Interview with a friend: Emily Rachelle

Hey everyone! Today I have an interview with my friend Emily, in honor of her self-pubbing her second book, Rain in December, a poetry book. So...straight to the interview!

Hi, Emily. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I'm an aspiring journalist and a bit of a nomad, having grown up moving every three or four years. I love chocolate, cats, and Netflix, so if I don't manage to wrangle a husband in the next decade or two, I'm the perfect modern spinster in the making. I also quite enjoy a good rain.

What is your book about? Target age range? It's a book of poetry sorted into four categories, but overall I'd say the book sort of chronicles my own coming-of-age experience. The target age range for readers is about fourteen-twenty years old.

Emily, can you tell us about the publishing process? Was there anything in particular that surprised you or that was easier (or harder) than you expected? I was surprised by how much easier it was to publish this book than Sixteen. I mean, technically, I followed all the same steps. But with Sixteen, everything was new and foreign. For every single decision, I had to do a ton of research and make sure to keep the costs as low as possible. With Rain In December, I spent a lot less time and money and ended up with a book just a beautiful and professional that I'm happy with. To anyone struggling after deciding to self-publish -- it's getting started that's the hard part. Once you've done the work the first time around, things are so much easier next time.

Nice! Which are you - panster or plotter? That's actually a really interesting question for this book. Normally, I'm a huge plotter. I seriously write out an average of 5K words in notes before ever starting the rough draft of any novel. But for poetry, I'm the polar opposite -- I sit down, I write until it feels finished, and then I go back and make a bunch of changes until I'm happy with the result. Either way, though, my writing schedule is always sporadic. I might spend an hour or two writing prose or write five poems in one sitting, and then go a month without writing anything besides blog posts and school papers.

Awesome! Are you planning any other books? I am! Right now, during Camp NaNoWriMo, I'm working on the first draft of a Snow White retelling titled Mirror, Mirror. As for books coming out this year, the first in a series of fairy tale retellings (Mirror, Mirror is not part of this series) will be out later this year if all goes as planned. The series is called Once Upon a Dream, and the first book is an urban fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, titled World of Shadows.

That sounds interesting. I love Snow White! Well...I love all types of fairy tales.What genres have you written? Concerning pulished works, I have one Christian contemporary YA work and this new book of poetry. If we consider all genres I've ever written, several types of fantasy YA, historical YA, and childrens' works are added to the list, as well as a handful of short stories. However, the childrens' and historical works are definitely not books I ever intend to publish, so my published works will probably be restricted to poetry, contemporary YA, and urban fantasy YA.

When you read, what is your favorite genre? I actually read from quite a few genres. Which is my favorite depends on my mood. I've switched between adult and YA works, contemporary and historical, sci-fi and paranormal, romance and suspense. Overall I'm most likely to enjoy a YA speculative fiction work, but right now I'm on a contemporary YA kick. I just finished re-reading The Fault In Our Stars, and now I'm re-reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Where can I find you online? My blog and website are located at http://emilyrachellewrites.blogspot.com/, and there's contact and about pages with links to all my social media pages.

Book Review:Thief of Glory

Hey everyone! I finished a book, so here's a book review. I didn't love Thief of Glory by Sigmud Brouwer very much, but maybe you would like it, so I suggest you check it out and give it a chance if you think you might enjoy it. 

Here's what I thought:

I have to admit that I was not completely in love with this book, while the general idea of it was interesting. I didn't like that I was made to believe that this was a romance, when it really was not. I hate to write a negative review, and I don't think the problem was with the book, but more so with the marketing involved with it.
I felt that the main character, Jeremiah, was able to do way more things than a ten year old should have been able to do. Since he was 10 for 2/3 of the novel, I had difficulty taking this book seriously.
However, the historical aspect of this novel was great. I never knew Dutch POW camps existed in Indonesia. I liked reading about the history here. All in all, this novel was very rich in historical ideas, but I didn't love the actual story.

Book Monday: Captured By Love, Jody Hedlund

Hello everyone! I haven't visited this blog in quite a bit. I'm afraid that life is catching up to me, and handling Swept to Sea AND the publication process of Carried Home AND writing Tossed Together AND handling senior year at high school with its ACT prep and scholarship applications AND all of my other activities make it too much to keep my old blog schedule. 

Please bear with me and follow my blog/FB page/Twitter to get the latest updates from me. 

Anyway, I finally finished a book! This review is of Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

"Michigan Territory, 1814
A voyageur and a young woman swept up in a time of upheaval and danger
discover firsthand the high price of freedom.

The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving and at the mercy of British invaders.
Torn between the adventurous life of fur trading and guilt over neglecting his defenseless mother, Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, a childhood friend who's grown into a beautiful woman. She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley.
As tensions mount and the violence rages on, Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they'll risk for love."


MY THOUGHTS:
I really liked this book!

This is set on Michilimackinac Island, also known as Mackinac Island to modern-day people. (I've visited this island before, so that made it even more special!) But this book is set during 1814, almost 200 years before I went there.

It follows the story of Angelique, who lives on the island with her crazy-cruel stepfather, who strongly limits how she may live. She is reunited with her childhood friends, Pierre and Jean, during the course of this novel.

I felt that the characters were very well written, and I loved all of them. This story had enough action, romance, and history in it to make me love it.

Review: With Every Breath

I recently read With Every Breath By Elizabeth Camden.
Here's a little about the book:

"In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston's respectable life as a government worker is disrupted by an encounter with the insufferable Trevor McDonough, the one man she'd hoped never to see again. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and business is the only reason he has sought her out now.
Despite her misgivings, Kate agrees to Trevor's risky proposal to join him in his work to find a cure for tuberculosis. As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, his hidden depths fascinate her. However, a shadowy enemy lies in wait and Trevor's closely guarded secrets are darker than she ever suspected.

As revelations from the past threaten to destroy their careers, their dreams, and even their lives, Trevor and Kate find themselves in a painfully impossible situation. With everything to lose, they must find the strength to trust that hope and love can prevail over all. "

Here's what I thought:

This was the first book I've read by this author, and WOW, was this good!
I am going to be going back and reading all of her other books pretty soon. It's always great to find a new author whose writing you like.
This story follows Kate and Trevor, who have been competing with each other all their lives, since they were around thirteen years old. Now, many years later, they are reunited as Trevor hires the brilliant Kate to work with him as an assistant at his hospital, where he is fighting to find a cure for tuberculosis with a group of terminally ill patients.
Trouble ensues as someone seems to be planting false evidence and spreading bad rumors about Trevor, bringing out secrets from the past. Will Kate and Trevor find love in the midst of sickness and attack? Will Trevor survive the lies being spread about his career?
I LOVED everything about this book and was sad when it was over. 

Book Spotlight: Queen by Heather Gray

Hey everyone! Today I have a book spotlight for you. This book was written by my fellow Astraea Press author Heather Gray!

Back Cover Blurb:

You can't hide from the past.

Queen's world was shattered, and she was banished to a foreign land. Years pass before she dares to return, but what she finds is of little comfort. Greed and dishonesty have festered and grown in her absence. Embittered and cynical, Queen trusts few people.

Owen pursues a clandestine investigation and finds himself working side-by-side with a veritable ghost, an agent few have seen, a master of disguise known simply as Queen.  He craves her trust…but then uncovers a secret from his family's past that could destroy her.

Queen once sought refuge in America and now seeks it in disguise. Owen has always found his refuge in God, but will his faith be strong enough for the challenges ahead? Can he convince Queen to stop hiding, or is he doomed to become her most hated enemy?

Excerpt:

"I don't want him knowing what either of you look like. You need to leave until I get him back to the inn."

"It's not safe."

"The situation is a disaster, but he's safe. I trust him."

Owen listened to the voices. The first was Isadore/Iola. Thankfully, she'd dropped the horrible screech she'd been using as part of the barmaid act. The other belonged to a man. Older, he guessed, but he couldn't say by how much.

"I don't like it. This isn't part of the plan."

A woman's voice, also older. Isadore/Iola's parents?

The voices talked some more in a hushed whisper, then a door opened and closed.

"You can stop pretending to be unconscious, Mr. Loring."

"How do you know my name?" Owen sat up, his movement slow. He winced at the pain while taking in his surroundings. He was on a pallet in the main room of a small cottage. His hand explored the source of his discomfort and found a tender lump on the back of his head.

"I make it my business to learn things about people." She stood near the front door, not very far away in the smallness of the room. Her frizzy red hair looked as if it might take flight were it not held down by the small linen cap that was part of her uniform at the inn.

"I'm at a disadvantage, then, because I'm fairly certain I don't know your name. Isadore. Or should I say Iola?"

A kind of tired silence was her only response, and Owen decided to go for the jugular.

"Maybe it's Queen?"

Her hissed intake of breath told him he'd hit the mark.

"I stopped to visit Peter on my way here. He mentioned you two went fishing."

She smiled then, and the lines of tension eased from around her eyes. "Peter never mentions anything on accident."

Owen stared, puzzling out her words. "You didn't go fishing, did you?"

A quick shake of the head. "But you and I appear to be fishing in the same pond."

Peter had always been a sly fox. He'd told Owen, but the younger agent hadn't listened.

"Nobody's seen you in these parts for a long time."

She tipped her head in agreement. "Four years."

"Where have you been?"

"Does it matter?" She frowned at him.

"You told someone in this room that you trust me. So trust me now. Tell me what's going on."

"Where do I start?"

"Your name would be a good place."

Her mouth again stretched wide, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and light danced in the blue orbs. "Let's stick with Queen for now."

Author Bio:

Heather Gray authors the Ladies of Larkspur inspirational western romance series, including Mail Order Man, Just Dessert, and Redemption.  She also writes the Regency Refuge series: His Saving Grace, Jackal, and Queen - plus contemporary titles Ten Million Reasons and Nowhere for Christmas.  Aside from a long-standing love affair with coffee, Heather’s greatest joys are her relationships with her Savior and family.  Heather loves to laugh, and this theme is prevalent in her writing where, through the highs and lows of life, her characters find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her.

You can find Heather online at http://www.facebook.com/heathergraywriting, http://www.twitter.com/laughdreamwrite, and http://www.heathergraywriting.com.  She can also be found most days at The Inspired Inkpot, a street team, prayer group, and all around awesome place to hang out - http://www.facebook.com/groups/theinspiredinkpot.

Buy Links:

Amazon US –  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P8ACR1C/

Amazon UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P8ACR1C/

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-heather-gray/1120679916

Kobo – http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/queen-21

Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/490805

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/queen/id937948777

Where to Find Me:

My Website – http://www.heathergraywriting.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/heathergraywriting

Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+Heathergraywritingnow

Twitter – http://twitter.com/LaughDreamWrite

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/LaughDreamWrite

Book Review Monday: Golden Daughter Review

Hey everyone! I'm sorry I have been neglecting this blog so much lately...between book contracts, writing, homework, and college search, I have been terribly busy!

I have a guest review for you today from Cortney. Here's what she thought of Anne Elisabeth Stengl's latest novel:

Thanks for having me here, Heather!

Dreams, bodyguards, secret orders, divided families and kingdoms, war, adventure, love, and of course… dragons all meld together in this epic new book of the Tales of Goldstone Wood.  With Golden Daughter, Anne Elisabeth Stengl proves once more that she has been blessed with a tremendous gift for writing powerful, moving, and emotional tales.

Vibrant new characters join familiar favorites to create a unique cast of heroes and villains that you can’t help but love.  Sairu, a Golden Daughter, is placed in the service of Lady Hariawan, a Dream Walker.  To the eyes of many, she is nothing more than a handmaiden, but in reality, she is a highly trained bodyguard, devoted to her mistress for the rest of her life.

But other forces are at work, and Lady Hariawan is not the only Dream Walker, nor is she the only one in need of protection.  A fan favorite returns in this book of the series to guard Sairu herself, and the bond that forms between these two is both lovely and unique.

Another returning favorite is the mighty villain, the Dragon, who seeks to fulfill his own dark purpose.  Aiding him are many who feel displaced and angry with their lot in life.

At the same time, two brothers are divided by hatred and jealousy, and readers will be pleasantly surprised to discover a bit more of Sunan’s (from Goddess Tithe) backstory.

Several other mysteries are explained, including one which has been referenced multiple times since the beginning of the series in Heartless.  Also, readers may discover threads woven throughout the story that are reminiscent of the Old Testament accounts of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and even Adam and Eve.  Truly Golden Daughter is an epic tale with far-reaching effects upon the worlds of Goldstone Wood, yet the struggles of the individual characters makes it relatable, and the powerful description breathes life to the characters and their story.

I would highly recommend Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl to any fan of Fantasy or even any fan of reading.  However, if you intend to read the entire series of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, then I would recommend beginning with Heartless and reading through the rest of the books in the order they were written.  Either way, you are certainly in for a treat with this delightful story and series!

Book Review Monday: Abandoned Memories

Hey everyone! I just got done reading Abandoned Memories by MaryLu Tyndall.

Now, it is time for a review! But first, here's some info about the book.
"In MaryLu Tyndall’s stunning conclusion to her Escape from Paradise series, Angeline Moore longs to make a fresh start in the Confederate colony of New Hope, Brazil. James Callaway longs to create a city free from immoral women who caused his failure as a preacher. But a series of strange happenings soon lead the colonists to believe they have been brought to this place for a divine purpose."

Now, on to my review.

My Thoughts: 

The Idea:

I have been following this series since the very first, Forsaken Dreams. This trilogy follows a colony of Southerners after the Civil War, who are sailing to Brazil to create a Southern Utopia. This book solves the mysterious events that plagued the colonists in the first two. 

 I was eager to continue the story with familiar characters.

The Characters:

This final book details the story of Angeline, a woman with a dark past, and James, a doctor who hates the sight of blood and has become the colony's pastor. I had seen their interactions in the past two novels and had been awaiting their story the entire time, and was not disappointed. 

The Plot:

This plot definitely kept me intrigued. The entire series, I have been wanting to know what was going on with the mysterious occurrences that have been plaguing these colonists, so I was eager to keep reading! The romance between Angeline and James was kind of predictable, but I did not mind it that much.

The Setting:

All alone in the wilderness of Brazil? This definitely posed some challenges for the colonists, and made for a good story. The setting was unique and well done.

Overall:

A great read! I definitely recommend starting with Book 1, Forsaken Dreams, and working from there. You will be glad you did! 

Book Monday: Guest Post by Rachel Skatvold

Hey everyone! I have a guest post for you today from one of my friends, Rachel Skatvold! Her novel Beauty Within, debuted recently and I am so excited for her! Take a look at her book here, and enter to win a copy of it!

Beauty Within

Riley Family Legacy Novellas, Book 1

by Rachel Skatvold

Book Summary

A young widow returns to her hometown in search of a new beginning…

A handsome police officer running from dark shadows in his past…

Together, will this unlikely pair be able to move past their circumstances and discover the Beauty Within God’s plan?

Excerpt

Officer Ryan Hudson watched the young woman’s face blush cherry red when she recognized him. He was just as surprised to see her again but didn’t let on. Instead he remained stone faced and all business. “Good afternoon, Ma’am. I’m Officer Hudson.”

She pushed a few strands of brown hair out of her face and shook his hand. “I’m Katherine Arnold.”

The natural blush on her cheeks brought out the red highlights in her hair. It made her even more beautiful than at their first meeting. He cleared his throat and attempted to concentrate. “I’m assuming you’re this child’s mother? I found her crying over here by the bakery counter.”

She bit her lip and squeezed the little girl’s hand tighter. “Yes, thank you for finding her. I assure you, this will not happen again.” She peered down at her daughter. “Right, Lillian? You’re going to stay with me next time?”

Lillian nuzzled closer to her. “Yes, mommy.”

Katherine nudged her daughter. “Don’t you have something to tell Officer Hudson?

She peeked up at him with a sheepish grin. “Thank you for the cookie, Officer … Handsome.”

Katherine covered her mouth but a giggle still escaped. “Sorry, she has a little trouble with names.”

Click the links below to purchase Beauty Within

Amazon Nook

Enter in the giveaway contest here!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/152a31411/

About the Author:

Rachel Skatvold is an inspirational author and stay at home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance, devotions, encouraging blogs. Rachel is currently working on the second installment of the Riley Family Legacy Novellas and her first full length novel, Enduring the Flames. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons.

Places to follow Rachel:

Website           Facebook         Twitter                        Pinterest

So Much News!

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry that I have left you all without a post for a few days. How thoughtful of me!

Truth be told, though, I have honestly been extremely busy lately. Just this weekend, I was volunteering at a Renaissance Festival. That was pretty fun, but it took up most of my day!

But other than the little things that I have been up to, I have some big news to share with you!

First of all, I am going to be taking part in a BOOK FEST! How exciting is that? I will be signing books and may even be reading a selection from Swept to Sea. That should be super fun! Other authors will be there, so make certain you attend! This is specifically for Christian readers and writers, so please attend and find some new books!

Second. I found out that I am going to be on my local news station, Fox Four News! I will be interviewed later this month and it should air in early October. I am thrilled about this, because I was so excited for my last TV appearance.

How are you doing? What is one good thing that happened to you last week?

Book Monday: Am Reading

Hey everyone! I haven't had a lot of time for reading since school started, but I thought I'd let you know what I am reading.

Abandoned Memories by MaryLu Tyndall! You all know MaryLu is one of my favorite authors, so I am really enjoying this one.
What are you reading? Have you read any of MaryLu's books?

Book Monday: A Table By the Window

Hey everyone! How are you doing this week? I hope well.

Today I have a review of A Table By the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge.
Here's a little about the book.

"Heirloom recipes, family secrets…and a chance for love
The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story.

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way?"

My Thoughts:

The Idea:

This story focuses on Juliette, a food writer from a food-oriented Italian/French family. When her grandma dies, she leaves behind a deep secret that Juliette wants to get to the bottom of. Then she unexpectedly enters a long-distance relationship with a man in Tennessee who is completely unlike her family. Will she choose him, or the food-writing career she has begun to dislike?

The Characters:

There is really only one main character to this story, and that is Juliette. I liked her! I was really invested in her life by the time the book was done.

The Plot:

The beginning was a little bit slow, but I was really interested in it by the ending. This has a pretty tame, slow-moving plot, but interesting nonetheless.

The Setting:

This is set in the West Coast of modern-day US. The setting fit the story, and it made the struggle even harder on Juliette when deciding what to do about her long-distance relationship.

Overall:

This was a nice, light, summer read. 

Book Monday: Caught in the Middle

Hey everyone! I'm finally back to hopefully posting on a regular schedule once again.

Today I have a review for you of Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings.

Here's a little about the book:


"She Wants the Freedom of the Open Plains. He Wants the Prestige of a Successful Career.
Neither is Ready for What Comes Instead.
The train to Garber, Texas, is supposed to bring life's next victory to Nicholas Lovelace. Instead, it gets held up by robbers who are thwarted by the last person Nick ever expected--Anne Tillerton from back home in Prairie Lea.
Anne's been hiding away as a buffalo hunter. She's only in town to find their runaway cook, but the woman flees--leaving Anne with her infant son. With Nick the only person Anne knows in town, the two form an unlikely team as they try to figure out what to do with the child.
But being in town means acting and dressing for polite society--and it's not going well for Anne. Meanwhile, Nick's work is bringing new pressures, and being seen with a rough-around-the-edges woman isn't helping his reputation. Caught between their own dreams, a deepening relationship, and others' expectations, can the pair find their way to love?"

My Thoughts:

The Idea:

The beginning of this book is very attention-getting. It starts with a train robbery when the main character, Anne, saves the hero, Nicholas, from near-death by the train robbers. 

Anne later gets stuck with taking care of her former cook's abandoned child, and trouble ensues as she grows to care for the child and struggles to take care of him. 

Nick's work causes a whole other set of issues and he works together with Anne to help keep an eye on the child and make Anne--a buffalo hunter--more presentable to the town's society.

The Characters:

I really enjoyed reading about Anne and Nick! They seemed very real. Anne had a dark past and because of that, was very strong and cold. I tended to like the characters more as I got into the book rather than at the start of the book. 

The Plot:

The plot was slower at the beginning, and it took me a while to get into it. However, after a bit, I really enjoyed the book! Especially the last third. I really enjoyed it.

The Setting:

The setting fit very well with the story. Anne is used to being a buffalo hunter out on the range, and now she is forced to live in a city setting. She is not used to being around people after some unfortunate events when she was younger. This setting really challenges her.

Overall:

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants a touching read!

Book Monday: Giveaway of Through the Deep Waters

Hey everyone! I am offering you a giveaway from Waterbrook Multnomah for Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer! 

(Read my review here.)

So, enter to win this amazing book today.

The contest starts on July 31, 2014 at 6:00am EST and ends on August 20, 2014 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen at random on August 21, 2014 and will be alerted by email. For a complete listing of the rules, please see below.

Book Monday: Am Reading

Sorry this post is late! I had an absolutely terrible internet connection last night and couldn't get a post up!

Anyway, right now I am reading A Table By the Window.

It's pretty good! What book are you reading right now?

Which Character from Swept to Sea are You?

Hey everyone!

This is soooo much fun...I made this quiz and the response has been pretty good. So now, I want you to take this quiz and tell me and your friends which character you get! I got Eden.

Book Monday: Stuck Together

I've been meaning to post this review for a while now and I thought I already had! Silly me.

Today I have a review of an excellent novel that I finished reading a while ago, Stuck Together by Mary Connealy. 

Here's a little about the book:


"When a lawman who values order gets stuck with a feisty crusader who likes to stir things up, there's going to be trouble in Texas!
Now that she's settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel's saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.
Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them.
With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way: Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger."

My Thoughts:
The Idea:

If you know me, you may know that Mary Connealy is one of my all-time favorite authors. Stuck Together did not in any way disappoint.

Tina Cahill is determined to shut down Broken Wheel's tiny saloon. 

Vince gets stuck with his very interesting family when his father runs away on them. 

I have been following the Trouble in Texas series ever since the first book, and I was very excited to read the final one. 

The Characters:

As always with a Connealy book, I adored the characters. They were so funny, and yet they had such real, painful backstories that they were dealing with. I really grew to care for them and want the best for them. 

The Plot:

There was never a dull moment. At every turn I was laughing or anxiously awaiting what would happen next. 

The Setting:

A very rural town in Texas made for an excellent place for the main characters to be "stuck together!"

Overall:

A FANTASTIC read! Seriously, if you have never tried a Mary Connealy book before, do so NOW. I promise, you will thank me later. 

One of my favorite quotes from the book. 

Cover Reveal: Crossing the Ice

Hey everyone! What have you been up to this week?

I have a cover reveal and excerpt for you for my friend, Jennifer Comeaux's new book, Crossing the Ice.

Here's a little about the book and the author:

Release date: August 2014

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22474762-crossing-the-ice

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Falling hard never felt so good.

Pair skaters Courtney and Mark have one shot left at their Olympic dream. They vow not to let anything get in their way, especially not Josh and Stephanie, the wealthy and talented brother and sister team.

The heart doesn’t always listen to reason, though...

The more time Courtney spends with sweet, shy Josh, the harder she falls for him. But they are on opposite sides of the competition, and their futures are headed in opposite directions. Will their friendship blossom into more or are their paths too different to cross?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. 

jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com 

twitter.com/LadyWave4 

facebook.com/jennifercomeauxauthor

Now, here's an excerpt: 

I turned to Josh with my arms folded and my head cocked to the side. “So, you’re an athlete, a dancer and a musician? If you tell me you’re a skilled artist, I’m gonna have to hate you.”

He laughed. “I can barely draw a stick figure.”

“Whew.” I swiped my hand across my forehead.

“Even if I was the next Picasso, though, I wouldn’t have told you.” He paused and held my gaze. “I don’t like the idea of you hating me.”

My stomach fluttered. Josh didn’t often make extended eye contact, but whenever he locked those sinfully blue eyes on mine, I became a mesmerized puddle of swoon.

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Book Monday: Am Reading

Hey everyone!
Unfortunately, I don't have a book review for you today. I am, however, going to have a book-related post for you on Friday, so you can look forward to that.

Right now I am reading Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings.

What are you reading?

Book Monday: Notes on Swept to Sea

I didn't get a chance to write a review for you today because all of last week I was reading my own Swept to Sea.


Now, I know that could sound weird. Why would I be reading my own book? Well, I was reading it to take notes. See, I don't want to mess anything up in the sequel! So, I went through the entire book and took notes on the characteristics and traits and statements of the main characters in the next book, Ivy and Gage.

Today I will give you some of the notes I took! I thought it would be fun for you to see how I'm doing this.

Ivy

• cares about Rutger's status as earl.
• is the "mother" of the trio
• likes to weigh possibilities before acting
• face turns red when she lies
• very prone to seasickness
• has reoccurring nightmares

Gage

• uses slang like "cap'n."
• always has something to be joyful for
• reliable
• likes to joke
• likes to talk
• sometimes feels like an idiot around women

These are just some notes I took. If you have read Swept to Sea, what did you think of these characters?

Book Monday: Meant to Be Mine

Hey everyone! Today I am going to be on TV! I'm so excited. :D

Anyway, I have a review for you of Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade. I had the privilege of attending a class led by Becky via Skype a few weeks ago at my local ACFW chapter.

Here's a little about the book:

"Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.
The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?"

 

My Thoughts:

The Idea:

Okay if you know me, you know I don't read contemporary. But Becky Wade writes contemporary, and because I love this story so much, I plan to read all her others!

I really loved this. Ty and Celia have been married for five and a half years, and they haven't seen each other in as long. Celia has hidden their daughter from Ty and fully intends to never see him again, but Ty has plans to fix their marriage.

The Characters:

I really loved the characters! They were so well done. Celia is a single mother, working hard to make a comfortable life for her daughter. She long ago gave up her dreams of owning a bakery/ coffee house. She was spunky and very relatable. 

Ty has seen much success as a bull rider. But when he finds out about his long-lost daughter, he is determined to become the father he has never been.

The Plot:

This plot definitely kept moving! This book is actually pretty long, but it kept me reading and it never felt long as I was reading.

The Setting:

It was set in Oregon and Texas, and I really loved the feel of the small Texas town the second half was set in. Loved it.

Overall:

A very good read! 

About the Author:

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Learn more at www.beckywade.com.