Review: Bloodsworn by Scott Reintgen

Bloodsworn by Scott Reintgen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This was published on February 16, 2021 so you should be able to find it at your favorite retailer now.  

This a was awesome. I wasn't sure how this was going to play out after Ashlords ended. Ashlords was more focused on the races, where this is focused on the aftermath and the political unrest that was hinted at in the first book. Much like in Ashlords the story is told from the perspectives of Pippa, Adrian, and Imelda who each have an important role to play. War has been brewing for a very long time between the Ashlords and the Longhands with the Dividians caught in the crossfire. Our three leads learn the many secrets of the long standing hatred between their people in an unexpected place, the underworld and home of the gods. As they learn more, they uncover the solution to ending the war between their people for good.

I really love this series. Our three main characters are faced with alot and they quickly have to grow into leader and guide their people to victory whether they want to or not. They have to unravel the clues that are left for them in order to build a better world for their people. We do get quite a bit of character development from each of the, but I loved Pippa's transformation the most. Her persona from the beginning of book one to the end of book two was awesome and unexpected. Unlike in book one we don't get as much of the alchemy and phoenixes. The phoenixes are still a part of the story, but their rebirths and the alchemy surrounding their abilities isn't discussed in much detail in this installment. The focus is on the action of the characters and the strategies they are developing and the decisions they are making in the course of the war. I feel that is worth mentioning because it is a bit of a different focus from the first book. It also slows down the pace a bit because there is lots of strategizing and discussion vs action. There are some great action scenes in this, but it isn't the same as the fast paced action as in the race.

Overall I loved this duology and can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next. His books are so creative and unique! This is perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, An Ember in the Ashes, and other darker or dystopian YA.
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Review: The One That I Want by Piper Sheldon

The One That I Want by Piper Sheldon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

I loved getting to know Roxy and Saunders.  They both had such interesting back stories and were perfect for each other.  Each of them had some baggage to unpack before they could finally be together, but I really liked the way that was handled.  I actually appreciated that this turned into a slower burn romance.  I thought it was going to be a insta-love kind of thing, but I should have known that Piper Sheldon was not going to let me down and that she was going to deliver a solid, mature romance book with substance.  I was not disappointed.

This starts out with Roxy and Saunders meeting at a night club in Denver, they are instantly attracted to each other.  Things start out passionate and heavy, but Roxy has turned her chaotic life around and always likes to be in control so they opt for a nice chat over ice cream before she heads back to Green Valley.  Never expecting to see or hear from her mystery man again, Roxy goes back to her uber controlled, buttoned up life coordinating events and working at Donner Lodge.  When Saunders bursts on to the scene to work with the Lodge on some outdoor corporate team building events, she is shaken and her carefully scheduled itinerary is threatened.  If Roxy wants the promotions she has worked so hard for and deserves she will have to learn to work as a team, and if Saunders wants to win the girl he's going to have to learn to let her in and deal with his demons and feelings.  

I loved the side characters in this.  Skip, Saunders' best friend and business partner was awesome though he's got some secrets of his own that I hope we learn about in the future.  He is always cleaning up after Saunders, but he finally calls him on his crap when he's made one too many messes for himself.  I loved that he finally stood up to Saunders and made him face reality.  The same goes for Gretchen, she was such a good friend to Roxy, but she and Roxy pushed each other away because they didn't want to deal with their feelings.  When they finally talked it out, they realized they each wanted what was best for each other.  I found that so relatable.  I also love their friend group and their support for each other.

I loved the comparison of Sandy and Danny in Grease.  She's conservative where he is wild.  He's impulsive where she is controlled.  In the end they both want to be together and complement each other so well.  I also loved the grand gesture scene at the end.  If you have seen the movie, you will get the references.

I'm looking forward to seeing more from the Scorned Women's Society, especially Gretchen and maybe Skip or Jack (maybe Skip and Jack? ;))  I really enjoyed this installment and the whole series in general.  

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Review: The Bookworm's Guide to Flirting by Emma Hart

The Bookworm's Guide to Flirting by Emma Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third installment of the Bookworm's series where three best friends own a bookstore and each of them have found love in an unexpected place.  Saylor is a bookworm, and owns the local bookstore with her two best friends.  She recently took on a roommate to help ends meet, the issue is that her roomie is a very attractive British personal trainer named Dylan.  Determined to keep things professional and platonic with Dylan.  We met Dylan in [book:The Bookworm's Guide to Faking It|53886618], when he comes to town to help Sebastian (Holley's boyfriend) with his injury and he is looking for a place to stay.  He ends up renting a room from Saylor and the two of them couldn't be more different.  When Saylor decides to try her hands at online dating again Dylan offers to be her wingman and give her flirting tips, this obviously backfires.  I really liked that they talked about how they were feeling and that the relationship progressed in it's own time.  We get to see them both work through their emotions and reservations about entering a relationship, and it is done in a healthy mature way.     

As with the other books, I loved the scenes with the grandparents and the ducks.  They add such comic relief to the books!  As usual this is filled with the witty banter you expect from Emma Hart.  You have the blunt retorts from Saylor and the quick witted responses from Dylan.  I can't wait for Tori and Colton's story which I believe is next.

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Release Blitz: The One That I Want by Piper Sheldon

The One That I Want, an all-new opposites attract contemporary romance from Piper Sheldon, is LIVE EARLY on AppleBooks, Nook, Kobo, and GooglePlay!

There is no such thing as luck.

Roxy Kincaid isn’t a biker chick anymore. She’s made herself more than Jethro Winston’s castoff, and she’s never going back to her old life with the Iron Wraiths. But one summer night, a charming stranger threatens to sweep Roxy off her feet. Ignoring fate and their instant attraction, she has to get back to her real life in Green Valley. He couldn’t be the one that she wants when he’s exactly the thing that could ruin everything. If only she could stop thinking about him.

Luck is everything.

Sanders Olsson is going to fix his mistakes. He’s determined to show his best friend he’s a reliable business partner not the distracted flake he’s been lately. But he has to listen when the universe brings him a sign in the form of a guarded beauty he can’t keep his eyes off. Their instant connection is almost magical but she leaves without giving him even a last name. When fate gives Sanders a second chance in life and love, he sets out for Green Valley without a backward glance.

Their summer lovin’ happened so fast but what will it take to make it last?

‘The One That I Want’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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Coming to Kindle Unlimited February 25th!

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About Piper Sheldon

Piper Sheldon writes Contemporary Romance and Paranormal Romance. Her books are a little funny, a lotta romantic, and with just a little twist of something more. She lives with her husband, toddler, and two needy dogs at home in the desert Southwest. She finds writing bios in the third person an extreme sport of awkwardness.

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Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of the audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  This book will be published on March 2, 2021.

I thoroughly enjoyed this.  It is told from 3 different perspectives, and narrated by 3 different women which helps the reader distinguish Eliza, Caroline, and Nella.  They have 3 very different voices which makes it very easy for the reader to distinguish which perspective the story is being told from.  

Caroline is an American on holiday in present day London.  She is supposed to be celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary, but has just discovered that her husband has been having an affair.  She decides to take their anniversary trip without him and do some sole searching and self-discovery.  She was once an aspiring historian and rediscovers her spark and passion for historical investigation while mudlarkng in the Thames.  She finds an old apothecary's jar that leads her on an unsolved murder investigation.  Roughly 200 years prior Nella runs an women's apothecary.  It was once respected for curing women's maladies, but when Nella's own skills were used against her she began using her skills for a much darker purpose.  She now uses her apothecary skills to help women seek revenge against the men in their lives who have wronged them.  Enter Eliza, who was tasked to pick up and administer a poison for her  mistress.  Eliza is drawn to Nella and becomes caught up in her schemes and attempts to not only save her shop but the women who have used her services.

While I normally don't like dual timeline or multiple perspectives, this book is an example of how to do both right!  Penner did a wonderful job connecting the three characters and the timeline.  I think having Caroline investigate the history of what happened to the apothecary was the perfect way to tie her back to Nella and Eliza.  I also really loved the way Eliza was portrayed, just as I was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to set her straight about some of her naïve thoughts, Nella gently explains what is going on with her.  I thought the author did a great job writing her as a 12 year old girl from another time, she was so grown up about some things but so innocent about others.  I also very much enjoyed watching the relationship blossom between Nella and Eliza.  Even though it was only over a very short period of time, it pulled you in and you were immediate wrapped up in what happened to them.  

I struggle to write this review without spoilers because while this is a bit of a historical fiction it also has some mystery elements as well.  There is an interesting twist at the end, but I will say as a big thriller reader I kind of saw it coming.  Overall I very much enjoyed the audiobook of this.  I think I finished it in 2 days and couldn't wait to get back to it every time I turned it off.   I believe this is Penner's debut, and if so it is a solid one and I can't wait to read more from her!  I'll be looking forward to more of her work.

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Blog Tour: Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke

Like You Love Me, an all-new sweet small-town standalone romance in the Honey Creek series from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke is available now!

Two childhood friends are playing house—and maybe playing for keeps—in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s funny, sexy, and unpredictable marriage-of-convenience romance.

To save her Tennessee bed-and-breakfast, Sophie Bates needs a fast-cash miracle. Holden McKenzie, her childhood best friend, needs to prove to a prospective employer that he’s a committed man. Their fortunes on the line, Holden proposes…a solution.

He’ll take care of Sophie’s bills if she agrees to a temporary marriage of convenience. And why not? They’re comfortable together, they have fun, and they trust each other. It’s as simple as saying “I do.” But the off-the-cuff wedding has all of Honey Creek talking—and Sophie and Holden realizing that their perfect arrangement is working too well. If they’re not careful, this marriage could turn into a love story.

Download your copy or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited today!
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Excerpt

“This Chad guy sounds like a real champ,” he says.

“I’m the moron that married him.”

I pick at the edge of the table to keep from meeting his eyes.

Chad was not my best work. Not my best choice, or the greatest guy I’ve ever dated, nor am I proud that I went through with the whole thing. But I did it and I can’t change it. I need to figure out how to accept all that.

“I’m sure you had great intentions,” Holden says.

“I did. Want to know how deep his intentions ran?” I strum my fingers against the tabletop as I look up at him. “He left me by sticking a note to the kitchen table with a dollop of strawberry jelly.”

I blow out a breath and regret word-vomiting all that. It was too deep. Too raw and real. Opening up to Holden is too easy, and I probably just ruined the mood.

He watches me for a few seconds before grinning. “He didn’t even use grape? Rude.”

I smile, relieved that he didn’t dig deeper. “Right? He didn’t even use grape on his sandwiches.”

“Big red flag right there,” he says, pointing a finger my way.

“You know, Gramma always said not to marry a man that cuts the crusts off his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

“And why is that?”

“Because that’s an indication that someone doesn’t like boundaries. Guess I should’ve listened to her. He even cut the crusts off his grilled cheese.”

He gasps, his jaw falling to the table in mock horror. “That’s serial-killer shit right there.”

“Hey, I don’t know what he’s been doing the last couple of years of his life.” I take a napkin from the dispenser. “You might be right.”

“So why did you marry him? You didn’t get serial-killer vibes from the start?”

It’s a question I’ve asked myself a million times, because down deep, I knew it wasn’t right for me. I just ignored my gut and did it anyway.

About Adriana

USA Today, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

Connect with Adriana

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Review: Escaping Ordinary by Scott Reintgen

Escaping Ordinary by Scott Reintgen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as awesome as Saving Fable which I also loved!  This series is so fun.  While this is the second book in the series, and reading the first book would be helpful in getting to know Indira's backstory and the magic system and the workings of the world, I feel like you could probably read this as a standalone.  The storyline is not really connected to Saving Fable, and while there is some overlap of characters they are on a completely different adventure.  You should still read Saving Fable because it is excellent.

If you like middle grade, have a young reader, or are in need of a whimsical adventure story pick this up.  As a mom of a young reader I love that this has such great messages about teamwork and friendship, and encourages such a love of reading.  I love how vividly Reintgen describes the reader's connection to the story, and gives life to his characters.  As you read want all of the characters to get selected for their own story because you come to like them so much.  I recommend this series to everyone who is looking for a good fantasy story because it makes me remember why I love reading and it is so much fun.

Much like in Saving Fable, Indira and her friends are on another journey that goes haywire and they have to save the land before everything is destroyed forever.  This time they are up against a powerful foe, and Indira and her team have to learn to work together and use their strengths to complement one another or they will fail and some of our most beloved stories will be lost forever.  Again I loved that this is a nod to not only book lovers, but books in general.  It has references to other great books and some of the other heroes that Indira and her team encounter on "The Hero's Journey" tutorial are characters everyone will recognize.   I was glad to see that some of my favorite characters were back to help Indira on this quest and that they will hopefully be back in the next book.  

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke

Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet romance.  If you are looking for a feel good, wholesome romance with some humor, look no further.  This follows childhood friends who have recently stumbled into a marriage of convenience on both sides.  He needs a wife so he he looks stable for a potential job prospect after his life fell to pieces through no fault of his own.  She needs someone with the ability to pay off her debt and save her beloved bed and breakfast.  What they didn't expect is that their "fake" marriage might actually turn into a real one and their pretend feelings might actually be real.

I liked that Holden and Sophie knew each other previously.  I'm not a huge fan of insta-love, but the fact that he spent summers in Honey Creek and they always liked each other despite never acting on their feelings previously took that issue out of the story.  They already have friendship and memories to back up their feelings and relationship, so when Holden asks her to marry him to get them both out of their situations it is still a crazy solution, but not totally outlandish.  Despite the fact that they both agree to keep things between them completely platonic, things don't go as planned.  

I really enjoyed watching Sophie and Holden's relationship unfold.  They were comfortable with each other from spending years together as friends and they had great chemistry.  This has some great side characters that I hope to see more of in future books.  If you like friends to lovers, second chance romances, and marriages of convenience this is a great story!  I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Release Blitz: Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot

Dewey Belong Together, an all-new enemies to lovers small-town romance from Ann Whynot, is LIVE EARLY on AppleBooks, Nook, Kobo, and GooglePlay! 

Librarian Maxine Peters lives her life behind the scenes. By day, she’s a buttoned-up cataloguing whiz in the basement of the Green Valley Public Library. By night, she’s secretly dominating in an online role playing game as the legendary Maximus_Damage. Her in-game persona has the skills to back up the hype. But every hero has an enemy; every saga, a villain. And by her own invitation, Maximus’ arch nemesis, Wrath, has just landed in Green Valley.

Jonathan Owen is not at all who Maxine expects when she meets Wrath face to face. Eager to leave the past in the game, Jonathan takes this golden opportunity to win Maxine’s heart. There’s just one wrench in that plan: he may have, on a few occasions, acted like a bit of a jerk online. And to his puzzlement, she has taken their fun rivalry to the level of epic dislike.

When Jonathan and Maxine are unexpectedly alone for a weekend, secrets are revealed that make love hard and hatred even harder. Jonathan quickly learns fighting his own demons will take more than one elite gamer. And Maxine, who is busy rebooting her life in Green Valley, might not be up to the task.

When real life starts to override the game, can Maxine and Jonathan find a way to make it work? Or will it be game over for this player versus player adventure?

Dewey Belong Together’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #7 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy TODAY!

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Coming to Kindle Unlimited February 18th!

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About Ann Whynot

Ann Whynot has been writing stories since she was five, and always dreamed of one day being a published author. She is a voracious reader and book collector, and used book stores are her kryptonite. She also is passionate about video games, crafting, baking, laughing, and travel.

She lives with her family, dog, and two cats on the Canadian east coast, and is inspired by both the forest and sea.

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Release Blitz: Eye Candy by Jiffy Kate

Eye Candy, an all-new opposites attract small-town romance from Jiffy Kate, is LIVE EARLY on AppleBooks, Nook, Kobo, and GooglePlay! 

Vali Erickson is the classic middle child—misunderstood, underestimated, and overlooked. He’s fine with it. Really. The overlooked part is actually serving him well during this phase of life.

He’s in Green Valley in an effort to fly under the radar and regroup after a life-altering blow to his heart and ego. The last thing he’s looking for is a woman to warm his bed until one throws him to the mat and rocks his world.

Margaret O’Neal is an only child who has led a sheltered life. She’s used to being a wallflower. Her ability to blend into the background is what allows her to maintain her anonymity as a gossip columnist for the Green Valley Ledger.

Since the Ericksons moved to town, she's never felt more inspired, especially with the newest addition. Vali Erickson is the definition of eye candy—devastatingly handsome with muscles for days—giving her plenty to report about.

The more Maggie observes, the more she finds herself wanting things she’s only read about in romance novels.

Admiring Vali from afar is good enough for her until their paths cross and she finds herself trying to stay afloat in uncharted territory—no labels, no promises, and WAY out of her comfort zone.

Will this arrangement be what finally breaks her out of her shell, or will her heart be a casualty of the Viking Invasion?

'Eye Candy' is a full-length contemporary romance, and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Fighting For Love series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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Coming to Kindle Unlimited February 18th!

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About Jiffy Kate

Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman. They’re co-writing besties who share a brain. They also share a love of cute boys, stiff drinks, and fun times.

Together, they’ve written over twenty stories. Their first published book, Finding Focus, was released in November 2015. Since then, they’ve continued to write what they know–southern settings full of swoony heroes and strong heroines.

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Release Blitz: Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke

“Locke (Restraint) populates her Honey Creek series launch with quirky and well-drawn town dwellers…” --Publishers Weekly

Like You Love Me, an all-new marriage of convenience standalone romance and first book in the Honey Creek series from USA Today bestselling byauthor Adriana Locke is available now!

Two childhood friends are playing house—and maybe playing for keeps—in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s funny, sexy, and unpredictable marriage-of-convenience romance.

To save her Tennessee bed-and-breakfast, Sophie Bates needs a fast-cash miracle. Holden McKenzie, her childhood best friend, needs to prove to a prospective employer that he’s a committed man. Their fortunes on the line, Holden proposes…a solution.

He’ll take care of Sophie’s bills if she agrees to a temporary marriage of convenience. And why not? They’re comfortable together, they have fun, and they trust each other. It’s as simple as saying “I do.” But the off-the-cuff wedding has all of Honey Creek talking—and Sophie and Holden realizing that their perfect arrangement is working too well. If they’re not careful, this marriage could turn into a love story.

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oWWqXM
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LikeYouLoveMe

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3qw68Rd

About Adriana

USA Today, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

Connect with Adriana

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Nf4JjE
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Website: https://adrianalocke.com
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Release Blitz: Nate by Tijan

Nate, an all-new enemies-to-lovers standalone from the Fallen Crest universe from New York Times bestselling author Tijan is coming February 9th, 2021, and we have the smoking hot cover!

Full synopsis to come!

Pre-order your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jO0yXh Apple Books: https://apple.co/31O7rRU Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/nate Nook: https://bit.ly/2Gooj9O Kobo: https://bit.ly/3jERrYO Barnes and Nobles Paperback: https://bit.ly/2F0BLzN Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2ERDc3E

Add NATE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/32Pp82L

Celebrate the reveal with this MEGA Swag Pack Giveaway → https://bit.ly/3jHaH85

Don’t miss out! Always Crew is OUT NOW! Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3if3T1q Apple Books: https://apple.co/2BN6H5h Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/alwayscrew Nook: https://bit.ly/2ZAggNd Kobo: https://bit.ly/2YKEC7K Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2BOv7Lx

Add ALWAYS CREW to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2BkteWY

About Tijan Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f Facebook: http://bit.ly/2vreAub Facebook Reader Page: https://bit.ly/32hsdsq Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Vx4DpD Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PyLhwy Reader Group: http://bit.ly/38bz8nQ Audiomen Group: https://bit.ly/3bFFKgB

Release Blitz: Steal My Magnolia by Karla Sorensen

“Steal My Magnolia is more than a love story. It's a beautifully crafted journey of life full of obstacles but a journey worth the travel with the right person.” --Author Andrea Johnston

Steal My Magnolia, an all-new heartwarming small-town romance from Karla Sorensen, is now available in Kindle Unlimited! 

Life lesson from Grady Buchanan: If you’re going to fall in love with the untouchable girl in town, don’t hire her as your only employee.

Even after he bungled the interview with Magnolia MacIntyre, he knew better than to hire her. The list of why it’s a bad idea is a long one.

Her father could ruin his fledgling business.

She is completely overqualified.

And he’s attracted to her.

What does Grady do? He offers her the job.

Magnolia knew better than to take it. Normally, she’d make the safe choice, and working for Grady is anything but.

He’s new in town–and entirely too charming.

Her dad will be furious.

She hates the outdoors and working for an outdoor adventure company is not exactly the right fit.

What does she do? She says yes on the spot.

Grady and Magnolia will have to prove to everyone in their life that they’re not crazy. And prove to each other that the list of why it’s a bad idea should be tossed out the window.

For these two opposites, sometimes doing the wrong thing is exactly right.

‘Steal My Magnolia’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Love At First Sight series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy TODAY!

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Baking Me Crazy

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Batter of Wits

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About Karla Sorensen

Karla Sorensen has been an avid reader her entire life, preferring stories with a happily-ever-after over just about any other kind. And considering she has an entire line item in her budget for books, she realized it might just be cheaper to write her own stories. It doesn’t take much to keep her happy…a book, a really big glass of wine, and at least thirty minutes of complete silence every day. She still keeps her toes in the world of health care marketing, where she made her living pre-babies. Now she stays home, writing and mommy-ing full time (this translates to almost every day being a ‘pajama day’ at the Sorensen household…don’t judge). She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two exceptionally adorable sons and big, shaggy rescue dog.

Find Karla Sorensen online

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Website: http://www.karlasorensen.com/

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Review: 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb

18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

You can tell the author put alot of time and effort into her research of Captain Lee, however this was not the book I expected.  The title indicates that it is about the invention of forensics, and it gets to that, but much of it focuses on Lee's life as a wealthy socialite and other people and topics that are sidebars that made have had an impact on her and her life, but they didn't feel relevant to the science and forensics.  If this had solely been about Lee then perhaps those chapters may have made a bit more sense but to package this as a book about the invention of modern forensics, some of the content didn't interest me.  I feel like in an attempt to honor Frances Glessner Lee, the author put in all of the information he had on her, and in turn the book feels a bit disjointed and overburdened by information.  Some will love all of the detailed information about her life as well as the science she devoted her life to.  It breaks up the more cold and clinical details of the forensics.  Personally I would have liked it to be a bit more focused on the science aspect.

The science and establishment of the Legal Medicine program at Harvard was very technical and detailed.  I had no idea that some of the issues that Lee was fighting then still exists today.  What we see on TV on popular crime shows isn't what really goes on.  I learned quite a bit about the establishment of forensics and what a medical examiner must do.  Captain Lee was a force to be reckoned with, she knew how to use her wealth and influence to get things done, and she accomplished so much in this field.  

Overall I do feel Goldfarb did what he set out to do, pay homage and honor Frances Glessner Lee by telling her story and letting the world know what she did for modern forensics.  It was well researched and well written.  I do wish it had been a bit more focused content-wise, but I did learn quite a bit.

I was provided a copy of this book through Sourcebooks Early Reads program in exchange for an honest review.   I did opt to listen to the final version of the published audiobook.

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Review: Eye Candy by Jiffy Kate

Eye Candy by Jiffy Kate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This will be published on February 16th and is part of the Smartypants Romance Universe.

This is book 3 in The Fighting for Love series.  The previous books were marketed under The Donner Bakery series and recently got a cover makeover.  Each book is a standalone, but you will gain a better understanding of the other couples mentioned in this book if you read the previous books in the series.  I feel you can read them all as standalones though and pick them all up individually.

This follows Maggie, a shy, sheltered member of the Green Valley community.  At 24 she still lives at home and works for her parents at the family's feed store in town.  Her parents were fairly protective of her growing up and Maggie doesn't have much social or life experience.  Vali is the middle child of the Erikson clan.  His older brother, Cage has moved to town and opened a gym to teach mixed martial arts.  Cage is training their other brother Gunnar for an MMA title, so Vali has come to visit and escape their home town of Dallas to get away from some drama.  Maggie is doing research at the gym for her secret gossip column for the local paper, so when she runs into Vali at the gym she can't help but be attracted to him.  He is intrigued by this shy girl, but he isn't interested in anything permanent.  Maggie and Vali's paths keep crossing and they decide to spend time together getting to know each other, no labels, no strings attached.  The more time they spend together the harder it is for them to stay away from each other.

I really appreciated that Vali and Maggie took things slow.  While there was an instant attraction, they took their time getting to know one another and actually fall in love.  Their relationship progressed fairly realistically, and I felt like they were pretty honest with each other.  I always appreciate when couples communicate with each other like grown ups in books.  This was well written.  I really enjoyed it and I loved that we got to see the couples of the previous books.  I really enjoyed watching Maggie step out of her comfort zone and grow into her own person.  Vali got over his baggage and wasn't put off by Maggie's lack of experience and inexperience with life and other things.  He was willing to wait for her to be ready to experience everything with him at her pace.  This was yet another great addition to the series and the Smartypants Romance Universe!

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Review: Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot

Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This book releases on February 16th, and is part of the Smartypants Romance Universe.  This particular book is part of the Green Valley Library series.

This is book 7 of the Green Valley Library series, however they area all standalones.  You do not need to read the previous books in the series to read this one.  It will introduce you to some of the characters mentioned in the book, but their stories aren't relevant to the plot.  I highly recommend them because they are great reads!  I'm a huge fan of them all!

This was really fun and I really liked the premise.  The author did a great job with both of the characters by giving them both complex backstories.  They each have struggles and baggage to deal with and they've both found solace in the gaming community.  Maxine, aka Max,  is the quiet librarian who works in the basement and wears frumpy clothing and doesn't really talk to anyone during the day.  At night she is a a well known and well respected gamer, but no one knows her true identity.  She goes by the gamer tag Maximus_Damage and her arch nemesis is a character named Wrath.  She and Wrath have known each other through the gaming community for 10 years, and she hates him.  Wrath's real name is Jonathan, who had kind of been a jerk to Max over the years, but he feels very different about Maximus.  Max invites a bunch of players from their game to Green Valley for a team building weekend, but Wrath is the only one who shows.  Neither of them are who the other expected and they have to work through their preconceived notions, past actions, and feelings to make the best of the weekend.  As they let down their guard, they realize that they could actually be friends and might even like each other if they are able to get past some of the things that have happened in their past.

After a fun weekend together, real life takes back over and Max and Jonathan have to go their separate ways.  Max has decided that she isn't going to hide from her past and from life anymore.  As she begins to come out of her shell and start living again, she isn't spending as much time in the game, and therefore isn't spending as much time with Jonathan.  Not having put labels on their relationship and living several states apart, Jonathan is having a hard time managing his own life as a gamer, business owner, and dealing with his own family and mental health issues.  

If you aren't a gamer or interested in gaming, the book does not heavily focus on gaming.  In fact much of the gaming that happens is off page.  I would have liked to see a little of the gaming on the page, as much of the interaction between Max and Wrath is discussed prior to them meeting in person and I would have like to see that dynamic in action both before and after they meet in person.  

I believe you could classify this as an #ownvoices novel.  Based on the author's note at the end, the author talks about her own mental health journey and how she wrote it into the pages of this book.  I think we need to see more books with characters, especially written by authors with genuine experience, that struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and bipolar disorder.  Everyone's experience with these types of mental health issues is different but when it is written by someone who lives with it, it helps demystify and normalize it for readers.  

Overall I thought this was really fun and I enjoyed watching these two characters figure out how to navigate each other and the world around them.  

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