Book Review: Gentleman of Her Dreams, by Jen Turano

Gentleman of Her Dreams, by Jen Turano

When Miss Charlotte Wilson asks God for a husband, she decides He must want her to pursue Mr. Hamilton Beckett, the catch of the season. The only problem? She's never actually met Hamilton. Fortunately, one of her oldest and dearest friends, Mr. Henry St. James—who has returned to New York after a two-year absence—does know Hamilton. Much to Henry's chagrin, Charlotte immediately ropes him into helping her meet Hamilton. However, none of her plans to catch Hamilton's eye go as she expected, and she is even more confused when her old feelings for Henry begin to resurrect themselves. In the midst of the mayhem Charlotte always seems to cause, she wonders if the gentleman of her dreams might be an entirely different man than she thought.

This novella is a companion to A Change of Fortune, Jen Turano's full-length debut novel, available fall 2012.

***

Short, sweet, and adorably funny, Gentleman of Her Dreams is a companion novella for the full length novel A Change of Fortune.  However, it is not necessary to read one to understand the other.  They are both fine on their own.

This quick read was an absolute delight and just what I was looking for.  I love historical fiction, and every now and again I feel the need to get away from all the paranormal and adventure and just read a good clean romance.  This short christian romance was exactly what I wanted.  It was humorous, witty, and super cute.  It was squeaky clean, too!  

It is FREE right now on Amazon.  Definitely worth the read.

File Size: 415 KB
Print Length: 81 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2012)

Amazon
Goodreads


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Book Review: Parallel (Travelers Series #1), by Claudia Lefeve

Destiny has a way of catching up.

Saddled with powers she doesn't understand, Etta Fleming's world is turned upside-down the day she meets Cooper Everett, the man who transports her to an alternate reality. A reality she was meant to be a part of.

One minute, she's an orphan living at Dominion House for Girls, an institution for delinquent foster kids, then finds herself attending the exclusive Dominion Hall Academy.

Plucked from the only world she's ever known, Etta now has to deal with an aunt she never knew, a boyfriend she doesn't know, and a best friend who can't know.

PARALLEL is the first book in the Travelers Series.

***

This was a fascinating story.  The concept was completely new to me.  I have never read a time traveling/reality jumping book before.  

I dove right into the story and enjoyed all the twists and turns until the very last page.  Etta seemed a bit like every other YA heroine, but the concept behind the book was interesting enough that it didn't bother me too much.  There was a bit of a love triangle, most of which I found unrealistic.  I really liked Cooper, but I just didn't believe that after meeting him a couple times Etta would be trying to decide between him and a guy that she's had a crush on for years.  

Cooper is mysterious, handsome, and generally just a good hero.  I fell in love with him as Etta's obvious preference for him emerges and as his character develops.  

The part I liked the most was when Cooper takes Etta to another reality and dumps her at her Aunts house and essentially tells her "good luck".  She has to maneuver her way through a world where everyone has memories of her, and she knows nothing about them.  It was interesting to speculate what it would be like in that situation.

My biggest complaint was the editing.  Typos and spelling mistakes galore!  There were sentences with two or three typos in them.  I found the explanations of the alternate realities and various versions of the same person to be confusing.  Interesting, sure, but confusing.  And I wasn't really all that fond of Etta.  I wish she had been more likeable.  

This was the first book in a trilogy.  It is FREE for Kindle readers right now, so if time/reality travel is a genre that you like, this might be worth checking out.


File Size: 255 KB
Print Length: 266 pages
Publisher: Sugar Skull Books; 1 edition (August 26, 2011)
Amazon
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Book Review: Hide in Plain Sight, by Marta Perry

She couldn't turn her back on her family in their time of need. So when her sister was injured, financial expert Andrea Hampton traded the big city for Amish country to help turn her grandmother's house into an inn.

But life with the Plain People took a treacherous turn when a string of accidents and pranks threatened her family. Someone didn't want the secrets the old house harbored to come to light. Trusting anyone-- even the handsome carpenter who seemed so genuine--was a battle for Andrea, but her life depended on her ability to find the truth.

***

This book was obviously written by a seasoned author.  In some ways, it is a good thing because it gives a reader a certain amount of security in knowing that they are going to be consuming a well written novel.  In other ways, it is a bit disappointing.  The story seemed a bit formulaic and unoriginal.  It seemed like it was novel #30 for this author, and she has gotten into the habit of switching character names and location, while essentially writing the same book over and over.  

Now don't get me wrong, it was a very well written novel and a good story.  I would happily read another book written by Marta Perry.  The romance was perfectly clean and innocent.  I didn't have to worry about anything questionable popping up.  There were secrets, suspense, and suspicion milling around the story.  I loved all of that.  Plus, the book is FREE for Kindle readers right now.  

For a free book, it was definitely worth reading.  It only took me a couple of sittings to read it.  There was nothing too heavy or weird in it.  All in all, it was an enjoyable experience.

The main character was likeable and mostly believable.  I could empathize with her as she struggled to figure out the best way to take care of her family members.  I liked Cal, the handsome carpenter that shows interest in Andrea.  I didn't like the theme of big city life and ambition being incompatible with a Christian lifestyle.  I also didn't really buy into the whole issue that Andrea had with her grandfather.  If I were in Andrea's shoes, I would be more angry with my father for abandoning the family, and with my mother for being irresponsible.  While neither of those things seem to bother her, she has a hangup about how her grandfather let her mother take her sister and herself away from the farm.  It just didn't strike me as realistic.

Like I mentioned before, it seems like Perry has fallen into what I like to call the "Louis L'Amour trap".  It's where an author has found a formula that works for their stories and they stick to it like glue.  This was my first Marta Perry book, but I just have this feeling that when I read another one, it will hold a LOT of similarities to this one.


File Size: 335 KB
Print Length: 247 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (August 1, 2012)
Amazon
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Shower of Books Giveaway Hop

Hooray for Giveaway hops! You made it. I'm kind of in the middle of this hop, so if you've made it this far, you are quite dedicated.

Thanks to One a Day YA and I Am a Reader Not a Writer for the Shower of Books Giveaway Hop.

Today we have an awesome giveaway brought to you by author T.L. Shreffler. Her debut YA novel, Sora's Quest (Cat's Eye #1), was just released, and she is giving away a Kindle copy to FIVE lucky readers!

Let me give you two reasons you want to enter this giveaway.

Reason number one:

Enticing, no?

Reason number two:

A noblewoman, an assassin, and a soul-stealing necklace....

Sora planned on running away from her wedding, but she never expected to be kidnapped! Dumped into a world of magical races, arcane jewelry and forgotten lore, she finds herself at the mercy of a dangerous assassin, haunted by an even darker past. She yearns for freedom, but he won't let her go -- not when her Cat's Eye necklace is the only thing that can save his life.

But the necklace itself presents a problem. It is an ancient device from the long forgotten War of the Races, and its magic has the ability to steal souls. Can Sora learn to wield its power -- or will the power wield her?

Winner of the SKOW Best Fantasy Award! Find it on Amazon here.


Sounds awesome right? Well, five of you get to experience this amazing title for yourselves. Just enter below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway


(If the rafflecopter isn't working because it hates my guts, just follow this blog and then comment leaving your name and an email address. Thanks.)



The Giveaway will run from April 20 to April 25th. The winners will be announced and contacted via email; you will have 24 hours to claim your prize, or we will have to pick another winner. And then you'll find out that you won and it'll be too late because we'll have already given your book to someone else.

Don't make us do that.

Good luck! And don't forget to check out the other sites below to continue the hop.

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Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe (Fallen World #1)

From Goodreads:

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back. Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival.

As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest. Because how will she go on if there isn't? 

***

Holy cow. Holy. Cow. 

This book was completely different than other dystopian, apocalyptic, end-of-the-world, society is ravished by a disease novels. 

The Way We Fall is written as a journal of letters Kaelyn writes to her estranged best friend, Leo. The letters start off as whimsical memories and long-harbored guilt. Slowly they turn to the curious events of a strange illness that is spreading throughout their secluded island off the coast of Canada.


Then the letters turn horrific as the disease turns pandemic, and there doesn't seem to be enough room for the bodies that keep piling up.

I love books that are written as letters. I think letters are so personal and share so much about a person without the writer realizing it. About the point where Kaelyn realizes Leo might never actually see these letters is when she starts pouring out more of her self, and I loved the way that made the book feel. 

Kaelyn developed well from the shy girl who no one really likes to the one with the strength to take care of her family - what's left of it - and help save her community and home. 

The disease starts with an itch you can't get rid of. And then there's a cough that won't go away. The day after I finished this book, I had an itch on my scalp. I literally was on the verge of tears and panic, thinking I was going to get sick and die and who would take care of my kids? My kids! Would I infect my kids? Should I call my husband to come take the kids and move to Siberia...? It took me a moment to realize that The Way We Fall was a book I read, and not a newscast I'd watched. That's the mark of a good book in my opinion.

There were a few things that were a bit confusing at first. I was eventually able to figure them out, but it made it a little difficult to trudge through at first. I honestly stuck with it because, like I said, I love books written as letters or journals. I wanted to see how it played out, and I am SO glad I did!!


There is mild swearing throughout the book, but about five uses of heavy profanity.

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (January 24, 2012)
• Source: Publisher via Netgalley
• Amazon
• Goodreads

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Review: Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

From Goodreads:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

*****

I don't even know where to start with this book. It was fabulous, and at the same time it kind of made me pull away a bit and ask, "What?"


Elisa is the chosen one. She literally has a Godstone in her navel. This stone is almost like a link to God, and it directs her in some of her more challenging moments. The Godstone means that she has been chosen to do something amazing! But she has no idea what, and she doesn't know if her task will ever be completed. Many of the Chosen don't live long enough to complete their tasks. 


On her 16th birthday, Elisa marries a kind and handsome man who is the king of a neighboring country. When they reach his kingdom a few weeks later (with much trial and hardship), Elisa soon learns he means to introduce her merely as a "guest" and wishes to keep their marriage a secret. A marriage that was nothing but a contract for more troops in a war that is fast approaching. 


And thus begins an epic tale of a girl who must overcome her self-doubts and find the courage to save a nation. And yes, I mean epic.

I read this book a month ago, and I can still see the story in my head. It was that good. The author does an amazing job of giving the reader enough detail so that we can see what's going on, but not so much that I'm flipping the pages looking for dialogue. 

Elisa is the kind of character that grows naturally, and yet she still has her self-doubts and lack of confidence, even though she's slaying the dragon. Hypothetically speaking. I thought she was so real, she could have been the girl next door instead of the girl of fire and thorns....:)

Battles and war are always a little difficult for me to follow because there is always so much history shoved into a tiny little space. However, with The Girl of Fire and Thorns, the war history was only a tiny bit tiresome, so that's pretty good. 

I sometimes had a hard time figuring out who was the bad guy and who really was good. There were a few times I thought a good guy was about to betray Elisa, and he never did. That's a little confusing as a reader. I like a surprise, but I don't want to be constantly on guard for something that never happens.

This is a very, very sweet love story as well. And that was one of my most favorite and least favorite parts of the book. I won't say more because it will give away too much.

This was a clean book with battle violence. If you're like me, you'll be heavily invested emotionally. This is apparently a trilogy, and you can bet your bottle rocket I'll be reading the other books in the series.

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (September 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• Amazon.com
• Goodreads.com
• Souce: Publisher via Netgalley

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Beg , borrow or steal?

Pop quiz!

How should you get your hands on The Gifted for free?

a. Beg your friends to buy it so you can read their copy.
b. Borrow it from Amazon.com for free.
c. Break into my house and steal it from my basement.

If you chose c please send me your name and address so I can give it to the police as a list of possible suspects. ;)

The correct answer is b. If you have a Kindle and Prime Membership, you can borrow The Gifted for FREE!! (That's my favorite price.)

Are you interested in free? Here's how you can do it.

If you have a Kindle (an actual Kindle) and Prime Membership, go to the Amazon store on your Kindle. Once there,  search for The Gifted by Deborah Andreasen. My book will pop up. On the details screen, there will be the option to buy or borrow.

Borrow it and you can have it for as little or as long as you'd like!!

The catch is you can only borrow one book a month. If you have a kindle and you don't have Prime Membership, you can get a free trial for 30 days.

**Puttin' in a plug here. We are going on our second year of Prime Membership. Can I tell you how much I love it?! Not only do I ALWAYS get free shipping, but the stuff I buy is on my doorstep in two days. Need shoelaces? No problem. You'll get them in 2 days and you don't have to pay shipping. I never have to leave the house! Which was really nice when I was on bed rest while pregnant with twins. So yeah, Prime is a little on the pricey side, but totally worth it if Amazon is your go to website for anything and everything.**

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Book Review: The Dig (Zoe and Zeus Trilogy #1) by Audrey Hart

Zoe’s life is not exactly normal. Her parents died when she was young, leaving her in the care of her archeologist aunt and uncle. She’s accompanied them on digs for years, but this time feels…different.

When Zoe accidentally gets trapped in an ancient Greek temple, she finds that myth and reality are more closely intertwined than she thought. Now she must face a pack of teenaged Greek gods who seem bent on sending her to the underworld…or at least back where she came from.

Except for Zeus, the handsome boy who risks it all to be with her. What is she willing to risk in return?

**

I read this book in a flurry, finishing in less than two days. The author described her novel as an Indiana Jones-style adventure, but I would say Zoe is more like a female Percy Jackson. She’s witty and entertaining, smart and sarcastic. She’s strong willed and shows and aptitude for thinking on her feet and taking care of herself. While Zoe doesn’t look for anyone to rescue her, she often finds herself in situations where she needs help but won’t ask for it. Good thing someone is usually there to save her.

Zeus is a heart-throb hero who has no lack in chivalry or honor. I like that in a character. He isn’t perfect, even losing his temper once or twice, but that’s what makes him believable.

While I overall really enjoyed this book, there were a few things that were confusing for me. Zoe claims to be out of the loop on teenage pop-culture, but I had a hard time believing that. She frequently used popular songs or TV shows as references. I was also a little confused by the description of the temple door. It gave me a good mental picture of what the door was supposed to look like, but it took me a long time to realize it was actually a portal and not really a giant _____. (I won’t spoil the surprise.)

I felt like the Greek mythology in this book was a little loose, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you have a hard time with authors taking a few liberties in fairytale and mythology retellings, this may bother you. As for me, I enjoyed it. It was a fun, clever and creative twist on the stories we all think we know.

This was a fun and fresh romance that had me turning the pages as fast as possible. I look forward to the next installment of Zoe and Zeus. Write on, Audrey. Write on.

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Backlit Fiction; 1 edition (November 7, 2011)
• Reading Level: Young Adult
• Source: Author for Review
• Amazon
• Goodreads

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Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Kate's life turned from normal to abysmal when her parents are killed in a car accident. Returning to their father's heritage, and their only surviving family members, Kate and her sister, Georgia, move to Paris to be with their grandparents.

Kate's days are filled with novels, museums, and the crushing ache of mourning and depression, until her eyes lock with Vincent's across a cafe terrace. He's gorgeous and kind and, amazingly, seems genuinely interested in Kate. The closer she gets to him, the more she becomes aware that she's opening herself to potential heartbreak and pain.

But more importantly, it could mean risking her life.

Vincent and his kindred are Revenants. Undead who sacrifice their lives over and over to save humans from death and pain. And their sworn enemies have had centuries to perfect hone in on their Revenant hunting skills.

Kate must decide if her safety is important enough to leave Vincent being, or if a life without Vincent is really worth living.

***

To be honest, I was a little hesitant about reading a book about the dead dying over and over, but I was beyond pleasantly surprised. I was so intrigued by this book, I finished it in 2 days. Kate's pain at losing her parents completely destroys her, and she's seemingly an empty shell, just putting one foot in front of the other. After meeting Vincent, she at least has something to keep her moving and occupied during the day. But then their little attraction grows stronger, and stranger. Kate's immediately plunged into the fascinating world of the undead. The revenants jokingly call themselves zombies, but it's nothing like the stereotypes.

There was just a little cautionary content (they may be immortal, but the Revenants still die, after all. And not all the deaths are clean).

The descriptions of Paris were beautiful, but sometimes a little distracting. The characters were fantastic. Sometimes when a book has so many important characters all rolled together, it's difficult to keep their personalities separate. I did not find that to be the case here.

Bottom line? Very intriguing read that is part pain and death, part heart-melting love story. Definitely worth reading.

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (May 10, 2011)
• Source: Publisher (via NetGalley)

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I've joined your ranks.

For a million different reasons, my husband is amazing. In this post, I'm going to highlight one specific example.

He bought me a Kindle!!!

He had many reasons for doing this (celebrating my book release, concern for my health, bribing encouraging me) , but what it all boils down to is that he loves me. Aw. :)

So now, I am able read and review ebooks with ease. NetGalley is my new best friend. I'm able to enter giveaways for ebooks. When I go on a trip next week, I'll take my library with me! Seriously, this is the coolest thing ever. I spent hours getting to know my Kindle. My husband almost wished he hadn't given it to me. ;)

I feel so high tech and posh. I know ereaders are the future, but I still feel a little elite now that I have one.

In a twist of fated irony, The Gifted became available in Kindle version on the same day I received my Kindle.

I sold 4 Kindle version copies of The Gifted before it was fully live on Amazon. That made me feel pretty good. Anyway, you can now by The Gifted on Kindle here.

I'm currently working on putting The Gifted on B&N and Smashwords. So if you have a Nook or some other ereader device, hang tight. We're on our way. Pin It

Kindle Giveaway - Reminder

Don't forget to enter for your chance to win a Kindle! Want more chances to win? click on the link below and comment on all the participating blogs.

Want even more chances to win? Right now there are 42 blogs participating. If there are 50 or more blogs signed up, Moira Rogers will generously add another Kindle to the giveaway (as well as $50 to the blog owner of the winning comment.)

What are you waiting for? Sign up your book blog! Spread the fun. And don't forget to visit all the blogs and enter to win.

Thanks Moira Rogers!!

Want to win a brand new Wi-Fi Kindle 3? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and you can have your chance! For more chances to win, visit the main contest page. Every participating blog you visit gives you another chance to win!

This post is part of Moira Rogers’ Wild Web Adventure Promo. For full rules and disclaimers, or to hold your own kindle contest, visit the contest post. Winners will be chosen during the first week of April.http://www.moirarogers.com/blog/archives/3473

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eReader Giveaway

Want to a chance to win an eReader?

Check out the Bibliophilic Book Blog for details.

Anyone over the age of 13 can enter. Follow Monica's blog when you enter. It's not a requirement, but it's appreciated.

What can you win?

An eReader of your choice!! Or a gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Neither can be more than $200. All you have to do is go to Bibliophilic Book Blog, fill out the form, follow (hopefully), sit back and relax. Head back on March 15th - Bookmark Day - for more chances to enter.

Thanks Monica for a great giveaway!

Here's my question: What kind of eReader will you choose? I have my heart set on a Kindle.

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