A Promise at BlueBell Hill - Review & Giveaway

A Promise at Bluebell Hill

Valentine Valley Series

By Emma Cane

Welcome to Valentine Valley, where romance blooms and love captivates even the most guarded of hearts . . .

From the moment Secret Service agent Travis Beaumont strides into the town and through the door of Monica Shaw's flower shop, she feels a sizzle of attraction. After years of putting everyone else's needs first, Monica is ready to grab hold of life. If she can just persuade the ultimate protector to let his own walls down for once . . .

The President's son is getting married in Valentine Valley, and Travis should be avoiding all distractions . . . not fantasizing about a forthright, sexy-as-hell florist. Especially when she's keeping secrets that could jeopardize his assignment. But just this once, Travis is tempted to put down the rulebook and follow his heart—right to Monica's door.

Roses are red, violets are blue, and in Valentine Valley, love will always find you.

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Review by K.T Sullivan

Monica Shaw is a florist about to hit thirty in a small town. She’s not desperate to find a man, but her friends are pairing up and having children. She wishes them happiness and wishes to join their ranks. One day, a handsome stranger is walking in and out of all the businesses on her street. Good thing she decides to have lunch outside. She waves at to him and he walks up to her. He’s even better looking up close. A military precision air about him appeals to her. He’s pleasant, but never smiles. Travis Beaumont has set up a Secret Service detail at the local hotel. The President’s son is marrying Ashley Ludlow in two weeks. It promises to be the biggest happening in Valentine Valley ever, but it’s a secret. Travis hints about it to Monica because her shop is in a strategic location. The vantage point from her apartment window above her shop is perfect for watching the street. He asks her advice for a place for his team to unwind. She suggests a local bar. Hoping Travis will be there; she goes and dances with a guy from his team. Travis has put together files on everyone in the town and comes across a picture of Monica at a rally. She and others in the town have been outspoken advocates for environmental issues. When news of the President’s arrival is in the local paper, some see it as a perfect time to stage a protest. A cache of mammoth bones have been found and the ground needs to be protected. Travis will only be in town for a short time, but he and Monica can’t help their attraction. Will one of them blink so they can be together?

Monica is a fun character who carries a secret for her twin sister. She holds family and friends very close and dear. Travis tries to be the tough guy, but melts whenever Monica is near. They make a sweet couple. The older widows in the town continue to shock and entertain the residents. Light cute read.

This is the fourth book in a series. Many of the characters are recurring and it’s best to read the books in order.

Author Info

EMMA CANE grew up reading and soon discovered that she liked to write passionate stories of teenagers in space. Her love of “passionate stories” has never gone away, although today she concentrates on the heartwarming characters of Valentine, her fictional small town in the Colorado Rockies. Now that her three children are grown, Emma loves spending time crocheting and singing (although not necessarily at the same time), and hiking and snowshoeing alongside her husband Jim and two rambunctious dogs Apollo and Uma

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The Memory Child - Review & Giveaway

Review by Darcey Pickett

A story of love, happiness and the internal struggle of an expectant mother. 

Children bring happiness…Brian and Diane were living their dreams, successful and happily in love.  Diane finds out she is pregnant, and panic settles in.  Brian is thrilled a baby would make their lives complete.

Brian has been recently promoted and his new role takes him to London.  Diane also is moving along in her career, when she finds out she is pregnant.  Brian leaves for London; Diane is left to deal with her deals and internal struggle with her new pregnancy.  With the arrival of her daughter, she realizes what a blessing a child truly can be.

This was a very real story, dealing with some of the untold things some women struggle with while pregnant.  I enjoyed the journey, because of the realness and also that is was not a straightforward love story.  It was a story that had the twist and turns I crave while reading a book.  Ms. Holmes has a remarkable way of telling a story without leaving you feeling lost or empty inside.

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About the Author:

Steena Holmes grew up in a small town in Canada and holds a bachelor’s degree in theology. She is the author of eleven novels and novellas, including Finding Emma, for which she was awarded a National Indie Excellence Book Award in 2012. She currently lives in Calgary with her husband and three daughters, and loves to wake up to the Rocky Mountains each morning.

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Across the Pond (Part Two) - Promo & Giveaway

Synopsis:

A Devastated Cambria returns home to Pasadena to deal with the consequences of her whirlwind relationship with Zander and the problems brought on by Carter's possessiveness. Their desperate actions have set into motion a sequence of events that will change their lives forever. The good girl meets bad boy tale of unexpected love and deception comes to its final conclusion.

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Across The Pond Part One:

Cambria Cosgrove is a successful fashion blogger from Pasadena, the land of sun and the famous Rose Parade. Unhappy in her marriage, Cambria has finally made the bold decision to leave her husband Carter in spite of her good catholic girl upbringing. She just dropped divorce papers on the kitchen counter this morning and hopped on a plane to London with her best friend. On their first night out in Notting Hill, Cambria meets an exotic, dark-haired musician by the name of Zander Slayne but Cambria has absolutely no desire in getting involved with another man, especially so soon after leaving her husband. Zander puts the Bad in Bad Boy with his various tattoos and smoldering looks. He is so not her type and besides, the ink isn't even dry on the divorce papers yet. But Zander is relentless. Meanwhile, back home in Pasadena, Carter is frantic and will do just about anything to get Cambria back. He's got problems of his own but focuses his attention on Cambria and refuses to believe she no longer loves him. **This erotic romance is for adults only** 

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About The Author:

Isabella Delvino is not your typical author. Although she spent her childhood outdoors and not with her nose in a book, she was always creating stories in her head. Her first 'publishing success' was winning a monthly writing contest for BOP magazine at the age of fifteen. It was a very short paragraph (about a certain boy band) but she won. No, she hasn't been writing ever since but hey, better late than never. Isabella graduated from The University of Southern California and has been a career Stay-At-Home mom for many years. She lives with her husband, two kids and three dogs in a suburb of Los Angeles. She's usually reading, watching the latest on Netflix or in the drive-thru line at Starbucks.

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Giveaway:

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The Cowboy of Valentine Valley - Review & Giveaway

The Cowboy of Valentine Valley 

Valentine Valley Series 

By: Emma Cane

Welcome to Valentine Valley, where the cowboys have many talents and love is waiting around every corner . . .

Ever since a heated late-night kiss—that absolutely should not have happened—cowboy Josh Thalberg makes former Hollywood bad girl Whitney Winslow's pulse beat faster. But when she decides to use his gorgeous leatherwork in her new upscale lingerie shop, Leather & Lace, she's determined to keep their relationship strictly professional . . . even if she wants so much more.

Josh has never met a challenge he isn't up for. Which is probably why he allowed Whitney to persuade him to take the sexy publicity photo that went viral—and now has every woman in America knocking down his door . . . every woman except the one he can't get out of his head.

But how to convince a reformed bad girl that some rules are worth breaking?

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Review by K.T Sullivan

Whitney Winslow is opening a new store in Valentine Valley. Leather and Lace will offer lingerie and leather jewelry. Josh Thalberg is a cowboy, leather craftsman, and stunning. He offers his work to different shops and works on his family’s ranch. He and Whitney have a history and are trying not to repeat it. This time it’s all business, except the stolen kisses and secret glances. They travel to Aspen to visit with another shopkeeper. Whitney pretends to be his agent. The woman asks to photograph Josh to help sell the leather bags. She suggests he pose with a few shirt buttons undone. The picture goes viral and a star is born. A Facebook page and fan websites sprout up. Josh hopes it will all die down soon. He’s surprised to find out who’s fanning the flames of his celebrity. His family is very close and live in the same town. Whitney’s is wealthy and not supportive of her store, but they arrive looking for her help. Leave all the lingerie behind and return to New York to run the family business. She’d hoped to be asked when she graduated from college, but was snubbed. Now, she likes her independence and loves Josh. Why are hard decisions so easy to make?

Whitney and Josh make a perfect opposites attract couple. The only thing they have in common is each other. The secondary characters, especially the older widows in the town, add humor and a sense of belonging. This is the third book in a series. They should be read in order. Earlier episodes are referred to in the book that impact Josh’s and Whitney’s relationship. Plus characters have dealings with the couple too. They were fleshed out in the earlier books. This a sweet read and the image of Josh’s picture provides plenty of heat. 

Author Info

EMMA CANE grew up reading and soon discovered that she liked to write passionate stories of teenagers in space. Her love of “passionate stories” has never gone away, although today she concentrates on the heartwarming characters of Valentine, her fictional small town in the Colorado Rockies. Now that her three children are grown, Emma loves spending time crocheting and singing (although not necessarily at the same time), and hiking and snowshoeing alongside her husband Jim and two rambunctious dogs Apollo and Uma

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The Brim Reaper - Excerpt & Giveaway

Blurb

When an over-the-top collection of vintage Hollywood costumes comes to Samantha Kidd’s hometown, it brings a hat box full of hype. Close friend Eddie is in charge of the exhibit but when hype turns to homicide, he turns to Samantha for help. Brimming with good intentions, she loops in the cops, but after one too many cloche calls, she’s soon in over her head. If she can tear the lid off the investigation, it might mean a feather in her fedora. And if she can’t? She might get capped.

Excerpt

"How’s the job search going?” he asked.

“How much do you think I could get for a dozen satin cargo pants from the mid nineties?”

“That well, huh?” Eddie flopped down on a pile of Bubble Wrap. A burst of popping sounds shot from under his tush while he rearranged his legs in front of him. He let out an exaggerated sigh.

“The main problem is my recent work history. I was a buyer at Bentley’s for ten years, which was great, but it feels like another lifetime ago. After that I moved here and worked at Tradava for a week. Six months later I worked at Heist for something like that too. So basically my resume makes me look like a flake.”

“I might have a lead for you. That’s why I wanted your help. I can’t pay you, but I thought I could be a reference. Give you something to fill in the gap in your employment until you find a job.” He kicked his feet out in front of him. “But it doesn’t really matter, I guess. This whole project has been trouble from the start. You showing up looking like an extra in a hip-hop video is just the icing on the cake.”

I ignored his dig. “Why would my outfit have anything to do with your project?”

“Because my project could very easily become your project.”

“I’m not following.”

“Your major was the history of fashion, right? This exhibit encompasses that. We’re getting loans from some of the best private collections of clothing in the tri-state area, along with a couple of local hat stores and one designer from Hollywood.”

I leaned forward. “The museum’s putting on an exhibit on the history of fashion? Here, in Ribbon? You’re in charge of it? The whole thing? I would love to be involved with something like this, but my experience is in retail buying, not visual.”

“That’s where the opportunity comes in. I’m in charge of the installation. I’m giving you a foot back inside the door.”

“So why’s my outfit a problem?”

“I need you to be my liaison with the sponsor.”

“Who’s the sponsor?”

“Tradava.”

Tradava. The local department store that had promised me a job but delivered a homicide investigation—and then sent me a very polite letter that said they were dismantling the very department I’d been hired to work in.

As soon as I heard the name of the store, I tensed. I turned away from Eddie and pushed my fingers into my long brown hair, boosting the roots, while delivering a mental pep talk at the same time. Tradava would be lucky to get me back.

“You’re the curator?”

“Guest curator. More like exhibit merchandiser. Last year the museum sponsored a visual competition between a few different retailers. Tradava won. The prize was the chance to guest curate an exhibit. It took a while for the board of directors to agree on the exhibit concept and for the director to obtain loans from collectors, but once they green-lighted it, I’ve been on an almost impossible deadline. If you’re looking for something to tear you away from your job search, I could use your help coordinating the exhibit.”

“Maybe I should forget about Tradava. Maybe what happened is a sign that I shouldn’t work for them.”

“Sign-schmign. You need a job. They’re hiring. Sounds like a match to me.”

“You don’t believe in signs?”

“I believe in stop signs and sale signs. Everything else is woo-woo.”

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About the Author:

Diane Vallere is living proof that you can redesign your life with a little know how and a lot of determination! After close to two decades working for a top luxury retailer, she traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder, now juggling three different mystery series: Style & Error, featuring former fashion buyer Samantha Kidd; Mad for Mod, featuring Doris Day-loving interior decorator Madison Night; and the upcoming Material Witness series, featuring Polyester Monroe and the fabric shop she inherited. Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Find her at http://www.dianevallere.com/.

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Tiny Acts of Love - Dream Cast & Giveaway

Surviving motherhood? It's all about having the right support network.

Lawyer and new mum Cassie has a husband who converses mainly through jokes, a best friend on the other side of the world, and a taskforce of Babycraft mothers who make her feel she has about as much maternal aptitude as a jellyfish.

Husband Jonathan dismisses Cassie’s maternal anxieties, but is he really paying attention to his struggling wife? He’s started sleep talking and it seems there’s more on his mind than he’s letting on. Then sexy, swaggering ex-boyfriend Malkie saunters into Cassie’s life again.

Unlike Jonathan, he ‘gets’ her. He’d like to get her into bed again, too…

And on top of all her emotional turmoil, she also finds herself advising a funeral director on ghost protocol and becomes involved in an act of hotel spa fraud, never mind hiding cans of wasp spray all over the house to deal with the stalker who seems to be lurking everywhere she looks. Marriage and motherhood isn’t the fairytale Cassie thought it would be. Will her strange new world fall apart around her or will tiny acts of love be enough to get her through?

Funny, perceptive and real, Tiny Acts of Love portrays the rawness of motherhood, the flipside of love and the powerful lure of paths not taken.

Tiny Acts of Love Dream Cast

Today I’ve been given the exciting task of deciding on a dream cast for the principal characters in Tiny Acts of Love! So here goes:

Cassie

Cassie is a young lawyer, and the lead character in the novel. She’s just had her first baby, and she’s trying to find out who she is, now that she’s a mother, and a wife who’s a mother, and has stepped back with her career. She frets a lot and has a tendency to catastrophise. But she also knows how to laugh at herself, which is her saving grace.

I think Amy Adams would be perfect to play Cassie. Here she is:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/amy_adams/      

My two little girls and I have been watching the DVD of Enchanted (purchased in desperation in the supermarket one rainy day at half term!) It’s a modern day princess story set in Manhattan, affectionately poking fun at Disney classics like Cinderella and Snow White. Amy plays the lead and she reminds me of Cassie, as she’s got that wide-eyed, innocent look going on, but with wicked, tongue-in-cheek humour underneath. I also like her because she’s very beautiful, but warm and real-looking, too.

Jonathan

Jonathan is Cassie’s husband, and quite a complicated soul. When Janne from my publishers suggested Benedict Cumberbatch to play him, I wasn’t sure to begin with because he didn’t fit my idea of Jonathan physically. In my mind, Jonathan is sturdier and more heavily set (though he also has dark hair and is tall). I was convinced, however, after carefully studying the photos in this hilarious article which Janne found!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/elliewoodward/times-benedict-cumberbatch-looked-like-an-absolute-god-in

Photo number 3, in particular, is very Jonathan! And in terms of character, it would be a perfect match. Jonathan has a streak of arrogance, and will always think he’s the most intelligent person in the room. But there’s vulnerability underneath that. He doesn’t like to show his emotions (something which infuriates Cassie!) but they’re definitely there, having an effect on his actions and reactions. Benedict would be brilliant at bringing that out. With his understated, dead pan humour, he would also be devastatingly good at delivering some of Jonathan’s comic lines.

Malkie

Malkie is Cassie's long lost first love, who appears out of the blue - working at her law firm - when she returns from maternity leave. He’s a bit of a bad boy come (sort of) good, but with vulnerability underneath all that, too. His charm is that he’s very intuitive  – he ‘gets’ Cassie like no-one else does.

I knew straight away who would play him! Imagine Ewan McGregor's Renton from Trainspotting, ten or fifteen years on, all cleaned up, with a sharp suit and a good job. That would be Malkie. 

This picture, in particular, is very Malkie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SapClGprE2A

Dita

Dita is Jonathan’s mum. She’s a lovely character, emotionally available and very supportive of both Jonathan and Cassie, as well as being a doting grandmother to baby Sophie. Sometimes she can be a little too open, and always seems to puts her foot in it with the ultra-competitive, right-on Babycraft group.

I would cast Barbra Streisand in this role!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000659/

I’m thinking, in particular, of Barbra playing Roz, Ben Stiller’s embarrassingly open but endearing mum in Meet the Fockers.

I hope you enjoyed meeting my dream cast for Tiny Acts of Love. It was great fun choosing them!

About the Author:

Lucy Lawrie was born in Edinburgh, and gained an honours degree in English Literature from Durham University before going on to study law. She worked as a lawyer in Edinburgh for several years, specialising in Employment and Pensions law. When Lucy was on maternity leave with her first baby, she unearthed a primary two homework book in which she’d stated, in very wobbly handwriting: ‘I want to be an AUTHOR when I grow up.’ To appease her six-year old self, she began writing her first novel.

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Cree - Blog Tour Stop

Synopsis:

Whose parents abandon them in a trashy trailer when they are five years old? Oh Yeah! Mine do!


Hey Hoochies! I'm Milly, and I am tired of taking kicks to the gut. A broken family, an asshole husband and the loss of loved ones have left me crying Uncle, and declaring a serious case of the Fuck-Its!

I had my heart broken, stomped on and shattered before I ever started on my journey to find my little piece of happiness. With a bucket list, a '66 Ford and wild dreams, I set out on an adventure that changed my life forever.

I found Cree…

A pirate with a little princess and they swept me off my ever lovin' feet, filling my world with sprinkles, mac n’ cheese and the courage to live again.

They forced my fragile heart to trust and love without fear. 

But the truth is, nobody’s past stays hidden forever. It’s an invisible monster waiting to attack and destroy. It has the capability to ruin everything you’ve worked to set right.

All it takes is one final blow to the gut to end everything…

Author Bio:

I am just a simple country girl getting one story out of my head at a time. I was raised in small town, USA and still reside there with my husband and children. I am a huge country music fan and am inspired by it every day. I live and love country life, and you will find those elements in my books. I also adore strong and brave lead female characters, and strive to be a courageous and independent woman in everyday life. In my opinion, life is no fun without a good sense of humor, sprinkles, cheese whiz, and candy. It is the simple things that warm my heart. Live life your way, HJ Bellus

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