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New Release: Runaway Pop-Star by Jennie Bennett

Published on by EricaLeave a comment

 

Jackie Bartell has always loved Take5’s Jax, but the pop star has been missing for over a year. When playing a gig with her ska band near the Santa Monica Pier, she spots Jax listening at the back of the room. Dropping her trumpet, she runs after him. As much as she tries to catch up, she can’t match his speed and soon he crosses the busy highway, begging her not to follow.
Several months later, Jackie walks into a local music shop to apply for a job and finds herself face to face with Jax once more. This time, she manages to keep her cool, and Jax doesn’t seem to recognize her with a new haircut and color.
With her passion for music and a kind heart, she nails the interview and her biggest dream comes true—getting to spend every day with her favorite pop-star. She only wants his friendship, but Jax’s flirtations grow stronger as time passes, and Jackie can’t resist his charm.
Everything would be fairy-tale perfect, except for the lie she keeps of Jax’s identity. With their relationship growing stronger every day, Jackie must decide between honesty and love.

My Review:

Once again, Jennie Bennett delivers a cute romantic comedy.   The  story had flawed characters that grow during the tale. A few times I had to shake my head at Jackie’s antics, or at the conclusions she came to. But Jax was equally flawed. This makes them real. And it’s each other that brings about the best in each other, and it makes you really root for them.If you like sweet young adult romances, I recommend this book. It will have you smiling and laughing all the way to the end.

Temporarily  on sale for 99 cents! Grab your copy today!

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Review: Loving Lieutenant Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden

Published on by Erica

 

Orphaned as a child, Arabella Hampton was the unwanted and unloved charge of a cruel aunt and neglectful uncle. The only light in her young life was the kindness of the Jonquil family, and she clung to the childish dream of someday living with them at Lampton Park. Now, years later, that opportunity is presented to Arabella in a most unexpected way: she is to be the lady’s companion to the dowager countess. As she takes up residence at the estate, the young woman soon finds that life at the Park is far more complicated than she imagined. The lines of her position are blurred, and she is neither family nor servant. So when the countess plans a grand house party, Arabella is content to hide in the shadows. But one gentleman sees her there.

Lieutenant Linus Lancaster has retired from the navy and is not looking for love, especially when he finds himself entangled in his sisters’ scheme to trap him into finding a wife at a house party at Lampton Park. Yet amid the festivities, he’s impossibly drawn to the dowager’s quiet companion, Arabella. Their regard for each other is undeniable, but they are haunted by their pasts. Can the two find a way to bridge their worlds?

 

My Review:

I can’t recommend this book enough! Even if you haven’t read any of the Jonquil or Lancaster books, this is a must read book. 

It adds depth to the Jonquil family, and to the Lancaster family. I adored Arabella and truly understood her and Linus, especially Linus’s feelings on the loss of his brother. I really hope there’s more to Artemis and Charlie’s story soon.

Bits and pieces of the story fall into place as we share the experience with Arabella and Linus. Both are broken souls who find solace, love, and family together.  We see them through each others eyes, and the Dowager will play a key  role is helping them realize that love is worth the risk.

I adored each of the characters.

I received an ARC from the publisher. (Thank you!)

Review: Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Published on by Erica

 

My name is Flint, but everyone in middle school calls me Squint because I’m losing my vision. I used to play football, but not anymore. I haven t had a friend in a long time. Thankfully, real friends can see the real you, even when you can’t clearly see.

Flint loves to draw. In fact, he’s furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the Find a Comic Star contest. He s also rushing to finish because he has keratoconus an eye disease that could eventually make him blind.

McKell is the new girl at school and immediately hangs with the popular kids. Except McKell’s not a fan of the way her friends treat this boy named Squint. He seems nice and really talented. He draws awesome pictures of superheroes. McKell wants to get to know him, but is it worth the risk? What if her friends catch her hanging with the kid who squints all the time?

McKell has a hidden talent of her own but doesn’t share it for fear of being judged. Her terminally ill brother, Danny, challenges McKell to share her love of poetry and songwriting. Flint seems like someone she could trust. Someone who would never laugh at her. Someone who is as good and brave as the superhero in Flint’s comic book named Squint.

Squint is the inspiring story of two new friends dealing with their own challenges, who learn to trust each other, believe in themselves, and begin to truly see what matters most.

 

My Review:

What can I say with out giving things away? This is a heart warming story about a 13 year old boy with a serious vision problem. He loses more than football when his vision changes, and it’s a classmate named McKell and her brother Danny that help him see, really see, the world around him. This is a story that will have you smiling, crying, and laughing.

I received an ARC from the publisher and voluntarily leave this review.

Review: The Roses of Feldstone

Published on by Erica

Standing before Feldstone Manor, site of so many happy memories, Rose Davenport feels nothing but dread. Her family’s annual visit to the stately home was once brightened by her friendship with the earl’s youngest son, William, but everything changed the day his elder brother was disinherited and William became heir to his father’s earldom. From that moment, William made it clear he has no interest in continuing an acquaintance with Rose. Heartbroken, she sets out to prove that she will simply not be ignored—or outdone—by the arrogant future lord of the manor.

When his elder brother marries for love, William’s entire life changes in an instant. He does not have the same option to marry whom he chooses, and he must let go of the feelings he has harbored for his dear friend, Rose. He steels himself against her annual visits, determined to keep his feelings for her a secret. But when he makes the hasty promise to marry within six months, he never dreams that his actions will lead Rose to impulsively undertake the same challenge

 

My Review:

The beautiful cover caught my eye.   With this story, I struggled to connect and like Rose. She seemed to misread everything in her dealings with William.  The romance between the two felt forced to a few touches and kisses, and seemed out of place for a (clean) Regency romance. These two desperately needed to sit down and talk with out the snark.

Rose does have a huge heart though, and that kept me reading. I wanted a happy ending for her and William. And this book delivered that.

I received an ARC.

Review: Healing Hearts by Sarah M. Eden

Published on by Erica

 

healing hearts sarah m eden

 

Wyoming Territory, 1876

As the only doctor in the frontier town of Savage Wells, Gideon MacNamara knows his prospects for a bride are limited. The womenfolk in town are either too young, too old, or already spoken for. So, being a practical man, he decides to take advantage of the matchmaking service of the day—mail-order brides—and sends away for a woman with nursing experience.

When Miriam steps off the stagecoach in Savage Wells, she sees a bright future in front of her. But when the town—and Gideon—meets her, ready for a wedding, her excitement quickly turns to horror. Somehow Dr. MacNamara’s message had gotten turned around. He didn’t want a nurse, he wanted a wife. When she refuses to marry him, she finds herself stranded in Savage Wells with some very unhappy townspeople.

But Gideon is not like the other men Miriam has met. Embarrassed by the misunderstanding, he offers her a job, and the two begin an awkward—and often humorous—dance of getting to know each other as they work to care for the people of their town. Romance blossoms between the two, but when a former medical associate of Miriam’s arrives in town, Gideon and the other townsfolk must rally around Miriam to protect her from a dangerous fate. Gideon and Miriam must decide if they are willing to risk their hearts for each other even as buried secrets are brought to light.

My Review:

I am going to start by saying I LOVED this book.  I laughed. I cried. I felt so many emotions as I was reading.  In fact,  I finished this book quickly, staying up most of last night to finish it.  I don’t often give star ratings here in my blog, but I would give this one 5 out of 5 stars.

The   story begins  swiftly, establishing that Miriam is heading to a new life after accepting a job as a nurse in a remote western town. Right off the bat I liked our leading lady. She had some big worries, but she was obviously strong and determined. Not once was I disappointed.  Arriving in Savage Wells, eager towns folk meet her at the station and whisk her away to a wedding–which happens to be for her and the much loved town doctor, Gideon.

Gideon is in for a shock.  But he’s a good guy, and decides to give Miriam a chance. We also start seeing Gideon’s beliefs on being a doctor, which run contrary to what Miriam’s experiences have been.

The supporting cast is filled with delightful characters and one dastardly villain.

This book is set to be released February 5, 2019, just in time for Valentines Day.

I received an ARC from Shadow Mountain.

#HealingHearts #Netgalley

 

Review: Lies, Love, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Published on by Erica

 

The Lie
Women in Hollywood are just pretty faces. But Silvia Bradshaw knows that’s a lie, and she’s ready to be treated as an equal and prove her worth as one of Hollywood’s newest film editors.

The Love
She and Ben Mason had worked together as editors before Silvia got her big break, so he’s the perfect person to ask for feedback on her first major film. But even as their friendship begins to blossom into something more, a lawsuit surfaces, jeopardizing both of their jobs—as well as their fledgling romance. Audrey Hepburn once said: “The most important things is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.” Silvia agrees. Or she used to. It’s one thing to risk her job and her heart, but can she really risk Ben’s too? Does she have the right to make decisions for her own happiness when they affect so many other people?

The Breakfast
With everything to lose, Silvia meets Ben for breakfast at his favorite diner, Tiffany’s, for one last conversation before the credits roll on true love.

My Review

This book was fun in a lot of ways.  Silvia, a cancer survivor is both a courageous spunky woman and a woman that  is afraid of what she can’t see. Both literally and figuratively.  Will she take the risk and tell  Ben she loves him?

Ben is the perfect book boyfriend. He is loyal and willing to give up his dream for Silvia. Will she figure it out before she loses him?

Rounding out the cast is Grandma, Emma, and Walt.

Highly recommended. To say anymore will give spoilers.

 

I relieved an Advanced Reader’s Copy. (Thank you Shadow Mountain!)

New Release: How a Star Sines by Rachael Eliker

Published on by Erica

 

Kiki Loveless is the queen of pop music and has done it all on her own, without a man’s help. So, when her record label hires a bodyguard, she’s determined to protect her independence by driving him away. She soon realizes that might be a challenge since her new bodyguard is Josh Coleman, a hunky former classmate who’s surprisingly persistent.

As much as she wants to hate having him around, she can’t. He helps navigate cringeworthy paparazzi photos, handle vain male co-stars, and hold back rabid crowds who would do anything to have a piece of Kiki.

When Kiki’s ex shows up, he makes it clear he’d love nothing more than to see Kiki fail—even if it means dragging Josh down, too. With so much at stake, Kiki must decide if keeping her spot at the top of the pop charts is more important than risking it all on love.

Price: $0.99   (throughout October)
Genre: Romantic Comedy/Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Mild+

 

New Release: Barefoot Seouls

Published on by Erica

Tired of trying to make it in LA, Heather North jumps at the opportunity to teach English in Seoul. But the land of kimchi and hanboks proves problematic when she unexpectedly finds herself jobless, homeless, and friendless in a foreign country.

Enters Hwa Yoon Joon, a young man Heather met at LAX and who wants her to teach him acting lessons. This is something Heather could do, especially if it helped her with her other problems. But in his youthful enthusiasm to get training he had to lie to his mother and manager that Heather is his American girlfriend and sneak her into his own apartment, going against his contract, until he can find a better situation.

When Heather discovers that the cute Yoon is really a Kpop star she realizes that going against his “contract” has much bigger ramifications than he let on. Even being seen with him could jeopardize everything for him. She knows she has to leave him behind but she has nowhere else to go, and no one she would rather be with.

 

My Review:

This was  a darling little romantic comedy. From the moment Heather loses her shoes at the airport, she’s on a downward spiral of disaster. This is also when her Prince Charming, Yoon, steps in.

If you like sweet romance and a fairy tale happy ever after then this book is for your.

 

 

Spinning Silk by T. Cook

Published on by Erica

 

A weaver’s genius ignites the envy of her peers, the possessiveness of her mill’s proprietress, and the hopes of an unborn nation. Furi knows she was born to create, but the fabric of her life otherwise weaves mysteries. These things are more than they appear: 

Shin, the gardener, with his unlikely power over life and death;
A mysterious illness with a selective death route;
Kitsuke artist Madame Sato who would fashion Furi into a reincarnation of her own dead daughter;
The princess of a figurehead emperor, who has strange loyalties to a humble gardener; and
The vaporous rumor of war with no apparent aggressor.

Spinning Silk is inspired by Japanese folklore including the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi as well as a radical reimagining of the tsuchigumo.

Review: Christmas by Accident by Camrom Wright

Published on by Erica

Carter is an insurance adjuster whose longing for creative expression spills over sometimes into his accident reports.

Abby works for her adoptive father, Uncle Mannie, in the family bookstore, the ReadMore Cafe.

Carter can barely tolerate Christmas; Abby loves it. She can’t wait past October to build her favorite display, the annual Christmas book tree stack, which Carter despises.

When an automobile accident throws Carter and Abby together, Uncle Mannie, who is harboring secrets of his own, sees a chance for lasting happiness for his little girl. But there are so many hurdles, and not much time left. Will this Christmas deliver the miracles everyone is hoping for?

Release Date: Sept. 25, 2018. Pre-order Available.

My Review:

This was a nice story about finding joy in family, set to the  Christmas season.

This review will contain spoilers.

Continue reading “Review: Christmas by Accident by Camrom Wright” →