Review & Giveaway: Ask Me Why by Virginia Kantra, Shirley Jump, Marie Force & Jodi Thomas

Ask Me Why by Virginia Kantra, Shirley Jump, Marie Force & Jodi Thomas
Publisher: Jove
Publication date: July 7th 2015
My rating: 4 stars 
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New novellas in the Green Mountain, Harmony, Southern Belle Book Club, and Dare Island series!

From four contemporary romance stars, stories filled with first kisses, first dances, and happily-ever-afters…

You’ll Be Mine by Marie Force: Will Abbott and Cameron Murphy are finally ready to tie the knot—as long as family, friends and a love-struck moose don’t get in the way.

Midnight Bet by Jodi Thomas: When cousins Rick and Lizzy Matheson of Harmony, Texas, wind up on the wrong side of an attempted shooting, they know they’re in deep. Still, the biggest danger is losing their hearts—Rick to an old flame and Lizzy to an old friend she’d never noticed before…

Wrapped Around Your Finger by Shirley Jump: Maggie McBride is just one of the guys in the hard-knocks world of construction. Until she’s dared to ask Nick Patterson to a wedding, enticing her to knock down some walls—and risk falling in love.

Carolina Heart by Virginia Kantra: Determined to leave her wild past behind, Cynthie Lodge is forging a new life for herself and her daughters—one that’s man-free and drama-free. But when her high school crush shows up on Dare Island, he’s determined to make her break her rules… 

My Thoughts on each novella:

Midnight Bet by Jodi Thomas:

This was a double romance, one for each Matheson cousin, Rick and Lizzie.

Rick’s an attorney with a lot of enemies and Trace is a U.S. Marshall who has guarded him in the past. Since they parted ways, Trace hasn’t answered any of his emails or calls, but Rick can’t get her off his mind. Trace can’t hide her feelings when a Rick’s life may be in danger again.

Lizzie’s is the oddball of the Matheson clan. She’s never fit it and she’s long past trying to. Lizzie has a big heart, but someone has it in for her. When it becomes apparent that her life is in serious danger, the town vet and her neighbor, Dr. McCall steps in and an attraction Lizzie never considered starts to simmer between them.

I liked Rick, but Trace was a little too remote for me. I never got a real handle on her. I was rooting for a happy ending for the two, but their story paled compared to Lizzie and McCall’s.  Their  quiet, but moving romance between Lizzie and Dr. McCall. They lived right next door, but Lizzie always thought a broken heart kept McCall at a distance, or maybe that he just preferred animals to people. McCall turned out to be all sorts of perfect for Lizzie and sort of her knight-in-shining-armor!  So very sweet!

Rick & Trace’s romance: 3 Stars

Lizzie & McCall’s romance: 4 Stars

You’ll Be Mine by Marie Force:

I adore Marie Force’s Green Mountain series! Every story is charming with plenty of sizzle, but Will and Cameron’s romance will always hold a special place in my heart. “Getting to attend” their wedding was a real treat. Will and Cameron’s special bond was brilliantly captured in this novella, with some super hot sexy times, of course! The Abbott family’s love and hilarious antics won Cameron’s heart and mine from the first book forward. Fred the Moose, who was partly responsible for bringing Will and Cam together, makes a memorable appearance, rounding out the evening.

I was very intrigued by the prospect of a romance for Patrick, Cameron’s rich city dad, who has a player reputation.  Mary, the Abbott’s store manager captures his eye, and although Mary is flattered, she’s cautious. I’m crossing my fingers, but I guess we’ll see.

4 Stars

Wrapped Around Your Finger by Shirley Jump:

Maggie the opposite of a Southern Belle, she’s a construction worker, but has to go back to her roots for her best friend’s wedding. She’s been dared to bring a date, and if she doesn’t Maggie knows she’ll be paired off with someone’s wacky second cousin. Maggie’s always been attracted to Nick, her sexy co-worker, but he’s had a revolving door of dates (so she thinks) and Maggie doesn’t want to be another one of many, but Nick’s about the only guy she can think of to bring.  Can she keep her feelings in check spending a week pretending to be a couple? Well, we certainly hope not!

Nick was a peach and I just melted over him. Maggie was tough as nails and just wouldn’t budge or believe in Nick’s sincerity. Her constant denial and pushing was seriously annoying. I face palmed several times, but I glad Maggie finally pulled her head out!

3 Stars

Carolina Heart by Virginia Kantra:

Cynthie’s mother has always said “You have a soft heart and willing hands. A pretty girl don’t need more.” So Cynthie has never thought of herself as a smart girl, but she’s trying to make a better life for her and her girls by going back to school.  Max was in love with Cynthie in high school, a fact she never knew, being she was the school’s looker and he was just a nerdy kid. But now, Max is all grown up, back working on Dare Island, and seeing Cynthie again brings back all his feelings.  He’s determined to get the girl this time.

I admired Cynthie so much. She worked hard as a single mom and wanted to be a good example for them. She was cautious about Max, partly because of her girls, but also because her low self-esteem made her feel inadequate for someone successful and smart like Max. Max was such a super sweetie and I fell hard for that man! He helped bolster Cynthie’s confidence and provided support without robbing Cynthie of her dignity.  She in turn cared for Max, something he never had growing up, and it meant the world to him. I loved Max and Cynthie’s story. Virginia Kantra skillfully avoided the insta-love pit a novella can fall into, and instead gave us a slow (but very HOT!) burn romance full of longing and with just enough build-up to make the payoff oh-so-sweet!

4.5 Stars

The publisher has generously provided a Paperback Copy of Ask Me Why to one Readers Den follower. Entrants must be 18 years or older.  Giveaway is open to US or Canadian Residents only. Simply fill in the rafflecopter for a chance to win. 

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Chasing River by K.A. Tucker

I'm excited to be part of the Review Tour for K.A. Tucker's CHASING RAIN because I've enjoyed this series so much. CHASING RIVER is a Suspenseful Romance novel, and the third novel in K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water Series, published by Atria books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster. As part of my tour stop I have my review as well as the amazing gift provided! Be sure to scroll down and fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to wine. You can check out details on the previous installments on the way down.

CHASING RIVER US Links:

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CHASING RIVER UK Links:

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About Chasing River: Armed with two years' worth of savings and the need to experience life outside the bubble of her Oregon small town, twenty-five-year old Amber Welles is prepared for anything. Except dying in Dublin.  Had it not been for the bravery of a stranger, she might have. But he takes off before she has the chance to offer her gratitude.

Twenty-four-year-old River Delaney is rattled. No one was supposed to get hurt. But then that American tourist showed up. He couldn't let her die, but he also couldn’t risk being identified at the scene—so, he ran. Back to his everyday life of running his family’s pub.  Only, everyday life is getting more and more complicated, thanks to his brother, Aengus, and his criminal associations. When the American girl tracks River down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him.  And how dangerous it is to have her around. Chasing her off would be the smart move.

Maybe it's because he saved her life, or maybe it's because he's completely different from everything she's left behind, but Amber finds herself chasing after River Delaney. Amber isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone.
And River isn't the kind of guy she'd want to catch.

 My Thoughts:

Amber Welles has always been the “good girl” growing up.  She didn’t feel she had much choice with the scrutiny that comes with being the daughter of the town’s Sheriff.  Amber actually didn’t mind that so much, because it was never in her to make waves or cause problems. For the last two years she’s been saving her money for a four month trip all over the globe.  She’s ready to get out of Oregon and see the outside world and live a little. Amber was excited for the adventure that lay ahead in Ireland.  What Amber wasn’t expecting is the pipe bomb that would’ve killed her had a handsome stranger there just in time to save her life.

River’s family has lived around conflict and the danger in Ireland for years.  His family fought in the IRA years back, until his father was nearly killed and the ideals and goals seemed to put human life second. Unfortunately, River’s brother Aengus has always gravitated to trouble.  This trouble leads River to being in the right spot at the right time to save a pretty American who was about to be collateral damage in one of Aengus’ idiotic plots. River never dreamed Amber would track him down to thank him, but now that she has he doesn’t want to let her go.

I’ve loved this series from the beginning. A little bit of suspense mingled in with a burgeoning romance is just my cup of tea. When River knocks Amber out of harm, saving her life, he also brands a little piece of himself into her heart. When she catches up with him and sees him in his element, his charm is the last nail in the coffin when it comes to her heart.  I do appreciate that Amber didn’t sacrifice who she was at her core when she found out exactly what was going on, but also didn’t let her long held beliefs prejudice her completely when it came to River and his situation.  I also appreciated that even though River made Amber want to throw out all her plans for him, she realized that she needed to step back and analyze the situation and make sure her feelings were solid, real and something that could be built upon and made more permanent. Amber was completely swept up by her feelings for River, more than any other past relationship, so it really took a lot of strength to realize she needed perspective before making any rash decisions.

River is completely taken with Amber. He loves her strength of character, and her strong moral code, but those qualities could be exactly the reason Amber wouldn’t take a chance on him with his history.  When they’re together all their chemistry and attraction make those thoughts fly out the door, and River wonders how he can make their “torrid affair” turn into more.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the setting and have always wanted to visit Ireland.  Falling in love with a sexy Irish hero, in a centuries old bar where family and friends are the regulars sounds like an amazing experience to me! I could do without the danger Aengus brought to the Delaney family, but in this story it added just the right amount of danger and suspense to make Chasing River a captivating read.  With that said, Aengus was a right idiot and his decisions cost his family dearly.  To me, getting out of prison would be a perfect time for a second chance at a good life. Apparently Aengus didn’t get the memo.

I didn’t realize this at first, but Amber is the younger sister of Jesse from Burying Water. She was completely opposite from Jesse in that she never got into trouble, but her circumstances in Ireland give her a different view on life entirely and I think for once she was able to see how a good person could get caught up in a situation.  I think she matured enough to realize that real life isn’t always black and white.  Embracing the unexpected gave Amber a dose of passion she never thought possible, and I just loved how things turned out.  I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of Amber and River in the next installment!

   

     

And don’t forget BURYING WATER and BECOMING RAIN, the first two books in this thrilling series…

BURYING WATER

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo ** IndieBound

BECOMING RAIN

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo ** IndieBound

  About K.A. Tucker: Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. Tucker published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.          

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads ** YouTube ** Pinterest ** Instagram

 

 

 

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Blog Tour: Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Hi all, today as part of the Jesse's Girl Blog Tour by Miranda Kenneally hosted by Xpresso Book Tours, I get to share my wonderful review with you of this great book. But first here's a bit about the book. 

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: July 7th 2015 

Practice Makes Perfect. Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol. But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

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I adore how Kenneally is always able to make me change my opinion about a character she creates. I of course went in to Jesse’s Girl expecting to be wooed off my feet by Jesse in this book, but instead I found myself really miffed by his behaviour. I couldn’t understand that being in the spot light 24/7 and as famous as Jesse at such a young age makes you a vulnerable person that you have to keep your guard up. But when a person like Maya comes along and is given the chance to shadow you at least try and be polite. I was glad that Maya wasn’t one of those push over girls, but took Jesse’s mood swings in her stride. Even though Maya wasn’t a fan of Jesse, if a famous person had spoken to me in that way on our first meeting, I probably would have fled in tears. Jesse’s first appearance aside, I liked the concept that Kenneally gives us in Jesse’s Girl, Jesse and Maya are two very opposite sort of people and so having to work with one another for the day made them both see things a whole lot differently, (especially me! Where did this new Jesse come from?).

On the day Maya was set up to shadow Jesse was the highlight of this book for me. There was so much that Jesse and Maya were able to try out that neither of them had done before, that it made me wish that I could have one of these days full with laughter and fun for myself. And because this day was so ram packed with so much going on, and because of the relationship that was formed because of it made me feel as if this adventurous day took place over a few days instead. It was good seeing Jesse open up a bit more and let down his hair and although he didn’t feel he could fully trust Maya completely (which I understood after what he had been through) I liked that he went out all there to make the most of this day and give Maya a day she wouldn’t forget.

I really enjoyed seeing Maya and Jesse’s relationship unfold, with a lot of barriers along the way you never really knew which way things would go. But I appreciated this cute story that Kenneally gave us. What I think I was happier about was the appearance of one of my all time favourite characters. I always love going back to characters and finding out what’s going on with their lives again. This character had not changed one bit, but I loved him for his over protectiveness, his nature to want to achieve things by himself and not rely on others and for being the loveable character he always is.

Jesse’s Girl was a really unexpected sort of read for me, but one I still thoroughly enjoyed nevertheless. Kenneally was once again able to easily lure you into her stories with her gorgeous writing that you never want to leave her stories or characters! I can’t wait to meet more wonderful characters along the way!.

AUTHOR BIO: Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.

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Review: Breathe Annie Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Breathe Annie Breathe by Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: July 15th 2014
My rating: 4 stars 

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race. But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

"If you don't put yourself out there, if you don't take risks, you can't truly feel"

Miranda Kenneally is an author whose books I know I can rely upon time and time again. This last month has been my worst reading month ever, I think I’ve only been able to finish one book and books which have been highly recommended to me too have been falling flat for me too. So with the release of Jesse’s Girl just around the corner, I was itching to get back to Kenneally’s Hundred Oaks series, I have enjoyed every single one of these books so far and really just wanted to read a book that I was in the mood for. And honestly I couldn’t have picked a better book.

Annie had decided to take upon the marathon for her boyfriend Kyle, Annie’s never been a runner, so to accomplish this in such a short amount of time would be amazing. Annie had experienced a lot of heartache the last few months, so I was completely rooting for Annie to be able to complete the marathon not only for Kyle but for herself too. I liked how Kenneally didn’t give us the whole back story to Kyle and Annie’s relationship, but bits of it over the course of the story. I was super curious to find out what actually happened and what made Annie want to do this in the first place. It was a real struggle at times reading about Annie and Kyle’s time together, because it was such a beautiful relationship, but Kenneally eased us into their story perfectly. I also appreciated the way Kenneally showed Annie’s growth over the course of the book, yes there was potentially a great relationship that Annie could have with Jeremiah, but I liked how Annie decided to take her time until she was ready for it, also that Jeremiah was willing to give Annie all the time she needed. I always love this quality in a guy.

Jeremiah was also another fantastic guy that Kenneally has introduced us to (I hope you keep them coming!) yes he would go out there to get his adrenaline rush, but deep down he was such a sweet guy. The last couple of months for Annie had been really tough, she didn’t really have anyone or anything she could turn to, so Jeremiah coming along was the ray of sunshine that she needed all along. He could be such a goof at times and make me laugh out loud and then he could bust out with the most romantic line ever that would have you forever swooning. I always thought I knew who my favourite crush would be from the Hundred Oaks series, but now with the introduction of Jeremiah I’m not so sure.

Once again I loved how Kenneally infused a sports themed storyline into this book, If you didn’t know already I’m the biggest ever sports geek. But also this book couldn’t have come at a better time for me, as I’d recently taken up running up in my spare time, so I could completely get into the running story line in this book. Also I do love it when authors keep you in the loop about how other favourite characters of yours from the series are getting on. I appreciate it more when it’s not just subtle mentions, but are around for most of the book too, so thanks once again Miranda for being the master at weaving previous characters into your work!

The Hundred Oaks series for me is one of the best series I have read in a long time, I’ve realised that each story I’ve become to love more and each character I end up falling for even more. I highly recommend everyone reading this series as it is one that no one should be missing out on!

Review: Song of Summer by Laura Lee Anderson

Song of Summer by Laura Lee Anderson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Publication date: July 7th 2015
My rating: 2.5 stars 
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The thirteen qualities of Robin’s Perfect Man range from the mildly important “Handsome” to the all-important “Great taste in music.” After all, Westfield’s best high school folk musician can’t go out with some shmuck who only listens to top 40 crap. When hot Carter Paulson walks in the door of Robin’s diner, it looks like the list may have come to life. It’s not until the end of the meal that she realizes he’s profoundly deaf.

Carter isn’t looking for a girlfriend. Especially not a hearing one. Not that he has anything against hearing girls, they just don’t speak the same language. But when the cute waitress at Grape Country Dairy makes an effort to talk with him, he takes her out on his yellow Ducati motorcycle.

Told in first person alternating perspectives, language, music, and culture go along for the ride as Carter and Robin find their song.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed parts Song of Summer. Ms. Anderson was able to stir up dreamy feelings, and at times it was as if I was under a delicious, swoony spell.  Unfortunately, other parts were very angsty, and a few things just didn’t sit well with me.

Robin’s whole life revolves around music. She sings and plays several instruments and working at the Grape Country Dairy diner is helping her save for a coveted guitar. Even her ex-boyfriend, Trent, is all about music which made his dumping of her hard to take. She is still smarting over that, but that soon changes when Carter walks into the diner, and Robin goes into deep crush mode. He’s gorgeous and apparently smitten with Robin, too, the only drawback is Carter is deaf.  Still, they share an immediate and intense attraction.

Both Robin and Carter make attempts to fit into each other’s world, but as they soon come to discover that is no easy feat. Add in both Carter and Robin’s past love interests showing up and causing divisions, and you have a heck of a lot to overcome.

Robin’s life and happiness is so wrapped up in music, that is was ironic, and at times painful that she fell so hard for a person who was unable to share that important part of her life. 

Carter is comfortable in his life in the close-knit Deaf community back home, and he thoroughly detested any who looked at him as deficient, and I can understand where he was coming from. Having a hearing girlfriend was never on the agenda.

I really wanted to love this story. I read the synopsis and fell in love with the premise, but there were just too many things that didn’t work for me.

Trying to get along in the hearing world seemed like trying to get by in another country where you don’t speak the language.  It would be hard not to feel completely left out.  The same applied to Robin when she tried to hang out with Carter’s sister, and his ex-girlfriend, Jolene.  The awkwardness was amplified by the difference in their home base. Carter is a city guy and Robin is a small town girl. And, boy did Jolene jump on those insecurities! I couldn’t stand the drama caused by their exes; more so with Jolene, because Carter allowed it. I was NOT okay with that at all, one instance in particular. But that could just be me. I am a jealous sort of person, and some things that would bug me may not bother others.

I’m not a fan of insta-love romances, but sometimes they can work.  Robin and Carter had really amazing chemistry at the start, so I could’ve been on board had I felt the emotions to support it.  However, I never felt they shared their innermost thoughts; in fact Robin downplayed her absolute love of music whenever she was with Carter. She didn’t really share just how important and vital it was to her until the end.  They both felt like supreme outsiders in each other’s world at different times in the story, but never shared about that! How can you be close, be “in love” with someone when you don’t share what you’re thinking and feeling?  Also, Robin flies off the handle after making an assumption, and she blocks all attempts at explanation from Carter. If you love someone, you let them have the chance to explain! It was completely frustrating. 

Another big ding against this story is the open ending. I know some feel that an open ending is more realistic, especially in view of this being a YA, but that’s not me.  I am definitely not a fan, even if there is a little hope left there in the end.  I was not thrilled with how we got so little after everything. But hey, that’s me, and readers who don’t mind imagining their own HEA based of a little thread of hope thrown out there probably won’t have an issue. I like my endings nice and tightly wrapped up, realistic or not.  I read that the author has a Christmas novella possibly in the works.  I hope that’s true. I would like to read it for closure.