News And Reviews

I guess I've got too many irons in the fire. I can't work on my books, blog, work on projects and deal with my daily life without being overwhelmed. I'm neglecting to deliver those reviews like I promised. I have read thirteen books none of them have been reviewed yet. So here's what I'll do, to save time I will post a link to either my Goodreads or Amazon page so you can keep reading book reviews. Around September-October I'll be doing articles about Kindle, and reveal what works and what doesn't when selling books.
I have read A LOT of Kindle ebooks and courses over the past few months, and attended many webinars with some great information about marketing books. This will be the last time I will write a review on my blog. I just need more time to focus on my own books.

Autumn's Awakening by Irene Brand
Autumn Weaver comes home after eight years hoping to heal old family wounds. She never expected to see the one man she's always loved and hurt. She wasn't sure if Nathan Holland would ever forgive her...
I truly enjoyed this book. I think a majority of the Love Inspired books I have read and really liked were published ten years or more. The quality has gotten lame since then, however I liked the heroine and the hero they were real to me, and the storyline very good. The heroine was kind of a rebel, going against her parents to live how she wanted to live, that struck a chord with me. The hero was interesting as well. I wish I could say more but I read this months ago, but I did enjoy it very much. A good read if you can happen to get your hands on it.
Review thirteen completed. Twelve more books coming your way next Friday on Goodreads!

Review of Bluegrass Courtship By Allie Pleiter

Ugh! I couldn't stand this book. The story is all about how a television show(like Extreme Makeover Home) comes to a small town to help this church out. The Heroine Janet, believes the hero Drew from "Missionnovation" is a fake television type who wont do what he says. Why, do you ask? Way back in the day when she was "into" God and helping others, her ex-fiance appeared to be the same way as Drew, but that creep stole all the money he was supposed to be helping others with and dumped her, so she gives up on God, and people like our loveable hero.
Drew is a good guy and all and once he meets her knows her type, and is determined to get her to believe in him and that he does best for the people he helps. Unlike Janet, Drew has a close relationship with the lord. What I hated about this book: There is no romance! To have a Courtship, like the title implies, you have to have a "loving" relationship. At least, like each other.  Even though they did have some kind of relationship, it was very negative on her side. It didn't seem like she liked him. She definitely did not trust him.  To me, they did not start officially "courting" until the very last chapter of the book.
 Drew kind of liked her and was attempting to make the first step with her, in the middle of the story when she got angry at him, he apologized for barely implying that he was! Janet was annoying, stubborn and just plain stupid to me. Drew kept being so nice to her, I wanted him to just give up! To me, this is not a romance. Most of the book was Janet being a jerk, and Drew trying to prove himself, trying to like her, but knowing he shouldn't because she didn't have a relationship with God. He didn't give up on her though, because if he did, this book would have been a failure, because Janet does not make the first move.
The only good thing I can say about this book was that Janet finally stopped being stupid and went back to church and embraced Drew and was, what do you know, "happy" after many long senseless, lonely years! Of all the reasons why a person quits going to church, and stops their relationship with God, I thought this was the lamest.
I like stories where it's clear that the hero/heroine like each other and are trying to fight it. There's always a kiss or two thrown in even if they believe it's a mistake- way before the Twenty-sixth chapter. Yeah, that's right. The first kiss happens one chapter before the very last one.
I won't be reading anymore LI books after this one. I'll stick to my favorites like Michelle Sutton, Jamie Carie, Grace Livingston Hill, etc. There's only three more LI reviews to post. Don't worry, fortunately I liked those books.

Disturbing News......

Well, I don't really think what I will not reveal( as of yet) is disturbing news, but it is very disappointing. Still, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and this fall I will reveal all to you about what happened to me. I do have reviews, for you. This will be a short post, just an update, to why I have been gone(but you're used to it, LOL) so long. I will list one hundred book reviews before I begin to write the articles on book marketing. That is a promise, because I have hundreds of Kindle books yet to read(and still adding) as well as(most likely) one hundred print books. Each year I donate some for a book sale, so I have to get through most of these before the summer comes. So, enjoy all the book reviews. You'll have general romance, Christian romance, Young adult, children's, suspense, fantasy and science fiction book reviews from all over the web.

Urban Fantasy Challenge

I've decided to sign up for the Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Challenge that is hosted by Book Chick City.  I am going to choose level One:

One Howl: Read 12 UF/PNR Books in 2013

I wanted to read more, but I have a book to be released this year and two next year, so I've got a lot of editing to do! If you would like to be a part of the Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Challenge, you can sign up at the link below.
Urban Fantasy Challenge
I'll put up a list of what I intend to read(which may change) after I post the long awaited book reviews I have promised.

Book Review: Her Perfect Man By Jillian Hart

Someday My Prince Will...Move In Next Door?

Rebecca McKaslin had one of those Prince Charming types before and got burned. Her new neighbor, Chad Lawson seems a bit too perfect. She worries about getting involved with anyone again, but Chad is so easygoing, a guy who goes to church and so friendly, she can't help but be near him. Rebecca thinks that maybe, God is putting them together, but should she risk getting hurt a second time?



What I Thought: Five Out Of Five Stars

Rebecca is the youngest of the McKaslin Clan, and I just love her 'No Man Clause' to avoid getting hurt. Chad is really too good to be true to her, and she makes it clear in the beginning that they can only be friends. Thats what I loved about this story was that they were friends, then good friends and best friends. Rebecca has to come to terms with how she feels about her
choices of men, and what Chad had done in his past. Great Book.

Book Review: The Duchess and The Dragon By Jamie Carie

Two Worlds, One Destiny...
Drake Weston, Duke of Northumberland, is heir to wealth prestige, and power. But when rage pushes him to a tragic mistake, he must leave everything behind. Not just his home, but England herself. Cloaked in a false identity, Drake slips aboard a ship bearing indentured servants to America.

Serena Winter lives out her Quaker beliefs tending the sick who arrive on ships in the Philadelphia harbor. Never has she met such a one as the half-conscious man with the penetrating eyes and arrogant demeanor. Though she saves his life, and takes him into her family home, there is little gratitude or humility in this man. And yet Serena is certain that beneath the brash exterior is a heart in search of peace.

What I Thought: Five out of Five Stars
I loved this story! Jamie Carie is Another one of my favorite authors. this was a very addicting read! Drake has had it hard. His father died giving him the evil eye, and he doesn't know why. It is revealed later in the story and will actually change his life forever. Serena-I just loved her character! She has a very fairytale like imagination and Drake was seemingly clairvoyant when it came to her and they just clicked from the beginning. I loved their romance and how she gave up being a Quaker to marry him. The only downer to me in this book was when Drake was trying to hold on to the past. Life wasn't fair to him, and he wanted so much, but he had to change, (as Serena had to change with her 'fairytale' dreams), and to me it was very unfair and cruel. Of course alls well in the end, but that was the only 'aww man' part in the book to me.

Book Review: His Holiday Heart By Jillian Hart

The McKaslin Clan series. A Montana Scrooge with a Secret Crush. What can make a grumpy "there-is-no-Santa-Claus" kind of man smile? The sight of quirky Lucy Chapin. Something about the woman creates warm and fuzzy feelings within confirmed bachelor Spence McKaslin. So he'll just have to ignore her. Hard to do since they're working together on a Christmas program for hospitalized children....

What I Thought:
I am definitely hooked on the McKaslin Clan series! This book has a lot of humor in it. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Spence was a Scrooge in this story but it was more like a front to keep people away. Those who knew him(his family) knew how good he really was, but he never showed it to the world that much. He has a reason for behaving that way, which when you read it you will find is understanding. Lucy wasn't on the hunt for a husband either, but is very much hooked on Spence, as he is with her. I give this one five out of five stars.

Book Review: The Cinderella Plan By Margaret Daley

From the Tiny Blessings Series.Anne has a crush on her minister Caleb Williams.
Three girls from the teen center transformed her into Cinderella. She's not sure that he would want to date someone as 'plain' as she is, and she didn't have the strong faith that he had. Still, she dreams of being with him.

What I Thought:
It was a sweet story. Anne came from a background where her parents basically ignored her, all they cared about was each other and their career. The only family member who loved her was her Grandma Rose, who taught her about God. There were also her three best friends, Rachel, Pilar and Meg who she knew from school and made life better for her when kids picked on her at school. She has a physical defect and she's shy also. The hero, Caleb had been hurt before when he tried to convert someone to God and it didn't work, so he's not trying to fall in love with her. She's not trying to fall for him, but they do anyway. A child is also involved in the story, whom they both love and are trying to help. It takes two near tragic events for Anne to come to God and put her faith in him. Out of five stars, I give it a 4.5.

Writing Updates

Still editing my first inspirational romance novel.
I should be done by tomorrow. I have to shelf
my picture book manuscript because I'm waiting
on the artist. I'll be starting my non fiction book
this week for writers, and preparing an outline for
my next romance novel which is book two of a
trilogy.

First Novel Finished

My first Inspirational Romantic Novel is complete.
I am in the process of editing it.

My First Novel...

My first novel, which is an edgy Christian romance is
a WIP. I'm already halfway through the first draft. I
don't have a title yet, but I'm at the part in the story
where there is going to be a tragic event.

During this tragic event, the heroines family finds
out who she really is(or used to be) and they are
stunned. Why would she appear to be so...____
when she used to be...._____

That's where I'll leave it. I don't want to give too
much away until it's done, because this story is
wild-in a Christian way of course.Tell me what
you think about it so far!

Apprentice Father Review

Apprentice Father (Love Inspired #479)
I really, really loved this book. Clay Adams
a bachelor by choice, is suddenly the caregiver
of his niece and nephew after his sisters murder.
He's a man with a job that requires so much of
his time, he needs a nanny. In steps Cate Shepard.
She's had to deal with losing her dream and the
hope of a family. Her love of God got her through,
but, can she heal the two children? Will Clay be
the one man who she can count on to create a
family? There is also two villains in the story.
This is definitely worth a read. My ratings are
5 out of 5.

A Family For Luke Review

I Really, Really loved this book. The hero of the
story never had a family. A family is something
he wants more than anything. By chance or prov-
idence, he moves next door to widow, Jane Corbett
and her three children. He's starting to dream up
something possibly can happen. She has been burned
not once, but twice. She will not move forward with
him until he comes to terms with his miserable past.
Great story, I rate it 5 out of 5. This is one of my
favorite inspirational romances.

A Family for Luke: Riverbend Series #3 (Love Inspired #476)

Where Love Abides Review

I really liked this book. The greatest tension was
how the heroine, Christine Turner was attracted
to the heroine, but literally afraid of him because
of something that happened to her in her past. Dale,
was baffled, but wanted to know why someone as
nice and wonderful as her wanted to hide away from
the world. His little daughter already has chosen her
for a mom, and he wanted to make both Christine's
and his daughters dream happen. I'd rate this one
a four out of five. Definitely something to pick up.

Where Love Abides (Heartland Homecoming, Book 3) (Love Inspired #443)

Inspirational Romance Review

This really is a sweet romance. You have Rachel's character
who has a crush on Matt since childhood. A tragedy, however
makes her lose her faith in God. She runs away to pursue her
dream of acting and becomes a star. Another tragedy brings
her home with her little girl. Matt, a war hero, is determined
to win her heart. Rachel really doesn't want the country life.
Again, another tragedy brings her back to God, and a special
person, back home to where she belongs. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Mommy's" Hometown Hero (The Dalton Brothers, Book 2) (Love Inspired #477)

Welcome To My World.....

What I like to read is most likely the type
of books that I'll be writing. So here's just
a sample of what that is.
Romance
Barbara Cartland
Jane Austen
Inspirational
Edgy Christian Fiction
Fiction
Fantasy
YA
Children's
Non-Fiction
Biography
Cookbooks
Health

I have just completed two Children's manuscripts. They are
both rhyming books. One is a rhyming story, the other a
collection of poetry. All I need to do now, is just add the
graphics, and I'm done!

The novel that I'm working on now is a Christian romance.
Will it be 'edgy' or full of fluff? Guess you'll just have to wait
and see....