Monday, June 13, 2016

Mystic Summer - TLC Book Tours Review Stop

Review by Hope Smith
Maggie’s life is content.  She teaches at a private elementary school in Boston, has a loving boyfriend who wants to start living together, and a best friend who is getting married soon.  But when things start to fall apart for her, she decides to go back to her family and the comforts of home in Mystic.  While there she bumps into an old flame and learns that he’s currently raising his daughter as a single father.  The more time Maggie spends in Mystic, the more she reconsiders going back to Boston and her boyfriend. 

I’ve always loved stories of second chances and reuniting with a previous love.  This book gave me that and much more.  I really enjoyed the story and the characters were so likable it left me feeling like I was an extension of their family.  And who couldn’t fall in love with Mystic, Connecticut?  Talk about a romantic location!

Mystic Summer is a great addition to anyone’s summer reading list and one I definitely recommend.

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About the Author:
Hannah McKinnon is the author of The Lake Season and Mystic Summer. She graduated from Connecticut College and the University of South Australia. She lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with her family, a flock of chickens, and two rescue dogs.
            
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Thursday, June 9, 2016

You Know Me Well - Pub Week Promo & Giveaway

Who knows you well? Your best friend? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? A stranger you meet on a crazy night? No one, really?
Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have never crossed.
That is until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night. Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way.
When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other -- and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.
A book told in alternating points of view by Nina LaCour, the award-winning author of Hold Still andThe Disenchantments, and David Levithan, the best-selling author of Every Day and co-author of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green), You Know Me Well is a deeply honest story about navigating the joys and heartaches of first love, one truth at a time.

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About the Authors:
David Levithan:
I find it downright baffling to write about myself, which is why I’m considering it somewhat cruel and usual to have to write this brief bio and to update it now and then. The factual approach (born ’72, Brown ’94, first book ’03) seems a bit dry, while the emotional landscape (happy childhood, happy adolescence – give or take a few poems – and happy adulthood so far) sounds horribly well-adjusted. The only addiction I’ve ever had was a brief spiral into the arms of diet Dr Pepper, unless you count My So-Called Life episodes as a drug. I am evangelical in my musical beliefs.

When not writing during spare hours on weekends, I am a publisher and editorial director at Scholastic, and the founding editor of the PUSH imprint, which is devoted to finding new voices and new authors in teen literature. Among the authors I’ve edited and/or published under the Scholastic Press imprint are Suzanne Collins, Maggie Stiefvater, Ann M. Martin, Garth Nix, Patrick Carman, Natalie Standiford, Alice Hoffman, Gordon Korman, M. T. Anderson, Blake Nelson, Cecil Castellucci, and many, many other awesome writers.

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Nina LaCour:
Nina LaCour is the author of three critically acclaimed young adult novels published by Dutton Books: Hold StillThe Disenchantments, and Everything Leads to You. You Know Me Well, a novel written in collaboration with David Levithan, is forthcoming from St. Martin's Griffin in June, 2016.
She has tutored, taught, and guest lectured in various places, including Berkeley City College, Maybeck High School, Stanford University, and Mills College, where she received an MFA in Creative Writing in 2006. Her novels have been Junior Library Guild selections, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and have appeared on many state and regional lists. Nina won the 2009 Northern California Book Award for Children’s Literature, was featured in Publishers Weekly as a Flying Starts Author, and was a finalist for the William C. Morris award. She loves teaching, reading work by emerging and established writers, and talking about the craft of fiction.

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her wife, photographer Kristyn Stroble, and their daughter.

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St. Martin’s Griffin is giving one lucky winner a print copy of
You Know Me Well by David Levithan and Nina LaCour

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Forever Beach - Pub Week Giveaway

From the New York Times bestselling author of Beach Colors and Breakwater Bay comes this heartwarming story of love, family, and redemption. Two young girls pledged to be best friends forever. Separated by circumstance and hurt, they are reunited years later as they struggle to put their differences aside for the sake of a special little girl—perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Elin Hilderbrand, and Karen White.

One woman struggling to hold on to what she has,

One woman learning to forgive

Their lives entwined by one little girl. 

Sarah Hargreave is anxious to finalize the adoption of her foster daughter Leila. Once a foster child herself, Sarah longs to become Leila’s “forever” family and give her all the love and stability she was denied in her own childhood. When Leila’s biological mother suddenly reappears and petitions the court for the return of her daughter, Sarah is terrified she’ll lose the little girl she loves to the drug addicted mother who abandoned her.

Having grown up in foster care, Ilona Cartwright fights for the rights of children who have no one to fight for them. But to Sarah she is Nonie Blanchard, who grew up in the same group foster home as Sarah. They’d promised to be best friends forever, then Nonie was adopted by a wealthy family, and Sarah never heard from her again. Sarah still hurts from the betrayal. But Nonie harbors her own resentment toward the past. 

Mistrustful of each other, the two women form a tenuous alliance to ensure Leila’s future, but when Leila’s very survival is on the line, they’ll have to come to terms with their own feelings of hurt and rejection to save the child they both have come to love. 

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About the author:

SHELLEY NOBLE is the NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author of the women's fiction novel BEACH COLORS, a #1 Nook bestseller, STARGAZEY POINT three novellas, Holidays at Crescent Cove, Stargazey Nights, BREAKWATER BAY and WHISPER BEACH.

As SHELLEY FREYDONT she is the author of the CELEBRATION BAY FESTIVAL MYSTERIES (Berkley Prime Crime) as well and two other mystery series, and the upcoming Gilded Age Newport Mystery series. Her mysteries have been translated into ten languages.

A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. Shelley lives near the New Jersey shore where she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and vintage carousels.

Connect with the author at:

William Morrow Paperbacks is giving one lucky winner a print copy of
Forever Beach by Shelley Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

The Wedding Sisters - Pub Week Review & Giveaway

Meryl and Hugh Becker are thrilled that all three of their daughters are engaged to be married, and to high profile men, but the truth is they can’t afford to pay for three separate weddings.  That’s when they suggest having one big wedding for all three of them.  In theory it sounded reasonable, but as secrets are revealed and chaos ensues the worry over everyone actually walking down the aisle becomes the bigger concern. 

The Wedding Sisters was a fun, yet emotionally charged, novel.  I enjoyed each sister’s story and the overall focus on family.  This story was very well written, had fun characters and held my attention throughout.   This would be the perfect book to take on vacation and escape with.

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About the Author:
Jamie Brenner has spent over a dozen years in book publishing as a publicist, scout, and agent before realizing that she couldn't work in the world of books without at least trying to write one herself. Her previous novels include the historical The Gin Lovers, named by Fresh Fiction as one of the Top Thirteen Books to read in 2013. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and today lives in Manhattan with her husband and two daughters.

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St. Martin’s Press is giving one lucky winner a print copy of
The Wedding Sisters by Jamie Brenner

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, June 2, 2016

A Daughter's Dream - Review & Giveaway


A Daughter's Dream
The Charmed Amish Life #2
By: Shelley Shepard Gray
Releasing May 24, 2016
Avon Inspire

Review by Hope Smith
It’s always been Rebecca’s dream to be a school teacher.  She has been given the opportunity to fill in occasionally, but has found connecting with the children to be a bit of a struggle.  That is until Lily joins her class.  But upon meeting her uncle, Rebecca is instantly taken by his good looks and charm, but doesn’t feel right entertaining the thought of any type of relationship with her student’s guardian.

Jacob has taken on the role of caregiver to his thirteen year old niece after she loses her parents in an accident.  But being thrust into single parenthood practically overnight has proven to be a challenge.  And moving back home with his parents and helping out at the farm, Jacob realizes more and more that farming is not the life for him.

This is the first Amish book I’ve read.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised in how the book read.  I felt an instant connection with the characters and loved the premise of the story.  Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.

Buy Links:   
Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo 

About the Author:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Hold Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

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Enter to win one of three copies of
A SON’S VOW, book one in The Charmed Amish Life series

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Gamer Girl - Review

Review by Emily Joseph
Since losing her parents at a young age, Meri Palmer has turned to video games to escape the loneliness in her life.  She develops a connection to them that she has yet to find in the real world.  Although her family and friends encourage her to engage in more social activities, the thought doesn’t interest her until she gets wind that her work’s bike messenger may have his eye on her. 

Growing up in the age of video games, I was excited to see how the author would incorporate technology into a chick lit book.  I was very impressed with how she transitioned from one world to the next, incorporating gamer lingo while also introducing us to a whole host of fun characters (I especially loved her grandmother!).

A fun, light read that will have you rooting for Meri to put down the remote and be the heroine in her own game of life. 

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About the Author:
Glynis never expected in her wildest dreams to be a writer. After thirteen years in the Human Resources Industry, she decided to stay at home with her two amazing sons. Ever in search of a project, she was inspired to write the story of how, in only six short months, she met and married her wonderfully romantic French husband, Sebastien. The end result became her first novel, French Twist. As this was just the beginning of their epic love story, Glynis continued to chronicle their adventures in the sequel, French Toast, and the final installment in the series, French Fry. After she finished milking her life story for all it was worth, she decided to write straight-up fiction with Gamer Girl, which infuses her beloved chick lit with a hint of fantasy.

When Glynis is not writing, she is trying to keep the peace amongst the three men and two cats in her life, finding missing body parts (Lego pieces are small!), supervising a myriad of homework assignments and keeping a tenuous hold on her sanity by consuming whatever chocolate is in the vicinity.

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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Review & Giveaway

Review by Hope Smith
Bittersweet is the perfect word to describe Rosalia’s story.  Kidnapped and abused, Rosalia was rescued by nuns and brought to the convent.  There she turned to baking as a way to heal.  Her story is the inspiration behind some of the delicious pastries.  And when a food writer catches wind of this unique convent based bakery, she’s anxious to not only sample some of the desserts, but also learn more about the history behind it all.  But what she’ll take away from it is more than just a fascinating story.  She’ll see how food is much more than just nourishment for the body, but also food for the soul. 

Both tragic and sweet, this story will bring about many emotions.  The author does a delicious job incorporating mouth-watering desserts and even gifts us with some recipes at the end. 

Overall a worth-while read and one I would definitely recommend.

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About the Author:
ROSANNA CHIOFALO is the author of Bella Fortuna, Carissima, Stella Mia and Seven Days of Christmas, a novella that appears in the When The Snow Falls collection.

An avid traveler, she enjoys setting her novels in the countries she's visited. A first-generation Italian American, her novels also draw on her rich cultural background. When she isn't traveling or daydreaming about her characters, Rosanna keeps busy testing out new recipes in her kitchen.

Currently, she is hard at work writing her next novel.

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Kensington Publishing is giving 1 lucky winner a print copy of
Rosalia’s Bittersweet Pastry Shop by Rosanna Chiofalo

a Rafflecopter giveaway