Book Mama Blog

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The House of Bradbury - Cover Reveal

Book synopsis:

Mia Gladwell’s life is going nowhere. The media has skewered her debut novel, her fiancé Carson, a successful Hollywood producer, has jumped ship, and now she’s living in her sister’s carriage house—unattached, unemployed and uninspired. Then she learns that the Los Angeles estate of iconic author Ray Bradbury is up for sale, and she feels an immediate urge to buy the wonky old house, convinced that moving into the late author’s home will inspire her to create her best work yet.

Life in the Bradbury house is not what Mia imagined, however. Soon after moving in, to fulfill a debt she owes to Carson, she agrees to take in a pill-popping young actress as a tenant, and suddenly she finds herself in a balancing act between her needy ex, an unpredictable starlet, and her disapproving sister, who’s keeping a close eye on her. Add to all of this a series of mysterious sketches left at her doorstep by a stranger, and Mia’s life is more complicated than ever. As she searches for clues, though, Mia discovers insights into her own life. Maybe moving into Bradbury’s house was a big mistake—but maybe not.

Blurbs:

"In her charming, wry debut, Nicole Meier brings together a frustrated writer, a Hollywood ingénue, and the weathered home of a literary great. Through a winsome protagonist and a perfectly painted Los Angeles backdrop, Meier reminds us that although we’re built on history, a wide open path still lies ahead.”

—Michelle Gable, author of A Paris Apartment and I’ll See You in Paris

“The House of Bradbury weaves a contemporary Hollywood storyline with authentic Los Angeles literary history. The effect is a sparkling premise, memorable characters and crisp dialogue that draws in the reader. Author Nicole Meier whips up a thoroughly enjoyable modern story of self-discovery. Readers will find magic in The House of Bradbury.”

-Lian Dolan, creator and host of Satellite Sisters, author of bestselling novels Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife

“Just as inspiration hits struggling writer Mia Gladwell, she agrees to take in a recovering young starlet. With Ray Bradbury's former home as its backdrop, Nicole Meier weaves a delightful tale of accidental friendships and second chances.”

—Amy Sue Nathan, author of The Good Neighbor and The Glass Wives

About the Author:

Nicole Meier is a native Southern Californian who pulled up roots and moved to the Pacific Northwest. She works as a freelance travel and lifestyle writer for several Oregon publications. When she’s not working, she’s fulfilling her wanderlust and writing about it at HaveToteWillTravel.com. She lives in Oregon with her husband and three children.

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A Jingle Valley Wedding - Giveaway

Blurb:

New York executive Julie Tate knows what it takes to win in the financial world, but her big-city success could never prepare her for her latest career move. When her brother abandons the failing family farm, Julie hopes its salvation lies in transforming it into western Massachusetts’s newest premier wedding venue. With her social-savvy friend Freddy in her corner, Julie feels infallible. But as their bank account dwindles and one obstacle after another crops up, the business partners wonder if their venture is doomed for failure before the first bride walks down the aisle. Maybe the best way to succeed in a business based on romance is to find one.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon

About the Author:

Martha Reynolds is the author of six novels, including the Amazon bestsellers Chocolate for Breakfast, Bits of Broken Glass, and Best Seller. Her writing has appeared in Magnificat magazine and her very short poem was read by journalist Connie Schultz during NPR’s Tell Me More poetry challenge. She and her husband live in Rhode Island, never far from the ocean.

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Martha is giving one lucky winner a

$25 Amazon gift card

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Laguna Lights

Welcome back to Laguna Beach, California ...

Laura Kinkaid’s glamorous Hollywood life is falling apart. After years of reality television stardom beginning in high school on Laguna Nights, her career and relationship with her long-term boyfriend Scott are fizzling out. Laura decides to go home to Laguna Beach for the weekend to attend a baby shower for her high school friend. That decision – and a car accident – will lead her to a new future, if she’s ready to take a chance at love.

Paul Dorn’s former life in New York City is far behind him and he’s working in a popular Laguna Beach surf shop when fate brings the most beautiful woman he’s ever met into his life. The attraction is instant and he has an overwhelming desire to protect her. While Paul’s retail sales career is a short-term job for market research purposes, his focus on Laura is long-term.

Will Laura allow a handsome stranger to help her create a future unlike her past, or will the bright lights of Hollywood pull her back to LA?

***Laguna Lights can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone novel. And if you enjoy Laura and Paul's love story, please consider reading the rest of the Laguna Beach series.

Purchase the book at:

Laguna Nights (Laguna Beach Book 1), Madison and Josh's story
Laguna Heights (Laguna Beach Book 2), Annie and Hank's story
Laguna Lights (Laguna Beach Book 3), Laura and Paul's story
Laguna Sights (Laguna Beach Book 4), Coming early 2016!

About the Author:

Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction and sexy modern romance novels that sparkle with humor and heart.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and four almost-grown kids, and is at work on her next novel.

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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

The Light of Hidden Flowers - Pub Day Promo & Giveaway

Summary:

Book-smart Melissa Fletcher lives a predictable life in her hometown, working behind the scenes for her charismatic father in a financial career that makes perfect sense. But when her dad is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Missy is forced to step up and take over as his primary caregiver and the principal of the firm.

After her father’s death, Missy finds a letter from him in which he praises her for being a dutiful daughter but admonishes her for not taking any risks in life.

Devastated, Missy packs her suitcase and heads for Italy. There she meets a new friend who proposes a radical idea. Soon, Missy finds herself in impoverished India, signing away her inheritance and betting on a risky plan while rekindling a lost love.

The Light of Hidden Flowers is a deeply felt story of accepting who we are while pushing our boundaries to see how much more we can become. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams.

Purchase the book at:

About the Author:

Jennifer Handford was born in Phoenix, Arizona, where she lived until she moved to Oregon for college and graduate school. After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C., and has lived in the Virginia/Washington, D.C., area for fifteen years. Jennifer is married and has three daughters.

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LakeUnion Publishing is giving 1 lucky winner a print copy of

The Light of Hidden Flowers by Jennifer Handford

US only

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Put a Ring On It - Review #FRC2015

Review by Marlene Engel

Brighton, leaving nothing to chance, has her life planned out. That is, until her fiancé dumps her and, on a whim, marries someone else. Needing some time off, she makes her way to Black Dog Bay, a place that jilted lovers flock to. While there, she meets rich and sexy Jake Sorensen and, to spite her ex-fiance, marries him at a drive through chapel. Brighton knows that she’s making frivolous decisions, but she doesn’t care. She has spent her whole life playing by the book. She’s ready to let loose and have some fun! But when Brighton finds out some truths about Jake, she’s unsure if she should jump ship or see where this adventure takes her.

What I’ve always loved about Beth Kendrick’s books is that they have a feel-good vibe to them. You just can’t pick up one of Beth’s books and not leave satisfied with how the story read. With a fun story and a cast of characters you won’t soon forget, Put a Ring On It has everything you need for a fantastic read. So if you’re looking for a fun book that’s all that and a bag of dog treats, this is the one for you.

Purchase the book at:

About the Author:

Beth Kendrick won the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award for My Favorite Mistake. She has a Ph.D. in psychology and an unshakable devotion to the Chicago Cubs. After surviving too many Minnesota winters, she moved to Arizona.

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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Along the Infinite Sea - Pub Day & Giveaway

Blurb:

Each of the three Schuyler sisters has her own world-class problems, but in the autumn of 1966, Pepper Schuyler's problems are in a class of their own. When Pepper fixes up a beautiful and rare vintage Mercedes and sells it at auction, she thinks she's finally found a way to take care of herself and the baby she carries, the result of an affair with a married, legendary politician.

But the car's new owner turns out to have secrets of her own, and as the glamorous and mysterious Annabelle Dommerich takes pregnant Pepper under her wing, the startling provenance of this car comes to light: a Nazi husband, a Jewish lover, a flight from Europe, and a love so profound it transcends decades. As the many threads of Annabelle's life from World War II stretch out to entangle Pepper in 1960s America, and the father of her unborn baby tracks her down to a remote town in coastal Georgia, the two women must come together to face down the shadows of their complicated pasts.

Indomitable heroines, a dazzling world of secrets, champagne at the Paris Ritz, and a sweeping love story for the ages, in New York Times bestselling author Beatriz William's final book about the Schuyler sisters.

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About the Author:

A graduate of Stanford University with an MBA from Columbia, Beatriz spent several years in New York and London hiding her early attempts at fiction, first on company laptops as a corporate and communications strategy consultant, and then as an at-home producer of small persons.

She now lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore, where she divides her time between writing and laundry.

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G.P Putnam’s Sons is giving 2 lucky winners a print copy of

Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams

US only