Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Release Day! Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards ~ My Thoughts #CloverBlue #NetGalley

Happy Release Day!!

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Congrats Eldonnna
on the release today of
Clover Blue!

Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards
Print and e-book, 304 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2019 by A John Scognamiglio Book

Set against the backdrop of a 1970s commune in Northern California, Clover Blue is a compelling, beautifully written story of a young boy’s search for identity.

There are many things twelve-year-old Clover Blue isn’t sure of: his exact date of birth, his name before he was adopted into the Saffron Freedom Community, or who his first parents were. What he does know with certainty is that among this close-knit, nature-loving group, he is happy. Here, everyone is family, regardless of their disparate backgrounds—surfer, midwife, Grateful Dead groupie, Vietnam deserter. But despite his loyalty to the commune and its guru-like founder Goji, Blue grapples with invisible ties toward another family—the one he doesn’t remember.

With the urging of his fearless and funny best friend, Harmony, Clover Blue begins to ask questions. For the first time, Goji’s answers fail to satisfy. The passing months bring upheaval to their little clan and another member arrives, a beautiful runaway teen named Rain, sparking new tensions. As secrets slowly unfurl, Blue’s beliefs—about Goji, the guidelines that govern their seemingly idyllic lives, and the nature of family itself—begin to shift. With each revelation about a heartbreaking past he never imagined, Blue faces a choice between those he’s always trusted, and an uncertain future where he must risk everything in his quest for the truth.

Part coming-of-age tale, part love story, part mystery, Clover Blue tenderly explores an unconventional but no less complex family that resonates with our deep-rooted yearning for home.

    

My thoughts about Clover Blue~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"The Olders are letting us watch the birth. Harmony runs down the path ahead of me, her bare feet kicking up a cloud of dust."

I loved this book! Not only did it take me back to the 1970s, which is a time I lived through, but it also was full of wonderful characters, people that I came to know and love, just as they all loved each other.

I loved the deep friendship that Blue and Harmony had together and the strength that they drew from each other. Really, the dynamics of everyone in the Community was so interesting. This story captured what I think it was probably like to live in a commune in the 70s, with all the peace and love that was the motto back then.

Clover Blue is perfectly content in the only life he has known, until he starts asking the Olders about his life before he arrived at the Saffron Freedom Community. So typical of teenagers of any time period, he questions his elders and questions their motives, that rebellion things we all go though. As he digs for answers, will he be content to stay where he has lived most of his life?

Clover Blue is a unique, beautiful story that I loved getting lost in. I loved everything about it—the cast of characters, the relationships both in the community and with the outside world, witnessing the love and support that they all gave each other, and watching Clover Blue grow and mature into a fine young man. I highly recommend Clover Blue and you definitely need to add it to your TBR list.

I received a copy of Clover Blue via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Eldonna Edwards

Eldonna Edwards grew up in a large family nestled between cornfields and churches in the provincial Midwest. She eventually escaped the harsh winters, moving to California where she expanded her career from journaling teacher to author to beloved writer's conference instructor and public speaker. The voice in her best-selling debut novel This I Know, comes straight from the heart and has won over the hearts of readers everywhere. In her second novel Clover Blue (June 2019) Eldonna once again explores themes of otherness and belonging, and the true definition of home.

Eldonna is also the subject of the award-winning documentary Perfect Strangers that follows one kidney patient and one potential kidney donor in their search for a possible match. Her 2014 memoir Lost in Transplantation chronicles this life-changing decision. Eldonna currently lives and writes in a tiny pink house with her best friend, Brer.

"Luminous Stories, Unlikely Heroes." Eldonna is drawn to stories about community--the places we live, the families we're born into, and the tribes we gravitate toward. She prefers hometown settings peopled with recognizable characters from the grocery store, a neighborhood cafe or noisy schoolyard. Her books explore the bigger questions of one's meaning and purpose, and the overlapping consequences of our choices, good and bad. Eldonna integrates humor into her stories to balance the complex and sometimes darker aspects of challenging situations. ~ Goodreads

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Release Day! Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor by Rebecca Rosenberg

Happy Release Day!!

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Congrats Rebecca
on the release today of
Gold Digger!

Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor by Rebecca Rosenberg
Print and e-book, 290 pages
Published May 28th 2019 by Lion Heart Publishing

One look at Baby Doe and you know she was meant to be a legend! She was just twenty years old when she came to Colorado to work a gold mine with her new husband. Little did she expect that she’d be abandoned and pregnant and left to manage the gold mine alone. But that didn’t stop her!

She moved to Leadville and fell in love with a married prospector, twice her age. Horace Tabor struck the biggest silver vein in history, divorced his wife and married Baby Doe. Though his new wife was known for her beauty, her fashion, and even her philanthropy, she was never welcomed in polite society.

Discover how the Tabors navigated the worlds of wealth, power, politics, and scandal in the wild days of western mining.

    

I loved this story and my trip back to the Old West. Baby Doe Tabor was an fascinating woman. Read my thoughts about this wonderful book here.

About the author

Rebecca Rosenberg

California native Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where she and her husband founded the largest lavender product company in America. A long-time student of Jack London's work and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian, Rosenberg is a graduate of the Stanford Writing Certificate Program.

Her books include: Gold Digger, the Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor, The Secret Life of Mrs. London, Lavender Fields of America, and the Champagne Widows series (2020). ~ Amazon

Connect with Rebecca

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Release Day! Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank #QueenBee #NetGalley

Happy Release Day!!

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Congrats Dorothea
on the release today of
Queen Bee!

Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank
Series: Lowcountry Tales #12
Print and e-book, 432 pages
Published May 28th 2019 by  by William Morrow

New York Times-bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank returns to the American South in this latest novel about friendship and love that is full of heart, humor, and rich description.

A woman wounded by her past comes to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina to find new meaning in life and to find herself. As she takes up a new hobby of beekeeping, she begins to come into her own and rebuild her life. When a new friend comes in and she finally allows for something more than just "friendship", everyone will realize that life could use a little taste of sweetness.

In what is sure to be another classic, Dorothea Benton Frank weaves a fun tale of self-discovery, love, and friendship with her signature charming wit, indelible poignancy, and hallmark themes.

    

I love this author's stories! And I just got approved to read Queen Bee from NetGalley. Yay! So I'll be enjoying this one real soon. 

About the author

Dorothea Benton Frank

Dorothea Benton Frank is the New York Times best selling author of ten novels.

Dottie has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk and many local network affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library organizations and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She has also been a guest speaker at the South Carolina Book Festival, Novello, North Carolina's festival of books and the Book and Author annual event in Charleston, SC, sponsored by the Post & Courier.

Before she began her writing career, Dottie was involved extensively in the arts and education, and in raising awareness and funding for various non profits in New Jersey and New York.

Dottie, who was born and raised on Sullivan's Island in South Carolina, currently divides her time between South Carolina and New Jersey. ~ Goodreads

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Monday, May 27, 2019

I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie ~ My Thoughts #IllNeverTell #NetGalley

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I'll Never Tell

I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
Print and e-book, 380 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2019 by Lake Union

What happened to Amanda Holmes?

Twenty years ago, she washed up on shore in a rowboat with a gash to the head after an overnight at Camp Macaw. No one was ever charged with a crime.

Now, the MacAllister children are all grown up. After their parents die suddenly, they return to Camp to read the will and decide what to do with the prime real estate it's sitting on. Ryan, the oldest, wants to sell. Margo, the family's center, hasn't made up her mind. Mary has her own horse farm to run, and believes in leaving well-enough alone. Kate and Liddie—the twins—have opposing views. And Sean Booth, the family groundskeeper, just hopes he still has a home when all is said and done.

But then the will is read and they learn that it's much more complicated than a simple vote. Until they unravel the mystery of what happened to Amanda, they can't move forward. Any one of them could have done it, and all of them are hiding key pieces of the puzzle. Will they work together to solve the mystery, or will their suspicions and secrets finally tear the family apart?

    

My thoughts about I'll Never Tell ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"We only started the lantern ceremony my second-to-last year at Camp Macaw. Yet it's buried in my summer memories like the smell of the smoke from the weekly campfire, the game we played that made it sound as if we were caught in a rainstorm, or the call-and-response of capture the flag bounding through the woods. Pine and mud, sand and sunscreen."

I'll Never Tell is an intriguing story about summer camp, family dynamics, and secrets—lots and lots of secrets. Everyone in the family has a secret and they all come out when the family gathers to determine what to do with the family camp, Camp Macaw—a summer camp that holds special memories for a lot of people. But after the tragedy that happened 20 years ago, some of those memories aren't so happy.

As the family secrets start to unravel, the reader is left trying to figure out who the guilty ones are. As I read I'll Never Tell, I was constantly going back and forth, sure I knew who-done-it. Then another secret was revealed and I had to change my thinking. The guessing and second guessing drove me to devour this book and I was still surprised at the ending. And more secrets.

Catherine has created another wonderful, page-turning, exciting story that will keep you engrossed until the end. It's full of interesting characters, with plenty of twists and turns, and like I said before, lots and lots of secrets. Once you start it, you're not going to want to put it down.

I received a copy of I'll Never Tell from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Catherine McKenzie

Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practices law in Montreal. An avid runner and skier, she's the author of numerous bestsellers including Hidden, Fractured and The Good Liar. Her works have been translated into multiple languages.

Hidden was a #1 Amazon bestseller and a Digital Bookworld bestseller for five weeks. Smoke was a #1 Amazon bestseller, and was named as a Best Book of October (Goodreads) and one of the Top 100 Books of 2015 (Amazon). Fractured was a Best Book of October 2016 (Goodreads). She is also the author of The Murder Game under her pseudonym, Julie Apple (the protagonist of Fractured). In 2018, The Good Liar, received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and was an instant Globe and Mail bestseller.

I'll Never Tell, will be published on June 1, 2019 (US/UK) and June 4, 2019 (Canada) and has been named one of the Most Anticipated Mysteries of 2019 by Goodreads. ~ Goodreads

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 27, 2019


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

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The Weird Sisters
by Eleanor Brown
This is our book club read this month. And I have a giveaway going on right now for a copy. Check it out!

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Dance of the Winnebagos
(Jackrabbit Junction #1)
by Ann Charles
Narrated by Lisa Larsen
(audio-book)

What I recently finished

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Clover Blue
by Eldonna Edwards
Pub date 5/28
My thoughts will be posted on Tuesday.

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Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor
by Rebecca Rosenberg
Pub date 5/28
Read my thoughts here.

What I am going to read next

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The Favorite Daughter
by Patti Callahan Henry

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Book Spotlight Giveaway! The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown


I have sooooo many books! The Book Spotlight Giveaway feature that I post every Saturday is a way for me to clear my shelves and to share some of the many books I have. This feature is a way for my to cull my collection and to give someone else the opportunity to enjoy these treasures.

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Good luck and be sure to stop back next week!

My book this week is one that I read way back in 2011. I loved it then and I selected it for our book club read this month. You can read my thoughts here. I'm excited to head back into the sister's weird world. I have an extra copy from book group that I'm giving away. From what I can see, the author is taking a break from writing for a bit but I sure hope that she comes back soon. 

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The Weird Sisters

The Weird Sisters
by Eleanor Brown

Paperback, 320 pages
Published January 20th 2011 by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam 

There is no problem that a library card can't solve.

The Andreas family is one of readers. Their father, a renowned Shakespeare professor who speaks almost entirely in verse, has named his three daughters after famous Shakespearean women. When the sisters return to their childhood home, ostensibly to care for their ailing mother, but really to lick their wounds and bury their secrets, they are horrified to find the others there.

See, we love each other. We just don't happen to like each other very much.

But the sisters soon discover that everything they've been running from -- one another, their small hometown, and themselves -- might offer more than they ever expected.


About the author

Photo by Joe Henson, NYC

Eleanor Brown is the New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of The Weird Sisters, The Light of Paris and the editor of the forthcoming anthology, A Paris All Your Own: Bestselling Women Writers on the City of Light. Her writing has been hailed by People magazine as “delightful” and “creative and original” by Library Journal.

Eleanor teaches writing workshops at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, CO, as well as writing conferences and centers nationwide. An avid CrossFit participant, Eleanor is the author of WOD Motivation and a contributor to CrossFit Journal.

Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, Eleanor lives with her family in Colorado.

Connect with Eleanor





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Friday, May 24, 2019

Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor by Rebecca Rosenberg ~ My Thoughts #GoldDigger #NetGalley

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Gold Digger

Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor by Rebecca Rosenberg
Print and e-book, 290 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2019 by Lion Heart Publishing

One look at Baby Doe and you know she was meant to be a legend! She was just twenty years old when she came to Colorado to work a gold mine with her new husband. Little did she expect that she’d be abandoned and pregnant and left to manage the gold mine alone. But that didn’t stop her!

She moved to Leadville and fell in love with a married prospector, twice her age. Horace Tabor struck the biggest silver vein in history, divorced his wife and married Baby Doe. Though his new wife was known for her beauty, her fashion, and even her philanthropy, she was never welcomed in polite society.

Discover how the Tabors navigated the worlds of wealth, power, politics, and scandal in the wild days of western mining.

    

My thoughts about Gold Digger~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"Tumbleweeds scraped across the Colorado prairie as Lizzie looked out the window of the Pullman railcar, rushing along rickety tracks, too fast, too far, even farther away from her family."

The story of Baby Doe Tabor is exciting—full of love, rich living, and beautiful things, while at the same time we get to witness the hard life she lived and the rags to riches and back to rags struggles she endured. She definitely was a very strong woman and one who was not afraid to speak her mind, which was pretty much unheard of at that time in the old West. What a spitfire she was!

I love that this story took me back to that old West and let me experience life the way it was back then. I became immersed in that time period and learned so much about the silver mining in that area. It was interesting to experience the life of an 'outsider' to the area as Baby Doe was shunned by society and was never really accepted. I admired her strength and her determination to get what she wanted.

Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor is a must read for historical fiction lovers. It truly gives us a look at the tough times, but also the glorious times, of the old West through the eyes of an amazing woman.

I received a copy of Gold Digger via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of this book.

About the author

Rebecca Rosenberg

California native Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where she and her husband founded the largest lavender product company in America. A long-time student of Jack London's work and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian, Rosenberg is a graduate of the Stanford Writing Certificate Program.

Her books include: Gold Digger, the Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor, The Secret Life of Mrs. London, Lavender Fields of America, and the Champagne Widows series (2020). ~ Amazon

Connect with Rebecca

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Thursday, May 23, 2019

Smoke and Mirrors by TJ Moore ~ My Thoughts #SmokeAndMirrors

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Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors by TJ Moore
Paperback, 316 pages
Published March 7th 2019

This collection of suspense features a diverse cast of characters facing their fears across America. 

A Mississippi carnival hypnotist makes moonshine, promising immortality. Mischievous pranksters rise to fame in Hollywood. Reality bends to its breaking point at a summer camp in Louisiana. Teenage friends investigate supernatural sightings near Malibu Pier. Vampires forge a family legacy, starting a peculiar business in Portland. A young mad scientist searches for an apprentice. New Jersey pet shop workers prepare for the arrival of a striped anaconda.

Discover the secrets of these modern stories about what happens after dark.

   

My thoughts about Smoke and Mirrors ~~

Smoke and Mirrors is outside of my normal reading genre, usually. And you may be wondering why I read something like this instead of my typical women's, chick-lit, or historical fiction. Little do you know that I am a huge Stephen King fan as well as a Dean Koontz reader. So I do have my dark side.

This wonderful collection of stories reminded me of these two authors with their dark, and a little bit weird, imaginations. And I am totally saying that as a compliment to TJ—I loved his dark and weird stories!

There is plenty of variety in this collection, all sorts of scenarios and characters that grab the reader's attention. I loved that after a few of them I just had to stop and think about what just happened, processing it all before I moved on.

I also have to mention the illustrations by Clare Doolittle are just amazing! It was fun to see her interpretation of the stories in her drawings.

I highly recommend Smoke and Mirrors if you are, like me, a King and/or Koontz fan, or if you love going down that dark and weird trail. This book will not disappoint.

I received an copy of Smoke and Mirrors from the author and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

An image posted by the author.

TJ Moore writes mystery fiction about eccentric characters, magical places, and supernatural events. Moore is the author of the CSI thriller novel Mind Games, fiction story collection Smoke and Mirrors, and feature-length screenplays including Special Delivery, Slick and Vector. He lives in North Hollywood, CA. ~ Amazon

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda ~ My Thoughts #TheFavoriteDaughter #NetGalley

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Congrats Kaira
on the release this week of
The Favorite Daughter!

The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda
Print and e-book, 384 pages
Published May 21st 2019 by Graydon House

From the author of Best Day Ever, another gripping novel of psychological suspense set in an upscale Southern California community, for fans of B.A. Paris and Shari Lapena.

The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie.

Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It's a place that seems too beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year ago, Jane's oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze of anti-depressants, she's barely even left the house.

Now that's all about to change.It's time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family. Jane's husband, David, has planned a memorial service for Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy, graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world, it's clear her family has changed without her. Her husband has been working long days--and nights--at the office. Her daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary was always such a good girl--dutiful and loving.

But does someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than they've revealed?The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and wives should never be broken. But you never know how far someone will go to keep a family together...

   

My thoughts about The Favorite Daughter ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"I glance at my creation and smile: Behold the dining room table. It is critical to create the proper atmosphere when entertaining, the illusion of perfection."

Jane has the perfect life. Well, except for the fact that her oldest daughter died in a tragic accident last year. And the fact that her youngest daughter had completely turned against her. Oh, and the fact that she suspects her husband is having an affair. Other than that, everything is perfect and she is in control—she has the perfect plan to make them all pay.

"None of it will matter in a couple of days, anyway, not if everything goes as it should."

The Favorite Daughter is a riveting, on the edge of your seat, story that knock your socks off. Jane is such an evil, conniving woman and everything she does fulfills a part of her master plan. A plan that she lets the reader in on to some degree. It was interesting to know her thought process throughout the book and to get a glimpse of her anger and sense of revenge.

This was definitely a unique story-line, where the reader is so much in the head of the main character. It was an amazing read that I couldn't put down! You definitely need to add it to your TBR list for this summer.

I received an ARC of The Favorite Daughter from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Kaira Rouda

Kaira Rouda is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction exploring what goes on behind closed doors of seemingly perfect lives. Her next novel, The Favorite Daughter, is out May 21.

She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.

If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, in person or via Skype/Facetime, please reach out through her website KairaRouda.com Sign up to receive a monthly email from Kaira with exclusive sales news, book excerpts, sweepstakes, and giveaways at: kairarouda.com/signup/ ~ Goodreads

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Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Release Day! Starfish by Lisa Becker ~ My Thoughts and the Trailer #Starfish

Happy Release Day!!

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Congrats Lisa
on the release today of
Starfish!

Starfish: A Rockstar Romance by Lisa Becker
e-book, 310 pages
Published May 21st 2019

Ambitious graduate Marin Collins accepts a four-month internship at a prestigious public relations firm to work on a tech account, but her plans are derailed when she’s assigned to go on the road with touring rock band Kings Quarters, hailed by Rolling Stone as the next big thing.

Enter Brad Osterhauser, the reluctant rock star who would rather be coding computer games than penning Grammy-nominated songs.

Traveling by bus, city to city with a group of practical joking bandmates and a greedy manager, Marin and Brad forge a friendship and forbidden romance over a shared love of Seinfeld episodes, stolen moments and Red Vines.

But when Marin’s accused of betraying her company and the band, will Brad come to her defense or believe she was disloyal to him for the sake of her career?

Told in alternating perspectives of Marin and Brad, Starfish is a contemporary romance of unexpected love, the redemptive power of music and hogging the bed.


My thoughts about Starfish ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"'Dress for the job you want.' Mom always used to say that. I remember watching her get ready for work when I was a little girl."

OMG! Starfish is an amazing, fun, hot story that will keep you turning the pages until the very end!

Marin's internship is not at all what she was wanting to land but she gives it her all, because that's just the way she does things. Her travels on the road, promoting a rock band, has her experiencing a completely different kind of life from what she's used to. The chemistry between Marin and Brad is steamy hot right from the start but she has a policy of not getting involved with co-workers, let alone employers. Yeah, right. How'd that work for you, Marin?

I seriously loved this story and enjoyed watching the relationship between Marin and Brad grow as they figured out their feelings for each other—and then acted on them. Hot, hot, hot! Lisa has created another delightful, engrossing tale that will sweep you off your feet. You really need to add Starfish to your summer reading list!

I received an ARC of Starfish from the author and this is my honest opinion of the book.

Trailer


About the author

Lisa Becker

Lisa Becker is an award-winning romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money - on books and margaritas. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com. ~ Goodreads

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Release Day! Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde

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Congrats Catherine
on the release today of
Have You Seen Luis Velez?!

Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Print and e-book, 320 pages
Published May 21st 2019 by Lake Union Publishing

From New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde comes a moving novel about two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear.

Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn’t belong. Not with his mother’s new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father’s wife. Not at school, where he’s an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he’s tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who’s introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez?

Mildred Gutermann, a German Jew who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, has been alone since her caretaker disappeared. She turns to Raymond for help, and as he tries to track Luis down, a deep and unexpected friendship blossoms between the two.

Despondent at the loss of Luis, Mildred isolates herself further from a neighborhood devolving into bigotry and fear. Determined not to let her give up, Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there’s hope if you have someone to hold on to.

   

I recently posted my review of Have You Seen Luis Velez? I loved this book, just like I have loved all of Catherine's books. She is such a wonderful storyteller. 

You can read my thoughts here

About the author

Catherine Ryan Hyde

I am the author of more than 30 published and forthcoming books, including ALLIE AND BEA, SAY GOODBYE FOR NOW, LEAVING BLYTHE RIVER, ASK HIM WHY, WORTHY, THE LANGUAGE OF HOOFBEATS, TAKE ME WITH YOU, WHERE WE BELONG, WHEN I FOUND YOU, WALK ME HOME, SECOND HAND HEART, DON'T LET ME GO, and WHEN YOU WERE OLDER.

I'm an avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, and have released my first book of photos, 365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE: PHOTOS FROM A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.

I am co-author, with fellow author and publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE: A SELF-HELP GUIDE.

My novel PAY IT FORWARD was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than 23 languages for distribution in over 30 countries. The paperback was released in October 2000 by Pocket Books and quickly became a national bestseller. Simon & Schuster released PAY IT FORWARD: YOUNG READERS' EDITION in August of '14. It is suitable for kids as young as eight. A special Fifteenth Anniversary Edition of the original PAY IT FORWARD was released in December of '14. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Catherine
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Release Day! The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister ~ And a Giveaway!

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Congrats Erica
on the release today of
The Scent Keeper!

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister
Print and e-book, 320 pages
Published May 21st 2019 by St. Martin's Press

Erica Bauermeister, the national bestselling author of The School of Essential Ingredients, presents a moving and evocative coming-of-age novel about childhood stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories capable of shaping the course of our lives. 

Emmeline lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t explain are the mysterious scents stored in the drawers that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world--a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination.

Lyrical and immersive, The Scent Keeper explores the provocative beauty of scent, the way it can reveal hidden truths, lead us to the person we seek, and even help us find our way back home.


Purchase The Scent Keeper


I read this wonderful book and posted my thoughts a few days ago. You can read them here. Scroll on down the page and be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy! 

About the author

Erica Bauermeister

Erica Bauermeister is the author of the bestselling novel The School of Essential Ingredients, Joy for Beginners, and The Lost Art of Mixing. She is also the co-author of the non-fiction works, 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide and Let’s Hear It For the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. She has a PhD in literature from the University of Washington, and has taught there and at Antioch University. She is a founding member of the Seattle7Writers and currently lives in Port Townsend, Washington.

Connect with Erica

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I have a hardcover copy of this wonderful book for one lucky person. Thank you St. Martin's Press!


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