Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Feasted On: The Still Harbor Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1639 KB | Expected Release Date: November 9, 2015 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing : Bliss | Obtained: NetGalley

"Falling for Her Enemy" [The Still Harbor Series, Book 2] by Victoria James

Author's Book Description : A sweet category romance from Entangled's imprint...

She's falling for the one man who could destroy everything...

Alex McAllister always dreamed of a life filled with the laughter and love of a family, but being abandoned at a young age left her wary of letting anyone in. Now that she's settled in Still Harbor, Alex struggles between keeping her distance and the magnetic pull of the handsome stranger who claims he's the biological father of her adopted daughter.

Hayden Brooks never wanted to be a father. Long hours spent building his family's real estate empire suits him just fine. But when he discovers an ex put the baby he unknowingly fathered up for adoption, his world crumbles. He tracks the child to Still Harbor with the intention of bringing her home-and comes face to face with his daughter's stunning adoptive mother.

The paternity test is in. And Hayden's about to make the most shocking decision of his life, just in time for Christmas...

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! After Hayden learns he might have a daughter he wasn’t aware of he goes out in search for her in hopes of getting to know her, have her be a part of his life, and so he can redeem himself in a way for a past incident he had no control over. Yet, when he meets the child, Cassy, Hayden learns for the first time what the meaning of family and love is all about. Once the paternity results come in will he be able to go back to the life he’s always known or will he be able to create a new life for himself with Cassy and her adopted mother?

In a way it reminded me of Debra Salonen’s “His Daddy’s Eyes” because the core plots are quite alike. However, that isn’t a bad thing as I enjoyed Ms. Salonen’s novel, but what really sealed this novel for me was the main characters and how they came together. Alexandra (Alex) has created a life for herself, and her daughter Cassy, that gives them both stability and love while living life the way she wants. Hayden is a businessman who knows quite a bit of the world but needs help on what it takes to be a father. They unintentionally come together as a family and somehow it all works. Plus, I enjoyed Alex & Hayden’s constant banter and how their relationship grew from being volatile then turned into friendship then love.

I highly recommend this novel to those looking for a sweet Holiday contemporary romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Kobo (e-Book) : Falling for the P.I. (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : Falling for the P.I. (Book 1)


Kobo (e-Book) : Falling for Her Enemy (Book 2)

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : December 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Billionaire's Christmas Baby

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Second Sentence Saturday: Falling for Her Enemy

Author's Novel Extras : Cover Reveal-Falling for her Enemy

Author's Series Extras : Still Harbor Series - Overview

Book Teaser(s) :

FALLING FOR HER ENEMY by Victoria James -- Read my #bookreview here:...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Wednesday, November 4, 2015
"Okay, how about this? I don't care it we sleep together or not. I want to spend the night with you, alone. I want to hear your voice. I want to hear your laugh. I want to hold you and not have to think about what will happen when the paternity test comes in. I just want you, Alex, however much you're willing to give me." ~ within Chapter 8
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Victoria, then please check out her website.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Blog Tour - Daniel’s True Desire by Grace Burrowes | Guest Post, Spreading the Word, & Ms. Burrowes' TRUE GENTLEMEN Series Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Grace Burrowes, who is has a message for you all about True Gentlemanliness.

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour & Giveaway will run from November 2 - 29, 2015]



The Joys of True Gentlemanliness…

About twenty books ago, I lamented (whined) to one of my brothers that coming up with ways to challenge a romance hero into facing his worst fears and risking all to win the heroine’s heart was taxing my imagination. My brother, without a heartbeat’s pause said, “Make him choose between the competing demands of honor.”

THAT was great advice. Make the hero choose between the woman who needs him, and the military unit depending on him. Make him choose between avenging injustices from his past, or respecting the wishes of the pacifist woman he loves. Make him decide whether to be publicly vindicated or privately forgiving… Delightful stuff, for an author!

And yet, to travel along these brilliant character arcs, our hero must have one characteristic: He must have a well-developed sense of honor. To me, that means this fellow must be honest and kind. He can be poor, grouchy, lacking in charm, without prospects, unlucky in love—Daniel Banks is nodding his head—but ideally, he will still be a true gentleman at heart.

The true gentleman, alas for him, can be tormented from page one by the author and by the story, but from the start, the true gentleman will play by the rules of decency.

Rules are tough. The true gentleman will never misrepresent himself, which means Daniel Banks must inform Lady Kirsten that a) he’s married, and b) he won’t disrespect his vows. Too bad for Daniel, this honesty only raises him in the lady’s esteem, when he’s trying to emphasize his unsuitability.

The true gentleman will lend a hand—or an ear—to those in need. When Daniel Banks realizes that Lady Kirsten has been overlooked by her entire family, and is as lonely as an earl’s daughter can be, the least he can do is listen when she explains the misery in her past. Again, his respect for, and understanding of her increases, but what else could a gentleman have done?

The true gentleman is kind. He does not ignore the suffering of others, even if that means, he’s left with a bigger helping of suffering on his own plate. When Lady Kirsten needs a champion to fight her battles with an overbearing brother, Daniel steps up, though it might cost him his position. Once again, Daniel’s decency only gets him in hotter water, because now Kirsten’s brother is also viewing the impecunious, reserved, sometimes grouchy, vicar with renewed respect.

This business of being a true gentleman is darned hard, and darned heroic. What Daniel has to learn, though, is that true gentlemanliness begins at home. When he’s honest with himself, and shows himself the compassion we all deserve, all the inconvenient rules, tough choices, and honorable standards turn out to have been his second-best friends.

Lady Kirsten is, of course, his very best friend, being a true lady. But that’s another story…




"Daniel’s True Desire"
[The True Gentlemen Series, Book 2] by Grace Burrowes

Author's Book Description :
    Daniel Banks is a man of the cloth whose vocation is the last comfort he has left–and even his churchman’s collar is beginning to feel like a noose. In an attempt to start his life over, Daniel accepts the post of vicar in Haddondale, a position supported by the Earl of Bellefonte. There Daniel meets Lady Kirsten Haddonfield, to whom life has also dealt multiple unkind blows. Daniel’s interest is piqued by Kirsten’s unsentimental attitude toward her misfortunes, and by the kind-heartedness the lady keeps well hidden. Kirsten is much taken with Mr. Banks and his genuine compassion for others, despite his own troubles. When Providence intervenes, and Daniel and Kirsten can become engaged, their happiness seems complete…. though every garden has at least one nasty, sly, determined serpent.

This book is available to order on :

Amazon.com (e-Book) | Amazon.com (Paperback) | IndieBound (Paperback) | Kobo (e-Book)

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **


Daniel’s True Desire by Grace Burrowes | #GuestPost, #SpreadingTheWord, & Ms. Burrowes' TRUE GENTLEMEN Series #Giveaway...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Monday, November 2, 2015



Book Excerpt :

Daniel Banks is the new vicar in Haddondale, temporarily a guest of Lady Kirsten’s family. They’ve dragooned him into tutoring some of the local boys, and Kirsten is managing the staff who’ll turn the dower house into a place of learning. What Daniel doesn’t know is how a married man, even one estranged from his unworthy spouse, can resist the allure of friendship with Lady Kirsten…

“I dread crossing the garden,” Lady Kirsten said. “Susannah has taken up reading old issues of La Belle Assembleé, Della is memorizing DeBrett’s, and the countess talks only of fashion. Nobody does anything.”

“Most would envy them their idleness,” Daniel said, though he did not. The earl gave a good account of himself, tending to significant acreage and mercantile interests, but the women were bored.

One of the women was mortally bored, though never boring.

“I want to take the vicarage in hand,” Lady Kirsten said, marching from the pantry. “I doubt I’ll have time before we leave for Town the week after next. Lemon and beeswax won’t cure rising damp any way.”

Nothing cured rising damp save for replacing every scrap of affected wood. “You’re leaving soon, then?”

The prospect of distance from Lady Kirsten should have been a relief. She was unconventional, discontent, and unpredictable. Worse yet, she was patient with small boys, had a strong streak of domestic competence, and could not dissemble even to appease appearances.

Most troublesome of all, Daniel liked her. A lot.

“I smell fresh bread.” Lady Kirsten’s pace increased, then she halted to twist a sachet from behind a curtain. “Nicholas told George that in addition to Digby and the Blumenthal brats, you’re to take on both of Squire Webber’s sons. He aspires to send them to public school, but they lack a foundation.”

And years of dedicated tutors had been unable to remedy that lack? “I think you had better join me for lunch,” Daniel said resuming their progress toward a hot meal.

“I believe I shall. I adore a hearty beef stew with bread and butter on a cold, rainy day. Cook uses Mama’s recipe, and I’m partial to it.”

Peasant fare, for an earl’s daughter. Daniel liked her entirely too well.

A scullery maid set places for them at a wooden table heavy enough to double as a threshing floor, while Lady Kirsten served up bowls of steaming stew and Daniel sliced the bread. Daniel held the lady’s chair, and then, without even a nod in the direction of further small talk, took shameless advantage of his companion.

“I want to know every detail you can share about my scholars, Lady Kirsten. They’re shaping up to be a pack of ne’er-do-wells, scamps and scapegraces. One wonders if the parish isn’t attempting to run me off rather than welcome me.”

She snapped her serviette across her lap. “They’re out and out rotters, every one save for Digby, but George says he’s showing dubious potential. Don’t steal all the butter.”

Daniel passed her ladyship the plate of butter, small golden molds in the shape of roses.

“Your butter, and Lord-we-thank-Thee-for-this-food, amen. Now tell me about these scoundrels.”

Lady Kirsten sat back, her smile indulgent. “I’ve known them since they were babies, Mr. Banks. They’re full of energy and mischief, and there’s not a Latin scholar among them. They are truly, truly awful.”

She loved these rotten boys, and—greatest possible inconvenience—Daniel regarded this her most attractive quality of all.



About the Author :

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes' bestsellers include "The Heir," "The Soldier," "Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal," "Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish," and "Lady Eve's Indiscretion." Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight | The Duke's Disaster

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesdays: Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight | Blog Tour - The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes | Spreading the Word & a Book Bundle with Personalized Literary Embosser Giveaway



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Find Grace Burrowes :

Blog Tour - FALL INTO Bliss ... BOOK SALE | Spreading the Word & Gift Card Giveaway


Bliss has a new look and to celebrate we are having a huge sale plus an amazing week full of Blissful events. Join us and fill your e-reader with these fun and flirty romances for just $.99 each! Check out some of the sales HERE!

PLUS...

Join us for a fun line up of events where you can chat with Bliss authors and other readers, kick back with an #EPMovieNight and more. See the list of events below here:

  • 11/2 to 11/6 - Join Bliss authors for tips on avoiding the Black Friday madness, holiday recipes and more over at Entangled in Romance.

  • 11/2 to 11/6 - Bliss author Facebook page takeover. Each day a different Bliss author will be taking over the Bliss Books Fan page. Ask those questions you’ve been dying to ask an author, chat with the group and get peeks inside to find your next fun and flirty romantic read.

  • Tuesday, 11/3 at 8:00 pm ET - Kick back, relax, and join Entangled for an #EPMovieNight. Follow @entangledpub and the #EPMovieNight hashtag and chat with us as we watch The Wedding Singer together. It’s available for streaming on Netflix. We will also be giving away several prizes throughout the movie to lucky chat participants!

  • Thursday, 11/5 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET - Fall into Bliss Facebook party. Join Bliss authors, readers and the Bliss team for a night of fun, treats and giveaways.

We hope you can join us for one or more of the events!

Check out all the Bliss books on sale here.

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Blog Tour - This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp | Spreading the Word & ARC/chalk board with chalk Giveaway

Today I'm showing off Marieke Nijkamp's "This Is Where It Ends!!"

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour & Giveaway will run from October 27 - November 4, 2015]





"This Is Where It Ends"
by Marieke Nijkamp

Author's Book Description :
    10:00 a.m.
    The principal of Opportunity, Alabama’s high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

    10:02 a.m.
    The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

    10:03 a.m.
    The auditorium doors won’t open.

    10:05 a.m.
    Someone starts shooting.

    Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student’s calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.


    "This Is Where It Ends" is a contemporary young adult novel, to be published by Sourcebooks Fire on January 5, 2016. Also available in audio CD and MP3 from Brilliance Audio.

This book is available to order on :

Amazon (e-Book) | Amazon (Hardcover) | Amazon (MP3 CD) | IndieBound (Hardcover) | IndieBound (MP3 CD)

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **





About the Author :

Marieke Nijkamp is a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, geek. She holds degrees in philosophy, history, and medieval studies, and wants to grow up to be a time traveler. Her debut young adult novel "This Is Where It Ends" will be published by Sourcebooks Fire on January 5, 2016.








Giveaways!! :

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Find Marieke Nijkamp :

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