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Book Tour & Giveaway for HER FAMILY’S DEFENDER by Kim Findlay! [Ends 5/9/18]

4/30/2018

2 Comments

 
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Her Family's Defender (A Hockey Romance #2)
by Kim Findlay

Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
May 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming


He has home advantage…

But she’s got a strong defensive play.

Hockey star Troy Green never gives up. Not on the ice. Not when he battled cancer last year. And not when it comes to his new neighbor, Michelle Robinson. Troy only wants to help the struggling single mom and her sweet kids, but soon he’s falling for her. Is Troy finally ready to trade in his bachelor life and become a family man?
​
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│Kobo

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Her Family Defender   - Kim Findlay            
This is a well-written book.  There are things that happen to us in our lives that are hard to deal with and difficult to put behind us.

​This book is a wonderful love story with people who are dealing with many of the hardships we all have to deal with.  


The author has added some incredible insights into how to successfully deal handle such things.
The characters are well-developed and the setting is easily visualized.  It is easy to feel the character's emotions.
The story flowed well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow.
I would highly recommend this book to other readers.

I give this book a literary rating of 5/5
written by vickie


OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
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Crossing the Line (A Hockey Romance #1)
by Kim Findlay
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
March 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming


Icebreaker or endgame?

Can two devoted athletes make room in their lives for love?

Mike Reimer knows from experience that hockey and relationships don’t mix. And hot-tempered swim coach Bridget O’Reilly couldn’t be more wrong for the widowed pro goalie, aka the Iceman. As the playoffs approach, Mike’s growing feelings for her could melt the hardest heart. But what if being with Bridget means letting down his team…and, worst of all, himself?


Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Kim Findlay lives in Toronto, Canada, with her very handsome husband, two strapping sons, and possibly the world's cutest spaniel. When she can get time away from her accounting business, Kim can be found traveling, sailing, reading, or writing, depending on the season, time of day, and her energy level. You can find her at kimfindlay.ca, @missheyer74, or on Facebook.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter


Tour Schedule
April 30th:

Launch
It's All About the Romance
Locks, Hooks and Books
Hearts & Scribbles
The Power of Words
May 1st:
I Am A Reader
Rockin' Book Reviews
E-Romance News
Hardcover Feedback
May 2nd:
Book Lover in Florida
Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader
Reading Is My SuperPower
May 3rd:
underneath the covers
Britt Reads Fiction
Stacking My Book Shelves!
Remembrancy
May 4th:
Colorimetry
Nicole's Book Musings
​Heidi Reads...
Thoughts of a Blonde
May 5th: Grand Finale
​

Tour Giveaway!

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- 1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card and an ebook of Crossing the Line
- Open internationally

​

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Interview & Giveaway with Scarlette Pike, Author of In Spite of Lions! [Giveaway ends 7/9/18]

4/28/2018

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Scarlette Pike 
Born in The United States
Influenced by Georgette Heyer
Scarlette Pike grew to lackluster maturity on the banks of the Virgin River in Southern Utah. After her fair share of wandering she realized that historical fiction had always been in her suitcase. Following a desperate prayer and a simple idea, she began to write a historical fiction novel. She was drawn to African explorers David and Mary Livingstone and David's one and only convert: Chief Sechele. The mix of Victorian etiquette and African survival inspired her and she wrote "In Spite of Lions" in a tiny, tiny apartment in central freezing Utah. She plans on writing the sequel in a real grownup house with better heat.
For more information on Scarlette, you can visit:   Website | Twitter | FB, 
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In Spite of Lions by Scarlette Pike
Synopsis:
How does a young lady of means escape her high society fate? By booking passage on the first ship to Africa and promptly tossing her petticoats overboard! Now Anna's trading London's luxuries and restrictions for the wild unknown. Of course, shedding her old life would be much easier without the disapproving looks of a handsome sea captain and the demons in her past haunting her from worlds away.
BUY:
Amazon | B & N | Kobo
Below is my YouTube video of the Interview I had with this Amazing new Author! Her Writing Style and Book Content are very Captivating & Unique. ..Outstanding!
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Everything She Wants Blog Tour & Giveaway! [Ends 5/4/18]

4/27/2018

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Lucy Kappal can't figure out why she doesn't want to marry her sometimes-boyfriend, Charles. After all, he's perfect on paper: a returned missionary, elders quorum president, a professor at BYU. Instead of giving Charles an answer to his unexpected marriage proposal, she boards the next flight to London only to fall at the feet of the handsome pilot. The encounter leaves her heart pounding in a way it never has with Charles, and she becomes even more smitten when she sees the pilot again at her hotel.

Emerson James is in London to deposit the last of his mother's ashes in Kensington Gardens. And after a fifteen-year absence, he is attempting to return to the Church as a way to find peace with his mother's death. But the Church's culture feels foreign, and he's about to give up on ever becoming a "good Mormon" when he meets Lucy in the hotel lobby.

Lucy and Emerson's new friendship opens their worlds to new possibilities and leaves them wanting more. But Lucy is torn over her feelings for Charles, and Emerson isn't sure how committed he can be to the Church, even knowing how important it is to Lucy. Inevitably, the realities of life force them apart. If given a second chance, will they have the courage to risk everything for a once-in-a-lifetime love?

MY REVIEW: 
Everything She Wants is a very well-written, entertaining book! 
This is a very realistic scenario of a woman's fear of being single all of her life. Will sge just "settle" or will she "reach" for the, possibly, impossible?
Lucy Kappel is an "escape artist". When things get too intense, she runs away!
After one of her escapades, she is now ready to "settle"..or will she?
There is adventure and emotional moments in this romance story. 
It is well worth the reader's time to read it.
The characters re so real and the situations captures the reader and "brings him/her into" the story. 
The Book Title is "fitting" but the Cover appears slightly juvenile for an adult novel.
This is directed at an L.D.S. audience but can be enjoyed by others.

* I offer a 4 Stars rating for this novel.
**This book was gifted me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review.

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Sarah Alva lives in Salt Lake City but calls Arizona home. She graduated from the University of Arizona with degrees in creative writing and political science. In college, she once told a creative writing class she wanted to grow up and be a stay-in-bed mom. She is almost living that dream as a mom to two little boys who don’t like naps or sleeping in as much as she does. When Sarah’s not busy doing mom or wife things, she enjoys reading romance novels in excess, shopping online, and listening to National Public Radio. You can find her on social media at Website  |Facebook |
Twitter

Schedule:
*April 30th: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com, http://mybookaday.com
*May 1st: https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/, http://empowermoms.net
*May 2nd: http://www.wishfulendings.com, http://www.iamareader.com
*May 3rd: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com, http://thethingsilovemost.com
*May 4th: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com

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INTERVIEW with Outstanding Author, Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen + Giveaway! [Ends 7/2/18]

4/25/2018

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Attention: Because of technical issues, we are extending the Giveaway until May 11th!
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Award-winning author, Ronda Hinrichsen (also writing as Kathleen Marks) and her family own a small farm located between the beautiful Rocky Mountains and the Great Salt Lake where she regularly sees eagles, hawks, owls, and ducks. Lots of ducks. She is the author of independently and traditionally published non-fiction, romantic suspense and speculative books as well as numerous magazine articles and stories for children and adults. She also enjoys teaching about writing in conference and classroom settings. To learn more about Ronda, visit her website at rondahinrichsen.com.
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Unforgettable by  Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Paperback, 208 pages
Expected publication: May 1st 2018 by Covenant Communications
ISBN1524403369 
(ISBN13: 9781524403362)
SYNOPSIS:

Haley has always admired her strong-willed great-grandmother Grisa. The woman survived the disappearance of her husband and thrived after her immigration to America at the beginning of World War II. But when a shocking telephone call from a detective in Germany turns Haley's life upside down in an instant, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her heritage.

The body of Ulrich Krauss has been found, and the renowned toymaker and artist has a shocking connection to Haley: he is her great-grandfather—not missing but murdered. Now, at the request of her ailing great-grandmother, Haley travels to Germany to seek answers. What she finds instead are more questions and a growing sense of danger dogging her every step. Protection appears in the form of Joshua, an attractive man from Haley's past who is in Germany on business. 
Together the pair embarks on an emotional quest for the truth, only to discover that a generations-old plot is very much alive, and there are those as determined as ever to keep the facts surrounding Ulrich's death hidden—even if it means silencing his great-granddaughter for good.

Visit Ronda'sAmazon Page for OTHER FANTASTIC BOOKS BY Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Enter for the chances to WIN Your OWN Copy of her New Book!
​(Print U.S./Can. - e-copy International)
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Staircase of Fire by Ben Woodard Book Blast & Giveaway! [Ends 5/8/18]

4/25/2018

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Title: The Staircase of Fire (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 3) Author: Ben Woodard 
Genre: Young Adult Mystery Number of Pages: 276
 Publisher: Miller-Martin Press Publication Date: 
May 25, 2018 
Summary: 
A quiet town in Kentucky explodes from a racial incident and fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is in the thick of it. His past haunts him and now he’s witness to a horrific event leaving him devastated and afraid. He must escape his town and its memories. But leaving has consequences, too. He will have to betray his friends and his new love. Nothing stops his nightmares. Not high risk activities or running away. But when his past returns, Tom is forced to confront his greatest fear and finally realizes he cannot escape himself. Now he has to take a stand that could change his life—or end it.

Praise for this series....
“…a highly recommended pick for teens looking for something different…” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book ReviewiTunes ~ Kobo ~ Barnes & Noble
Other books in the series...
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​A Stairway to Danger (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 1) 
​An eyeless body. A menacing stranger. And a tangled mystery. It’s the summer of 1923 and two cousins hunting for hidden gold stumble on an decayed body. Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is convinced the death was murder and drags his older cousin into a harrowing struggle against a shadowy group. Not even attempts on their lives can stop the boys from relentlessly pursuing the mystery. But when their curiosity leads them to investigate a derelict barge, what they find is bigger and more dangerous than anything they could have imagined. A STAIRWAY TO DANGER is a fun-filled thriller with humor and adventure in a Twain-like setting.

Winner! Orangeberry Hall of Fame Best Young Adult novel for 2013
Amazon ~Barnes & Noble


Explosions, sabotage, deadly warnings, and a dangerous red-haired man. Imagine The Hardy Boys meet Tom Sawyer. Add a layer of teen angst and excitement plus a mysterious group stirring up racial tensions.
That’s STEPS INTO DARKNESS, the second book in the Shakertown Adventure Series by Ben Woodard.
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Steps Into Darkness (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 2)
Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace again makes plans to escape the small town in the 1923 Kentucky countryside—the town that won’t let him forget his past, when a horrific event changes his mind. He teams with his cousin, Will, and young FBI agent Rick Sweeney to solve a perplexing mystery. Attempts on the boys’ lives and a bewildering list of suspects keep them on edge and confused until they discover the real villain—and then wish they hadn’t.

STEPS INTO DARKNESS is a fun, page-turning thriller with a hint of romance that delivers adventure and mystery while exploring the fears of a teen living with a frightful memory.
​Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Barnes & Noble

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ben is a (mostly) retired amateur adventurer who has traveled across Tibet, climbed to 18,000 feet on Mt. Everest, and solo backpacked wilderness areas. Now his adventures come in the form of imagining stories, writing and telling them to kids and teens. He works with teachers, schools and literacy organizations spreading the word that books are vital—and fun.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Google+ Author's Website ~ Publisher's Website ~ Netgalley

Book Blast Giveaway!
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice 
Giveaway ends: May 8, 11:59 pm, 2018 Open to: 
Internationally 
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. ​
​

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Ben Woodard and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.
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Hatchet Hollow by Amanda McKinney blitz & $50. Giveaway! [Ends 5/3/18]

4/23/2018

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BOOK DETAILS:

Hatchet Hollow (Black Rose Mystery Series, #2) 
by Amanda McKinney 

Publication date: April 24th 2018
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Synopsis:After an afternoon of mind-numbingly boring surveillance in the woods, Private Investigator Raven Cane goes for a twilight jog to clear her head, only to discover a gruesome murder in the town’s most notorious cave, Hatchet Hollow. Minutes later, the impossibly handsome Lieutenant Zander Stone arrives at the scene to take over, but Raven has a hard time letting the case go. Why did the killer cut off the victim’s fingers? More importantly, who would do such a thing?
After a failed attempt at tracking down the elusive Marden Balik, aka, the legendary witch of the Great Shadow Mountains, Zander dives headfirst into Devil’s Den’s most recent murder, only to uncover twists and turns at every step—including a secret book of curses that may, or may not, exist. As the list of suspects grows, Zander does his best to keep Raven at arm’s length. But Raven is persistent, nosing her way into his case, making it increasingly difficult to keep his concentration on the task at hand, and off of her sultry body.
And when another woman is found brutally murdered, Zander worries that Raven has gotten too close to the investigation… close enough to put her directly in the killer’s sights.
Goodreads |  ~ Purchase: Amazon |

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EXERPT 2:
 Raven crossed the cave in two swift steps and gaped down at the body. Her breath stopped, her heart skipped a beat.
The woman’s bloodshot eyes grotesquely protruded from her skull, staring blankly at the dark cave ceiling. A thin trickle of dried blood ran from the corner of her blue lips, down her neck. And as Raven’s gaze moved down the body, her stomach sank to her feet. The woman’s fingers had been cut off—every single one of them.
“Oh, my God.”
Bile rose in her throat as she looked at the bloody nubs at the end of the woman’s hands.
Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God.
Her stomach churned, and for a moment, she thought she was going to vomit.
No, don’t throw up on a crime scene, you’ll destroy potential evidence, you idiot!
She inhaled, swallowed the saliva that had gathered in her mouth, and forced herself to get a grip—get in control of the situation. Her shock slowly began to fade, and the cool-headed, calm, laser-focused demeanor that she was known for began to settle in.
She squatted down for a closer look.
The woman’s skin was pale, almost ghostly white. Her muscles were frozen in full rigor mortis. She assumed she'd been deceased for twenty-four hours, tops. Purple bruising speckled her jawline, and ran across her skinny neck.
Oh, no.
Raven shook her head, stood, and grabbed her cell phone from the ground.
She clicked it on—no reception in the cave, of course.
She spun on her heel, jogged outside and dialed 911.
As she gave the dispatcher the details and her location, her eyes scanned the ground for any obvious evidence but saw none. The dispatcher promised someone was on their way, and she clicked off the phone.
She glanced up at the sky, completely blanketed now by storm clouds. Nightfall was coming. The woods would be completely dark in less than thirty minutes.
A cool breeze rustled the leaves above. A buzzard called out. She looked around—acutely aware of the fact that she was completely alone. Just her and a dead body. Alone, in the middle of woods that stretched as far as she could see—so many places to run, to hide.
Who had done this? 
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AUTHOR BIO:
Award-winning author of sexy murder mysteries, Amanda McKinney wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Her books include the BERRY SPRINGS SERIES and the BLACK ROSE MYSTERY SERIES, with many more to come. Set in small, Southern towns, Amanda’s books are page-turning whodunits peppered with steamy romance. Amanda is a member of Romance Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime, and lives in Arkansas with her handsome husband, two beautiful boys, and three obnoxious dogs. Visit her Website | Facebook | Goodreads |

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
  • Signed copy of Hatchet Hollow + a $50 Amazon gift card
This grand prize giveaway - ends May 3rd:
RAFFLECOPTER
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Interview with Pamela Gossiaux + Giveaway! {Ends 5/7/18]

4/22/2018

1 Comment

 
WELCOME TO THIS INTERVIEW WITH PAMELA GOSSIAUX & BE SURE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
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Pamela Gossiaux graduated from the University of Michigan with a degrees in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature. Since then, she has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, horse trainer and secretary (sometimes all at the same time!) and has won several awards for both the writing and the horses (the secretarial part didn't work out so well...)

She also loves to travel, which is good, since she spends time as a public speaker - sharing her testimony and stories to anyone who wants to listen.

She writes from her home in southeastern Michigan, where she lives with her husband Duane, their two sons, and too many cats.

Visit her Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon |

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The course of true love never did run smooth...
Abigail Chartwell, university librarian of ancient maps and documents, gave up on love the icy winter night that she lost her husband. For the past six years, Abigail has been hiding behind thick glasses and the wedding ring he gave her. She had her one true love, and lost him. She isn't about to experience that hurt again.
But then sizzling hot Tony the Cat Burglar drops into her life on a rope from the library skylight one night, when he comes to steal one of her maps--a map he claims can lead him to the "lost painting" of famous Italian artist Antonio Russo. Quoting Shakespeare, clad in black spandex, and armed with his charming smile, Tony and his story are hard to resist. Intrigued, Abigail gets caught up in the hunt, not realizing that the thief's real target may be her heart!

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My Interview with Pamela Gossiaux  –  (Humorist, Inspirational speaker, & author)
You have stated you “love Michigan”. Have you always lived there? What makes it so special to you?
I was born in this state and have lived here my whole life. I love the changing seasons, and I especially love the great lakes. We vacation by Lake Michigan every summer and the sand dunes are gorgeous. I even love the upper peninsula, except in the winter!
It is a beautiful place.

You have a dual BA Degree in creative writing, English Language & Literature.  What motivated you to get a dual degree in these fields? How many years did it take?
It took me 4 ½ years. My original intent was to go on and get an PhD in literature and teach at a university, while writing novels on the side. I’d love to be a professor. I have a passion for academia, and the old feel of universities, and books and learning. And I love to teach. But life got in the way and I’m not quite there – yet! I do teach writing workshops, I am surrounded by books, and I have published several novels, so I am living that dream life, just from a different angle.
​

​In the 20 years you have written as a journalist, what did you primarily write about and for what
Publications?
 I wrote for several small publications but most of my work was for the Ann Arbor News. I did some hard news stories, but I was primarily a feature writer and that is what I enjoyed the most. I was instrumental in an off-shoot community start-up in the Ypsilanti area, as well as a county further north. Those were really fun. I won some in-house awards, an Associated Press award for an inner-city story on gang violence and did pretty well overall. When I had my first child, I decided to switch to working from home as a freelancer. I do miss the comradery of the news room, but I think this has been the best choice for me.

That is outstanding!


When you edited books in the various genres, did you work for a company or did you work from home? How long did you do editing?

I work as a freelance editor, so I am self-employed. I have been editing pretty much since I graduated from college. I have gotten a lot of work over the years through world-of-mouth. I also do a lot of marketing and promotional writing for authors.

I hope upstart authors take note!

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In your self-published book, Six Steps to Successful Publishing, what were the key points you covered?
​

​There are so many aspects to publishing that I wanted to corral them all in one place. Chapter topics include: Treat Writing Like a Business, Create a Platform and Market Your Book, Know Your Material, Know Your Audience, and Your Publishing Options. It’s a quick, easy read for both aspiring authors and someone who has a finished manuscript and wants to know what the next steps are. 

I loved your novel, Mrs. Chartwell &the Cat Burglar! How many fiction books have you written? Please briefly describe a few.

Thank you! I had so much fun writing Mrs. Chartwell, and I’m excited about the sequel coming out on May 8th! 
I like to write fun books with a touch of inspiration. It’s also important to me that I create characters that resonate deeply with my readers. 
​

Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar started out in my head one day and after the first few sentences just expanded from there. I had no outline, I just want with it and it has been so much fun!  Mrs. Chartwell is a university librarian who works with old maps and documents and lives alone with her cat. But she’s young and beautiful – and widowed. Her heart is breaking and she’s wracked with guilt over the death of her husband…and then suddenly one night she is working late and this cat burglar drops into the library (literally!) to steal a map. She catches him – and he claims it leads to this lost painting that collectors have been looking for for decades. The story intrigues her, the cat burglar is charming (he quotes Shakespeare and is hot in his spandex suit!) and she gets caught up in the adventure. But will she let the thief steal her heart? This is the first book in a series. 

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Book 2, called Trusting the Cat Burglar, comes out on May 8th, and a third book, Romancing the Cat Burglar, will be out later this year. Mrs. Chartwell is getting very good reviews, and I’m excited about it!
Good Enough can be classified as chick-lit but I also like to think of it as an empowerment story. It’s a humorous book about a young woman named Amy, who has it all – a great job, a handsome boyfriend, a perfect wardrobe. And then in one very bad day she loses it all, but her ex-boyfriend leaves behind a lottery ticket. She discovers that it’s worth millions and wonders if she should cash it. Through Amy’s funny adventures, she learns a lot about herself, and about what really matters in life. And she meets Josh…he’s cute. ☺ 
If it is as good as the last one, it will be a treat to read!

You have also written non-fiction. What were they about?

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Those are Christian inspiration books. The first book I wrote came from a decade of difficulties that I had in my life. A lot was going wrong – job loss and the financial stress that comes with it, serious medical issues, marriage difficulties, and more. I kept praying for God to remove some of these challenges. But instead of changing my circumstances, He started changing my heart. I realized that we could have inner joy when our circumstances weren’t happy, and we could have peace when our life was in total chaos. Because it comes from God. So I wrote the book Why Is There a Lemon in My Fruit Salad: How to Stay Sweet When Life Turns Sour in response to what I learned through that difficult journey. It’s based on the Fruits of the Spirit in the Bible. ​

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I wrote a second book called A Kid at Heart, which talks about how we can trust God as our perfect parent. He’s there for us to run to when we’re hurting, He literally does have all the answers, and He loves us beyond anything we can imagine. ​

What is your next BIG Project?

I am working on a fiction saga about the life of a determined woman, and a man with a tragic past. The setting is a horse farm, which is something I’m familiar with since I grew up on one. That’s all I’m going to say right now about that, but I’m hoping to get book one out later this year. As for non-fiction, I have a few projects in the works there too. 

We will be looking forward to them.

What Top Ten Goals would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Wow, that’s a loaded question! Staying close to God and having a healthy, happy family are the obvious goals. So that aside, let’s dream a little:
  1. I want a horse!
  2. I hope to write some really good books and publish them. I have a whole list in mind, it’s just now I have to find the time!
  3. I’d like to see one (or more!) of them on the New York Times best-seller list. Is that vain? ☺
  4. To vacation in Europe. My husband and I went in the 1990s. We’d like to go back and take the kids and my parents. My dad has always wanted to go to Italy.
  5. To move to the country and start up a horse farm which provides equine-assisted therapy. This will also help with my goal of getting a horse!
  6. I toy around with the idea of running a publishing company.
  7. I’d like to do more public speaking. It’s a time-issue – there is only so much in a day to fit all of these thing into!
  8. I really want to teach writing or literature at a university. Maybe I can be a guest lecturer?
  9. I still want to get a PhD. Not sure in what. So many interesting subjects, so little time!
  10. To read more!
  11. Those are certainly admirable goals! I hope these dreams come true!
Pamela, do you have any closing remarks?

Yes I do!
I’m giving away a signed copy of Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar, the first in my Russo Romantic Mystery series, to onelucky U.S./Can. Winner
I’ll also give away an ebook of that title to one lucky International Winner! 


Thank you, Lu Ann, for the interview! It has been a pleasure getting to know you, and I really enjoy reading your book reviews!

The pleasure is mine! Thank you for you kind words, the Interview and this wonderful Giveaway! We will end it on May 7th. 

​​​To enter, U.S./Can residents enter for the Print copy below.
​

​ALL other International residents, Enter to Win the e-copy Rafflecopter below!

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Blog Tour & Giveaway for Traci Abramson's new book, Tripwire! [Ends 4/17/18]

4/22/2018

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Be Sure Too Join Us May 10th for My Interview & Giveaway with Traci Hunter Abramson , who is helping me Celebrate my 5TH BLOGVERSARY!
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Synopsis: 
Jane Napierski is back at work at the job she loves—being a personal assistant to her friend Sienna Blake, a rising star actress. The duo is on location in Virginia Beach to film Sienna’s new TV series, along with costar Reed Forrester—the man with whom the world thinks Sienna is in love. Wrong.
Sienna’s heart actually belongs to her fiancé, Craig, a Navy Seal with the Saint Squad. Craig must fly under the radar if he is to keep Sienna safe from his world of terrorists and toxic bombs. And Reed has no problem pretending to date his old friend Sienna simply because it means he can spend time learning more about Jane. Making a TV series is grueling work but not nearly as difficult as the treacherous adventure that is about to begin with a simple photo taken in the wrong place at the wrong time—an image worth killing for. 
When Craig returns to the United States to spend time with Sienna, he’s not expecting to spend that time protecting her and Jane. Frightening incidents targeting the two women rapidly escalate, and as Craig and his Saint Squad investigate a tangled conspiracy, they find themselves tracking, here at home, the terrorists they have searched for across the globe. But can they shut the terrorists down in time to save Jane, Reed, and Sienna?


MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
Once again, the "Saint Squad"  are heavily involved in aiding a team member!

Traci Hunter Abramson always catches the reader's interest from the first page to the last! As in all her books, the action and suspense steadily builds, keeping the reader on "the edge of his/her seat"!

Craig and actress, Sienna Blake's wedding day is fast approaching. She doesn't want the media to ruin it , so has kept it a secret. 
Her assistant, Jane, has been gone for a family emergency but is back.
Her new co-star is pretending to be her boyfriend.
How well is this ploy going to work? Who is threatening her?

The characters (as always) are so easy to fell connected with. The scenes are portrayed in a way they are easily visualized. The Book Title is very "Fitting" and the Cover is amazing and really depicts the story content!

This novel earns a Five Stars rating.
*This was gifted me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review.


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Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and coaching high school swimming.                 ​

Schedule:
*April 23rd: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/
*April 24th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/
*April 25th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
*April 26th: https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
*April 27th: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/

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True Mercy by Idelle Kursman - Review by LAWonder10 + a $15. Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! [Ends 6/12/18]

4/20/2018

16 Comments

 
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Danger lurks everywhere for Marina. When the ship carrying her and other human trafficking victims from Europe arrive at a port in New Jersey, Marina manages to escape and wants nothing more than to be rid of her traffickers and free the other women. But one of the underground organization's vicious henchmen will stop at nothing to recapture her. Marina scarred his face on the ship and now he only desires to inflict the cruelest death possible on her. She is doomed until an unlikely pair come to her aid: a young man with autism and his widower father. Still reeling from the death of their mother and wife, son and father encounter her by chance and all three become caught up in the powerful tentacles of an international human trafficking ring. Will the henchman succeed and destroy all their lives? Will relentless evil triumph in the end?

MY REVIEW:(LAWonder10
Marina experienced an inhumane ordeal. Weak, hungry, thirsty and desperate, she had tried to escape. Was it now all in vain?  Marina could no longer flee or barely move. Little did she know her Savior would be an autistic man.
This is a remarkable tale involving the horrors of human trafficking and the innocent heroics of an autistic man. It, also, conveys a few of the trials and blessings of a parent who has a "special needs" child. In addition to the the challenges, this parent is a single parent.
The characters are well. defined and some are very endearing.  This action-packed, suspenseful story, portrays the good and evil of mankind. 
The scenes are easily visualized and are often quite graphic.There were a couple occasions when the writing seemed slightly repetitive and dragged.  
I recommend this book to an older YA or Adult audience as it addresses human trafficking and has some strong language and sexual situations in it. However, it is a definite, increasing  problem the public should not avoid and ignore.

I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating.
This book was gifted me with no requirement of a positive review. This is my honest review. 

​
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  1. Idelle Kursman was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned her undergraduate degree from Boston College and her master's in reading education at William Paterson University. She has worked on her writing skills for over 20 years. A few years ago, she watched the movie Taken with Liam Neeson and was shocked to discover the existence of human trafficking rings. She has a loved one with autism, which forced her to put her career on hold. Concerned about these topics, Idelle began researching and writing her debut novel. In True Mercy, Idelle seeks to bring more awareness to the international human trafficking crisis as well as the plight of families with loved ones with autism. She does presentations to speak about these issues. Idelle currently lives with her family in New Jersey.

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ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY BELOW FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A $15. AMAZON GIFT CARD!


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Blog Tour & Giveaway  for Serpents and Saviors by Jamie Zakian!

4/19/2018

1 Comment

 
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Serpents and Saviors (Project Emergence #2)
by Jamie Zakian

Release Date: April 10, 2018
Publisher: Month9Books


Lord of the Flies meets the 100.

Joey got separated from her twin brother Jesse when their luxury spacecraft broke apart halfway to Mars. The terrorists are dead, but so are most of the passengers who escaped a dying Earth for a new life on a new planet.

The remaining survivors, the future of humanity, are scattered across the lush planet of Mars. Joey and Kami are in a mountainous forest, and they’re locked in a power struggle to guide the people. Jesse and Rai landed on the coast, and are desperate to reach their sisters.

This new world can be a fresh start, where everyone is equal and class sectors are finally made obsolete, if only Kami would give up her self-appointed position as Commander of Mars. Both Joey and Kami are willing to die for their beliefs, even sacrificing the lives of those who’ve chosen to follow them, unless clearer heads can prevail before it’s too late.

Link to Goodreads | Purchase Links:  Google Play | BAM | Amazon | B&N | iBooks

 Guest Post
What books from your childhood reading would you like to bring back? Why?

When I was a young adult, the Fear Street Cheerleaders saga by R.L. Stine was my everything. I’d be in word nerd Heaven if that storyline got a reboot with LGBTQ and diverse characters.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Jamie Zakian is a full-time writer who consumes the written word as equally as oxygen. Living in South Jersey with her husband and rowdy family, she enjoys farming, archery, and blazing new trails on her 4wd quad, when not writing of course. She aspires to one day write at least one novel in every genre of fiction.

Website | Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

​Tour Schedule:​


GIVEAWAY!
Giveaway Info:
  • One (1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a digital copy of Serpents and Saviors by Jamie Zakian (INT)
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1 Comment

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Never Doubt a Duke by Regina Scott (Sweet Regency Romance)! [Ends 4/28/18]

4/18/2018

1 Comment

 
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for Never Doubt a Duke By Regina Scott
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This sweet Regency romance is the first book in her new Fortune's Brides series. Coming May 18th 2018...
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After spending the last ten years following her late husband on campaign, the irrepressible Jane Kimball finds herself badly in need of a position to support herself. Marriage holds no appeal; she’s not likely to find a husband like her Jimmy again. But when Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency offers her a post with the Duke of Wey, Jane feels drawn to help the lonely widower with his three daughters. He may seem a bit aloof, but Miss Thorn’s cat Fortune approved of him. Why should Jane doubt a duke? Alaric, Duke of Wey, commands his staff, his tenants, and the halls of Parliament, managing vast holdings in England and across the seas. Why is it he cannot manage his own daughters? As an old danger rears its head, he comes to rely on Jane’s practical nature, her outspoken ways to navigate the waters of fatherhood. And when necessity dictates he take a wife, thoughts turn to an unlikely governess who might make the perfect bride.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Smashwords

Grab your FREE ebook from Amazon here!
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Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn’t sell her first novel until she learned a bit more about writing. Since her first book was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages including Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. She now has more than forty published works of warm, witty romance. She and her husband of 30 years reside in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Regina Scott has dressed as a Regency dandy, driven four-in-hand, learned to fence, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research, of course.
Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Pinterest│BookBub│Newsletter

Cover Reveal Giveaway!
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- 1 winner will receive ebooks of the five books in the Uncommon Courtships series: 
An Uncommon Christmas (novella), The Unflappable Miss Fairchild, The Incomparable Miss Compton, The Irredeemable Miss Renfield, and The Unwilling Miss Watkin
 -
Open internationally - Ends April 28th

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1 Comment

The Bachelor Remedy by Carol Ross Book Tour & Giveaway! [Ends 4/25/18]

4/18/2018

5 Comments

 
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Bachelor Remedy (Seasons of Alaska #5) by Carol Ross
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
April 1st 2018 by Harlequin Superromance


She’s the most unconventional woman he’ll ever meet…
and the cure for a perennial bachelor?

Raised by her healer grandfather, former army medic Ally Mowak knows her alternative approach to traditional medicine puts her at odds with most of her Alaskan town. That includes Tag James, the rugged transport pilot with the sprawling family and political ambitions. Ally couldn’t be more wrong for the aspiring senator. Then why does everything feel so right when they’re together?


Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│Kobo

MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
This was a delightful tale of adventure, intrigue and romance.
With Tag and Ally, it was far from "love at first sight" but since they were forced to work together, they had to make some type of "truce". 
As they got past the initial "getting acquainted", they both began observing positive qualities in the other person... But was it enough?
This is a fast-paced tale of the rescue services we often take for granted, set within the majestic  land of Alaska.
Can modern techniques and ancient i=ones be blended into one?
The story was very well-written, captivating the reader's interest most of the time.

The characters and the background scenes were well portrayed, the Book Cover and Title passable. The girl's description in the story, does not fit the girl on the cover.
The ending was slightly abrupt.

I offer a Four Stars rating.
This book was gifted me with no requirement of a positive review.
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REVIEW by VICKIE:
Bachelor Remedy   - Carol Ross                               

Such a good story.  I really like the relationships with Tag and his family and extended family.
The characters are well-developed and easy to feel their emotions.  They all have distinctive personalities. I found myself really liking all of them.
The setting is easily visualized.  I could picture myself there. The story flowed well from chapter to chapter.
I really like the cover of the book and the title fits the story perfectly.
I would highly recommend this book to other readers.

I give this book a literary rating of  5/5
written by vickie

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author




USA Today bestselling author Carol Ross grew up in small town America right between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, in a place where you can go deep sea fishing in the morning and then hit the ski slopes the same afternoon. The daughter of what is now known as free range parents, she developed a love of the outdoors at a very early age. As a writer, Carol loves to breathe the life she has lived into the characters she creates, grateful for the “research material” that every questionable decision, adrenaline-charged misstep, and near-death experience has provided.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│BookBub

​

Tour Schedule

April 16th:
Launch
It's All About the Romance
Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader
underneath the covers
Remembrancy
April 17th:
Paulette's Papers
Becky on Books
E-Romance News
The Power of Words
April 18th:
Rockin' Book Reviews
I Am A Reader
Janice's Book Reviews
Locks, Hooks and Books
April 19th:
Harlie's Books
Nicole's Book Musings
Among the Reads
Two Points of Interest
April 20th:
Heidi Reads...
Hardcover Feedback
Reading Is My SuperPower
Teatime and Books
Deal Sharing Aunt
April 21st: Grand Finale
April 25th: Harlequin Junkie

Tour Giveaway

​
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- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of Summer at the Shore (signed copy to US and Canada, ebook to international)
- 2 winners will receive a $5 Amazon e-gift card and an e-book of Summer at the Shore (open internationally)
- Ends April 25th
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5 Comments

Interview with Lisa McKEndrick + Giveaway! [Ends 7/2/18]

4/15/2018

0 Comments

 
I am so delighted to present my Interview with Author, Lisa McKendrick, highlighting her newest book, A Brush With Love! Join Us!
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Synopsis:​
Lana, a talented ivy league artist, is thrilled for a summer internship program where she’ll get to study under an acclaimed artist, but she is soon disappointed to find that she’ll be going to Bluegill, Idaho, for six weeks to study under the brilliant but aging artist LeVan Hitchpost. As she spends more time with him, though (and more specifically with LeVan’s grandson, Walt), Lana realizes she may have to choose between following her dreams or following her heart.

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Lisa McKendrick lives in Lakeland, Florida, in a house that is very boring. It is not haunted or cursed, and there's no hidden treasure buried beneath it (she's checked). After going to school forever, she graduated from Brigham Young University with a master's degree in English. She is the mother of six kids, all of whom love every chance they get to play with their cousins. She is married to Rich McKendrick, a real nice guy who likes to collect flashlights. 

Our INTERVIEW!
CONGRATULATIONS, LISA, on being chosen as a Whitney Award Finalist!!! 
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GIVEAWAY! 
​For chances to receive your own copy of A Brush With Love, complete the Rafflecopter below!

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Love's Journey Home by Julie Bellom - Review by LAWonder10!

4/15/2018

1 Comment

 
Yes, I did Spotlight this book earlier this year and then I was able to read it! It is a great story, written by very talented author, Julie Coulter Bellon! PLEASE NOTE: Julie will be my guest on May 14th to help Celebrate my 5th Blogversary PLUS will be offering a Giveaway! Be sure to join us!
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Synopsis:

Olivia Dalton has a reputation in the DA’s office---tough, thorough, and fierce when she’s closing a case. Those skills are essential in the courtroom, but not in the relationship department---until Mick Donovan crosses her path. Everyone thinks he’s a player, but when an unexpected situation arises, she glimpses an honorable man instead. Olivia is drawn to him, but he pushes her away, unable to shake the past that still haunts him. 

Mick Donovan learned at a young age never to let anyone close because those you love never stay. Keeping people at arms-length has never been hard for him---until he meets Olivia Dalton. Mick is caught up in a case she’s prosecuting, and he can’t deny his attraction to her, but when she uncovers the past he’s kept carefully hidden, he’s sure she’ll turn away. Yet, even with all his secrets in the open, Olivia reaches out. Can he let his guard down long enough to let her in and take a chance on love? 

Kindle buy link: Amazon :

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My Review: (LAWonder10)
​Olivia's only close sibling is David, a High School teacher. She flees from a social situation to visit her brother in a nearby community, discovering the person she thought escaped, was at the eating establishment she and her bother were eating at. When Olivia tried to apprehend her, she fled again, taking with her something which didn't belong to her. 
Mick, was a teacher, Olivia's brother despised, yet Olivia went with him chasing a girl!


Mick met the young sin of the woman who fled. While trying to find her, he discovered the boy abandoned in the park. He felt strangely attached to the boy. Could he arrange to keep him until the mother was found?

This is a fast-paced, poignant tale, covering several human interest topics, is highly recommended to all YA & Adult audiences.  


This is a story a variety of readers will truly enjoy. The characters feel real and the scenes seems to "draw the reader into them. The Book Title and Cover are eye-catching and will appeal to the "browser".

​The only negative aspect of this book is at times it felt repetitive. Otherwise, it was a great adventurous story with the just right touch of romance and mystery.


I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating.
This book was gifted me with no stipulation of a positive review. This is my honest review.

​
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Author Bio:
Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of more than a dozen novels. Her book All Fall Down won the RONE award for Best Suspense and Pocket Full of Posies won a RONE Honorable Mention for Best Suspense. 
Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she's visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She loves to read, write,teach, watch Castle, Hawaii Five-O, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order. 
Julie offers writing and publishing tips as well as her take on life on her
blog  You can also find out about all her upcoming projects at her website 

1 Comment

My Dearest Enemy by Jennifer Moore Blog Tour & Giveaway! [Ends 4/20/18]

4/12/2018

1 Comment

 
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Struggling alone on the family farm, Abigail Tidwell knows exactly who to blame for her hardships: the Americans. If it weren’t for their part in the war, her father and brothers would be home rather than fighting abroad. But no amount of antipathy could have prepared her for the shocking sight of a wounded American soldier on her property, a man in dire need of her help. Grudgingly, Abigail tends to the soldier’s injuries and anticipates the satisfaction of turning him over to the authorities once he is healed. But fate has other plans. Captain Emmett Prescott remembers little of the ambush on his men by a group of Shawnee Indians and even less about how he arrived in the unfamiliar barn.
After being nursed back to health by beautiful, if reluctant, Abigail, Emmett would do anything to save the men he left behind—including forcibly enlisting Abigail’s help. Soon, Abigail finds herself caught between two countries at war. And as her attraction for Emmett grows, her conflicted heart engages in its own silent battle. But when she is accused of treason for her actions, her survival rests in the hands of the very man she once considered her enemy.

MY REVIEW:
My Dearest Enemy is a wonderful historical adventure/romance story. 
It is set in the time period of the Revolutionary War. 
AS with all wars, it depicts the good and bad on both sides of those involved in war. 
Abigail Tidwell's family lived in Canada and were loyal to "the Crown", yet her farther went to various medical seminars in both America and England among other places.
Abigail felt all Americans were evil, that is until she met one.
Amelia became torn between friendship and loyalty to her country.
The characters become very real and alive in the reader's mind. The scenes are vividly portrayed until one feels he/she is actually there. The Book Cover and Title are both eye-catching and very fitting.
The story steadily moves along, adding sentiment, action, disease,& romance..not exactly  in that order.
This earns a Five Stars, rating..

Schedule:
*April 16th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://mybookaday.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/
*April 17th: http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/
*April 18th: http://www.kindleandme.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
*April 19th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
*April 20th: https://brightlystreet.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/
GIVEAWAY!
​Just enter with the Rafflecopter below!
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1 Comment
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