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Thursday, July 16, 2020

THESE NAMELESS THINGS by SHAWN SMUCKER

From the beginning I could tell this was going to be a challenging read. It’s not because I didn’t like the book, rather that I couldn’t  read it fast enough. The suspense starts right away and never lets up. 

Several people leave the mountain and discover what held them there , why they left and what affects it left on their lives. Just looking at the cover tells me there are secrets that once revealed will change many lives.  I love the details the author gives as the story slowly progresses. The characters seem to come alive and I was mesmerized by them. 

What happened in those mountains seep out into a unforgettable tale of abuse, pain, secrets and an ending that delivers a punch to the mind.  The authors reaches deep into the soul as the characters experience forgiveness, truth and a journey to discover their destination. 

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads Blogger Program. The review is my own opinion. 
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About the Book

Title: A Very Austen Romance
Authors: Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, Barbara Cornthwaite, Chautona Havig, Mandy H. Cook
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: June, 2020
A Very Austen Romance - Ebook finalA Very Austen Romance features a delightful medley of novellas, each set in Jane Austen’s Regency world. Your friends from Pride and PrejudiceEmma, and Sense and Sensibility, enjoy new adventures in this lovely collection of stories by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, Barbara Cornthwaite, Mandy Cook, and Chautona Havig.
Be treated to prequels, spin-offs, and sequels of Austen’s novels, along with original and supporting characters in starring roles. If historical romance is your preference, you’ll love these well-crafted stories written by beloved authors in the genre.

Click here to get your copy!
 MY REVIEW
Gather round as you enjoy these wonderful stories that are filled with romance, intriguing characters and  a time period where  Lords and Lady’s abound. Find a comfy place and be swept away to an era that whispers royalty and memories fit for a lady. 
The King of Hearts by Robin Helm
The story is centered around Kitty Bennett at the age of twenty. Every time I read books about this era I always snicker because it was such a disgrace to not be married by a certain age. My goodness everyone is a buzz about the upcoming dance where Kitty will be the center of attention. The dance was fun to read about and how distinguished the gentlemen were. I loved when Kitty said she would marry for love and not money. Bravo to her for following her heart. She has quite a selection of gentlemen vying for her attention. Who will she choose?  I enjoyed how the author gave Kitty several gentlemen to get acquainted with. I think a few tried too hard but in the end does love win over power and money? 
You’ve Got To Kiss The Girl by Laura Hike
Right away I was hooked on this story. A plot to kidnap Darcy and Anne seemed simple. They would be taken to a place where hopefully a wedding proposal would take place. Lady Catherine was determined that her scheme would work. The house had to be comfortable, well stocked and perhaps a bit romantic. 
I think Lady Catherine steals the show in this story. What is she thinking making people waddle on the carpet so it would last longer. Oh my she is becoming quite unquestionably  a bit out there . I laughed at all her shenanigans and how her plan, well I mustn’t say more. The story is fun to read and I thought the author did a great job of showing how determined someone is to pick a spouse for someone else. I loved how the story had some funny moments and how a mixup delivers an unexpected romance. 
A Step Too Far by Wendi Sotis
This story finds us witnessing the rescue of Elizabeth after she falls from a cliff. Of course if she hadn’t been so curious about her neighbors, perhaps she wouldn’t find herself in this predicament. Darcy stumbles upon her and must now find the easiest  way to get her to safety.  
Elizabeth is known for her little adventures and this one is no exception. It was nice to read how thoughtful Darcy was as he returned  her to her home. The author gives a glimpse into how Darcy and Elizabeth interact with each other as she recovers from her injuries. Do I smell romance in the air? I thought the author painted a lovely picture of two people getting to know each other as they follow their hearts. 
John Knightly Wins A Wife  by Barbara Cornthwaite

This adventure was very fun to read as John has his hands full trying to keep Miss Maria’s brother out of trouble. I wonder if he agreed to this endeavor a bit too hasty? Perhaps he is hoping to impress Maria and get her attention. Oh how attraction to someone can make us do silly things. 

John is starting to see that Arthur is becoming hard to deal with. As I read the story I kept thinking of Arthur as a scoundrel . He is someone who sets their sights on something or someone for  their personal gain. It ruffles John’s feathers when Arthur’s  attention is drawn  to a certain young lady who is rumored to have money or will soon come into money. The prank Arthur pulls on John is in such poor taste. I think there is going to be a little anger brewing within John. Someone needs to set Arthur straight in how to behave himself as a gentleman. 

I enjoyed getting to go along with John as he pursues a young woman who will compliment his life perfectly. The author does  a great job of letting readers get  a glimpse into John’s heart as he intends to make a special someone his wife. 
Charming Miss Dashwood by Chautona Havig

I couldn’t wait to see where the author would take her story. It is no secret that I love her writing and her adventurous spirit. Margaret is everything I had hoped for. She is funny in a sarcastic way and her uncanny one liners are perfectly written. I think I see a little of me in her with the sarcasm and little time for nonsense. 

I loved how the author was able to put Conrad and Margaret in a position where they began to slowly get to know each other. Conrad had many adventure which I think Margaret enjoyed hearing. I have always wondered what it would be like living during this time period. A woman’s reputation was of the upmost importance and they were usually accompanied by someone who would protect the woman’s honor. It intrigued me that Margaret wanted to help stand guard with Conrad when intruders sneak in the house. 

I couldn’t wait to find out why  these men were there to invade the home and what danger was ahead. The author had me trying to read faster because I had to know if Conrad and Margaret would finally start to be cordial to each other. It reminds me of that saying, “ I think thou does  protest too much.”  
The part where the intruders come once again is definitely a look at how brave Margaret is. Her instinct to protect her family and Conrad is admirable and dare I say impressive.  The author does a good job of writing a story that not only gives us a glimpse into espionage but a cleverly written storyline that includes a bit of romance. I liked that the romance didn’t overshadow the entire story, but complimented the characters as they developed feelings for one another. I liked that Conrad was a humble man who felt like he didn’t have much to offer a wife. The ending is full of surprises and left this  reader wanting to stay awhile longer with Conrad and Margaret. 
In The Looking Glass by Mandy H. Cook

Fanny is not happy on this special day of hers. Her birthday reminds her of how old she is getting and feeling like a spinster. She decides to wander away from home and thus starts an adventure she will never forget. The story moves at  a fast pace much like Fanny herself does. 

The stranger she meets is very intriguing and I couldn’t wait to see how Fanny’s family welcomes him. It takes awhile to find out the strangers name but it is worth the wait. A timepiece given to Fanny as a child holds the key to unlocking a promise made by the stranger . I did enjoy getting to know more about the stranger  and his past. The story is good and I liked the ending especially. It is a sweet story that young girls dream about. Love finds you in the most unexpected places. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Authors

Robin HelmRobin Helm‘s books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction.
Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy; the Yours by Design series: Accidentally YoursSincerely Yours, and Forever YoursUnderstanding Elizabeth;  More to Love; and Lawfully Innocent. Ms. Helm also contributed stories to A Very Austen Christmas and A Very Austen Valentine.
She plans to publish Maestro in 2020.
Her life in (usually) sunny, small town South Carolina is busy, but affords time for writing, reading, teaching piano, and playing games on her phone. (Would you believe she’s an elder in a war game?)


Laura HReaders are loving Laura Hile‘s joyous Regency novels. Her signature style—with intertwined plots, cliffhangers, laugh-out-loud humor, and romance—keeps them coming back for more.
The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There’s never a dull moment with teen students!
Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a collection of antique clocks.
Her fiction is for everyone, even teens.

Wendi SotisWendi Sotis lives on Long Island, NY, with her husband and triplets. While searching for Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s point of view, she became thoroughly enamored with Jane Austen Fan Fiction or JAFF. In early 2010, she dreamed of an idea for a story and hasn’t stopped writing since: PromisesDreams and ExpectationsAll Hallows EveThe Keys for LoveSafekeeping (with just a dash of Austen); The Gypsy BlessingFoundation of Love (The Gypsy Blessing 2); and A Lesson Hard Learned.
The Marriage Pact, and some of Wendi’s works-in-progress, have branched away from JAFF to Regency Romance (the Loving an Aldridge Series) and Contemporary Romantic Mysteries (the Implicated series). Wendi will also continue bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together again and again in an unusual manner.

Barbara CornthwaiteBarbara Cornthwaite lives in the middle of Ireland with her husband and children. She taught college English before “retiring” to do something she loves far more; her days are now filled with homeschooling her six children, trying to keep the house tidy (a losing battle), and trying to stay warm in the damp Irish climate (also a losing battle). She is surrounded by medieval castles, picturesque flocks of sheep, and ancient stone monuments. These things are unappreciated by her children, who are more impressed by traffic jams, skyscrapers, and hot weather.


Mandy Helms CookMandy Cook was an RN for over ten years, half of which she served in the Navy, living in far-flung places, enjoying experiencing the world while following her calling. Just before she and her handsome Marine were both deployed to different places, they married. They now have three children, ages five and younger.
She previously published The Gifted, using her nursing experience to lend accuracy to her story about an ER nurse who is handed a gift that changes her life forever. Adversity, and a long history of secrets, constantly battle against her natural instinct for truth and justice, but will the truth be worth the dare?
Mandy also contributed a story to A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 1.


Chauton HavigChautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.


Blog Stops

Holly Jo Morris, July 10
Rebecca Tews, July 14
Pause for Tales, July 20

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the A Very Austen authors are giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Which “Romantic Hero” will steal your heart?

Heroes, new and familiar, abound in A Very Austen Romance (an Austen-inspired anthology). Enjoy this fun quiz and learn which of the heroes in the book is the best literary match for you!
Help Me Find My Match!

Sunday, July 12, 2020

About the Book

Book:  The Ring Does Not Fit
Author: Sunshine Rodgers
Genre: Romance, Fiction, Christian, Fantasy
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Alena is stuck in a mundane marriage and longing for somethingfront cover
different. New clothes. Bigger bling. Flashy cars. Miraculously and
inexplicably, it all happens in a flash and she is finally married to
the man of her dreams, but something still seems to be missing. In all
her excitement, the one thing she’s looking for is the one thing she
can’t seem to keep.

Click here to get your copy!
 MY REVIEW 
This story reminded me of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with a twist. I was able to relate to Alena more than I wanted to. She was so critical of her husband, marriage and life in general. Poor thing  thought the grass was greener on the other side. A very special guest in the story takes Alena on a journey through several “marriages,” that she thought would be better. Many of us are guilty of complaining about our spouse . Sometimes our eyes wander and think what  it would be like to be with someone else. 
 The author does a great job of showing Alena what her life may be like and as the journey continues she starts to realize how much she misses her husband. There were a few points in the story that I thought were key points. One of them was Alena didn’t know what love really was because she didn’t know what loving Jesus meant. She had no relationship with Him and really didn’t believe in Him. The second point which I found to be powerful was that Jesus has given us the spouse we were meant to be with. When we learn  to accept each other and love unconditionally, then we will have a marriage filled with joy and contentment. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Sunshine Rodgers is an International Best-Selling author, speaker and
motivator who excels in sharing the hope and light of the gospel in
her books. Her characters experience the love and grace of Jesus
Christ and the beauty of Heaven. Sunshine hopes her pages will get you
passionate about your faith. Her books have been made into audio books
and translated in different languages. Her social media sites and
personal blog reach thousands of readers a week. Sunshine has appeared
in magazines, newspapers and live media interviews and is working on
her merchandise line (available on her website!). Sunshine now enjoys
her days traveling for signings, author events, speaking engagements
and book tours.


More from Sunshine

“Why are we never satisfied?  I mean, we can have
houses, cars and money and still want more! If I were to break it
down, I would have to say…insecurity.  Maybe we feel like we’re not good
enough. I don’t know about you, but I compare myself with others
all the time just by looking at social media and feeling like I don’t
measure up.
My book “The Ring Does Not Fit” concentrates on appreciating what is right in front of you,
celebrating those who are still with you and staying humble.
Because the grass is not always greener on the other side and there
is always more going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about.
I wanted to explore the issue of contentment  in my book.
The only way to really get over any personal frustration
and constant comparison  is to have
an attitude of thanksgiving and praise where you are thankful
for what you have, no matter how little or big it is.
That’s the first step to loving life.”
– Sunshine Rodgers

Blog Stops

Quiet quilter, July 8
Through the Fire Blogs, July 10 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, July 13 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, July 17 (Author Interview)
Andrea Carmen, July 17
Quiet Workings, July 18
Artistic Nobody, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sunshine is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Visa card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.