Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks

18 Nov, 2020 by in historical fiction, proper romance, Shadow Mountain Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks

Georgana's Secret

on January 12, 2021
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
four-stars
Buy the Book • Goodreads
A Regency romance on the high seas.

1811, HMS Deborah

Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

Review

So much to love about Georgana’s Secret. I finished it in one day! Naval Historical Fiction, with a touch of romance. Georgana is aboard her father’s ship disguised as a boy, George Taylor. Sea life is hard, disappointing and dangerous. She has lived a life of abuse feeling she is a mistake and a failure. Along comes Dominic. Completely unaware of who she is, gentle and kind to the orphaned ship mate.

This one has a slow moving pace, until the very end, when the action of battle really picks up. There were a few plot pieces which felt a bit off– like her father’s treatment of her, at times, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the rest. There are true to life details which make this feel like a trip back in time between Naval officers in the midst of war. Loved it and can’t wait to read more from the author. Thanks Shadow Mountain for the sneak peek.

Content: drinking, bullying, abuse. Moderate violence, Clean.

About the Author

Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people, and the stories they have to tell. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and emphasis in print journalism, and now lives in Arizona with her husband and two children

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Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

17 Nov, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

Love and Olives

on November 10, 2020
Pages: 512
Format: ARC
four-half-stars
Buy the Book •
Liv Varanakis doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of her father, which makes sense—he fled to Greece when she was only eight. What Liv does remember, though, is their shared love for Greek myths and the lost city of Atlantis. So when Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is funding a documentary about his theories on Atlantis—and will she fly out to Greece and help?—Liv jumps at the opportunity.

But when she arrives to gorgeous Santorini, things are a little…awkward. There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years. And yet Liv doesn’t want their past to get in the way of a possible reconciliation. She also definitely doesn’t want Theo—her father’s charismatic so-called “protégé”—to witness her struggle.

And that means diving into all that Santorini has to offer—the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the hidden caves, and the delicious cuisine. But not everything on the Greek island is as perfect as it seems. Because as Liv slowly begins to discover, her father may not have invited her to Greece for Atlantis, but for something much more important.

When I found out the Author of Love and Gelato had another book out, I had to read it! What a beautiful story of resilience, recovery and chasing one’s dreams. At over 500 pages, I plowed right through without a second thought. Set in magical Santorini, Greece, I was swept away.

Liv’s father is an Atlantis seeker, searching the world over for the lost city, Liv is left behind. When an invitation comes in her senior year to join him, she resists. My goodness, I loved this book! It was a refreshing, clean YA read which explores the intricacies of life. Theo is spunky and unpredictable, his mother a jewel. I laughed and cried, then went online to order Love & Luck. Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster for the advance copy. One of my favorites this year.

Content: mental illness, sneaking out and sleeping in same room as a boy, smoking. No violence. Clean read.

About the Author

Jenna Evans Welch was the kind of insatiable child reader who had no choice but to grow up to become a writer. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, and Love & Olives. When she isn’t writing girl abroad stories, Jenna can be found chasing her children or making elaborate messes in the kitchen. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and two young children. Visit her online at JennaEvansWelch.com.

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The Santa Box Blog Tour

16 Nov, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

The Santa Box

Cami Carver (Actor), Shawn Stevens (Actor), Spanky Ward (Director)

Rated: NR

Format: DVD

Release date : November 10, 2020

Amazon

For 12-year-old Kallie Watts, Christmas is anything but merry. For the last five years, the tinsel-strewn holiday has spelled disaster for her family, so when an apartment fire leaves Kallie and her widowed mother homeless just in time for the holidays, it comes as no surprise. There’s only one logical conclusion: Kallie is cursed by Christmas. When her mother finds a new job in a small California town, Kallie steps out of the moving van and into her worst nightmare: a real-life version of “Whoville,” overflowing with holiday decorations and brimming with Christmas cheer. Forced to navigate the complicated ins and outs of her jolly new surroundings, Kallie is shaken out of her gloom one day when she discovers an ornately carved wooden Santa box on the porch, addressed to her. The moment she lifts the lid, Kallie’s life is changed forever as she rediscovers the true magic and meaning of Christmas…

Review

The Santa Box had a rocky start in our family with the over the top mom and daughter bully duo, but toward the middle of the show our family was engaged and watching the real story unfold. It has a beautiful story of selfless love and giving a well as forgiveness and hope. We were crying near the end! Perfect for a family Christmas movie with a tender message.

Content: bullying, mention of parent death

Movie Trailer

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FROZEN 2: DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR Blog Tour and Giveaway

13 Nov, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FROZEN 2:DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR by Mari Mancusi Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: FROZEN 2:DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR

Author: Mari Mancusi, Grace Lee (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: November 3, 2020

Publisher: Disney Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 352

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org, Order A Signed Copy!

Sixteen-year-old Iduna harbors a dark secret. On the surface, she is an Arendellian village girl, an aspiring inventor, and the best friend of Prince Agnarr, but she is also secretly Northuldra.

Ever since the day the forest fell, Arendellians have despised and distrusted Northuldra with a vengeance. No matter that the Northuldra-along with some of Arendelle’s own-have been trapped in the Enchanted Forest behind an impenetrable wall of mist since the day of the battle.

Iduna doesn’t know why the mist refuses to part, or why it descended to begin with. The only clear thing is that she must keep her identity from everyone, even Agnarr. Her life depends on it.

Fortunately for her, Agnarr doesn’t know that Iduna is the Northuldra girl he saw seemingly flying on a gust of wind all those years ago, the day of the celebration turned disaster. The day Agnarr lost his father, the king. The day Agnarr himself almost died.

What Agnarr does know is that Iduna is a true ally in the face of his royal responsibilities and the expectations of an overbearing council and a well-meaning regent who will rule in Agnarr’s place until he turns twenty-one and assumes the Arendellian throne.

As Iduna and Agnarr grow ever closer, however, friendship is no longer enough. If only falling for each other didn’t mean risking their futures: Iduna’s as a hidden-in-plain-sight citizen of Arendelle, and Agnarr’s as imminent king.

But for a chance at true love, the risk might be worth taking.

“Frozen fans and romance lovers will fall for this endearing tale.” — Kirkus Reviews 

“An…enthralling read; one that left me feeling like there is no other way Iduna and Agnarr’s story could be told.” — LaughingPlace.com

 

REVIEW: I enjoyed reading hte backstory of Frozen II. Iduna and Agnarr have a chance meeting from two very different kingdoms–one of earthy magic and one of a Nordic port town. Fate puts the two together. They have a sweet, loving friendship. There are small references and phrases in the story to the children’s movie, but overall, it feels like a perfect fill for an older audience, Young Adult readers. Highly recommend!


About Mari:

Mari Mancusi is a former Emmy award-winning TV news producer, as well as an award winning YA author. She has published more than two dozen sci-fi/fantasy novels for kids, teens, and adults including The Camelot Code, Scorched, and Dragon Ops. Her series have been chosen as featured selections in the Scholastic Book Fairs and clubs and have been selected by the American Library Association as “Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers” and “Popular Paperbacks.” In addition to writing, Mari is an avid cosplayer, traveller, and gamer. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their young daughter. She can be found online at www.marimancusi.com. 
 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads




About Grace Lee:

Website

Learn about Grace Lee, Disney Storybook Artist!

Follow Grace Lee on Instagram!

 




Giveaway Details:

3 Winners will receive a finished copy of FROZEN 2:DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR, US Only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/2/2020

YA Books Central

Excerpt

11/3/2020

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt

11/4/2020

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

11/5/2020

Allie_reads95

Review

11/6/2020

The Momma Spot

Review

 Week Two:

11/9/2020

Do You Dog-ear?

Review

11/10/2020

Thindbooks Blog

Review

11/11/2020

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review

11/12/2020

The Bookwyrm’s Den

Review

11/13/2020

Fire and Ice

Review

 Week Three:

11/16/2020

Nerdophiles

Review

11/17/2020

fictitious.fox

Review

11/18/2020

booksaremagictoo

Review

11/19/2020

A Dream Within A Dream

Review

11/20/2020

PopTheButterfly Reads

Review

 Week Four:

11/23/2020

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/24/2020

Momfluenster

Review

11/25/2020

ChristenKrumm

Review

11/26/2020

onemused

Review

11/27/2020

Jenguerdy

Review


Week Five:

11/30/2020

Emelie’s Books

Review

The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden

30 Sep, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

The Gentleman and the Thief

Proper Romance Victorian

by Sarah M. Eden

Paperback : 368 pages

Publisher : Shadow Mountain

November 3, 2020

Amazon

A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day—and a thief at night.

LONDON 1865

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?

About the Author

Sarah M. Eden is the author of critically acclaimed and award-winning Proper Romance series novels including The Lady and the Highwayman and Ashes on the Moor. Combining her passion for history and an affinity for love stories, Sarah crafts smart, witty characters and heartfelt romances. She happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library and dreams of one day traveling to all the places she reads about.

Treetops by Peter Bremer- Blog Tour and Giveaway

24 Sep, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment



Welcome to the TREETOPS by Peter Bremer Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:
Title: TREETOPS
Author: Peter Bremer
Pub. Date: September 18, 2020
Publisher: Peter Bremer
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 443
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon
Read for FREE with A Kindle Unlimited Membership!

What would you do if you lost the one thing that matters the most?

Teenager Jackie Ashmore is struggling with the passing of her mother and angry over a cross-country move to Minnesota when she receives an unexpected birthday present that opens up a remarkable fantasy world where creatures from the past and the present coexist. Aided by unlikely animal allies and an aging guardian named Nimbus, Jackie embarks on a desperate rescue mission to save her little brother Dustin who has been kidnapped by a hooded rider and stolen across the clouds. Forced to grow up, Jackie must overcome her own fears and navigate a strange land as she journeys towards a confrontation with a mysterious power named Samuel Flood, who is using the boy for his own hidden purposes. With time running out and unbearable losses mounting, Jackie faces ever tougher choices that will determine not only the fate of her brother, but possibly the Earth below as well.



About Peter Bremer:

Peter Bremer is a librarian at a small college in Minnesota and the author of almost a dozen published professional articles, none of which feature dragons or unicorns or impossibly tall trees. He lives with his wife and furry dog in a very small town and believes that the world, on average, is a far better place with more nature in it, not less.

Website | Goodreads



Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of TREETOPS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:
Week One:
9/14/2020
Rockstar Book Tours
Excerpt
9/14/2020
Two Chicks on Books
Interview
9/15/2020
JaimeRockstarBookTours
Instagram Post
9/15/2020
Jaime’s World
Excerpt
9/16/2020
BookHounds YA
Interview
9/16/2020
BookHounds YA
Instagram Post
9/17/2020
TMBA Corbett Tries to Write
Excerpt
9/17/2020
TMBA Corbett Tries to Write
Instagram Post
9/18/2020
Books A-Brewin’
Excerpt
9/18/2020
Books A-Brewin’
Instagram Post

Week Two:
9/21/2020
For the Love of KidLit
Excerpt
9/21/2020
For the Love of KidLit
Instagram Post
9/22/2020
Rajiv’s Reviews
Review
9/22/2020
Rajiv’s Reviews
Instagram Post
9/23/2020
The Book Rookery
Excerpt
9/23/2020
The Book Rookery
Instagram Post
9/24/2020
Fire and ice
Review
9/24/2020
Oh Hey! Books
Excerpt
9/25/2020
Jazzy Book Reviews
Excerpt
9/25/2020
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Review


Feeling Great Blog Tour and Giveaway

23 Sep, 2020 by in Uncategorized 1 comment

 


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FEELING GREAT by David D. Burns, M.D. Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:


Title: FEELING GREAT

Author: David D. Burns, M.D.

Pub. Date: September 15, 2020

Publisher: PESI Publishing & Media

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 454

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

 

Crush Anxiety and Depression

with Ultra-Rapid New Technique

 

San Francisco, CA, September 14, 2020 – Nearly 40 years ago, David D. Burns, M.D ., a pioneer in the development of cognitive therapy, wrote a book with an uplifting message: When you change the way you THINK, you can change the way you FEEL. Since its debut, Feeling Good has sold more than 5 million copies, and cognitive therapy has become the most popular and extensively researched form of psychotherapy in the world.  Now in Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety (September 2020; ISBN: 9781683732884; $26.99, Hardcover), Dr. Burns brings us a book with another uplifting message: negative feelings like depression, inadequacy, and anxiety do not result from what’s WRONG with you, but what’s RIGHT with you.

 

We all know that many people have lived with depression and anxiety for years without tangible change. Why? Freud tried to solve this riddle, but failed. Forty years of research on how psychotherapy actually works have finally revealed the answer, and Dr. Burns shares innovative new techniques that make ultra-rapid change possible, even in a single, two-hour therapy session.  Feeling Great is based on the paradoxical notion that your negative thoughts and feelings are NOT the result of some defect, like a chemical imbalance in your brain or a “mental disorder,” but from what’s most beautiful and awesome about you and your core values. And the moment you realize this, recovery will be just a stone’s throw away.

 

In Feeling Great, you will:

 

1.    Discover that depression and anxiety say something really good—or even great—about you and your core values!

2.    Pinpoint and eliminate the powerful forces that keep you stuck

3.    Learn that your thoughts, and not the circumstances of your life, create all of your feelings

4.    Discover why depression and anxiety are the world’s oldest cons

5.    Crush the ten types of distorted thoughts that rob you of happiness and self-esteem

6.    Learn why self-acceptance is the greatest change a human being can make.

7.    Let go of the idea that you have a “self” that is flawed, defective, inferior or just not good enough

 



About David D. Burns:


DAVID D. BURNS, MD, is currently Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. More than 50,000 mental health professionals have attended his workshops for mental health professionals throughout the United States and Canada. His weekly Feeling Good Podcast (two million downloads) provide therapists and the general public alike with tips to overcome depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, and habits and addiction. To learn more, visit www.FeelingGreattheBook.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon

 Review: I first read Feeling Good, Dr. Burns’ book in college as a Psychology student. This updated title has many similar principles and techniques. Feeling Great will teach the reader about cognitive behavioral therapy and thinking errors. All will interact with self-assessment quizzes and hands on tools. Feeling Great is proven bibliotherapy. In an upbeat, easy to understand way, the author leads others to a solution for depression and anxiety. It’s a must read for those experiencing a low or loved ones wanting to help.

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/14/2020

Rockstar Book Tours

Spotlight

9/15/2020

Two Chicks on Books

Spotlight

9/16/2020

Jaime’s World

Spotlight

9/17/2020

Lifestyle of Me

Review

9/18/2020

Her Book Thoughts

Review


Week Two:

9/21/2020

BookHounds YA

Spotlight

9/22/2020

BookHounds

Spotlight

9/23/2020

Fire and ice

Review

9/24/2020

Lilly’s Book World

Review

9/25/2020

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review


Week Three:

9/28/2020

Lisa-Queen of Random

Spotlight

9/29/2020

TMBA Corbett Tries to Write

Spotlight

9/30/2020

Reese’s Reviews

Review

10/1/2020

Smada’s Book Smack

Review

10/2/2020

Jena Brown Writes

Review

Giveaway

3 winners will receive an eBook of FEELING GREAT, International. Enter below:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21150/

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The Key To All the Things Blog Tour and Giveaway

03 Sep, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment



I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE KEY TO ALL THINGS by Cindy Lynn Speer Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:
Title: THE KEY TO ALL THINGS
Author: Cindy Lynn Speer
Pub. Date: July 25, 2020
Publisher: Dragonwell Publishing
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 377
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

From the bestselling author of THE CHOCOLATIER’S WIFE:

Every day, Lady Avriel hears the bards sing about the greatest love story of all times, a heartbreaking romance between a human nobleman, Captain Edward de Vere, and the beautiful Queen of the Fae, who shattered his heart when she abandoned him to accept her throne. Avriel secretly longs for the sad and romantic captain as she works as a double agent, serving at both human and fae courts to keep the peace between the two kingdoms.

But for three hours every night she remembers a completely different world, where the greatest love story is a lie, and Edward belongs to her. She believes this reality to be the true one, even if no one else does. The world has fallen under a spell, and it is up to Avriel to find its source and undo it.

To set things right, Avriel must face the all-powerful Elder Fae and confront the darkest powers that rule her destiny – only to learn that if she proceeds, her actions will bring chaos and open her kingdom to destruction. Is this a choice she is willing to make to bring her love back?



About Cindy Lynn Speer:

Cindy Lynn Speer is the author of several short stories, book reviews, books and interviews.

And she finds talking in the third person boring, so…

Hello! Let’s see, what else is interesting? I write for many reasons…to make people happy, to explore further the worlds in my head (day dreaming can be sloppy…and jumpy. One moment, you’re at a stop light, day dreaming about riding dragons, the next moment you’re at work, pretending that you’re a CSI specializing in filing systems. Not a very disciplined way of seeing stories through to the end.) and to just celebrate the joy of words.

My library contains books on ships, chocolate, swords, murder mysteries, folk lore, myth, fantasy and all sorts of things. I am a jackdaw. I love to read about a lot of different things.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:
One lucky winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, International.

Ends September 15th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
8/31/2020
Two Chicks on Books
Excerpt
9/1/2020
Jaime’s World
Excerpt
9/2/2020
JaimeRockstarBookTours
Instagram Stop
9/3/2020
Fire and Ice
Spotlight
9/4/2020
Books A-Brewin’
Excerpt

Week Two:
9/7/2020
BookHounds
Excerpt
9/8/2020
Shelf-Rated
Excerpt
9/9/2020
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Review
9/10/2020
Rajiv’s Reviews
Review
9/11/2020
Rajiv’s Reviews
Instagram Stop


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Havenlight V.I.P. Warehouse Sale and Giveaway

02 Sep, 2020 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment


Havenlight is having a VIP inventory blowout sale at their warehouse in American Fork, UT! Starting September 3rd at 10:00 AM, you can save up to 90% on framed and unframed temple portraits at the Labor Day scratch and dent warehouse sale! Simply RSVP here and download your voucher at the link below:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/REJt8ds/VIP2020


Come and browse through some of the most well known, beautiful photographs of the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This sale ends September 5th at 5:00 PM!
For those of you not in Utah Valley, we would love to give you the opportunity to win a 24×36 temple print of your choosing! Please enter the giveaway below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Click here for Directions!

380 East 620 South

American Fork, UT

Next to Lone Peak Trailers

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