Taking a Chance on Love

This is my first read by Rachel Jones.

I was grateful to find it was a clean read with the relationship at the heart of it, not the body chemistry. Though there are a few good kisses in it.

It has a great beginning, a football tackle sets the tone. There's music, sports, loss, pain, conflicting feelings and interests. All the things that make a romance great.

The characters were just the right amount of flawed and had issues they need to work out before coming together. Pacing was consistent. There are family dynamics in play to help keep the story interesting and add to the conflict.

Well done. I'd be happy to read more by this author.

Amazon

From childhood, Virginia Manning has planned for a career as a concert clarinetist. Blindsided by family circumstances, her plans are interrupted, taking her down a path she would never have chosen. As a music teacher, Virginia’s relationship with the football coach goes from problematic to romantic. After Blake’s brush with death, a scared Virginia runs away looking for the contentment music has always brought to her life. 

Because Blake Oliver has experienced disappointment and pain, he opts for a fresh start in a small New England town. Accepting the position of football coach, he isn’t looking for love when it finds him. But when Virginia leaves to pursue a performance career, Blake realizes it’s not where you live but having someone to love that matters. His only problem is making her understand that as well.

On the Corner of Heartache & Love Giveaway!

On the Corner of Heartache & Love is here!

What's it about?

Maren's stuck at the intersection of heartache and love, but happily ever after might be just around the corner.

After three years, Maren Summers is elated to finally have her dream wedding to her dream man, Kevin Bryant. In her sights is the promotion to Weddings she’s worked so hard for at the newspaper. Happily ever after is within her grasp…

Until Kevin jilts her at the altar, elopes with another woman, and becomes her boss. Devastated by the twisted turn of events Maren moves in with her best friend and notices the not-so-homeless guy on the corner, Zane Whitfield. As his heart-wrenching tale unfolds—his vow to wait a year on the corner for his lost love—Maren sees his compassionate human-interest story as her ticket away from Kevin, weddings, and her heartache.

But as the New Year approaches, is Maren headed for heartache again if Zane's lost love returns or has time changed more than one heart?

Where can you get it? 
Amazon

SALE! All my previous books are on sale for $0.99! Such a deal!
Amazon

About the Author:

Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a dottore’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater and church choir. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves traveling, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer.

You can visit her at:

https://www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSwinton

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HXNXDCO

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7796962.Lisa_Swinton

The Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Special People Participating in the Media Tour! Go check out these amazing authors and readers!

Anna Del C. Dye     Blog
Danyelle Ferguson     Website
Donna K. Weaver     Website
Kim Karras     Blog
Laurie Lewis     Website & Blog
Lindzee Armstrong     Facebook
Lisa Rector     Blog
Mindy Holt     Blog
Misty Pulsipher     Facebook

Son of War, Daughter of Chaos

I have yet to read a book by Janette Rallison that I don't love. For me, this writer only gets better with every book.

This book was SO good! A whole new take on vampires, Egyptian history, good guys versus bad guys. 

The big conflict: What happens when two opposing races spawn kids? Which side do they belong on? Or do they become a new race that can be greater than the originals?

So much drama, action, and heartfelt writing. 

Loved the heroine. And the hero was pretty awesome too. Flaws, confusion, pulled apart and put back together. Every sense was given fodder to bathe in. Fast paced, global trotting, introspection. And most importantly it's relationship driven! A clean read that's based on hearts, not chemistry. Can you tell I loved it? 

I totally want the sequel!!!

Amazon

Aislynn is accustomed to watching for the enemy. Her parents have instructed her from the time she was young to look for people with the signs: greater than normal strength, eyes that sometimes glow green, and the ability to jump long distances. Over the years, Aislynn has come to view her parents' fears as quirks and unfounded paranoia. They think life is like a horror novel with dangerous things lurking in shadows. But Aislynn just wants a normal high school life--maybe even one with a little romance. 

When Aislynn's mother dies under suspicious conditions, her father doubles his restrictions. But all his precautions can't stop the boy with glowing green eyes from finding Aislynn. She realizes too late she's been drafted into an ancient Egyptian war, one where Horus and Set still struggle for control and people aren't who or what they seem to be. Danger will find her, whether she's prepared or not. 

This urban fantasy takes you around the world: from Arizona to Oxford, England, with stops on the snowy peaks of the Arctic and the ancient ruins of Egypt. 

Son of War, Daughter of Chaos is a teen paranormal romance so chock-full of action and suspense, young adults will have to fight their parents to read it!

On the Corner of Heartache & Love Launch & Giveaway!!!

LAUNCH DAY!!! On the Corner of Heartache & Love is here!

What's it about?

Maren's stuck at the intersection of heartache and love, but happily ever after might be just around the corner.

After three years, Maren Summers is elated to finally have her dream wedding to her dream man, Kevin Bryant. In her sights is the promotion to Weddings she’s worked so hard for at the newspaper. Happily ever after is within her grasp…

Until Kevin jilts her at the altar, elopes with another woman, and becomes her boss. Devastated by the twisted turn of events Maren moves in with her best friend and notices the not-so-homeless guy on the corner, Zane Whitfield. As his heart-wrenching tale unfolds—his vow to wait a year on the corner for his lost love—Maren sees his compassionate human-interest story as her ticket away from Kevin, weddings, and her heartache.

But as the New Year approaches, is Maren headed for heartache again if Zane's lost love returns or has time changed more than one heart?

Where can you get it? 
Amazon

SALE! All my previous books are on sale for $0.99! Such a deal!
Amazon

About the Author:

Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a dottore’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater and church choir. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves traveling, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer.

You can visit her at:

https://www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSwinton

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HXNXDCO

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7796962.Lisa_Swinton

The Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Special People Participating in the Media Tour! Go check out these amazing authors and readers!

Anna Del C. Dye     Blog
Danyelle Ferguson     Website
Kim Karras     Blog
Laurie Lewis     Website & Blog
Lindzee Armstrong     Facebook
Lisa Rector     Blog
Mindy Holt     Blog
Misty Pulsipher     Facebook

City of Thirst

This sequel to The Map to Everywhere is every bit as enjoyable as its predecessor!

Loved having Marill and Finn back together. There are adventures along the Pirate Stream to be had. The authors spared no imagination in telling the story, coupled with the heart tugging conflicts of family versus friendship are impressive. New characters, conflicts, cool gadgets, and crazy villains aboud!

I am in awe of their craftsmandship.

It's a fast read with the right amount of description to keep the story flowing as quick as the Pirate Stream! Middle graders on up will be delighted with this one and yearn for the next installment of this awesome duo's tale.

Amazon

When the magical waters of the Pirate Stream begin flooding Marrill's world, the only way to stop the destruction is to return to the Stream and find the source of the mysterious Iron Tide. Reunited with her best friend Fin--who has been forgotten all over again--Marrill, her disbelieving babysitter, and theEnterprising Kraken crew must make the treacherous trek to the towering, sliding, impossible world of Monerva and uncover the secrets of its long-lost wish machine. Only there can Fin wish to finally be remembered. Only there can Marrill wish to save her world and all the people she loves. But to get everything they've ever wanted, Marrill and Fin may have to give up on the most important thing they already have: each other.

Jacob & Lace

Jacob and Lace by Tory Anderson is my first read by this MG author.

The story of two unlikely friends is touching. Jacob's life is turned upside down when his depressed mother suddenly uproots them from their life in California to a tiny town. Lace is an outcast living on the fringes of rural life. The friendship is tenderly formed and as the relationship grows both their lives change for the better. But change, no matter the outcome, is often painful and it is no different for these two characters.

The story is well crafted and told with heart. Middle grade readers might find it a little slow, but it moves at a steady pace and there is much to be learned and gained from the story.

I'd read more by this author.

Amazon

Things haven’t been the same for Jacob since his mother quit talking, eating, and getting out of bed. He is confused one morning when she wakes him with the words, “We’re leaving.” Jacob finds himself on a journey to a small town from his mother’s childhood where she hopes he will find safety before she dies.

In a new town, a new school, and with a mother losing her battle with depression, Jacob’s life is turned upside-down. Lace Pearlshom, the social outcast from Jacob’s homeroom, adds to the confusion with her uncanny way of appearing out of shadows and disappearing up blind alleys. She pushes her way, unwelcome, into Jacob’s life. Lace may hold the key to saving Jacob’s mother, but can he accept the cost? 

In the unlikely friendship that develops Jacob learns the secrets behind Lace’s mysteries and comes to understand the tragic circumstances of her life. His efforts to help her unexpectedly brings in the Child Protective Services which is determined to take Lace away. Can a friendship this deep ever be broken? Can two broken lives make the world whole?

Harvest Moon

Blue Moon Lake 2: Harvest Moon by Sharon Struth is my first read by this author.

I didn't read the first book in the series, but didn't feel behind in any way. It seems the books can be read as stand alones, which is great because you can always go back and pick up the rest should you accidentally start in the middle like I did.

The characters are likeable with their own issues to work out. A plot twist is revealed in the blurb, and the reader can quickly figure out what is going on before the characters do. The setting is pleasant with the desire to know the stories of the side characters better.

The book does deal with a heavy women's issue: rape and the long term effects on a woman who doesn't receive help to work through it and live a healthy fulfilled life. The topic is addressed with sensitivity.

Heads up: the characters have off page sex. Also, scenes leading up to it, nearly went past the tipping point of steam for me, especially the scene where Veronica is topless.

Overall, the story is well done and worth reading.


Amazon

Getting past the librarian’s guard…Trent Jamieson isn’t one for virtual romance, but there’s something about the intriguing woman he meets on the Internet he can’t resist. Then the small town bachelor discovers the mystery woman who shares her secrets with him online is the laced-up librarian in his self-defense class! Veronica Sussingham may just be his toughest student yet. Because how can he show the vulnerable beauty that some men are worth letting your guard down for?

Veronica returned to her hometown seeking shelter for her shattered spirit. The last thing she needs is a blue-eyed charmer who wants to show her how to live—and love—again. Then she discovers Trent is not just another admirer, but a man who knows her deepest secrets. Now Veronica must choose between running from her past—or finding future happiness with the kind of man she swore she’d never fall for….