Book Blast: Friends ForNever by Melissa Baldwin and a Giveaway!

Friends ForNever

by Melissa Baldwin

Erin Taylor is a hard-working journalist with a serious TV addiction and lack of a social life. She's focused on her career and determined to leave her tiny cubicle behind for a fabulous corner office!

But when a new co-worker, a friendship drama, and a hot workplace crush collide, Erin finds it harder and harder to focus. Especially when that crush on the oh-so-yummy Aiden Thomas starts to materialize into what feels like a magical relationship. Erin's life seems to finally be heading in the right direction...until suddenly friends aren't such great friends after all, her magical relationship hits a bumpy road, and her career could be derailed by it all.

Erin learns a lesson the hard way: Sometimes people aren't who they seem to be. With her happiness on the line, can Erin rise above her disappointments and create the life she's always dreamed of or will she be stuck being Friends ForNever?

Praise for the Book

• Friends ForNever is a cleverly written book that will keep you wanting for more until the very end! I highly recommend this book!

• Friends ForNever is like listening to your best friend tell you about her day at work! And anyone who has worked in an office will totally relate to this book. I was absolutely sucked in. The love story was great!

• It was well paced and funny!

• The author is really good.

• An intriguing look at the demands of family and friendship when personal goals are at risk.

• A novel of back stabbing emotions.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Author Melissa Baldwin

Melissa graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications; she has always had a love for writing. An avid journal keeper, she took her creativity to the next level by fulfilling her dream with her debut novel, An Event to Remember . . . Or Forget. Since then, she has written and published four more novels, Wedding Haters, See You Soon Broadway, Not Quite Sheer Happiness and Friends ForNever.

Melissa resides in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and young daughter. When she isn't writing, this multi-tasking master organizer is busy being a mother, wife, chauffeur, PTA President, and Fitness Trainer.

When she has free time, she enjoys traveling, running, fitness, and taking a Disney Cruise every now and then.

Connect with Melissa

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/26/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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On Tour: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline ~ My Thoughts #TLCBookTours #OrphanTrain

Orphan Train

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Christina Baker Kline’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel—the captivating story of a 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan-train rider and the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to long-buried questions…now with an extended scene that addresses the number one question readers ask, and an excerpt from Kline’s upcoming novel A Piece of the World

“A lovely novel about the search for family that also happens to illuminate a fascinating and forgotten chapter of America’s history. Beautiful.”—Ann Packer

Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude?

As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren't as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past.

Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship.

HarperCollins

My thoughts about Orphan Train ~~ 

(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 line—"I believe in ghosts. They're the ones who haunt us, the ones who have left us behind. Many times in my life I have felt them around me, observing, witnessing, when no one in the living world knew or cared what happened."

The subject of the orphan trains of the late 1800s and early 1990s has always fascinated me. I can not imagine the sadness and loneliness those children and families had to endure. This touching look at what the lives of the people who were a part of this time period made for a fabulous, emotional read.  

Vivian and Molly are worlds apart when they meet but then they come to realize how much they have in common. I immediately fell in love with Vivian, a 91 year old woman who was one of the children put on an orphan train. She relives her life as she goes through boxes in her attic with Molly, the young girl who has to do community service for trying to steal a library book. Vivian has a bit of spunk in her and totally accepts Molly when others are not so forgiving of her attitude. I wish Vivian could be part of my life, I think I would really enjoy knowing her. What a fascinating woman.   

Orphan Train was a very interesting story with two amazing characters who, through all their trials and tribulations, come together and finally find peace and happiness. Christina is a wonderful storyteller who totally immersed me in her account of a piece our history. 

About the author 

Christina Baker Kline is the author of five novels. She lives outside of New York City and on the coast of Maine.

Find out more about Kline at her website, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Visit other stops on the tour HERE. 

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Release Day: Beyond the Carousel by Bette Lee Crosby

Happy Release Day!

Beyond the Carousel

Beyond the Carousel by Bette Lee Crosby
Series: Wyattsville #5
Kindle Edition, 243 pages
Published January 10th 2017 by Bent Pine Publishing

A FAMILY TRAGEDY, A 25 YEAR OLD MURDER, AND A DETECTIVE DETERMINED TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT...

Laura Wilkes has everything a woman could want when she snaps the carousel picture. Her daughter, a happy little five-year-old, is holding the brass ring and smiling at a daddy who adores her. Each time the carousel circles around Laura snaps another picture, seven in all. This is a day of unforgettable happiness; one of the few Laura has left.

In the months following the stock market crash, Franklin Wilkes is killed; gunned down in senseless act of vengeance. The police know who did it, but the man has disappeared. It’s the height of the depression and there are hoards of nameless, faceless men living in freight train yards and back alleys. The murderer is never caught, but Laura and Emory, her father, never give up hope of finding him.

Now, twenty-five years later, Laura’s daughter has fallen in love with Jack Mahoney a policeman working crowd control with the strikers at the Telephone Company.

Right now Mahoney is a rookie, he has little or no power, but Emory is hopeful he is the one person who can ultimately find Franklin’s killer and deliver the justice the family has long awaited.

Readers of the other Wyattsville books will welcome the chance to get to know the kind-hearted Spare Change detective as a young man about to fall in love.

I love everything Bette writes and I especially love this series! You need to read her books!

My thoughts about Beyond the Carousel ~~
(originally posted on November 30, 2016)

(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—'They say that every man has a story to tell, and I believe this to be true. My story is one of a terrible happening, something that will send you scurrying to give your children one last kiss before you sleep. It is a tale of murder and heartbreak. Only now, after it has come full circle, can I find the strength to give it voice.'

And so starts another wonderful story by the wise and talented storyteller, Bette Lee Crosby. I love her books and I especially love the Wyattsville series. One of my favorites characters in the earlier books in this series is Jack Mahoney. Jack shows up in this book as a young man and we learn his backstory and how he got to where he is today.

As always, Bette writes memorable characters that the reader just falls in love with. She weaves her characters and story-lines together with her wonderful words. Each sentence is so beautifully written and and her paragraphs contain so much wisdom. The words just flow off the page and into my heart every time.

You really need to take a trip to Wyattsville to meet all of these wonderful characters.

And... isn't this cover just amazing?

About the author

"Storytelling is in my blood," Crosby laughingly admits, "My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write."

It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky characters who will steal

your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win nineteen awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President's Book Award Gold Medal, Reader's Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer's Choice Award.

Connect with Bette

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? January 9, 2017

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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Well, what a week this has been. Last Monday, we welcomed our new little granddaughter into this world. I am so pleased to introduce our new adorable little baby girl, Lilliana Jean. Her middle name, Jean, is in honor of her 85 year old great-grandmother. She will be meeting her namesake in a couple of weeks when we're able to get down to see her. 💓

Nama and Lilliana Jean

We took care of her 7½ year old brother for a few days (and overnights) so the parents could concentrate on the birth and the baby. And then ..... on the one hour drive back home in the middle of the week, our car broke down on the interstate and had to be towed in for repair. One hour in the car, with no heat, waiting for our ride - brrrr! It's pretty major and we probably won't be getting it back until the middle of the week, or later. And then ...... our other car ended up being out of commission as well. It is so blasted cold here and it wouldn't start. Hubby is trying his darnedest to figure out what the problem is. He can be so stubborn sometimes and thinks he should be able to fix it himself but I think he's about ready to give up. So we've had some good with some bad. That's life, I guess. 

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

What I'm currently reading/listening to

Orphan Train

by Christina Baker Kline 

For an upcoming TLC Book Tour.

Pie Girls

by Lauren Clark

(audio-book)

I am really enjoying this one. 

Spinning the Moon
by Karen White
(audio-book)

What I recently finished

Tangle of Strings (Sweeney Sisters #4)

by Ashley Farley

I love this series! My thoughts will be posted soon.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies
by Louise Gornall
Loved it! You can read my thoughts here.

It's Destiny: Three Romantic Women's Fiction Love Stories
by Bette Lee Crosby, Tanya Anne Crosby, and Julianne MacLean
These were great stories. My thoughts will be posted soon.

What I am going to read next


Everything I Never Told You
by Celeste Ng
This is my next book club pick. I might pick this one up and get started on it.

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall ~ My Thoughts

Under Rose-Tainted Skies

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Published January 3rd 2017 by Clarion Books

Norah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.

Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up.

Readers themselves will fall in love with Norah in this poignant, humorous, and deeply engaging portrait of a teen struggling to find the strength to face her demons.

(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 line—"I'm going to kill the damn blackbird sitting on my windowsill, chirping and squeaking at the top if its lungs. It hops back and forth, wings spread and flapping, but has zero intention of taking off."

Wow! I was totally hooked on this book from the very first chapter. The main character, Norah, is a teenger living her life with agoraphobia and OCD. Under Rose-Tainted Skies gives us a small taste of what it would be like to live this way. Norah first started showing symptoms about four years ago and now at seventeen, she has lived most of her teenage years being homebound. 

This was both an easy and a hard book to read. That's sounds contradictory, doesn't it? What I mean by that is, while it was hard to read about someone with agoraphobia and OCD and to have to see the trials and tribulations Norah goes through on a day-to-day basis, it was also an easy-to-read story because the author writes so beautifully. The words just flowed off of the pages. This whole story captivated me and it was one of those hard-to-put-down books that we all love to discover and get caught up in. I loved this book and will be looking forward to more from this author.  

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

About the author 

My name is Louise, and I write YA books. Sometimes contemp, sometimes horror, sometimes thriller. My debut YA contemp, Under Rose-Tainted Skies, will be published by HMH/Clarion (US), and Chicken House/Scholastic (UK) in the fall 2016/17.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies is about this chick, Norah, who suffers from agoraphobia, OCD and depression. Her life is one long blur of cheese sandwiches and trash tv, until she meets the new boy next door, Luke, and he starts to challenge her way of thinking.

I’m represented by the amazing Mandy Hubbard of Emerald City Literary.

Connect with Louise

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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