Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Cover Reveal for My Novel: Widow of Papina

As you may, or may not know, I am re-releasing one of my previously self-published titles through Soul Mate Publishing. The self-publish route wasn't doing what I'd hoped for, so I took the manuscript to SMP who I have previously published the novels; Branded, Dancing in the Athenian Rain, and Brownlow Baby. With that comes new packaging and some wonderful editing to really make the novel sparkle. Papina, now titled Widow of Papina will release on...

Dec 13th 2017.

Yeah, it's CRAZY close! You can pre-order Here.

For now, here is the brand new cover! Enjoy!


Monday, November 27, 2017

Review: Rebekah by Orson Scott Card


From Goodreads:
Born into a time and place where a woman speaks her mind at her peril, and reared as a motherless child by a doting father, Rebekah grew up to be a stunning, headstrong beauty. She was chosen by God for a special destiny.

Rebekah leaves her father's house to marry Isaac, the studious young son of the Patriarch Abraham, only to find herself caught up in a series of painful rivalries, first between her husband and his brother Ishmael, and later between her sons Jacob and Esau. Her struggles to find her place in the family of Abraham are a true test of her faith, but through it all she finds her own relationship with God and does her best to serve His cause in the lives of those she loves. 

In Rebekah, Orson Scott Card has created an astonishing personality, complex and intriguing, and her story will engage your heart as it captures your imagination.



My Thoughts:
I read Sarah earlier this year, and I read Rachel & Leah several years ago (not long after it released) but Rebekah is hands down my favorite of the three books.
I struggle to like Rachel & Leah, mostly because the whole premise, even the biblical version, hurts my heart and I really dislike Jacob for the way he treated the women. Sarah hit some tender places in my with her fertility struggles, and self-sacrifices, and I always empathized with her. But Rebekah. Rebekah I really felt like I knew because I saw myself in her. Her fire, her fight, even her relationship with God reminded me of myself. Isaac was wonderful too, even if he couldn't see past his own self-loathing at times. Rebekah's love for him made up for that.
I also really enjoyed seeing so much of her younger years, as the foundation of her adult life was put in place. The strong, devoted young girl was incredible.
It makes me wish there was more in the bible about Rebekah and Isaac.
LOVED!!!

Cover Reveal: Promise: A Christmas Novella by Melody Winter


Promise: A Christmas Novella
Melody Winter
Publication date: December 5th 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance
Charlotte Walker and Adam Middleton were childhood sweethearts until the day he and his family disappeared. All he left Charlotte was a scrappy piece of paper with a few throwaway words:
‘I’ll never forget you. I promise.’
After eight years of hoping he’d come back into her life, Charlotte can no longer bear the heartbreak of Adam’s broken promise. Retreating to a remote cabin to spend a quiet Christmas holiday alone, Charlotte is determined to push the ghost of Adam into the past and focus on moving forward with the rest of her life.
But when a bearded man knocks on the cabin door on Christmas Eve, could he hold the answer to Charlotte’s years of heartache?






Author Bio:
Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced that the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.
Melody lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two teenage sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or listening to 80’s music on her IPod.
Melody has a tendency to fall head-over-heels in love with her main characters, even when they frustrate her and refuse to act the way she wants them to. She is a romance writer at heart and loves reading and writing about anything mythological or magical, as well as exploring the gritty side of love affairs and the complexities of being in love.

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Review: The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

From Goodreads:
In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.

Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child--and man--she's come to love.






My Thoughts:
I didn't expect this to be perfectly timed for Thanksgiving, but I'm glad it was! Learning about the puritans before they became pilgrims couldn't have been more perfect for the season.
Elizabeth's story begins when a mother dies soon after delivering her baby. Elizabeth, headstrong and bright, puts her talents and loving heart to the task of keeping the infant alive. Her faith gets her through, which is something I greatly admired, especially in the darkest times she faced. She's outspoken, but she's a quiet and powerful force, a person whose influence isn't really noticed, but needed and present.  I think that's what I enjoyed about her love with John; it's so honest and built on him noticing her character and her quiet strength.
Clean read, and well worth the time, this book charmed me and transported me to a time of struggle and reform well worth understanding.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Review: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery


From Goodreads:
Eleven-year-old orphan Anne Shirley has just arrived at Green Gables, and already her guardians want to send her back. First, she’s not the boy the Cuthberts expected. Second, she talks too much. And even with her generous spirit, the redhead’s a trouble magnet. She gets the neighbor drunk and nearly poisons the pastor!

Still, despite a rocky start, the fiery Anne wins over her guardians and her new community. She enjoys life at Green Gables, excels in school, and earns a coveted scholarship. But when tragedy hits, Anne must choose between her dreams and the only home she’s ever known.

In this beloved coming-of-age story, Lucy Maud Montgomery drew from her own experiences growing up in Canada during the nineteenth century to introduce generations of readers to one of literature’s most original and inspiring characters.
 




My Thoughts:
I know this book is in no need for reviews, but I have made a goal to read more classics, especially North American literature since I wasn't exposed to them much growing up, and I also leave reviews for all that I read. So, here we go!
This was an interesting one for me. I loved it, but then, I didn't. It was engaging, yet, it didn't keep me flipping the pages. I felt like the end finally became interesting, and there were parts that were also engaging, but the writing didn't pull me in like I wanted. I'll put it down to the older "style" of writing employed that I'm not used to reading anymore. Aside from that, it's a cute story. Each chapter seems to have mini stories that show Anne aging, learning, and growing,which all ends up with an ending tht I wanted to cry about, but, couldn't for the above reasons.
I will now continue my reading of classic books, and include the rest of the seven Anne books.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Blog Tour: My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff


My New Crush Gave to Me
Shani Petroff
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: October 31st 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
This sweet, funny holiday romance from the author of Romeo And What’s Her Name features cute boys, plenty of rom-com mishaps, and a determined heroine readers are certain to fall for.
Charlotte “Charlie” Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He’s a star athlete, a National Honor Society member, and the most popular guy in school. Plus he contributes to the school paper, where Charlie is a co-editor. Basically, he’s exactly the type of guy Charlie’s looking for. The only problem is—he barely knows she exists.
But Charlie has a plan: rig the paper’s Secret Santa and win his heart with the perfect gift. The catch? She has no idea what to get him. Enter J.D. Ortiz–Teo’s cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He’s easy going, laid back, disorganized, and spontaneous—the exact opposite
of Charlie (and Teo). But he knows what Teo wants, so she’s stuck with him.
Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas?
Shani Petroff’s newest young adult comedy of errors, My New Crush Gave to Me, is the perfect read for those searching for some love and laughter along with their holiday spirit.




Author Bio:
Shani Petroff is a writer living in New York City. She’s the author of the “Bedeviled” series, which includes Daddy’s Little Angel, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress, Careful What You Wish For, and Love Struck, and is the co-author of the “Destined” series which includes Ash and Ultraviolet. She also writes for television news programs and several other venues. When she’s not locked in her apartment typing away, she spends a whole lot of time on books, boys, TV, daydreaming, and shopping online.

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