Thursday, April 27, 2017

Tag... You're It!



My friend Rose Blue challenged me to a game of Book Tag. 
You must be honest.
You must answer all the questions.
You must tag at least 3 people.

1. ) What book has been on your shelf the longest?

Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind.

2.) What is your current read, your last read, and the book you’ll read next?

Current: Fortune's Surprise Engagement by Nancy Robards Thompson
Last: Somebody's Baby by Donna Alward
Next:  A Sky Full of Stars by Samantha Chase 

3.) What book did everyone like, but you hated?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4.) What book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t?
Outlander Series

 5.) What book are you saving for retirement?
None....

 6.) Last page: read it first, or wait ’til the end?
Wait until the end...always!

 7.) Acknowledgement: waste of paper and ink, or interesting aside?
I enjoy reading them.

 8.) Which book character would you switch places with?
Lauren Willig's Eloise Kelly from the Pink Carnation series.

9.) Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life? (Place, time, person?)
My aunt gave me a copy of Charlotte's Web when I was nine.
Loved the book and still have it on my bookshelf.

10.) Name a book that you acquired in an interesting way.
About five years ago, author Grace Burrowes posted on Facebook that she would mail copies of her books out to the first 10 people who commented on her post. I had never heard of her but, I responded and she sent me autographed copies of Gareth and Nicholas. The two books are on my keeper shelf and I have read every single one of her books and appreciate her kindness every day.

11.) Have you ever given a book away for a special reason to a special person?
No.

12.) Which book has been with you most places?
Grace Burrowes Nicholas. A great comfort read.

13.) Any “required reading” you hated in high school that wasn’t so bad two years later?
No

14.) Used or brand new? 
 New, any kind!

15.) Have you ever read a Dan Brown book?
Who?


16.) Have you ever seen a movie you liked more than the book?
No

17.) Have you ever read a book that’s made you hungry, cookbooks included?
Samantha Chase's One More Kiss had lots of recipes....and she included them in the novel.

18.) Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?
Gayle Cochrane

19.) Is there a book out of your comfort zone (e.g., outside your usual reading genre) that you ended up loving?
No.


Now I’m tagging:

Lisa Hutson

Gayle Cochrane


Monique Daoust


Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Susan's Review of Fortune's Surprise Engagement

MY BIG FAKE BOYFRIEND

Olivia Fortune Robinson has done some crazy things in her life, but this has to be one of the craziest. She has just propositioned sexy Alejandro Mendoza to be her pretend boyfriend for a week. What's even crazier? He said yes!

They're doing it all for Sophie—or so they think. Liv's cynical view of marriage accidentally convinced her little sister to call off her own wedding, and Liv has to fix things and quick. What better way than to "fall in love" herself? Tall, dark and alpha, Alejandro doesn't seem to mind having Liv on his arm—or in his bed. But when the two commitment-phobes suddenly become faux fiancés, Liv's traitorous heart starts to fall for real… Is Alejandro's far behind?




Susan's Review


What's the worst thing that could happen at a bachelorette party?

A teary bride- to-be running away from her party and calling off her wedding?

A tipsy bridesmaid who doesn’t believe in love propositioning her sisters’ brother-in-law?




Nancy Robards Thompson’s Fortune’s Surprise Engagement is wonderful story of two career focused people who have no time or desire for romance. Or do they?

Olivia Fortune Robinson has organized a fabulous weekend bachelorette party for her sister Sophie and her future sister-in-law Dana at the plush Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. She has thought of everything—dinner at the hotel’s elegant dining room, massages and poolside mimosas—except she forgot to keep her opinions of love and marriage to herself. A tipsy Olivia gives a candid answer to why love and marriage aren’t for her. Olivia’s response upsets Sophie so much that she leaves the party in tears.

Alejandro Mendoza’s brothers have married into the Fortune Robinson family. He is in the process of purchasing a vineyard near Austin and is staying at the Driskill. Alejandro watches Sophie and her sisters Zoe and Rachel leave the bar. He decides to keep Olivia company at her table. I loved the instant connection between the couple. In between drinks, Olivia fantasizes about a fling with handsome, sexy Alejandro; while Alejandro is surprised to find himself flirting with the attractive Olivia. They share a passionate kiss and Alejandro returns the tipsy Olivia to her hotel room.

Sophie’s reaction to Olivia’s feelings about true love and the resulting chain of events make for a fast-paced entertaining read. The conversations between Zoe, Rachel, Sophie and Olivia are emotional, honest and funny. Enjoyed how the sisters banded together to help Olivia convince Sophie that she believed in love. The scenes where a desperate Olivia propositions Alejandro to be her pretend boyfriend for the week was hilarious and superbly written! I loved this couple and their connection—it worked for me! Loved Alejandro's grand gesture at the rehearsal dinner and how it took Olivia by surprise!

The attraction between Alejandro and Olivia is real—will their relationship fizzle out after the brides say I do?



Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Book provided by Nancy Robards Thompson
Photo of Celeste taken by Susan Gorman
Engaged graphic by G.Cochrane



About the Author


Award winning author Nancy Robards Thompson lives and writes in Florida, but her imagination transports her all over the world. She’s worked a myriad of jobs including television show stand-in; production and extras casting for movies; and several mind-numbing jobs in the fashion industry and public relations. She earned a degree in journalism only to realize reporting “just the facts” bored her silly. Much more content to report to her muse, Nancy has found Nirvana doing what she loves most – writing contemporary and historical womens fiction full-time. After hanging up her press pass, this two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart struck gold in July 2002 when she won the award. Since then, she’s gone on to sell 30 books, which critics have deemed, “…funny, smart and observant.”



Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Barefoot at Moonrise by Roxanne St Claire (Edited review)

Barefoot at Moonrise
by Roxanne St Claire

This is book two of the Timeless series.
What a great idea for a series of grown ups falling
in love. Really, love stories are wonderful. But when
they are in my age group. They have been around
the block. They know whats what. And they know about
falling in love.
So Beth Endicott grew up on the right side of the tracks.
In a well off family. With a very domineering father.
As a result, Beth has made her own way. Started her
own business and is making it successful herself. Not the
easy way. None of her adult life has been the easy way.
Not since high school when her boyfriend broke up with
her using cruel words and blame . Then an unhappy marriage.
A harsh miscarriage. The horrible divorce.
And now, she is at her high school reunion.
Ken Cavanaugh is the boyfriend that destroyed Beth in high
school with his horrible break up. His beloved father was killed
at a construction site owned by Beths father. Ken has spent his
life blaming Mr Cavanaugh. He has not been about to let go of
the hatred. While he is satisfied with his life as a fireman and
paramedic, he knows he is missing something. That family
life. Then he sees Beth at the high school reunion. It's his
chance to apologize to her. For the terrible way her treated
her back then. But it only takes a short second to realize he is
still in love with her.
"She looked away and gnawed on her lower
lip. "I have....baggage," she finally said.
"Who doesn't? At our age, if we didn't
have baggage, we wouldn't have lived. We
can unpack it together."
Can they get over the past? Beth is Miss Independent. Beths father and
first husband taught her to never let anyone have any power over her
life or feelings. Can they get past all the hate and secrets? Can Beth let
herself love again? How can they have a relationship if Ken
can't be in the same room with her father?
"...spotted a pair of red and white high heels
tucked by the stairs the led to the sand.
He couldn't help smiling, because, hell,
this was better than Cinderella.
All he had to do was follow the footprints
in the sand."

I liked this story from the beginning. But at 23%, I fell
head over heels in love with it. Its not unusual for me
to weep a little here and there during a good love story.
But it is unusual for me to be surprised. It is unusual for
me to laugh out loud as I am crying. And it is very
unusual for me to finish a book in just over one day.
I highly recommend Barefoot at Moonrise. It caught
me completely off guard. I have enjoyed reading
Roxanne St Claire before. I loved book one of this
series. But I did not expect the deep feelings this
story caught up in me.
 
I am adding to my original review as I just finished
listening to Barefoot at Moonrise in audio form.
Oh my gosh, fabulous. I truly loved this story.
Easily my favorite Roxanne St Claire story. Period.
And it is wonderful either way. Reading or listening!
The narrator is wonderful. His name is BJ Harrison.
I prefer male narration in romance stories.
I highly recommend giving this one a try.
Completely enjoyed listening to this story after I
loved reading it so much too.
 
I was given my copy of this book in exchange
for an honest review.
Review by Lisa Hutson