Blog Tour & Review: Desert Willow by Patricia Beal

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Desert Willow by Patricia Beal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Desert Willow
Author: Patricia Beal
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Release Date: February 12, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance

After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?

College graduate Clara Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.

Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?

4

Book Review: Ever Told

Release Date: August 29, 2018

Genre: Suspense Thrillers

When New Hampshire detective Jill Jennson is called to the scene of a double homicide that took place during a wealthy family’s annual vacation, she immediately realizes that this case will be unlike any other. The victims were brutally killed in their locked bedroom with seemingly no way for the killer to enter or leave undetected. The list of suspects is endless. And the possible motives are even more disturbing.

As the case evolves, the investigation becomes even more complex as secrets are revealed and betrayals come to light. Aided by her partner Caiden and her bedridden father Tony, Jill continues to unearth clue after clue as she desperately tries to solve the mystery and identify the killer. But the more she digs, the more she comes to realize that someone is out to get her as well. Is her unknown assailant connected to the investigation, or does the answer lie much closer to home? Once she discovers that the case may even have personal connections to a horrific event in her own sordid past, Jill will stop at nothing to complete the puzzle and finally put to rest the multiple acts of deception that have all converged into one unforgettable nightmare.

For fans of suspenseful thrillers and mysteries filled with stunning twists and gut – wrenching reveals, Ever Told will show you just how easily lies can spiral out of control and how secrets can ultimately lead to our own demise. From the thrilling first page to the jaw – dropping surprise ending, you’ll never trust another word you hear again – even your own.

0

Blog Blitz: Looks Like Love

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Looks Like Love by Brandy Bruce, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Looks Like Love
Author: Brandy Bruce
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Re-release Date: November 13, 2019

After a devastating break-up, Kasey Addison needs to rediscover life and love. She starts by taking a whirlwind trip to London to visit her best friend. When she returns, she’s given a new assignment at the advertising firm where she works. The cosmetics company they represent is releasing a special fragrance called Love. Kasey is tasked with finding out exactly what love looks like and how to sell it.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brandy Bruce is a writer, a book editor, a mom, a wife, and someone who really loves dessert! She’s the author of the award-winning novel The Last Summer, Looks Like Love, After the Rain, and The Romano Family Collection. Brandy, her husband, and their children make their home in Virginia.

CONNECT WITH BRANDY: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

---

Visit the landing post at JustRead Tours!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

0

Book Review: A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

Welcome to the Takeover Tour for A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Girl's Guide to the Outback
Author: Jessica Kate  
Publisher: Thomas Nelson  
Genre: Clean Christian Romance 
Release Date: January 28, 2020 

SYNAPSIS

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

0

Book Review: Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

Publisher: Dutton (Penguin Group)

Release Date: January 21, 2020

Genre: Adult Fiction

In this captivating dual narrative novel, a modern-day woman finds inspiration in hidden notes left by her home’s previous owner, a quintessential 1950s housewife. As she discovers remarkable parallels between this woman’s life and her own, it causes her to question the foundation of her own relationship with her husband--and what it means to be a wife fighting for her place in a patriarchal society.

When Alice Hale leaves a career in publicity to become a writer and follows her husband to the New York suburbs, she is unaccustomed to filling her days alone in a big, empty house. But when she finds a vintage cookbook buried in a box in the old home's basement, she becomes captivated by the cookbook’s previous owner--1950s housewife Nellie Murdoch. As Alice cooks her way through the past, she realizes that within the cookbook’s pages Nellie left clues about her life--including a mysterious series of unsent letters penned to her mother.

Soon Alice learns that while baked Alaska and meatloaf five ways may seem harmless, Nellie's secrets may have been anything but. When Alice uncovers a more sinister--even dangerous--side to Nellie’s marriage, and has become increasingly dissatisfied with the mounting pressures in her own relationship, she begins to take control of her life and protect herself with a few secrets of her own.

0

Blog & Review Tour: Three Little Things by Patti Stockdale

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Three Little Things by Patti Stockdale, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Three Little Things
Author: Patti Stockdale
Publisher: Smitten Historical Romance
Release Date: February 4, 2020
Genre: Historical Romance

One forbidden love. Two broken hearts. Three Little Things.

Hattie Waltz should forget the troubled neighbor leaving for boot camp in 1917. He forgot about her ages ago. It had always been the Waltzes verses the Kregers, his family pitted against hers. When she hands him a farewell gift, a chemistry lesson unfolds. The good kind.

Arno Kreger can't leave Iowa or his old man fast enough. He's eager to prove his worth on the battlefield and stop blaming himself for his brother's death. Before entering the train, he bumps into Hattie. He's loved her forever, always from the sidelines, because nobody crosses Hattie's pa.

One innocent letter soon morphs into many. Arno and Hattie share three little secrets in each letter and grow closer together. But he's on his way to war across the ocean, and she's still in her father's house. Their newfound love will need to survive dangers on both fronts.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookbub | Book Depository

---

My Review 💜

When I first realized this was the author's debut novel I was in shock.  The writing is wonderful and the world building superb.  I haven't read much about the first world war but reading Three Little Things gave me quite a taste of the trials of war during that time period.

The blossoming love between Arno and Hattie is central, but there is so much more that surrounds their relationship, including a cast of well-developed characters that have been skillfully brought to life, and scenery so picturesque you are truly transported in time.

The banter between characters, especially between Hattie and Arno, is entertaining and quite charming, but what truly stole my heart were the letters written between the two, each including three little things, which were loosely based on the actual letters sent between the author's own maternal grandparents, making this tidbit all the sweeter.

Wonderfully written with such heart, Three Little Things was a sweet joy to read!

My Rating: ★★★★

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patti Stockdale loves hope, history, and a good happily ever after. She can’t remember numbers, so she married a statistician. Thanks to him, she’s lived all sorts of places and worked all sorts of jobs. While employed by an NFL team, she once answered the phone by the wrong team name. She doesn’t work there anymore. For 11 years, she directed the programming at a nonprofit senior center and hosted an annual talent show, rocking a Dolly Parton wig, Annie Oakley boots, and a sweet—although snug—Batman costume. She no longer works there either. These days, Patti writes books and occasionally educational assessments and magazine articles.

CONNECT WITH PATTI: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a prize package including a signed book with a bookmark, a pair of socks with a proverb tucked inside, a $10 Amazon gift card, and a vintage bookmark!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 3, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 10, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

0

Blog+Review Tour: Guarded by Sara Davison

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Guarded by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Guarded
Series: The Night Guardians, Book 2
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: February 1, 2020
Genre: Suspense / Thriller

The tip the stranger left sent Nicole a painfully clear message. The past is no longer in the past.

Nicole is fighting to bury the memories. Someone else is fighting to keep them exposed.

Detective Daniel Grey is back in town, and diner owner Nicole Hunter isn’t sure how she feels about that. It’s been almost seven years, and now she doesn’t just have herself to think about but her six-year-old son as well. If she does find the courage to take a chance on love, her heart could be smashed into pieces. Again.

And it’s not only her heart that is in danger. Someone is working hard to disrupt her present with reminders of the past she has worked hard to forget, especially her darkest memory—of the night her husband was gunned down in the street in front of her. As much as she might want to push Daniel away, Nicole needs him closer now than ever before.

 But the one she trusts to keep her and her son safe has a secret that may prove to be the biggest threat of all.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon

---

My Review ♥️

I am a sucker for a good suspense, but what do you do when that suspense is way too predictable and has a leading couple that you find hard to root for?  You dig deep to figure out what you loved about the story, so that's exactly what I did, and it wasn't hard to find what made me enjoy this novel: the supporting characters and the love and support of family.

One character that captured my heart was Jordan, the heroine's sweet little six year old boy, who I absolutely fell in love with.  His bravery and childlike faith was so awe-inspiring that it truly stole the show, and was the perfect balance to the angst that his mother was facing.  I also loved how loving and supportive many of the other characters were.  Having such strong support in the midst of hardship is so important, and though it wasn't a glaring theme in this novel, you can feel the support that both Nicole and Jordan have.

I know that I'm supposed to love Nicole and Daniel, the two main characters, but they did not jive with me.  Maybe it's because I haven't read the first book in the series (though this book can definitely be read as a standalone), but something didn't click with me.  I know that Daniel is a cop, but his crazy stalker tendencies made me second guess his intentions.  Call me a cynic, but I just wasn't feeling it.  His relationship with Nicole is charming but lackluster for me, even though I could tell the author really wanted me to fall in love with them as a couple.  In saying that, I do have to admit that the ending is pretty cute.

Though incredibly predictable, the suspense was palpable, the writing is decent, and the love sweet, especially the love within the family.  I craved more plot twists but I did love the happy ending and I am really looking forward to the third book in the series.

My Rating: ★★★★

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Davison is the author of the romantic suspense series, The Seven Trilogy and The Night Guardians. She has been a finalist for eight national writing awards, including Best New Canadian Christian author, a Carol Award, and two Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a Word and Cascade Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario, Canada with her husband Michael and their three children, all of whom she (literally) looks up to.

CONNECT WITH SARA: Website | Facebook | Twitter

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Guarded and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 1, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 8, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
**I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

14