Havencross Review & One More Giveaway!

Who doesn't love book giveaways! I'm so excited to be able to offer you another one today, especially because it's National Book Lover's Day! Hooray!

First of all, I want to announce the winner of the print copy of A Vicar's Daughter by Josi Kilpack.

*drum roll*

It's Kristin Wu!

Thank you to everyone who participated. I hope you entered this week's drawing for Nancy Campbell Allen's new one, The Secret of the India Orchid. If you haven't entered, you can do so here

Today's review is Havencross by Julie Daines. I was glued to the pages of this book. It's a regency romance, but it also includes a mystery that had me turning pages long into the night!

The Cardinham family is rocked by scandal and must flee London to their estate in Cornwall. Elaine never wanted to come back to Havencross because it evokes too many memories of her brother who suddenly disappeared, and Gareth, the man who proposed to her and she refused. But nothing has stayed the same at Havencross. Gareth now owns the mine his family once worked for, and dangerous smugglers have infiltrated the coastline. Not to mention a handsome earl who comes to ask for Elaine's hand. But can she put the past behind her to find a future with the earl? Or will the secrets of Havencross put her in Gareth's path once again?

I loved so many things about this book. The setting was amazing and so well done, the love story was sweet and pulled me right in, and there were so many twists and turns to the plot---even when I thought I had it figured out, I was surprised! The character of Elaine was so relatable as she tries to sort out her feelings with the events happening around her. And there is more than one mystery going on. There's the mystery of what really happened to her brother. The mystery of what really happened between her parents. The mystery of why Elaine turned down Gareth's proposal. And the mystery of the wounded woman in the cave. And the writing is such that readers will get all the feels as Elaine figures it all out.

This is an expertly crafted story that readers will love! Definitely one of Ms. Daines' best books yet.

Don't forget to scroll down to enter to win a copy of your own!

Here's the back copy:

When a shocking scandal involving her father spreads through London society, Elaine Cardinham and her parents are forced to retreat to their country home in Cornwall for refuge. But Havencross is no sanctuary for Elaine. She is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her brother—and the heartbreak she left in her wake all those years ago. It has been five long years since Gareth Kemp last saw Elaine—when she rejected his marriage proposal. Her reappearance convinces him of one thing: he has never stopped loving her. To put his feelings for her aside, he focuses his attention on the dangerous smuggling plaguing the Cornish coast. As Elaine attempts to run from her past, she ventures ever closer to a dangerous truth—and Gareth may be the only one who can save her from a deadly finish.

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Here's the book tour schedule:

*August 7th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

*August 8th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/

*August 9th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://thoroughlyhere.blogspot.com/ 

*August 10th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*August 11th: http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, https://atransparentmom.com/, http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/ 

Romance Awareness Month Continues! Come Win An Amazing Book!

So far I am really loving Romance Awareness month! I'm so much more aware of new authors in the romance genre and with all of the recommendations you gave me in the last prize post, I have really added to my authors-to-watch-for list. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in that one!

But this week is another chance to win a print copy from one of my very favorite Proper Romance authors---Nancy Campbell Allen! Her brand new romance, The Secret of the India Orchid just barely came out last week, and I am giving away a print copy!

You will definitely want to win this one. The book is SO GOOD! (I'll be reviewing it on Monday, so watch for that!)

Be sure to scroll down and enter for your chance to win a print copy! (Winners will be chosen next Tuesday and there will be another prize for you to win!)

Here's the back copy:

Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire, is in love with his best friend’s sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies—including his own—has been stolen. To protect Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an honorable earl for the facade of a flirtatious playboy.

Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the exotic land isn’t as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping his distance from her, she is stunned.

She still loves him, and, in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her relationship with him if he won't confide in her? Does she dare offer her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the India sun?

(U.S. residents only)

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I Should Have Read A Book, But I Binge-Watched Instead

Today has been such a rough day! In fact, it was a super busy weekend and I sort of just crashed today.

I know I usually review books on Monday, but I made chocolate chip cookies with my kids and then I binge-watched Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

I know, I know! It's an old show. No one probably remembers it anymore. But I loved that show when it was on TV and I have all the DVDs, so I sat in my comfy chair with my plate of cookies and watched all my favorite episodes.

Don't judge me. *brushes crumbs off my pajama shirt* *reaches for another cookie*

Tomorrow will be a better day. (I hope.)

What's your go-to binge watch?

Two Friday Freebies!

Today I have TWO Friday Freebies for you!

The first one is a romantic comedy called The Artist Cries Wolf and it looks really fun! Heather Horrocks will charm you in this enchanting romance with a light sprinkling of paranormal.

You can download your free Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

Moonchuckle Bay … Monsters … Movies … Magic!

SHE’S LOOKING FOR A CHANGE — AND THE FULL MOON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

Amber’s been in love with Samuel for three years and she’s determined to find out if what she feels is real or not — and, if it is, to win him over. Samuel’s just come back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan when his buddy’s cute little sister shows up. Too bad his guilt won’t allow him to let her into his heart, because if she ever learns what he did, she won’t give him the time of day. Will a puppy, parents who want to keep them apart, and a town filled with monsters scare off their romance?

Flirty Romance with a Touch of Magic by USA Today Bestselling Author Heather Horrocks

The second one is Lucy McConnell's Love in Light and Shadow. I've recently begun reading her stuff and really enjoying it. This one is a western romance and it looks GOOD!

You can download your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

Mercedes O’Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn’t see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.

Summer Memories

Since I have small children at home still, I've been trying to do at least one fun thing with them every day. This week, we've watched Boss Baby, gone to a museum, and to the pool, (for which I'm still sunburned! I even put on sunscreen and I look like a lobster.) But I also got out our puppet stage and all our puppets.

We had so much fun making up puppet shows! We did the old standbys of the Princess and the Frog, Goldilocks and the Three Bears (with a twist!), and several Book of Mormon stories, but my favorite was when my little boy just wanted to be a rabbit doing the story of Dumbo. It was so funny!

And I wasn't the only one who thought so. Our cat was thoroughly entertained! Here's a picture of it:

What fun things are you doing this summer?

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I've been wanting to read a book for a while now, called Mustaches for Maddie, but part of me was a little afraid to read it. You see, my nephew passed away at the age of fifteen from a brain tumor and I was worried that reading another child's story about such a devastating diagnosis might be too hard.

So far it's been really sweet because the book is sort of a fictionalized version of Maddie's life. We are getting to know this little sixth grader with a big imagination and an even bigger heart. I love how she is portrayed, and knowing what's coming, I'm hoping for a very happy ending!

I'll definitely do a full review when I'm done and let you know what I thought!

You can get your copy here

Based on a true story.

Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She's been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it's curled against her chest and she's constantly tripping over her feet. But that's probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right?

When Maddie's arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She's understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears--all of them--at the hospital, at home and at school.

She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie's bossiness turns into bullying.

And as Maddie's surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don't get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her?

It will take all of Maddie's vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her.

Romance Awareness Month . . . With Prizes! Enter And Win!

I am so excited to be participating in Romance Awareness Month!

Some of my very favorite romances are from the Proper Romance Line with such authors as Sarah Eden, Nancy Campbell Allen, Josi Kilpack, and Julianne Donaldson. (You can see all their books here) I love that there are westerns, regencies, and even some steampunk and I know I won't be disappointed when I pick up any of these books---I'll be swept away! They are clean romances as well as captivating, which only adds to the reasons why they are my favorites.

So, in order to celebrate there's going to be parties and giveaways!

The first party is a Facebook party this Friday, August 4th, from 12:30 PM to 2:45 PM and there will be some great giveaways, along with the chance to talk to all four of my favorite authors! I know I'll be there. You can join the party here

I'll also be giving away a romance a week for the month of August. And it is so easy to win!

Be sure to scroll down and enter for your chance to win a print copy of The Vicar's Daughter by Josi Kilpack. I loved this one! (Contest starts at midnight tonight and goes until next Tuesday when there will be another prize for you to win!)

Here's the back copy:

Cassie, the youngest of six daughters in the Wilton family, is bold, bright, and ready to enter society. There's only one problem: her older sister Lenora, whose extreme shyness prevents her from attending many social events. Lenora is now entering her third season, and Cassie has no choice except to wait her turn.

Evan Glenside, a soft-spoken, East London clerk, has just been named his great-uncle's heir and, though he is eager to learn all that will be required of him, he struggles to feel accepted.

A chance meeting between Evan and Lenora promises to change everything, but when Lenora proves too shy to pursue the relationship, Cassie begins to write Mr. Glenside letters in the name of her sister but her good intentions may lead to disaster.

As secrets are revealed, the hearts of Cassie, Evan, and Lenora are tested. Will the final letter sent by the vicar's daughter be able to reunite the sisters as well as unite Evan with his true love?

Doesn't it sound great?! I know you'll love it. Enter to win below!

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