Release Day: A Lowcountry Wedding by Mary Alice Monroe and My Thoughts

Happy Release Day!

A Lowcountry Wedding 

A Lowcountry Wedding by Mary Alice Monroe
Series: Lowcountry Summer #4
Print and e-book, 448 pages
Published: May 3rd 2016 by Gallery Books

Wedding season has arrived in New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe’s next novel in the “distinct, complex, and endearing” (Charleston Magazine) Lowcountry Summer series, set against the romantic, charming Charleston Lowcountry.

Nothing could be more enchanting than a summer wedding—or two!—in Charleston’s fabled lowcountry. A centuries-old plantation, an avenue of ancient oaks dripping moss, a storied ballroom, a sand dune at sunset…

Yet when a stranger arrives, a long held family secret could silence the bells ringing for the Muir sisters. Scandals surface, family bonds are questioned, and promises are broken and renewed. In A Lowcountry Wedding Monroe delves into the heart of marriage, commitment, and family ties. Huffington Post calls the Lowcountry Summer series “the perfect beach read and a whole lot more.”

My thoughts about A Lowcountry Wedding ~~ 

Oh my, I so loved my visit to this lowcountry area of Charleston! A Lowcountry Wedding is full of wonderful. loving characters but has just enough family secrets to keep the story interesting. And I loved getting lost in the gentleness of their southern living.  

Believe it or not, this is the very first book by Mary Alice Monroe that I have read. And this story is book #4 in her Lowcountry Summer series. I loved it and did not at all feel like I was missing anything by not reading books 1 through 3. If anything, it made me want to go back and read those previous books because I really found myself caring about the characters in this series and I want to learn more about all of them. 

A Lowcountry Wedding has made me a fan and Mary Alice Monroe and she has now  been added to my list of authors to watch. I can't wait to read more of her stories! 

About the author 

New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to coastal South Carolina. Already a successful author, she was captivated by the beauty and fragility of her new home. Her experiences living in the midst of a habitat that was quickly changing gave her a strong and important focus for her novels.

Mary Alice Monroe writes richly textured books that delve into the complexities of interpersonal relationships and the parallels between the land and life. Monroe’s novels are published worldwide. With the same heart of conservation, Monroe has written two children’s picture books as well.

Her novels have achieved many lists, including the New York Times, USA Today and SIBA. She has received numerous awards, including several Readers’ Choice Awards; the 2014 SC Book Festival Award for Excellence in Writing; the 2015 SW Florida Book Festival Distinguished Author Award; RT Lifetime Achievement Award; and the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing.

Monroe was also featured at the National Festival of the Book. In 2011, her novel The Butterfly’s Daughter won the International Book Award for Green Fiction. It was also selected as a finalist for the 2012 Book of the Year by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA).

Monroe’s novel The Beach House will be adapted into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, starring three-time Golden Globe nominee Andie MacDowell and premiering exclusively on the network in 2016.

Monroe lives with her family on a barrier island outside Charleston, South Carolina. She is an active conservationist and serves on the Board of the South Carolina Aquarium, The Leatherback Trust, and Charleston Literacy Volunteers. She is a frequent speaker at book festivals, conferences, and private events. Monroe is also a frequent contributor to magazines and blogs.

Connect with Mary Alice 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Release Day! Mimi Plus Two by Whitney Dineen ~ My Thoughts and a FREE book!

Happy Release Day!

Mimi Plus Two

Mimi Plus Two by Whitney Dineen
Series: Mimi Chronicles #2

Print and e-book, 330 pages

Published: May 2nd 2016

Mimi Finnegan is back and funnier than ever!

Mimi has it all. She’s marrying the love of her life, about to have his baby and is moving into the house of her dreams. 

Things couldn't be better! Until her wedding, that is, when everyone toasts to her perfect life. 

Not one to tempt the fates, Mimi is sure her loved ones are jinxing her future happiness. Enter pregnancy drama, aristocratic in-laws and catastrophic postpartum depression. Mimi’s journey is hilarious, heart-warming and borderline insane. Hormonal hell leaves her questioning her husband’s origins, prepping for the end of the world and wondering if her sanity will ever return.

This book is for every woman who understands that love, laughter and tears are the very foundation of being a wife, mother and daughter-in-law.

My thoughts about Mimi Plus Two ~~ 

(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—"A mucus plug?" I ask in horror. "What is God's name is that?"

Okay, how can that first line not grab you and make you want to read more? I laughed out loud when I opened the book and saw that line jump out at me! I knew I was going to be in for a fun time.  

We first met Mimi in The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan. I loved that book and fell in love with Mimi. And I fell in love with Whitney's wonderful sense of humor. I was totally entertained throughout the whole book.  

So now, Mimi is with the man of her dreams, planning their wedding, all while trying to get through the first stages of her pregnancy. And.... she is having to deal with her future in-laws, who may just think that Mimi is not good enough for their son. This is a very stressful time for Mimi and we probably shouldn't laugh, but oh my gosh, what she has to go through is just hilarious.  

Mimi Plus Two is a wonderful, funny, entertaining, and heartwarming glimpse into Mimi's life as she becomes a wife, daughter-in-law, and mother. And she accomplishes all that with her great sense of humor and with the love of her family and friends. I really hope that that there will be more stories about Mimi's life—I feel like I have a beautiful friend who I need to visit again. 

(And..... I found out from Whitney that there will be a third Mimi book! Yay!!)

I loved book #1, The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan. 

(Read my thoughts HERE) What a hoot! 

And it's FREE!!! from May 2- May 6

Thirty-four year old, Mimi Finnegan is the third of four daughters and in her eyes, by far, the most unremarkable. She has no singular accomplishment that can stand up to any of her sisters. And if that isn’t enough, she is the only single sibling in her family.

Mimi’s sisters decide that it’s time she gets serious about husband hunting, so they begin a campaign to find Mr. Right for her. Considering her most recent dating encounters include a night club owner who stuffs bratwurst in his pants and a WASPy trust fund baby, living happily under his mother’s thumb, Mimi is more than ready to meet THE ONE. Enter celebrated British novelist Elliot Fielding.

Sexual tension and anger heat up between the duo and it isn’t until Mimi discovers that Elliot is almost engaged to another that she realizes she is head-over-heels in love with him.

The journey will make you laugh, cry and want to pull your hair out from frustration! Mimi eventually learns that she is quite remarkable in her own right and never needed to worry that she lived in her sister’s shadows.

The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel good book for any woman who has ever felt that she wasn’t good enough.

About the author

While attending the University of Illinois in Chicago, Whitney Dineen was discovered by a local modeling agent and began an unexpected career as a plus-size Ford model. She modeled in New York City before moving to Los Angeles with her husband.

When she wasn’t modeling, she was in the kitchen, baking delights to share with friends. Soon, her friends began asking her to send baskets of her wonderful candies and cookies to business associates, agents and production studios. Word spread like wildfire, and the rest, as they say, is history. Whitney’s sensational creations are still in great demand by her loyal celebrity clientele (www.WhitneysGoodies.com).

During “The Hollywood Years,” Whitney was bitten by the writing bug and started creating characters that are inspired by strong women with a great sense of humor.

In addition to her love of chick-lit, Whitney has also written a series of adventure books for middle readers. The first of which, Wilhelmina and the Willamette Wig Factory, is nearing completion.

Whitney and her husband, Jimmy, have recently relocated to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to raise their children, chickens and organic vegetables.

Connect with Whitney

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Release Day: The Independent One by Cami Checketts and an Excerpt

Happy Release Day!

The Independent One

The Independent One by Cami Checketts
Series: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
Kindle Edition
Published by Birch River Publishing

Haley Turnbow escapes to the tropical Isla del Sol for an ideal vacation with her five-year old. She doesn’t plan on the resident ghost stalking her and the island’s fine-looking owner drawing her in with his confident, fun personality.

Cal Johnson is king of his own island, happy and busy. A beautiful mom and her wild little boy flip his world upside down. He falls in love with both of them knowing they’re going to leave at the end of their vacation and he might not recover from the loss.

Can these two independent adults trust their hearts or is it not worth the risk?

Excerpt

A tall, well-built man swept in before Haley could reach Taz and easily lifted her boy into his arms. “Hey, bud, you’re not supposed to do flips on this staircase, that’s for the diving board.”

Taz laughed and Haley’s heart slowed a few beats. “Taz,” she cried out.

The man turned with her son and she noticed dimples and blue eyes, but she could only focus on her boy. Taz launched himself into her arms. Haley held him close, inhaling the baby lotion he kept claiming he was too old for. She took several long breaths as she tried to reassure herself he was okay.

Their rescuer turned to the older couple. “Are you both all right?” he asked.

“Oh, sure,” the man said, his arm around his wife’s waist. They were a darling couple, dressed to the nines with her hair perfectly coiffed and his hair missing.

“Is the little boy okay?” the woman asked, patting her hair.

“I think so,” Haley said. “I’m so sorry he hit you.”

“No, dear, I’m just fine.”

Haley nodded, grateful for their graciousness. She checked Taz for injuries. He had some rug burns on his face and elbow, but thankfully only the one on his elbow was bleeding. “Oh, bud, you scared me! Do you hurt anywhere?”

“Nothing ‘cept my endbow.” Taz held up his arm for her to see. “Kiss it?”

Haley laughed shakily and kissed near the ouchy spot. “We’ll find you a Band-aid.”

“A Ninja Turtle one?” Taz’s dark eyes lit up. He covered himself in Ninja Turtle Band-aids quite regularly.

The man with the dimples turned back to her as the older couple wished them well and headed down the hallway to the shops. He placed a warm hand on her back. “Ma’am, can I take him from you? You’re shaking like a belly dancer.”

Haley laughed, but clung tighter to Taz. This was her little man and she wasn’t about to hand him over to some stranger—she couldn’t resist looking the man over—no matter how intriguing the contrast between his dark hair and skin and his deep blue eyes. “I have specialized belly dancer training so it’s okay.”

His dimples deepened. “Nice.”

“Thank you for your help Mr…”

“Johnson.” He kept his arm on her back and wrapped his other hand around her elbow. His hands were strong and warm and she couldn’t help but notice how nicely he smelled, a great combination of musk and man. “Come up to my office so I can check both of you out.”

Haley bristled. The only men she let tell her what to do were her dad and her brother. Scratch that, the only men who ever tried to tell her what to do, but failed, were her dad and her brother. She shook him off. “Sorry, not going to some strange dude’s office and nobody needs to check me out.”

He laughed. “My apologies, ma’am, but I’ve already checked you out.” He pumped his eyebrows and she was struck by the fact that he was much too attractive and much too friendly.

About the author

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and driving boys to lacrosse practice, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, hiking, biking, running, and water-skiing.

A portion of the proceeds from Cami's books will be donated to Humanitarian Aid.

Connect with Cami

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 2, 2016

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!

Click on the book image to read more on Goodreads.

What I'm currently reading/listening to


A Lowcountry Wedding (Lowcountry Summer #4)
by Mary Alice Monroe


Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
(audiobook)
I love this series and I know I am going to love listening to it.


She Poured Out Her Heart
by Jean Thompson
I sill need to get back to this one.

What I recently finished

Mosaics 2: A Collection of Independent Women
by 20 talented authors
Another fab collection! Read my thoughts here.

The Last Dreamer
by Barbara Solomon Josselsohn

If I Speak True (Flora #1)
by Jessica L. Brooks 
(audiobook)
DNF. (for now) This audiobook just wasn't doing anything for me right now so I decided to put it aside and come back to it some other time.

What I am going to read next

Flight Patterns
by Karen White

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Release Day: Mosaics 2: A Collection of Independent Women ~ My Thoughts

Happy Release Day!

Mosaics 2

Mosaics 2: A Collection of Independent Women

Kindle Edition

Published: May 1st 2016 by DayDreams Dandelions Press

Mosaics: A Collection of Independent Women will inspire and shock you with its multi-faceted look at the history and culture surrounding femininity. If gender is a construct, this anthology is the house it built. Look through its many rooms, some bright and airy, some terrifying-- with monsters lurking in the shadows.

Mosaics Volume Two features twenty self-identified female authors writing about Intersectionality, including women of color, disabled, trans, and GLB/GSD* (Gender and Sexual Diversities). We have curated amazing short fiction, flash fiction, poetry, essays, and art. It’s personal, political, and a great read.

Volume 1 included Hugo Award Nominees, Tiptree Shortlists, Pushcart Prize Winners, USA Today Bestsellers, indie superstars and traditionally published talents alike. The anthology combines leading and new voices all proclaiming their identity as Women, and their ability to Roar. Volume 2 features many new voices debuting their gifts with us!

Contributing authors: Nina Perez, Kim Wells, P.K. Tyler, Lesley Smith, Zen DiPietro, Kimberly Fujioka, Jessica West, Audrey T. Carroll, Willow Naomi Curry, Kristina Webster Shue, Catherine Schaff-Stump, Emily K. Michael, Anne E. Johnson, Lorraine Schein, Lesley Smith writing as Asha Bardon, Nillu Nasser Stelter, Tara Calaby, Rage Hezekiah, Joan Brown, Alison Ripley Cubitt, Jennifer R. Donohue, Rachel Steiger-Meister, Lana Bella

Profits will be donated to the Pixel Project to end Violence Against Women.

My thoughts about Mosaics 2 ~~

First of all, I have to say that I was totally impressed with Mosaics 1. The stories and poems included were amazing. So the bar was set pretty high for Mosaics 2, which is celebrating it's release day today, May 1st.

Well, let me tell you, Mosaics 2 is another great anthology full of incredible short stories, essays, poetry, and art work. It contains a little bit of everything, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. An extremely talented group of women came together to create this masterpiece!

And all the profits will be donated to the Pixel Project to end Violence Against Women. So you get a wonderful collection of work while helping out women in need.

Mosaics: A Collection of Independent Women Vol 1

Read my thoughts about Mosaics 1 here.

Mosaics 1 is only $.99 for a limited time!

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!