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Showing posts with label Womens Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Womens Fiction. Show all posts

Cherish (Covet 1.5) by Tracey Garvis-Graves #Review


Title: Cherish
Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves
Series: Covet #1.5
Novella length
Release Date: October 28, 2014

Synopsis:
Fans of Covet by New York Times bestselling author Tracey Garvis Graves will be delighted by this novella-length sequel.

When Daniel Rush wakes up in the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, the last person he expects to see at his bedside is his ex-wife Jessica. Their marriage disintegrated after the death of their infant son Gabriel, and Daniel gave Jessie what he thought she wanted: the freedom to start over with someone else. But Daniel never updated his emergency contact information, and Jessie is the one who receives the call with the devastating news.

Daniel was Jessie’s one true love. Together since college, Jessie had dreams of raising a family with Daniel, and growing old together. When Gabriel died, Jessie buried those dreams with her beloved son and shut everyone out, including Daniel.

Daniel faces months of grueling rehabilitation and he’s going to need some help. Jessie is the last person anyone expects to volunteer, but this is her one chance to make amends, giving her and Daniel a shot at getting things right this time.

The road to recovery will be long and arduous. But with Jessie leading the way, Daniel just might be able to get his old life back.

Daniel knows how to covet. But can Jessie help him remember how to cherish?

*Please note that this is a novella-length sequel. Reading Covet before Cherish is highly recommended in order to enhance your reading pleasure.



Five Stars

More of Daniel to Cherish!

After having read Covet, there was no doubt that I wanted and needed more of Daniel Rush’s story.

As you can tell from my rating that I LOVED Cherish! I loved that this was a second chance story for two people whose lives were ripped apart in the past when they experienced something so tragic. The process of recovery from his gunshot wound to the head is long and painful, but for Daniel having his ex by his side could very well be a blessing in disguise.

I liked Jessie! In the beginning she’s introduced at such a tense moment. Tracey Garvis-Graves writes her as a character with so much compassion. I loved how Jessie understands what Daniel needs, especially his emotional needs. In a way his recovery was therapeutic for her as well, and I appreciated that aspect of the story so much. I thought all the special moments for them were tender and well written.

I’m so glad Ms. Garvis-Graves continued their story. Although short and sweet, this novella was still fulfilling for me. If you were a fan of Daniel in Covet, you will definitely be a bigger fan of his after reading Cherish.

Book Links:

My review of COVET

Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York TimesWall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish. She is hard at work on her sixth book.
Tracey loves to interact with her readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes #Review


Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Published: December 31, 2012

Synopsis:
They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

Five Stars

Live Life Boldly. Live Life Fully.

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a long while. A few months ago a very dear friend and I even planned to buddy read this book, but things got hectic, and she ended up reading this before me. Then she kept nudging me to read it. Well, a few days ago I finally took the plunge…WOW! What a brilliant, touching story!

Will Traynor’s family hire Louisa Clark to be his caregiver. Will is a 35 year old quadriplegic who is severely depressed, and his family really wants Louisa to be his companion, someone who can be his friend and maybe uplift his spirits a bit. Boy, does she have her work cut out for her. Will doesn’t make it easy for Lou at all. What I loved about Lou is that she’s spunky and super determined. She’s exactly what Will needs, but is it enough? A friendship blossoms and the romance is slowly built in such a beautiful way. Spending time with Will ultimately impacts her life, too, in a huge way.

I didn’t read any reviews prior to reading Me Before You. I had no idea the story was going to dive deep into a controversial topic. I think Ms. Moyes did a wonderful job presenting different aspects and emotions in this controversy and how the disabled are continually treated and viewed.  She made me FEEL all the good and bad parts. Yes, the sad parts were literally gut-wrenching to read, but the story is also uplifting as well. Thinking back to chapter 15, who knew that Lou was such a rebel!

“You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible”

I read the epilogue three times and each time I couldn’t get through it without tears filling my eyes. Me Before You has quickly become one of my all-time favorite reads and will truly stay with me for a very long time. Little did I know that Will and Lou would worm their way into my heart, that their story would serve as a kind reminder to live life boldly and fully.


Book links:

Author Website:

Cover Reveal ~ Cherish (Covet 1.5) by Tracey Garvis-Graves

We are thrilled to share the gorgeous cover for Cherish, by New York Times Bestselling Author Tracey Garvis-Graves. This novella is a companion to Covet.


Title: Cherish (Covet 1.5)
Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Expected publication October 28, 2014


Fans of Covet by New York Times bestselling author Tracey Garvis Graves will be delighted by this novella-length sequel.


When Daniel Rush wakes up in the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, the last person he expects to see at his bedside is his ex-wife Jessica. Their marriage disintegrated after the death of their infant son Gabriel, and Daniel gave Jessie what he thought she wanted: the freedom to start over with someone else. But Daniel never updated his emergency contact information, and Jessie is the one who receives the call with the devastating news.


Daniel was Jessie’s one true love. Together since college, Jessie had dreams of raising a family with Daniel, and growing old together. When Gabriel died, Jessie buried those dreams with her beloved son and shut everyone out, including Daniel.


Daniel faces months of grueling rehabilitation and he’s going to need some help. Jessie is the last person anyone expects to volunteer, but this is her one chance to make amends, giving her and Daniel a shot at getting things right this time.


The road to recovery will be long and arduous. But with Jessie leading the way, Daniel just might be able to get his old life back.


Daniel knows how to covet. But can Jessie help him remember how to cherish?


*Please note that this is a novella-length sequel. Reading Covet before Cherish is highly recommended in order to enhance your reading pleasure.

Add Cherish on Goodreads

Pre-order Cherish on Amazon




See where Daniel's story begins, with Covet


About Tracey Garvis-Graves 


Tracey Garvis-Graves is the author of On the Island and Covet. She lives in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, two children, and hyper dog Chloe. She blogs at www.traceygarvisgraves.com using colorful language and a snarky sense of humor to write about pop culture, silly television shows, and her suburban neighborhood. You can e-mail her at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com. She’d love to hear from you.




Compromising Positions by Mary Whitney Blog Tour #Review #Giveaway


Title: Compromising Positions
Author: Mary Whitney
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publication Date: January 23, 2014
Event Organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis
We weren’t supposed to be friends. We weren’t even supposed to like each other. I’m Michael Grath. I’ll admit I was elected to Congress on my Republican family history. I was out to make a name for myself, until I met Jessie Clark, a spitfire Democrat. She’d be my nemesis, if I could just stop thinking about her. We’ve got nothing and everything in common, and one big issue that divides us. All of this is going to land us in more than one compromising position. And like I said, we weren’t supposed to be friends, we weren’t even supposed to like each other, and we certainly weren’t supposed to fall in love.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
 
Five Stars

A delightfully written political romance!

I have heard so much about Mary Whitney's stories, and after reading Compromising Positions I now know why she has many loyal fans! I LOVED Michael and Jessie's story. I found the writing so pleasant and brilliant that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

This is way more than a story of Republican vs. Democrat. Michael and Jessie are well-developed, likable characters. They are both in their mid-thirties, passionate, engage in friendly banter, have realistic flaws, and most importantly, understand and respect each other with high regard. So what's the problem? Well, these two have so much standing in their way. Each holds a position in Washington D.C. where anything can be publicly scrutinized. Every decision they make has to be a calculated move. One of my favorite scenes happens when they meet right at the beginning. They are very much intrigued by the other, which sets the tone for the rest of the story.

I found Compromising Positions to be a delightfully written political romance. I loved how Mary Whitney presented the heated issues in an interesting manner. Really, there is no right or wrong. Enjoy this story for what it is! Michael and Jessie find themselves in a blossoming romance, which puts them in one helluva compromising position!

About the Author

Even before she graduated from law school, Mary Whitney knew she wasn’t cut out to be a real lawyer. Drawn to politics, she’s spent her career as an organizer, lobbyist, and nonprofit executive. Nothing piques her interest more than a good political scandal or romance, and when she stumbled upon writing, she put the two together. A born Midwesterner, naturalized Texan, and transient resident of Washington, D.C., Mary now lives in Northern California with her two daughters and real lawyer husband.


Connect with the Author:

   
TOUR-WIDE GIVEAWAY

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Love Water Memory by Jennie Shortridge ~ Review & Giveaway!



 Title: Love Water Memory 
Author: Jennie Shortridge 

Genre: Women’s Fiction 
Publication Date: January 14, 2014 
Publisher: Gallery Books

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

If you could do it all over again, would you still choose him? 

At age thirty-nine, Lucie Walker has no choice but to start her life over when she comes to, up to her knees in the chilly San Francisco Bay, with no idea how she got there or who she is. Her memory loss is caused by an emotional trauma she knows nothing about, and only when handsome, quiet Grady Goodall arrives at the hospital does she learn she has a home, a career, and a wedding just two months away. What went wrong? Grady seems to care for her, but Lucie is no more sure of him than she is of anything. As she collects the clues of her past self, she unlocks the mystery of what happened to her. The painful secrets she uncovers could hold the key to her future—if she trusts her heart enough to guide her.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

 

 Jennie Shortridge has published five novels: Love Water Memory,When She Flew, Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe,Eating Heaven, and Riding with the Queen. When not writing, teaching writing workshops, or volunteering with kids, Jennie stays busy as a founding member of Seattle7Writers.org, a collective of Northwest authors devoted both to raising funds for community literacy projects and to raising awareness of Northwest literature.

Connect with Jennie: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

 

Four Stars 

Can you imagine coming to in a strange place and not knowing who you are or how you got there? Your memory...wiped clean! Kind of a scary thought, isn't it? That is what happens to Lucie Walker.

When Lucie learns of her identity, she finds out she is engaged to Grady Goodall. When he picks her up at the hospital, Lucie's journey to piece together her past begins. What will she discover about her former self? Love Water Memory is beautifully told from the POV of three people...mostly Lucie and Grady and a little from Lucie's Aunt Helen. I liked how this book is told in multiple views, and I think it worked best that way as it gave me a sense of the big picture. With Lucie's POV, I felt all her fears, frustrations, and curiosity of the unknown. When Grady takes her home, she is basically going home with a stranger, and this is where Grady's POV becomes essential. His view not only consists of memories of their lives together and how much he loves her, but also includes all his worries and own painful experiences. They must now navigate the waters of the unknown to find the truth, to perhaps reconnecting, and it's an arduous process.

I spent a few days completely wrapped up in Love Water Memory, and I found this story absolutely thought-provoking! Ms. Shortridge's writing flows with vivid and moving storytelling. 

She didn't know him at all, and yet, there was something that told her she did. “It's okay,” she said again and reached out to embrace him, to let him embrace her. 

This is a story of learning to deal, learning to move on, and eventually learning the true meaning of love. It's a great reminder that the human mind is powerful, yet it has the ability to protect itself when necessary. Love Water Memory is truly a compelling read that left me feeling full of hope.

*A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*




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Spotlight Blitz ~ On the Isles of Mozambique by Mila A. Ballentine




 On The Isles of Mozambique
by Mila A. Ballentine


Blurb
Samira McAllister, an aspiring writer working for The Seasoned Traveler magazine is offered an opportunity. She takes advantage of the chance to jump start her career, hoping to make a mark in the writing industry.

Unforeseen hurdles threaten her ability to follow through with her plans, and life as she knows it becomes a memory. From that point onward, every choice she makes will seal her fate.



Available for purchase at

         


Book Trailer



Excerpt




She heard keys rattling and the front door opened. Samira poked her head out in the hallway.
“Hi.” Amy closed the door, walked to the kitchen, and poured herself a glass of water.
“I was starting to think that I’d be eating dinner alone,” Samira said smiling.
“I went by Eric’s place to get the rest of my things.” Amy left the kitchen and went into the living room.
“How did it go?”
“Not good.” She shrugged. “But I got my stuff. That’s all that matters.” Amy slouched on the sofa, kicked off her heels and folded her feet on the sofa. Samira sat down next to her.
“He seemed nice when I met him.”
Amy huffed. “They’re always nice when you introduce them to your friends and family, but ‘come see me, and come live with me’ are two different things. We could’ve worked it out if he was less attentive, more considerate and polished up on his communication skills.”
Samira snickered, “You know most woman would kill to have a man who’s attentive.”
“Good for them! They can have him. Eric wants to know where I am and who I’m with at all times. I can’t live like that. I had a father who already raised me and I’m not looking for another one.”
Samira chuckled. “I bet you wished that fairytales would have warned you about guys like that.”
“Yes, it would’ve been nice. While you’re in Africa, bring back a tall, tanned, muscle-bound hunk for me.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Amy laughed and hit her with a throw pillow she grabbed from the sofa. “I’m just glad the other person you were going to have as a roommate changed her mind. I needed to get away from him.”
“I’m glad too. The last thing I need is some random person going through my stuff while I’m not around.”
“Dido, if I had to spend another day at Eric’s place, I would’ve lost my mind. He’s too into me.” Amy took a sip of her drink and put it on the accent table beside the sofa.
“You don’t have to worry about me in regards to that. At least here, you’ll get to keep your sanity.” Samira eased back on the sofa.





About the Author

Mila A. Ballentine is a mystery writer who doesn't shy away from writing about things that grasp the core of her imagination. She studied Creative Writing and Communication Arts at a City University of New York. Her writing is an extension of her mind’s eye and there is always an element of truth in each of her books. When she's not writing, she enjoys traveling or doing anything that allows her to put her creative energy to use.

You can stalk, I mean follow Mila here

               





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