Saturday, June 27, 2015

Review ~ Get to Me by Lara Van Hulzen



Book Two of the Men of Honor Series

Aimee can identify a killer.


Dane can keep her safe.

But is he willing to face his past to do it?

When Aimee Jansenn stumbles upon a drug deal gone bad she comes face to face with a killer. As the only witness to a crime, she falls into a deadly situation and is in need of police protection.

Dane Scott has sworn off women. Until a fireball named Aimee enters his world. Telling himself they’re just friends, he vows to protect her. Can his heart follow suit or will she change his mind about love for good?


Jewelz Review~
Get to Me by Lara Van Hulzen is the fabulous second installment in the Men of Honor Series.

Dane Scott is a cowboy at heart, but works as a detective in San Diego. Despite his southern gentlemanly manners, rugged good looks, and amazing Texan drawl, he's carrying deep wounds from the past. He'll admit he's broken - so much so that he's built a wall around his heart and hasn't allowed any woman to even begin to chip away at it.

Aimee Jansenn is a photographer and a sketch artist. While she is a bit of a free spirit and loves a good adventure - she knows her limits and won't intentionally do anything reckless or that might put herself or those she loves in harms way.

When Dane & Aimee meet - she does more than turn his head, she manages to begin to chip away at that wall he carefully erected around his heart. He can't stop thinking about her and when she not only witnesses a crime, but also ends up in the criminal's crosshairs, Dane finds he not only wants to, but needs to protect her.

I absolutely loved reading this book! It's full of little twists and turns; their relationship is like a West Coast Swing - he pulls her in, then pushes her away only to pull her back again. The frequent references to music whether it be The Doobie Brothers, Patsy Cline, or any of the other songs and artists mentioned only enhance that feeling of a dance.

Another win by Lara Van Hulzen - a perfect marriage of suspense, romance, and faith.

Honest Disclosure ~ I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Sense & Sensibility ~ A Latter-day Tale



As if it wasn’t bad enough to be getting food from Church welfare, I had to meet one of the Ferreros—and a good-looking Ferrero, at that. 

Elly Goodwin, a brilliant programmer, is so desperate for a job that she takes one from her ex-boyfriend—the same man who put her family out of business. Then she meets Ethan Ferrero, who seems too good to be true. But Elly is far too sensible to unexpectedly fall in love—especially with her ex’s brother-in-law. 

But when Elly’s sister, Maren, dates the wrong guy, Elly must intercede before Maren’s passion clouds her common sense. Together, Elly and Maren must learn that a mixture of sense and sensibility is the perfect recipe for love. 

Fans of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility will love this modern retelling of the classic romance novel.




Chelz Review~
I picked up Sense & Sensibility by Rebecca H. Jamison on a whim.  This is a fun read and I could not wait to see how it ended.  The story flips back and forth between Maren and Elly's point of view, which I enjoyed.  The happily every after is perfect and I am looking forward to picking up more of Ms. Jamison's books.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Making Ends Meet by Anna Clifton


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From Anna Clifton comes a sweet, emotional, beautiful romance about a man whose life has been derailed and the unexpected woman who can help him get it back on track.


‘It’s for other reasons that I won’t need a nanny beyond a month.'


Twenty-three year old nanny Somer Sullivan has never had a job quite like this one: fix the messed-up, out-of-control life of high-profile artist and thirty-something dad Harry Halligan. But Somer is organised, efficient and not afraid of a challenge. She will do everything Harry needs her to do, including bringing his ex-wife home for good.


‘One month, Harry, and I’ll be out of here.'


Harry Halligan doesn’t want a nanny, but he needs one—he needs Somer. She’s the only one who can reach his troubled daughter, who can bring some measure of peace to his home. But as Somer advances her mission to fix his life, a few things become clear: his ex-wife might not be the answer, and Somer just might be. But Somer is running like hell from something in her own life and hiding in his.


Only one thing is for sure. Harry now has less than a month to make the hardest decision he’ll ever have to make—a decision that will change all of their lives forever.


~Author Bio~


Anna Clifton is a lawyer by trade and a mother to several children and a couple of cats. Her passion is writing warm, family oriented contemporary romance novels with a special focus on legal eagles. Making Ends Meet is her fourth novel.


~Paragraph from author about the book~


Are you mad? You want to write a love story about a marriage breakdown, with children involved and the ex still on the scene?


They were the thoughts that ran through my head as I jotted down early plot notes for Making Ends Meet. Perhaps I was mad, but I’m also a romantic at heart. Marriage breakdown, particularly where one party has little to no control over the decision to end it, has touched the lives of many people I care about. Incredibly, their heartbreaking journeys have brought home to me, like nothing else, the healing power of love and forgiveness, the miracle of optimism and second chances, and the truth that the end of a marriage does not have to spell 'the end of love' – far from it. I hope you enjoy Harry and Somer’s story.


~Excerpt~


‘Ask my ex-wife out!’ Harry spluttered. ‘What do you mean, on a date?’
‘Yes.’ Somer looked genuinely mystified at his reaction.
‘What for?’
‘Harry!’ she lobbed back at him, disgust heavy in her voice. ‘Have you no clue about women? Where were you planning on meeting her to talk about reconciliation?’
‘I don’t know,’ Harry admitted, flummoxed by her questions as he ran a hand through his hair. ‘My place. Hers. A coffee shop …’
‘A coffee shop!’ Somer nearly exploded. ‘Do you want her back or not?’
‘What do you suggest?’
‘Dinner, of course—somewhere special!’
Harry shook his head.
‘What?’ Somer challenged, leaning her elbows on the table again.
‘Won’t that scare her off?’
‘You’ve both been through a lot. You need to show her that you want a fresh start. You’ll never convince her of that in a coffee shop. Which brings me to my next concern.’
Harry pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes before dropping them into his lap again. ‘I should have known that a Sullivan woman would have a ‘next concern’.
Somer shrugged.
‘Okay, let me have it.’
‘Your appearance.’
‘What’s wrong with my appearance?’
‘You look like an unmade bed.’
‘Guy told me that women find that attractive,’ Harry countered with checkmate smugness.
‘What would Zegna-Man know about unmade beds?’
‘Are you saying I’m unattractive, Somer Sullivan?’
‘Are you fishing for compliments, Harry Halligan?’
She smiled impishly and Harry dropped his gaze from her face to steady his thoughts, and his pulse rate. For God help him, she was so mind-blowingly, breathtakingly wonderful. She was dropping her guard with him, as though knowing that he wanted Freya back had wiped out all the tension she was carrying around him. The effect was unintentionally cataclysmic, and not in a way that could ever be good for either of them…


~Social and Buy Links~





Book Blast ~ Children of Darkness by David Litwack

  Children of Darkness 
  The Children of Darkness, book one of the dystopian trilogy, The Seekers by David Litwack

"But what are we without dreams?" A thousand years ago the Darkness came--a time of violence and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with "temple magic," eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything. Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his "teaching"—the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds the young to the Light—they barely recognize the broken and brooding man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her. In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy. For hidden in the keep awaits a truth from the past that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might release the long-suppressed potential of their people, but they would also incur the Temple’s wrath as it is written: "If there comes among you a dreamer of dreams saying 'Let us return to the darkness,' you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the light."

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  Praise for The Children of Darkness “A must-read page turner.” Kirkus Review “Litwack’s storytelling painted a world of both light and darkness–and the truth that would mix the two.” Fiction Fervor “The Children of Darkness is a dystopian novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.” C.P. Bialois “A fresh perspective on our own society...[an] enjoyable read that will make you wonder just how society will judge us in the future.” Lexie  

  David Litwack
Author David Litwack 

The urge to write first struck when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the night when lightning flashed at sunset followed by northern lights rippling after dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter's editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic. Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue a career, in the process becoming a well-known entrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned. After publishing two award winning novels, Along the Watchtower and The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, he’s hard at work on the dystopian trilogy, The Seekers. David and his wife split their time between Cape Cod, Florida and anywhere else that catches their fancy. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.


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  BookBlast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/12/15 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 will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.    a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, June 19, 2015

Official Book Tour: A Secret To Keep



Keeping secrets is a horrible way to live. Sloane Davis should know.
She's kept her son a secret from his father for almost a year.

Now, her worst nightmare is coming true. Her ex is re-entering her professional life in the midst of the biggest project of her career. She's about to come face to face with the only man she's ever loved - her son's father.

Gates McCall is a brash man. He hasn't always been this way, but when Sloane walked out on him, something inside him broke. When his company's newest acquisition brings the two of them together once more, little does he know seeing her will bring back a flood of memories, feelings, and an unexpected surprise.
Purchace your copy here: 

 Barnes&Noble Pre-Order Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-secret-to-keep-railyn-stone/1121917126?ean=2940151590198


Railyn Stone hails from the Tar Heel State and is a romantic at heart. She believes you can find romance in the simplest aspects of life and enjoys letting her imagination run wild. Trying new restaurants, listening to music, playing golf and writing over the top stories about ordinary people are the hobbies she cherishes most.

Links for social media
Twitter: @railynwrites
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/railynst




~Excerpt~

        “Hey, come back to the here and now. Sloane come on, we have to focus. Are you going to be able to do this?” Liyah snapped her fingers in front of Sloane to get her attention. “Sloane? Sloane?” 
“Oh, Liyah, I’m sorry. What were you saying?” Just as Liyah was about to answer her, she quieted and Sloane followed her gaze toward the door where her unbelievably handsome ex-fiancé stood.
“Santo cielo.” Liyah breathed and stood straighter, adjusting her jacket.
“He’s just a man in a suit,” Sloane said, trying to convince herself more than Liyah that he was just a man in a suit. She busied herself by stacking and reorganizing an already organized stack of papers. She could feel one single bead of sweat slowly meander its way down her back. But Gates’ magnetic pull soon had her staring at his deep-set hazel orbs. She tried to look away, but there was something about this man who was able to suck her in like cake flour through a sieve.
“He is so not just a man in a suit.” Liyah swallowed hard, shaking her head at Sloane’s dismissal of him. “I’m beginning to understand why you’re so nervous about this. Wow. You know, I didn’t realize how much Brayden looks like him.”
“Shh, keep your voice down.” Sloane tried to move, to blink, to do anything, but her body betrayed her wishes and she could only stare as Gates mingled through the room before he stopped near the two of them. She felt the individual hairs on her neck called to attention as his deep voice rumbled over her.
“Liyah, hello. It’s been a while. Sloane.” Finally regaining her faculties Sloane pulled herself up to her full height of 5 feet 6 inches and smiled. The unmistakable maleness of him filled her senses as she looked into those familiar eyes. Prickly chills scampered up her spine as she stood face to face with the father of her baby boy.
“Hi, Gates.” Liyah interjected, trying to break the obvious awkwardness.
“Gates, it’s good to see you again.” Sloane stammered while inwardly cowering under his intense gaze.
“Is it really?” Smirking, Gates continued past her to meet and shake hands with a few of the representatives from the various companies with bids on the table. 
“Okay, so that went well.” Both ladies turned to watch him weave through the crowd of people as he headed towards the front of the room before Liyah turned to Sloane. “You up for this?”
“I don’t have much choice, do I? I guess he really does hate me.” Sloane swallowed the big lump of nerves in her throat and tried to pull herself together for what she knew was going to be the fight of her life. She and Liyah took their seats as the meeting got underway and she was never so glad to sit down. Her legs felt weak and her stomach was queasy. If it weren’t for the fact she hadn’t been with anyone since Gates, she would have sworn she was experiencing morning sickness all over again. 
“Maybe not so much hate, as maybe severe dislike.”



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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Book Blast ~ Zion’s Call by Jeremy Maughan

Zions Call Zion's Call by Jeremy Maughan 1830's LDS Historical Fiction Howard Egan has left his life at sea to try his hand at the new america. A dream of owning land and a better life for himself. More than anything he wants to find a woman to spend this new life together. To his surprise he finds her on his first day on shore. He just didn't expect her to be so beautiful or to be so harsh. Thrown into the middle of a political firestorm between a Mormon missionary and local business men. Tasked with being the Mormon's Bodyguard Howard has to find a way to secure his love, fulfill his duty and keep himself and the Mormon alive.  
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Excerpt Howard spoke up. “Ladies.” The three turned to face him. The woman in the center gave him an exasperated look. “Pardon me?” she asked. “Did you speak to us?” She looked him up and down. She gave a little click of her tongue and looked on unapprovingly. Howard was taken aback by her harsh tone. He struggled to get words out, “Yes. “He stammered, “I wanted to meet you.” he said slowly so he could be understood. He cursed his swollen tongue. The girl on the left giggled a little, the one in the middle gave her a rueful glance before looking back at Howard. She frowned. “Do you always speak like you have a mouth full of marbles? Are boots a foreign concept from where you’re from?” Howard started to turn red. He didn’t expect to be talked down to by this woman or any other. His anger started to rise. “I just wanted to meet you and get your name.” “A little forward aren’t you sir? I don’t think you gave me yours, for starters.” “My apologies ladies. I am Howard.” He said putting one hand to his breast. The girl on the left raised her eyebrows, waiting for more. “Just Howard? Are we to call you Mr. Howard?” she asked. He looked at the other girl. Are all girls of Salem so forked tongued, he thought, or just these? “Sorry, Howard Egan.” He again found his name difficult to pronounce correctly. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Egan” the girl on the right said. “I don’t know about that,” the black haired girl said. “Come, ladies.” The three turned to go. Howard took a step closer. “I didn’t get your names.” He didn’t want them to leave. They turned again. The girl in the middle tapped her toe lightly on the cobble stones. “No, and you didn’t earn the right.” She paused to look him over again. “Clean up. Stop fighting and some day you will get to. But not today.” She looked up at the wagon and saw the man sitting there. She nodded quickly to him and said, “Good day Mr. Chisholm. How is Mrs. Chisholm?” “Good day to you too. She is doing well. You will have to come by sometime for pie. She so does love your company.” Mr. Chisholm replied. “I just might do that.” She turned and looked at Howard. He felt he was being judged, like a pig at the fair. “Do you know this man?” she asked, “I do. I have agreed to take him on as an apprentice.” She inspected him one more time and looked back at Mr. Chisholm. “Well you must see something I don’t then.” “I suspect my wife will feel the same way.” “Good Day, Mr. Chisholm” She inclined her head. Her friends did the same. The curls framing the black haired girl’s face bounced as she nodded. “It was a pleasure seeing you. I will take you up on your wife’s pies.” They turned to leave, leaving Howard standing dumbstruck in the road. Mr. Chisholm looked down and saw Howard was still watching the women walk away. He laughed and called to Howard to climb back on. Once he was back on the wagon, Howard asked, “Who is that girl?” “I don’t know if it is my place to tell you. She made it pretty clear she didn’t want you to know her name. As well as I can remember, she has always been like that.” Mr. Chisholm replied.     Jeremy MaughanAuthor Jeremy Maughan Jeremy Maughan a seventh generation member of the LDS Church, was born February 1978 in Provo Utah. As a young man he had a passion for reading. One of his fondest memories is laying on the back on his parents boat reading for days at Lake Powell. He would spend days reading Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, David Eddings,Terry Pratchett and many of great fantasy writers. He says that the only way he passed English in high school was because his teachers allowed him to turn in book reports as extra credit. After High School Jeremy attended Devry Institute of Technology and studied to become a programmer. After two semesters he dropped out, having already landed a great programming job. He didn't find the need to continue his education to get a job he already had. A few short months after dropping out of school he was convinced by a close friend, who was a recent convert to the LDS church, to serve a mission. In May of 1997 he was called to serve in the Oregon Portland mission. He reported to the MTC just 6 weeks after submitting his mission papers. There he gained a deep testimony of the gospel that has stayed with him throughout his life. Once he returned home from his mission his love of the North West pulled at him and he moved to Seattle to pursue his profession programming career. While attending institute his meet the love of his life and married her for time and all eternity in the Timpanogos Temple. In their 14 years of marriage they have had 5 children. Two boys and three girls. Jeremy’s writing career started with a simple 30 day challenge and the desire to fulfill a item on his bucket list. Wanting to do a challenge to write every day for 30 days he needed something to write about. After days of struggle he was studying the writings C.S. Lewis and was inspired by the story behind The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Jeremy decided to follow in Lewis’s footsteps and write about his own children. A story was hatched and he set out to write a novel for his kids and about his kids. He caught the writing bug and has written many stories for his family and friends. His most recent work, “ZIon’s Call” is a full length historical fiction novel based on one of his ancestors and his conversion to the gospel.
50_Amazon_Paypal BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/30/15 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 will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Blog Tour ~ This Love by Anna Bloom

This Love BT Banner

This Love 2 
This Love Synopsis: Amber's always planned to leave her overbearing mother and their stifling small town behind as soon as she graduates. That is until her car breaks down outside Bale and Son's mechanics and she meets Freddy Bale. A boy who'd rather live in the moment than make a five-year-plan. Ignoring her friends' warnings, Amber puts all dreams for her perfect future on hold, and dives into the romance heart first. On their last day of school, however, Freddy decides to call off their relationship, and Amber does the only thing she can think of: Run away and never look back. Just like she'd always planned. Ten years pass before Amber sets foot in town again, only returning to look after her ailing mother. While Freddy wants to make amends, Amber is confronted with her own wrong choices from ten years ago. Choices that could change the lives of everyone she's ever loved. When first love is given a second chance and the secrets of the past come hurtling into the present, will Amber and Freddy be able to lay their mistakes to rest and make this love the strongest one of all?
  Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads 

 ~Exclusive Excerpt~

Who was it?Isaac calls down the stairs. Of course he does. Firstly, he couldnt hear me earlier when I was calling for breakfast? Secondly, who exactly does he expect it to be, he doesnt know anyone here?
I do.
Oh, God. I do.
Leaning against the door I take a deep breath, my limbs still frozen in a never ending shocked spasm. That was much, much quicker than I expected. Much quicker. When I decided to come back, I had it in my head that perhaps one day I may bump into Freddy Bale, he would probably be married, and yes, it would sting like fuck (I do have double standards, I know this) and we would just casually wave across the street and walk along. My ideas were always surrounded by this comforting rosy glow.
I never expected him to turn up on my doorstep within hours of me being home. I never expected for my lungs to fail the moment I saw him. And I never expected I would blurt out my married name — which isnt even my real name anymore — and watch a flicker of hurt flash across his ocean blues.
You were never in love with him. You were never in love with him. You were never in love with him.
These words are the cement to my castle. The castle I have securely locked myself in for the last ten years, keeping my memories on the outside of the walls. I was never I love with him.
It was lust. A childish crush.
Okay, if I were to be honest, I would admit that the castle walls are sometimes made of jelly and prone to wobble. I have managed in the last ten years to reduce my Freddy thoughts to three a day, and I believe that to be successful progress.
Now . . . now Ive seen him, every moment we ever spent together is back in my head, just like it never went away. Freddy Bale.


anna bloom bio picture
  Anna Bloom Bio
Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer with the sole ambition of writing about life as it happens. Dedicated to real characters, real problems and real romance Anna writes tales to stir your heart and head. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two young children, working in a local school and writing swoon worthy romance for Mature Teen and Adult readers, she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys and talking to the voices in her head- all in the name of her art.

Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website | Author Goodreads


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~Blog Tour Schedule~
June 3
grownupfangirl               Excerpt
DANIELRIDING.com        Excerpt
June 4
my midnight fantasies   Excerpt
Reads All the Books        Review
June 5
Comfort Books  Guest Post        
lustful literature              Review
June 6
Worn Down Glories       Review
June 7
This Wacky Momma Reads!       Review
Romance Bytes               Excerpt
June 8
reading away the days  Dreamcast        
Musings In Fiction Alley               Review
June 9
Holly's Hot Reads            Review
New Adult Addiction      Excerpt
June 10
Writing Pearls                  Review
I Dare You To Read        Review
June 11
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs      Review
undercover book reviews           Review
June 12
Best Book Boyfriends     Review
June 13
Kelly's Kindle Konfessions           Review
Boundless Book Reviews             Review
Summers Book Blog       Excerpt
The Dark Realm                            Guest Post        
June 14
The Other Side of the Shelf         Review
Ceres Books World         Review
Stephanie Witter            Excerpt
June 15
The Consummate Reader           Playlist 
Romance Obsessed Book Blog                 Review
Penny for My Thoughts Guest Post        
June 16
A Novel Kind of Bliss      Review
Kitty Kats Crazy About Books      Review
June 17
What Is That Book About            Excerpt
Between The Lines         Review
Reviews from the Heart               Review
Book Butterfly in Dreamland      Review

Love Us Some Books      Review