Hidden In The Heart by Catherine West

April 18, 2013

My Review

I found that I got frustrated with Claire and how she acted. I really enjoyed the authors writing but I really didn’t like Claire. I can see why she acted as she did but I guess it just got tired of her and how she acted. I found myself looking at her like she was a real person and so she got on my nerves. Other than not really “liking” Claire I loved the other characters. The author did a good job with this book so please don’t not read it because I personally didn’t like Claire because that is really one only negative thing I can say about the book.

About The Book

Everything Claire wants seems to be beyond her reach…

After losing her mother to cancer and suffering a miscarriage soon after, Claire Ferguson numbs the pain with alcohol and pills, and wonders if her own life is worth living.

Adopted at birth, Claire is convinced she has some unknown genetic flaw that may have been the cause of her miscarriage. She must find a way to deal with the guilt she harbors. But exoneration will come with a price. With her marriage in trouble and her father refusing to answer any questions about her adoption, Claire begins the search for her birth mother. For the first time in her life, she really wants to know where she came from. But what if the woman who gave her life doesn’t want to be found?

Hidden in the Heart has been nominated for a 2013 Grace Award and is on the long list for an INSPY award.

About The Author

Catherine West is an award-winning author who writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. Her first novel, “Yesterday’s Tomorrow”, released in 2011 and won the INSPY for Romance, a Silver Medal in the Reader’s Favorite Awards, and was a finalist in the Grace Awards. Catherine’s second novel, “Hidden in the Heart”, released in September 2012. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two college-aged children.

Learn more about Catherine by visiting her website: http://www.catherinejwest.com

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

April 13, 2013

My Review

This was a “sweet” story. I really liked the 2 main characters and I found it funny at times of upset Lucy would get over things. I had to stop and remember the time frame for when this took place. The author did a great job at making me hungry through the whole book at want to eat candy. She also did a great job of making me feel like I was there with Lucy and going through what she went through. I liked Charlie from the start and at the end of the book I liked him even more.

About The Book

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe’s best confections, she’s sure she’ll come up with a recipe that will save her father’s struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager-a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.

Charlie Clarke’s new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he’s never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She’s making his work life miserable…and making herself impossible for him to forget.

About The Author

Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists “Chateau of Echoes” and “The Cubicle Next Door”. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area.

A Beautiful Struggle by Lilliana Anderson

April 10, 2013

My Review

I liked this story but at times I did find it hard to follow because of the slang used in the book isn’t what we say here but other than that I loved it. I still gave it 5 stars because I really enjoyed it and read in a day. The author does a great job of making me feel out the main character feels and making me see things how she saw things. I loved how it worked out and I can’t wait to check out more books by her.

About The Book

Katrina Mahoney has a very full life attending university to study a law degree, training for triathlons and now she is working part time as well. She couldn’t possibly find time for a relationship, especially after her last one ended so catastrophically.

Right now she is content focusing on work, study and training while hanging out with her best friend David Taylor, a womaniser with a heart of gold that would do anything for Katrina – except watch her get hurt again.

That is, until the dashing Elliot Roberts, a junior solicitor from her work, shows an interest in her despite their office’s ‘No Dating’ policy.

Katrina struggles with following her heart or following her mind and has trouble seeing where her heart truly lies.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language which may be considered offensive to some readers.

About The Author

Australian born and bred, Lilliana Anderson has always loved to read and write considering it the best form of escapism that the world has to offer. Besides writing Angelien’s biographical trilogy, she also writes contemporary romance and drama all set within Australia.

When she isn’t writing she is a wife, and a mother to four children. She has worked in a variety of industries and studied humanities before transferring to commerce/law at university.

She currently lives a fairly quiet life in suburban Melbourne.

Connect with Lilliana Anderson

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lilliana.anderson.12

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Confidante_Lili

Blog: http://lillianaanderson.weebly.com/blog.html

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6533406.Lilliana_Anderson

Buy Links

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Struggle-book-ebook/dp/B00ATC7GLU/

Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beautiful-Struggle-book-ebook/dp/B00ATC7GLU/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-beautiful-struggle-lilliana-anderson/1114142438

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/268557

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Undertow by Elle Chardou

March 21, 2013

My Review

I liked this book at times it seemed to drag on and on but it really was a good book. I had to wonder what was going to happen and who she would end up with. The author did a great job of keeping you reading and wanting to know what was going to happen with the characters. This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait to read other books in the series.

About The Book

Secrets…

Evie Sandstrom has always had secrets. She has grown up with them and now they are starting to come back and chip away at her confident facade. Always one for an adventure, she decides to leave after college break and spend the summer in Boston.

The Irish Gangster…

Finn Reilly is not only a bad-boy drug dealer but he is also Evie’s first love. When they meet again in Boston, sparks begin to fly and although they share one huge secret that should have destroyed them forever, it unites them at a time when she needs all the help she can get.

The French Model…

Evie’s mother, superstar actress Athena Donahue, has remarried to Etienne Fournier, a model who is eighteen years her mother’s junior and wants to get to know Evie in more ways than one.

Once Athena drags her daughter back to L.A. under dubious circumstances, she is within the sights of Etienne yet out of the sights of Finn. Can they resolve their differences and will true love prevail or will life get in the way and spoil their chances of happiness?

About The Author

Elle Chardou is a world traveler and author of several different series.

Ms. Chardou is the author of The Ties That Bind Trilogy, The Atonement Series, The Hart Family Saga, The Vamp Saga, The Supernaturals, Beginnings: Book I (The Plague) series.

She is currently working on Undertow, Only Love (The Atonement Series), and several other novels for her continuing paranormal series, The Vamp Saga.

Ms. Chardou has lived abroad in Stockholm (Sweden), Manchester (England), Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Blog: http://thebeautifulpeopleawritersjourney.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dblanchbenz007

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elle.Chardou

Excerpt

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Shattered by Dani Pettrey

March 14, 2013

My Review

I read this book in a day or so because I didn’t want to put it down. I had to keep reading it because from the beginning of the book I was hooked. The author does a great job of making you want to read the book and keeping you on the edge of your seat. I felt like I was right there with the characters through the book. There are some books where I can figure out what is going to happen but with this book I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen and that always makes the book good. I love when I can’t figure it out and this author does a great job of that.

About

With All the Evidence Against Him, Only a Sister’s Trust Can Save Him Now

When her prodigal brother Reef’s return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he’s also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon’s career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself-and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada’s rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

About The Author

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

Visit her website at http://www.danipettrey.com.

FTC-I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Safe In His Arms by Colleen Coble

February 2, 2013

About

Sometimes it takes a stranger to see you as you really are.

Under Texas Stars, Book 2
Born and raised on sprawling Texas land, Margaret O’Brien prides herself on her competence as a rancher. But her father believes she’s made for more than just dawn-to-dusk work. He wants her to have the love of a good man, to raise children, to build a life. But Margaret gave up such dreams years ago. She’s convinced no man would have her, that the ranch is her life now.

So when Margaret’s father hires Daniel Cutler as a new foreman, she’s frustrated and suspicious. Then an overheard conversation links him with a gang of bank robbers, and she’s downright worried. Daniel swears he’s not involved, but Margaret’s not convinced. She knows the man still has secrets. But would a criminal be so kind and talk so convincingly of his faith? As a series of tragic “accidents” threatens all she holds dear, Margaret must decide what to trust: her own ears, her best judgment . . . or what her heart keeps telling her.

About The Author

Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

My Review

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the writing and I found that I saw a lot of myself in the main character in the book. The author does a great job of explaining things and keeping the story flowing as well as keep the reader in suspense. I wasn’t sure while reading this one if it was going to work out how I thought it should but I was glad when it did.