one, so you have to keep reading until, next thing you know, its 2 a.m.

If you want to feel love for people you've never met, read this book. If you need some new heroes, read this book. If you want to start making a difference and change your own life, READ THIS BOOK. Ballard is doing incredible things, and I love that he is sharing it with the world. He has seen things in our day and learned about the past and through quotes, stories, and personal experiences, Tim Ballard is changing even more lives through his book.

You can get your own copy of Slave Stealers here

Here's the back copy:

In the 1800s American South, Harriet Jacobs is enslaved and tormented by a cruel master. He relentlessly attempts to force her into a sexual union, and, when rebuffed, he separates her from her children and spends a lifetime trying to coerce her and then recapture her when she escapes to freedom. Jacobs outwits her tormentor and eventually reunites with her children, works in the cause of abolition and reform, and helps newly freed slaves with education and aftercare.

In 2012, Timothy Ballard encounters a grieving father in Haiti whose three-year-old son has been kidnapped and sold into slavery, along with thousands of children who were orphaned after an earthquake devastated the country. Inspired by Harriet Jacobs, Tim pledges to track down the missing child and leaves his job at the Department of Homeland Security to establish Operation Underground Railroad. This foundation infiltrates black markets in human trafficking, liberates victims, and provides a comprehensive aftercare process involving justice and rehabilitation for survivors.

Slave Stealers alternates these two riveting stories, weaving them together to expose the persistent evil of trafficking and sexual exploitation that has existed for centuries—and inspiring us to find a way to end it. Filled with heartbreaks and triumphs, miracles and disappointments, hair-raising escapes and daring rescues, this gripping book provides insight into this terrible evil and the good that can be done when caring people step up and stand in the light.

Book Review and a Giveaway!

I was happy to be a part of the blog tour for Rachel Sullivan's new book, Creating Your Forever Family. As a mother of eight children, I'm always looking for new ideas to bind my family closer together.

This book takes a closer look at nine principles from The Family: A Proclamation to the World. I've read that document dozens of times, but I really liked the insight this author had in truly applying those principles in my home. There were lots of ideas, quotes, stories, and activities that I could use as I talk to and teach my children. There are also application questions at the end of each chapter that I thought were helpful. The author has an easy style to her work and includes things she's tried in her own family that made it really relatable for me. I think this would be a perfect book to really jumpstart discussions on several gospel principles and a good guideline for different principles you could work on as a family. I know I'll be re-reading this one!

You can get your copy here

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

 

Here's the back copy:

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. It has been decades since the family proclamation was first presented to members of the Church by President Gordon B. Hinckley. But despite the passage of time, the counsel provided in the family proclamation is ever more vital in these tumultuous last days. Creating Your Forever Family is an indispensable resource, providing practical application of the nine principles outlined in the family proclamation. Featuring counsel from Church leaders and stories of these principles in action, this book offers ways to incorporate these values in everyday life, from interview questions to help kids open up, to game night ideas, to fun family dinner conversation starters. Families will be strengthened as each member gets involved in the discussions and applications. Now is the time to fortify families and truly embrace the principles of this great proclamation.

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Blog Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 17th: http://fireandicereads.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
*Sept. 18th : https://brightlystreet.com/, http://empowermoms.net/
*Sept. 19th: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/
*Sept. 20th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
*Sept. 21st: http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

YouTube Review of My Book

I came across a YouTube review of one of my earliest books, All's Fair. The reviewer, Angie Esquivel, was so complimentary and even said that this was one of her favorite books and she read it off and on all through junior high and high school! That brought a smile to my face.

She does say that she wished there was a little more to the ending and I wanted to reach out and hug her! My publisher thought that my ending was too "cheesy" so they cut it. I was always a bit sad about that because I loved that ending. I need to post my ending of the book as a deleted scene or something so people can see what I always meant to say with that story. The reviewer also wanted to know what happened to the characters a few years down the road and I hope she read the next book in the series, Dangerous Connections!

Anyway, here is the review if you were interested. It was definitely a little bright spot in my day today!

Book Club Guest Author For September!

I am so excited to have Shannon Guymon for our book club author this week. She writes endearing happily-ever-after romances and I've really enjoyed several of her series just because of the way she writes such memorable characters. If you haven't read her books, you should definitely give her a try!

You can see her book list here

If you have any questions for Shannon, you can leave them in the comment trail. I will be happy to get the answer for you on video!

Here's a little more about Shannon:

I live in Utah with my six children and I'm the author of thirty-three books so far. I write YA Paranormal Romance under my pen name, Katie Lee O'Guinn. I enjoy the outdoors, reading and being with my children. I'm also a supporter of the Operation Underground Railroad. They're an amazing organization that rescues children from slavery. To read more about them, go to: https://www.ourrescue.org/

As you've probably already guessed, I'm a huge believer in happy endings. Scarlett really should have been happy with Rhett and it's a darn shame Leo and Kate didn't float safely into New York on the Titanic. Don't even get me started on Romeo and Juliet.

Doesn't she sound fun? I can't wait to get to know her better.

Freebie Friday!

If you're looking for a cute historical romance to read this weekend, Heidi Ashworth is offering Lord Haversham Takes Command for free!

Here's the back copy:

Lord Haversham feels as if he is always running, first from Lord and Lady Avery, his foolish parents, then from the consequences of a schoolboy prank gone awry. Now a secret service agent to the young Queen Victoria, he has run back to England from traitors who seek his life. Little does he know he is running into danger of a different kind; the perceptive, sapphire-blue gaze of his childhood love, Miranda Crenshaw. How is he to win her heart without giving away his secret and endangering the life of the Queen?

Mira's parents, Sir Anthony and Lady Crenshaw, had always assumed their daughter would wed her lifelong friend, Harry. However, when he returns to England after a long absence, gone is the boy they had known and loved. Instead he is Bertie, a silly fop exactly like his flibbertigibbet parents. As such, her parents feel obliged to wed her to George, the young Duke of Marcross, whom Mira despises. Instead, she dreams of the man Harry was meant to be. When she catches a glimpse of him beneath his silly facade, she must find a way to persuade her parents he is the man for her--before he once again runs out of her life.

You can get your free copy here

My Work in Progress Update and a Title Reveal!

I am so excited to share my new book with you. It's the fourth book in the Griffin Force series and picks up where The Capture left off. It's Nate's story and while he's in the middle of an investigation, he meets a very mysterious woman. She seems to have roots in military intelligence, but when she lands in the middle of a dangerous situation, her loyalties are called into question.

I love these characters and it was so fun to go back to write more about them. I hope you love it, too!

The new book is titled . . . 

*drum roll*

Second Look

I will have the cover reveal at the end of the month and it will be released in November. I really can't wait!

Book Review: Promises and Primroses

I was so excited to find out that Josi Kilpack is undertaking a new historical romance series. Promises and Primroses is the first one in the series and it sounded so good I could hardly wait to read it!

Elliott Mayfield has spent his life trying to secure his family's fortunes and futures. He has decided to offer incentives to his nephews and nieces who improve themselves and make a respectable match, starting with his widowed nephew Peter. When he broaches the idea to Peter, however, he is turned down flat. 

Peter is busy enough trying to distance himself from scandals that his family has brought upon him, take care of his estate, and care for his two young daughters. Marriage is the furthest thing from his mind. What he needs is a governess. When he goes to choose one at an agency, Julia Hollingsworth seems like the perfect fit. But she is young and beautiful and might prove to be a distraction. Through a series of events, Julia ends up being the governess and Peter must find a way to keep his feelings in check. He's happy enough with his life as it is. Or is he?

Julia loves being a governess and finds the perfect position with Peter Mayfield's family. Unfortunately her mother has a painful history with the Mayfield family and will do anything to force her daughter to resign her position and come home. But will a mother sacrifice her daughter's happiness over past hurt? Or can they all heal enough to truly let love bind up a broken heart?

I really loved Peter and Julia. There were so many cute moments from their first meeting to their first realization that they have a connection beyond employer/employee. They both had things to work through as they slowly came to be friends and then more. I loved how tender Peter could be and how much joy he found with Julia. Their romance has such a sweet push and pull to it, that readers will be spellbound. There was also a secondary romance as well, sort of a bonus, that I loved seeing resolved.

Another bonus is that Ms. Kilpack treats the readers to a well-imagined town and estate that helps the characters come alive and serve as an engaging backdrop to the romance. The strict society rules of the day are also observed and expertly woven into the story. For me, those things are essential to a good historical romance and Ms. Kilpack does not disappoint. 

Promises and Primroses is a romance with lots of missteps and miscommunication, but it showcases Ms. Kilpack's skill in bringing together a complicated plot and making it into a story that will keep readers up long past bedtime. I could hardly put it down! And I really can't wait to see who the next book will be about and hope we get a peek into how the characters from this book are faring as well.

 

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Lord Elliott Mayfield has done his best to take care of his family, first his siblings and now his nieces and nephews. Unfortunately, he sees this new generation moving in the same direction of bad matches and scandalous relationships as the last. In hopes to change their course, he establishes a “marriage campaign” to motivate them to improve themselves through making respectable matches. With his heart in the right place, what could possibly go wrong?

Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

Book Review & Giveaway!

This book should come with a warning: DO NOT read if you are hungry. The descriptions of the food and the recipes that are included sound so yummy! And they even look like recipes normal folk could make with stuff on hand instead of having to run to the store.

The Neverland Inn is a quaint B&B run by Sarah Michaels. She loves to cook and treats all of her guests like she would a long lost relative---until she meets Daniel Cavanaugh. He is arrogant and hard-to-read. But when he ends up staying at Neverland Inn, Sarah gets to see a little more of what has shaped Daniel's life. Can they overcome their differences and explore the connection between them?

I really enjoyed Sarah's character. She is quirky and fun and really wants to please people. I love how dedicated she is to her friends and guests and how she really tries to face her problems. Daniel was a little harder to relate to. He had a tough situation with his family, and that stole a lot of his warmth. Near the end, though, you could see his character growth and how he'd changed and I was glad he was able to reconcile a lot of the issues in his life and find some happiness in Neverland.

The setting was so easy to imagine and the author did a great job with the supporting cast and really making the reader care about the people surrounding Sarah. There is a little mystery near the end that ramped up the tension a bit, but truly showed a caring between the townspeople that will warm your heart. The Neverland Inn was a cute afternoon read and food lovers will enjoy the recipes while animal lovers will particularly enjoy Muttley the dog.

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

 

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Daniel Cavanaugh has it all—a lucrative career as a lawyer, a gorgeous fiancée, and his future mapped out for him. So why is he feeling increasingly dissatisfied with his life? When the assignment to handle his late grandmother’s estate takes him to the California coast, Daniel welcomes the escape. Staying at the nearby bed-and-breakfast isn’t really his style, but he soon realizes the inn may hold the key to the answers he’s been seeking.

Spindrift Cove has few opportunities for a young unmarried woman like Sarah Michaels. Even so, she enjoys her solitude as owner and chef at the Neverland Inn. She thrives on catering to the needs of her guests and treating them to her fantastic cooking. But when Daniel walks through her door, he immediately tests her patience. Though he is handsome and well-bred, she finds him insufferable. Soon, however, the tranquility of the inn works its magic, and Daniel and Sarah forge a sweet and unexpected connection—until the life he left behind in the city demands his return and it seems that a happily ever after may not be on the menu after all.

 Rafflecopter giveaway .

Blog Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 10th: http://mybookaday.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/

*Sept. 11th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 12th: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/

*Sept. 13th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://thoroughlyhere.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 14th: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

Children's Book Review: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Today's book review is a cute children's rhyming book called The Atonement of Jesus Christ is for Me by Sierra Wilson.

This book presents situations in a child's life that are easy to relate to and connects them to the atonement of Jesus Christ. Each page can be a wonderful conversation starter about what exactly the atonement is and how it can work in our lives.

I particularly loved the bright colors in the illustrations that helped to keep my child's attention. There were younger children and older children depicted and the illustrator does a great job in really capturing the emotion of the message.

The thing that really makes this book stand out, however, are the rhymes. The author has a way of really getting down to the heart of the message with her examples and showing us all the different ways Jesus Christ can be part of our lives. The atonement can be a complicated subject and parents might not know where to start. This book offers a chance to really explore different aspects and could definitely be used for Family Home Evening lessons (maybe several!) A great book for families!

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Christ's Atonement is stronger than storms on the sea--and it's Jesus's gift to you and to me. This reverent, rhyming picture book teaches that the Atonement can help us overcome any challenge we face, whether we've made a bad choice or feel lonely or scared. Help your children learn that when we turn to Jesus Christ, we can do hard things and become our best selves.

Book Review & Giveaway! Long Journey Home

When I saw that Sarah Eden had a new book coming out in her Hope Springs series, I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. I think this is one of my very favorite series. (If you recall, I was totally on Team Tavish for the first few books. Love him!)

This book takes us back to Hope Springs and it's a little like coming home. There is a lot of interaction with characters from previous books and it's like getting to visit with them once again and see how their lives are going!

In Long Journey Home, we're introduced to Maura, who was married to Grady O'Connor, but he passed away in the Civil War. She's tried to raise her son on her own for the last ten years, but things have changed and she needs a place to go, so she reaches out to her husband's family and they invite her to Hope Springs.

When Maura arrives, she is given a home that Tavish has inherited, but she doesn't realize that the man who had been working the land for the O'Connor's, Ryan Callaghan, has had his eye on owning the vacant home as well. He is trying to provide for his ailing mother and isn't pleased to see Maura and her son possibly snatching away all the dreams he'd had.

And thus begins the story of family and connections and what it truly means to sacrifice for someone you love. I loved how multi-layered the story was and how every emotional beat made me love the characters even more. The slow burn relationship between Ryan and Maura was so beautiful and sweet, it pulled at all my heartstrings. The setting is one that is easy to envision and the carefully researched realities of life in that time period are really showcased with the different ailments people suffered and worries that were at the forefront if you were trying to make a life in the West.

Sarah Eden is an incredibly talented writer and it's books like these that really show her skill in drawing readers in and keeping them spellbound until the very end. Loved this one!

You can get your copy here

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

 

Here's the back copy:

From Sarah M. Eden, the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, LONG JOURNEY HOME is a new romance novel set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.

Widowed by war, Maura O’Connor has raised her son alone under the weight of poverty in the unforgiving slums of New York City. That harsh and difficult life has taken a toll on them both. Desperate to save her son from the misery around them, she moves them both to the tiny western town of Hope Springs, where her late husband’s family lives, hoping that the decade of silence between them does not mean she and Aidan will be rejected outright. Her son needs family, and she would endure anything to see him happy.

Ryan Callaghan has worked the land belonging to the late Granny Claire for years, dreaming of one day claiming it as his own. Living in his brother’s home affords him no freedom, no stability, no joy. The arrangement is even harder on his mother, whose health is quickly deteriorating. A risky investment in the land has finally begun to pay off, and he is at last in a position to secure a better future for them both. When use of the home is, without warning, offered to a newly arrived widow and her son, that future is entirely uncertain.

Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the Claire farm, for their own futures as well as those of the loved ones who depend on them. Neither can remain in Hope Springs without the house and land, but only one can claim it in the end.


Longing for Home Series:

Longing for Home

Hope Springs

My Dearest Love

Love Remains

Long Journey Home

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Tour schedule

Sept 10: LDS Writer Mom / Min Reads and Reviews

Sept 11: LDS and Lovin’ It / Wishful Endings

Sept 12: The Bibliophile Files / Joy in the Moments / Bonnie Gets a Say

Sept 13: Why Not Because I Said So / Heidi Reads...

Sept 14: Getting Your Read On / Literary Time Out / Singing Librarian Books

Romantic Suspense Boxed Set on Sale for Only .99 Cents!

Just a heads up! If you need a good romantic suspense binge read this weekend my award-winning Hostage Negotiation Team series boxed set with TWO novels & TWO bonus novellas is on sale this weekend for only .99 cents!

Volume 1 boxed set introduces hostage negotiator Claire Michaels in All Fall Down and Falling Slowly, then Ashes Ashes and From the Ashes is sniper Colby Black's story. Don’t miss all the action as they try to save lives without anyone getting caught in the crossfire---especially those they love!

(If you've already read and enjoyed those books, please pass the deal along to your friends that are romantic suspense fans! Word of mouth recommendations are an author's best friend and I appreciate you helping me find new readers.)

Book Lover's Basket Giveaway! Don't Miss This One!

I was really excited to be a sponsor for the new Clean Wholesome Romance site and as part of the launch, you can win a fun book lover's basket filled with books, a warm blanket to curl up with, gourmet hot chocolate and some yummy treats! With fall right around the corner, this is perfect for anyone who loves reading.

And it's super easy to enter! Just click here

Book Review and a Giveaway for The Shipbuilder's Wife

I have been looking forward to this book since I finished My Dearest Enemy and Ms. Moore did not disappoint! The ShipBuilder's Wife sucked me in and didn't let me go. I took the book with me in the car, carried it around my house, and took every chance I had to read a little bit more. I really enjoyed this one! (And isn't that a gorgeous cover?)

Lydia Prescott has everything going for her. She's beautiful, her father is wealthy, and she's about to be proposed to by a man she's sure she could come to love. But everything changes in an instant when the British raid her home and she is injured. Jacob, a man who is fighting for the freedom of a new United States of America, saves her during the raid and after some extenuating circumstances, marries her. And such begins the story of love and mistrust with two wounded hearts set against the backdrop of a fledgling America.

I loved how three dimensional the characters were and how easy it was to relate to their fears and feelings. Jacob is such a sweet hero, with his "looming" presence and desire to please. And Lydia's been taught how to move in society, but not how to be a new wife to a man she hardly knows. I loved seeing their friendship grow into more. So sighworthy!

Ms. Moore has obviously done meticulous research and the small details of how people dressed, their possession and homes, as well as the raids and battles really made this book stand out. Both hero and heroine have flaws that draw on the reader's emotions and really make it easy to root for a happily ever after. The tension is steady and several scenes will definitely hit you in the feels. I really hope there will be another book in the series and that we get to see more of the characters we've come to love! This one is definitely going on my keeper shelf.

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

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

The day of her parents’ garden party dawns bright as Lydia Prescott eagerly anticipates a marriage proposal from a handsome and wealthy plantation owner. The lovely debutante plans to steal a moment away with her beau, but her plans go terribly awry. Instead of her intended, she is joined by a stranger—the largest man she’s ever laid eyes on. And it is clear Jacob Steele is there for reasons far more sober than the party. With British raids erupting all around them, it is his job to reassure plantation owners of their safety. In reality, however, Jacob is an espionage agent, and the truth is dire: America is on the verge of invasion by the British. Blissfully unaware of the danger surrounding her, Lydia basks in the glow of her recent engagement. But her joy is short-lived—a surprise British attack results in a devastating wound, and her plans for the future are shattered. Lost in her devastation, Lydia could never dream that Jacob, that giant of a man she met so briefly, would prove to be her saving grace. And with a war raging around them, she may be called upon to save him too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway .

Blog Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 3rd: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/

*Sept. 4th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 5th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/

*Sept. 6th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/

*Sept. 7th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/

Cookbook Review: You Have To Try This One!

If you have any favorite comfort food dishes from your go-to restaurant, they are probably in this new cookbook for Six Sisters' Stuff Copycat Cooking. There are so many great recipes in here that really do taste just like the restaurant came to my house and made it for me. (And I sometimes wish they did!) In fact, I am sitting here writing this drinking their Orange Julius recipe. It is SO GOOD! 

But they also have recipes from places like Texas Roadhouse (the rolls. *le sigh* I love them), Panda Express (Orange Chicken recipe, oh yeah!), Applebee's Chili's, Olive Garden and Chick-fil-A to name a few. There are so many great appetizers, main dishes and drinks. They also have all the fantastic desserts from places like The Cheesecake Factory and Disneyland. I am excited to try them all because every recipe I've tried has been amazing. Easily one of my new favorite cookbooks and especially great if you're going to a potluck and want to impress!

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

The popular Six Sisters' Stuff bloggers come to the rescue with a new collection of more than 100 easy-to-make recipes of popular restaurant dishes and take-out favorites for busy families.

With more than fifty recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less, this cookbook can help make meal planning a breeze as you mix-and-match side dishes from one restaurant with main courses from another and finish it off with a dessert from a third.

Save money while spending more time with your family. Change dining-out to dining-in for a memorable experience your whole family will enjoy.

Includes copycat recipes for Texas Roadhouse Cactus Blossom, Panda Express Orange Chicken, Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan, Disneyland Monte Cristo Sandwich, Chili's Molten Hot Lava Cake, Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcakes, and Universal Studios Butterbeer.

I Totally Geeked Out

I went to a lecture on rare books in British literature tonight (it's what book lovers do for fun on a holiday weekend) and I got to hold an 1817 edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen! The last edition published while she was still alive. My English teacher self was totally geeking out! 

I was also able to see Shakespeare's 4th Folio (published in 1685) and a first edition of the Hunchback of Notre Dame with illustrations as well as several first editions by Dickens, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. 

It was so fun to discuss the authors and their work and hear the stories about where these rare books have been. An incredible evening!