Monday, September 16, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? September 16, 2024 #IMWAYR

           

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! 

**************************************

Pretty uneventful week here. The weather is getting cooler, definitely moving into fall. I'm a Nebraska Cornhusker 🏈 fan, born and raised in NE, so I have been enjoying watching them win this year, after many, many years of not winning very many games. It's fun watching them do so well. Hope it continues!

I've started reading Great Expectations. I read it in middle school, or early high school maybe, and remember loving it. I've had it on my TBR list for a long time and am finally diving into it. It'll be interesting to see what I think of it now. Do you have a book from your past that you want to re-read?

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

What I'm currently reading

Immersion: A Linguist's Memoir
by Linda Murphy Marshall
print ARC for review
Pub date ~ September 24

Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens
e-book from my shelves
First published July 30, 1860

Bring Me Back
by Paris, B.A.
audio-book from my shelves
Published March 2018

What I recently finished

Closet Full of Time and Other Dark Tales:
by Susan Kaye Quinn
eARC for review
Pub date ~ September 17

What Was Mine
by Helen Klein Ross
print from my TBR shelves for a challenge
Published January 2016

Hannah: The Soldier Diaries
by Steve Wallis
audio-book for review
Published September 2022

What I am going to read next

Love Is for the Birds
by Diane Owens Prettyman
print ARC for review
Pub date ~ October 8

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Saturday, September 14, 2024

A Heart Beyond by Grace Greene ~ My Thoughts #AHeartBeyond @Grace_Greene @KerseyCreekBks

 

A Heart Beyond by Grace Greene
Women's Fiction, 296 pages
Published August 30, 2024 by Kersey Creek Books

Leigh Ann Eden had a great life in New York as a partner in a public relations business she'd helped to build - and lost it all when her father was charged with financial crimes. She wasn't involved in his business or the fraud, but her very public role as the face of the PR firm made her a target for media, investigators, angry investors, as well as to people who were merely curious. She couldn't withstand the pressure. She went into hiding and avoidance became a way of life.

Her cousin Florence offered her a place to hide in her home in the Fan District of Richmond, Virginia and was a lifesaver for Leigh for almost two years, but Florence died and now Leigh's alone and doesn't know how to un-hide herself, how to find the courage to get out in public again - until the day an unexpected event occurs on her weekly trip to buy groceries and comes home with a cat. An unfriendly cat who's just as unhappy with the situation as she in. This event disrupts her usual routine and Leigh is swept along as a series of subsequent events unwind that force her out of the the careful life she's constructed. But re-emerging into everyday life won't be that simple because the sins of the past - even though she wasn't a party to them - will come back to harm her.


My thoughts about A Heart Beyond ~~

(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—"Leigh Ann Eden had a great life in New York as a partner in a public relations business that she's helped to build—an lost it all when her father was charged with financial crimes."

I have read a lot of Grace Greene's recent books and have loved them all. She creates memorable characters and interesting storylines, stories and characters that I love becoming involved with.

A Heart Beyond features Leigh, who escapes her real life in New York and tries to hide out in her cousin's home in Richmond. Well, you just know that the community is not going to let her hide and they end up taking her in under their wings. A cat plays a central role in this story and I would love to follow the life of this blessed cat. Who would have thought that a cat would play such a pivotal piece in Leigh story? 

As with all of Grace's stories, I read this book non-stop. It was a story I couldn't wait to finish but I also didn't want to end. I highly recommend A Heart Beyond for a feel good, somewhat complicated, escape read.

Thank you to Grace Greene for the ARC of A Heart Beyond. This is my honest opinion of the book. 

About the author


Grace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration ~ The Emerald Isle, NC Stories Series includes Beach Rental, Beach Winds, Beach Wedding, along with the Christmas novellas, Beach Christmas and Beach Walk

Her Virginia books are Women's Fiction with romance, suspense and mystery. Most are set in rural Cub Creek and include her bestselling The Memory of Butterflies and The Happiness In Between which were released in 2017. Three new Cub Creek books were released in 2019 - The Wildflower House Series: Wildflower Heart, Wildflower Hope and Wildflower Christmas, and Wildflower Wedding, A Light Last Seen was released in Feb. 2020. 

A Barefoot Tide and A Dancing Tide brought a new character from Cub Creek to the beach at Emerald Isle with beloved crossover characters from both settings. Beach Heart and Emerald Heart are single titles set in Emerald Isle, NC. Grace's newest, A Heart Beyond, will be released on September 3rd, 2024.

Grace is also an artist and photographer and these interests show up on the pages of the stories. She lives in central Virginia. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Grace


*********************

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Book Blitz! The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington ~ Excerpt & #Giveaway! #TheFriendFaceOff @XpressoTours

 

The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington
(Love on Thin Ice, #3)
Publication date: September 12th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Getting involved with your brother’s best friend is risky enough. But when he’s a hockey player? It’s a whole new level of bad idea.

As a ravenous reader, I’ve got a secret: I’m obsessed with hockey romances.

But let me tell you, real life hockey players are nothing like my book boyfriends.

So I threw down the gauntlet on BookTok. I challenged any single guy out there to prove me wrong. Can a real hockey player be as romantic as the ones in my favorite stories?

Enter Dawson Hayes, a goalie with a point to prove and my brother’s best friend. He’s confident he can win me over and take me on the most romantic date of my life.

But there’s a catch: for me to accept, I have to pretend that he’s my fake boyfriend. Now everyone in my small town thinks that Dawson and I are having a fall fling. Even if it’s a fling that can’t last.

Worst of all, I’m starting to believe this fling is real. I’m falling for my brother’s best friend.

DAWSON

The first time I met Emmy, her brother warned me to stay away. As hockey teammates, that made her totally off-limits.

But now I’m back in Emmy’s small town to play in a charity hockey match, and I can’t resist her dating challenge: to find out if any man can be more romantic than the book boyfriends she adores.

Emmy and I are both fiercely competitive, and I’m determined to win her over.

When the moment of truth comes, the chemistry between us turns into something neither of us expected:
A romantic face-off between friends who are insanely attracted to each other.

Now, I’m out to prove to her that you should never judge a book by its cover—or a hockey player when it comes to love.

The Friend Face Off is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It’s a brother’s best friend, closed door hockey romcom with fake dating, friends to lovers and You’ve Got Mail vibes. It’s a small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

Goodreads | Amazon

***************************

EXCERPT

“She can’t go with you,” a voice growls behind me. I spin around to see the hockey player’s steel gaze locked on the jerk who’s asking me out.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s going to the party with me,” Dawson replies without looking at me.

My breath catches. I’m caught between a guy who makes angry hives break out on my body, and one who makes my heart feel things I shouldn’t.

“Is this true?” Stewart asks me directly.

I pause, then look at Dawson. “Yes, he’s my date,” I say, even though I know this is a bad idea. Because once it’s out there, I’m committed. I’ll have to date my brother’s best friend.

I make myself move closer to Dawson and give his arm a pat, only to realize I’m touching what feels like a boulder. Seriously, no man should be walking around with biceps that huge, even if he is holding a coffee carrier with four cups. Either the man is working for a food delivery service in his spare time or consumes coffee at an alarming rate.

Dawson’s eyes trace over my workout wear. His mouth quirks at the corner. “Good run?”

I nod and thread my fingers through my knotted ponytail.

“You were always so fast,” he says.

How does he know this?

“Oh, right,” I laugh. “The night I tried to leave you behind at the party.”

I glance up at him and I’m immediately mesmerized by his eyes. He’s not my usual type—his hands are calloused from hockey. He’s rough and mysterious and his hair looks amazing without any effort. Plus, he’s always ready with a hockey pickup line that’s so cheesy it actually circles back to charming.

I need an emotionally sensitive man who reads books and quotes my favorite parts. Not someone who punches people in the face for a living. Of course, there was that one time he quoted Jane Austen. And he did buy my favorite romance book at the store. What kind of man does that?

My eyes trace over his frame. Dawson’s got that tall, dark, and muscular look. Put him in flannel and he’d be a sexy lumberjack. The image of Dawson in flannel with an axe stirs a funny feeling in my chest.

I can’t date a hockey player. He’s my brother’s best friend. That’s double the trouble.

And I just agreed to a fake date with him.

The Friend Face Off is a brother’s best friend closed door hockey fake dating friends to lovers You’ve Got Mail vibes.

***************************

About the author

Grace Worthington eats, breathes, and geeks out over sweet romcoms. So it’s no surprise that she believes that laughter and love are a cure-all for pretty much everything in life. After a short stint working in musical theatre (where she was often cast in comedic roles), she instills her books with witty banter, lovable characters, and a story that moves your heart and soul. Her inspiration includes quaint towns by the beach, romantic comedy movies from the '80s & '90s, and the crazy shenanigans of her family. 

Snag a free sweet romcom at graceworthington.com

Connect with Grace

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Monday, September 9, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? September 9, 2024 #IMWAYR

          

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! 

**************************************

Here we are, peeling the days of September off of our calendars. Slow down world! 

Hubs and I celebrated our anniversary yesterday. Fifty-one years with the same man! It was pretty low key. We saw one of our sons and one of our grandkids. I didn't have to cook dinner so I consider that a win! Last year we celebrated big time for our 50th and had all of the kids and grands—there are 18 us in total—here for a few days. That was wonderful. So much love. 

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

What I'm currently reading

What Was Mine
by Helen Klein Ross
print from my TBR shelves for a challenge
Published January 2016

Hannah: The Soldier Diaries
by Steve Wallis
audio-book for review
Published September 2022

What I recently finished

The Perfect Child
by Lucinda Berry
e-book from my collection
Published March 2019

True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver
by Cindy Eastman
print ARC for review
Pub date ~ September 17

What I am going to read next

Immersion: A Linguist's Memoir
by Linda Murphy Marshall
print ARC for review
Pub date ~ September 24

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Book Blitz! Soul Love by D.F. Jones ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #SoulLove @XpressoTours @Author_DFJones

 

Soul Love by D.F. Jones
Publication date: September 3rd 2024
Genres: Adult, Romance, Time-Travel

From USA Today bestselling author D.F. Jones comes Soul Love, a mesmerizing tale of past lives, time travel, and an unbreakable bond that transcends time itself.

What if a simple dinner invitation could change your life forever?

When Summer Jewel accepts a dinner invitation from her enigmatic new neighbor, her world is turned upside down. Suddenly transported to 1926 Heartsville, she uncovers shocking truths about a past life she never knew existed. This revelation ignites a journey brimming with turbulent emotions and undeniable desires, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew.

Meanwhile, Rogan Randolph, a dedicated agent of The Order of the Invisible Effect, is tasked with subtly guiding the course of human history. His orderly world is thrown into chaos when a portal to his own past unexpectedly opens, offering him a chance to right a wrong. His mission becomes inextricably linked with Summer’s, as she is the very woman he encounters in the future.

Together, Summer and Rogan must navigate the intricate complexities of love and destiny, confronting the mysteries of their intertwined past lives. Their actions ripple through time, challenging the very fabric of reality and altering the course of their journey. True love is never lost, and some connections last forever.

Escape into Soul Love, where destiny and passion weave a captivating narrative that explores the enduring power of love and the intriguing possibilities of fate.

Prepare to be swept off your feet with this spellbinding story of love, loss, and the magic of second chances.

Goodreads | Amazon

************************

EXCERPT

Summer ventured out the side pedestrian door, her gaze drawn to the moving activity. Three men were unloading furniture from the truck, one clearly in charge. As their eyes met, Summer felt a sudden rush of nervousness.

She approached her mailbox, and one of the men raised his hand in greeting. She fumbled with a piece of junk mail. “Moving in?” she called out.

He walked to the end of the driveway. “Hi, I’m Erik, the designer.” Without waiting for her response, he quickly asked, “Have you ever met the owners?”

How odd. “Um. No. Why? Haven’t you?”

“I hoped you might know them. We worked through an attorney who never disclosed their names.” He shrugged. “No harm in asking.”

“I love the house. Is there any chance I could peek inside?” Sure, it was forward of her, but it might be the only way to satisfy her curiosity.

Erik nodded. “This is our last load of furniture, so why not? I love showing off my work.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a business card. “I’m posting the project online. I would appreciate it if you’d leave a glowing comment on social media.” His hands tented.

“Sure thing.” Summer hated social media but took his card anyway.

She followed him up the painted plank steps through the open door.

An elaborate crystal chandelier hung in the entry. In front of her, the rich mahogany staircase dazzled against a backdrop of blue-green textured walls. A baby grand piano was positioned in the living room corner to the left of a rock fireplace. The art over the mantel looked like a Renoir. She wondered if it was an original or a reproduction.

Then something weird happened. The hair on her neck and arms rose. She had a deja vu feeling as if she had been there before. Trying to shake off the unsettling sensation, she turned in a slow circle and said, “It’s beautiful, better than I even imagined. I love it!”

Erik seemed pleased with her assessment, grinning from ear to ear. “I chose warm, rich colors. I can’t stand the fact that most designers are like sheep. The minimalists’ interior design with white is so overused and blah,” he said with an eye roll. “I updated the lighting fixtures and completely renovated the central kitchen. It’s three stories with the attic and a downstairs complete with a cookery and staff rooms.”

A mover dropped one end of a very expensive-looking bureau. Erik shouted, “Do not scratch the floors or furniture.” Then he glanced apologetically at Summer. “I’ve got to work. I have a deadline with instructions to leave the house by seven o’clock this evening. Feel free to look around.”

Yippee—freedom’s call echoed in her heart, inviting her to explore uninhibited. Summer drifted through the library first. Its walls were lined with ancient, leather-bound books. The scent of old paper and the hushed tales of forgotten lore surrounded her, igniting a thrill only a true book lover could understand and appreciate. Each step was a dance with history as her fingers trailed over the spines, noting the weight in their textured covers.

The library seamlessly gave way to an entertainment room, where contemporary met old-world design, asserting itself with an audacious flair. A large, ultra-high-definition television screen dominated one wall, surrounded by a state-of-the-art sound system. Soft, ambient lighting emanated from cleverly hidden sources, casting a glow that accentuated luxurious furnishings from the plush, angular sofa to the gleaming, geometric coffee table.

The kitchen made a bold statement with its brand-new stainless-steel appliances, rustic oak cabinets, and white and gray marble counters. The walk-in pantry door was ajar, so she peeked inside to find it vast and orderly, a trove of culinary possibilities. She suspected exotic spices and gourmet delights filled the closed shelves and drawers.

Adjacent to this culinary haven, a set of narrow, almost secretive steps curled upward, their very existence a whisper of intrigue. She glanced furtively over her shoulder. Erik was absorbed in positioning the remaining pieces in the living room.

Her pulse quickened with the thrill of undercover exploration. Memories of countless novels she had devoured over the years surged within her—a cascade of adventures, hidden rooms, and undiscovered treasures that had always seemed worlds away were now seemingly within her grasp. With each step into the unknown, her pulse quickened with anticipation, and her mind buzzed. What secrets and mysteries lay hidden in this century-old home?

Summer hustled up the stairs, bypassed the second floor, and continued into the attic. She’d long fantasized about writing a novel in such a superb, renovated space with its black, charcoal walls and a shade darker woodwork, a cozy white sofa with black and gold accent pillows—and how she loved the black lacquer desk. The lighting included several sconces with candle-like bulbs that glimmered warmly. It was a nice touch. She murmured, “Totally jealous of the owners.”

She peered through the horizontally installed cameo windows, the view of which looked directly at her house. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a shimmering swirling blue light materialized on the other side of the room. It formed a doorway of sorts, like beams of a hidden sun trapped within its frame, defying the laws of physics and reality.

What the heck? Summer cautiously approached, each step filled with fear and fascination. She reached out tentatively toward the opening, her hand trembling slightly. Was it a gateway to worlds unseen?

But Erik’s appearance on the top step jolted her back to reality just before her fingers could graze the pulsating energy. As if responding to his intrusion, the portal vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving behind a blank wall devoid of any clue to its mysterious existence.

She struggled to process what she had just witnessed. Was the ethereal light a trick of nature? A figment of her imagination? The silence that enveloped the room was heavy with unspoken questions, the air charged with the residue of the inexplicable.

************************

About the author

Meet D.F. Jones, the USA Today Best-Selling Author and #1 International Bestseller who weaves magic into every page, with a career that began as a broadcast consultant at Nashville's ABC Affiliate and led to founding a successful advertising agency, D.F. Jones knows how to captivate an audience.

In 2015, she downsized her agency to care for her parents, finding solace and creative freedom in writing. Writing is more than a passion for her—it's a journey to places where anything is possible, filled with dreams and limitless imagination.

D.F. Jones's books are a whirlwind of supernatural adventure and romance, from angels and demons to time travel, witches, wizards, and ghosts. Her stories are not just action-packed but emotional rollercoasters that will leave you breathless.

At home, she's happily married to her best friend and the love of her life. Together, they cherish their two wonderful sons. She's either laughing at her husband's jokes, cheering for the Tennessee Titans, or tending to her flower gardens when she's not writing.

Escape into a world where love conquers all, and the impossible becomes reality with D.F. Jones. Ready to be swept off your feet? Start your adventure today!

Connect with D.F.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Book Blitz! She’s Got The Time by M.O. Mack ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #ShesGotTime #XpressoTours

 

She’s Got The Time by M.O. Mack
(Suite #45, #3)
Publication date: August 29th 2024
Genres: Adult, Thriller

From author M.O. Mack comes the third, heart-stopping thriller in the Suite #45 series, She's Got the Time.

SENTENCED FOR A CRIME SHE ONLY WISHED SHE COMMITTED…

Emily has broken plenty of rules. Some she regrets. Others, well, not so much.

Running from her husband Ed for example? No regrets. He was a controlling predator who trafficked women while working for the FBI. But had she known she’d end up working for a group of hit men, she might’ve made different choices. Big regrets.

On the bright side, the group only kills bad guys. On the not-so-bright side, every cartel south of the border wants the group dead, and she’s number one on the cartel’s list.

Emily also regrets trusting Charge, her hit man boss. She regrets caring about him more than she should.

But when the feds arrest her for the murder of her ex, Emily knows she’s been set up, and all signs point to Charge. Why would he do this to her? The prison is filled with cartel gangs, and there’s a price on her head.

Can she find a way out before her time is up?

The clock is ticking…

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

iBooks | Kobo

***************************

EXCERPT

“I thought you loved me,” she said, knowing now that the confession he’d made after she’d saved him all those weeks ago had just been another lie.

Charge jerked his head back, like she’d taken him off guard. “What’s that have to do with anything?”

“It’s everything.” Because he’d told her that while he’d been preparing to do the hit on Ed, he’d watched her from afar and fallen for her. He’d said it was the reason he’d helped her after she’d run from Ed. “You’ve been playing me this entire time. Haven’t you? The story about you loving me was a scam to get me to keep working for you.” And it had worked. He’d probably done it because he believed she’d eventually lead him to Ed.

“I don’t have time for this right now. And I’ve proven my loyalty to you.”

“No. You said whatever you had to in order to make me trust you.” She hung her head. “I can’t believe I fell for it.” Not to mention, she’d started having feelings for Charge. She’d taken a life for him. She’d risked her own ass, too.

“I’m sorry you think that,” he said smugly, “but it doesn’t change the situation or what has to be done next.”

“And just what’s that? Am I supposed to take out the warden next? Or the head of one of the gangs here so you get paid?” She pushed back in her chair. “I’m done, Charge. Done.”

“Don’t be silly. You won’t get out of this prison alive unless you pull your head from your ass, Justine, and follow my instructions.”

This again. And why did he always call her Justine when he wanted to control her? Did he think it was some kind of psychological magic wand to garner compliance?

He went on, “You only have a day, two max, before someone realizes you have a ten-million-dollar price on your head. You don’t have much time, but it’s enough time to—”

“No, Charge. No more. I’m not buying into your crap. I mean, look at where I am.” She tried to throw her hands in the air, but they were chained to the table. “We both know I’m not getting out of here. Not after I killed that guard. At best, I’ll survive a week, and if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to enjoy what little time I have left.”

***************************

About the author

Obviously, M.O. Mack is a cover. Don’t bother looking for the author’s true identity. She must remain secret due to the sensitive information written in her stories…

Okay, most of all that is total rubbish! M.O. is a full-time author from the great state of Arizona, who loves making stuff up and hates a slow story. The faster the better! Most days, M.O. tries to avoid the news (too icky) so it doesn’t interfere with writing nail-biter stories.

Connect with M.O.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Monday, September 2, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? September 2, 2024 #IMWAYR

         

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! 

**************************************

I just want to know - how can it be September already!? Doesn't it seem like time is flying by so, so fast? Our university students are already back in session, with the public schools starting this week. Where did the summer go?

I enjoyed my reading world of August. I was able to get a lot of TBR books read. That's always a good feeling. I'm also going to participate in one of my FB groups TBR challenge for the month of September, so hopefully I'll get through a few more. Then I'll be hitting my review books hard again. 

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

What I'm currently reading

True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver
by Cindy Eastman
print ARC from publisher
Pub date ~ September 17

Hannah: The Soldier Diaries
by Steve Wallis
audio-book for review
Published September 2022

What I recently finished

Closer Home
by Kerry Anne King
e-book from my collection
Published March 2016

What We Saw at Night
by Jacquelyn Mitchard
print from my TBR shelves
Published January 2013

Missing Daughter
by Kiersten Modglin
e-book from my collection
Published November 2021

Don't Forget Me
by Rea Frey
audio-book from my collection
Published January 2024

What I am going to read next

What Was Mine
by Helen Klein Ross
print from my TBR shelves for a challenge
Published January 2016

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...