tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72596078746176191002024-03-14T01:00:31.762-04:00Lisa Swinton - Queen of RandomAward-winning Author Who Loves to ReadLisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.comBlogger652125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-87139017480500967282024-03-14T01:00:00.000-04:002024-03-14T01:00:00.135-04:00Assistant to the Villian<p>My sister recommended this one, and I'm so happy she did. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_wC4v2Wy15d4KAKFAH3V0eNG5352RSkW_PTiFULIgug9BLhezztfYNoWWESo_Kjjo-YywtJ34a5dJa79Embimvf5cCw2RkBpon3nrK3i7M2XLsRRXBSXry_MFeWudDyqW5iJKNGzvsBrKadkjJERfzNEikUfdi6iOn8plD0kmtkW4uuOel8ytLcMM6k/s466/Asst%20to%20the%20Villain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_wC4v2Wy15d4KAKFAH3V0eNG5352RSkW_PTiFULIgug9BLhezztfYNoWWESo_Kjjo-YywtJ34a5dJa79Embimvf5cCw2RkBpon3nrK3i7M2XLsRRXBSXry_MFeWudDyqW5iJKNGzvsBrKadkjJERfzNEikUfdi6iOn8plD0kmtkW4uuOel8ytLcMM6k/s320/Asst%20to%20the%20Villain.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p>It's wonderful to find a clean story that focuses on the characters while simultaneously being excellent at world building and crafting a romantic thread all at the same time. </p><p>The narrator was a brilliant choice for the story. </p><p>The only thing I got blindsided by was this being the first of a trilogy, though I began to suspect the story would need more than one book as I got to the eighty percent mark. There was simply too much to wrap up and not enough pages/time. </p><p>Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/Asst2theVillainLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;">ASSISTANT WANTED</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">: </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />After all, a good job is hard to find.</span></p><br /><p><br /></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-81224046914195800652024-03-07T00:00:00.017-05:002024-03-07T00:00:00.147-05:00Lessons in Chemistry<p>This was a book club pick and a worthwhile one. Otherwise, I would've missed it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_UtB5fWWvjMPMwsW3_ZtxodYR42AWHAspj4jNVfYWnRL2DhOGoRL8W5z0vjkQy8HQ1t0-qzhwVtidY6wXwT5CoQVF9gE_JfBnZcsBQcByVA64qoCz_focZqiI2Dg3FqM7OfGhcgIxv4hsiucHNKoLM4MRX1cU5X1cV9O7b-WPeq9Lj50BZSqeL1eOhE/s445/Lessons%20in%20Chemistry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_UtB5fWWvjMPMwsW3_ZtxodYR42AWHAspj4jNVfYWnRL2DhOGoRL8W5z0vjkQy8HQ1t0-qzhwVtidY6wXwT5CoQVF9gE_JfBnZcsBQcByVA64qoCz_focZqiI2Dg3FqM7OfGhcgIxv4hsiucHNKoLM4MRX1cU5X1cV9O7b-WPeq9Lj50BZSqeL1eOhE/s320/Lessons%20in%20Chemistry.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><p>Such a powerhouse female character, who will resonate with women of any age, is our leading lady Elizabeth Zott. </p><p>I loved her outlook on life, her love of Calvin, and watching her carve her path in a time when such a thing was frowned upon. <br />I had several moments when I laughed out loud. But I didn't cry. And I did learn about chemsitry, rowing, and how dogs think. </p><p>I listened to the audiobook in four days. It's that good. The narrator is excellent. </p><p>Prepare to have your thoughts challenged and elevated in the best of ways. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/LessonsinchemistryLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">average</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> woman. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Supper at Six</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Lessons in Chemistry</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.</span></div><div class="a-expander-header a-expander-partial-collapse-header" style="background-color: white; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; position: absolute; width: 801.2px;"><a aria-expanded="true" class="a-declarative" data-a-expander-toggle="{"allowLinkDefault":true, "expand_prompt":"Read more", "collapse_prompt":"Read less"}" data-action="a-expander-toggle" data-csa-c-func-deps="aui-da-a-expander-toggle" data-csa-c-id="jqm7jt-r23kom-nvwwta-3b7914" data-csa-c-type="widget" data-csa-interaction-events="click" role="button" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007185;"><i class="a-icon a-icon-extender-collapse" style="background-image: none; background-position: -94px -293px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 900px; border-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); border-image: initial; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 2px 2px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 7px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 0.385em; margin-top: -1px; opacity: 1; padding: 3px; position: relative; transform: rotate(-135deg); vertical-align: baseline; width: 7px;"></i></a></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-65520408936211238932024-02-29T00:00:00.000-05:002024-02-29T00:00:00.129-05:00MinimalistaMs. Gill didn't write just a home edit book, she went a step further and makes you go through the psychology of WHY. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mNcbdN53Pii8BOHtj_ygvVoodseaSr3_sSDQOJNIdfGyJgMbiZMqrX4fbjqAoMBC7SP17aujgpL9XoKUuPpHhBjpcodGA4RyL3KBmdVnPNki3GvJbQLUp5V4ThIogpDesbKOu-jcJTbRke5RwEVP9ym7lBokQ83AFc3ViJMmHUUejFc56pIWKoId78A/s466/Minimalista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mNcbdN53Pii8BOHtj_ygvVoodseaSr3_sSDQOJNIdfGyJgMbiZMqrX4fbjqAoMBC7SP17aujgpL9XoKUuPpHhBjpcodGA4RyL3KBmdVnPNki3GvJbQLUp5V4ThIogpDesbKOu-jcJTbRke5RwEVP9ym7lBokQ83AFc3ViJMmHUUejFc56pIWKoId78A/s320/Minimalista.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>This is a fresh approach to the world of home editing, decluttering, and more of you in the space you inhabit. </div><div>I'm such an organizer geek that this was fun reading for me, and I looked forward to unpacking each section like unwrapping a chocolate treat to be savored. </div><div>Is my home perfect now? Not yet. It's a home in progress. I'm taking one space at a time and prioritizing which ones need the most attention and which ones mean the most to me. </div><div>I don't have to do the whole house in a day. In fact, I shouldn't. That wouldn't be healthy. </div><div>But one bin, one pocket of space, one room at a time is. And eventually the home will be a reflection of me and my family. </div><div><br /></div><div>You don't need every book, show, or magazine on the market to create your beautiful home, but you should get this book. It will stand the test of time. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/MinimalistaLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">As a professional home organizer with clients ranging from students to multi-millionaires, Shira Gill observed that clutter is a universal stress trigger. Over the years she created a signature decluttering and organization process that promotes sustainability, achieves lasting results, and can be applied to anyone, regardless of their space or lifestyle. Rather than imposing strict rules and limitations, Shira redefines minimalism as having the perfect amount of everything—for </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">you—</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">based on your personal values and the limitations of your space. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Now, in </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Minimalista,</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Shira shares her complete toolkit for the first time, built around five key steps: Clarify, Edit, Organize, Elevate, and Maintain. Once you learn the methodology you'll dive into the hands-on work, choose-your-own-adventure style: knock out a room, or even a single drawer; style a bookshelf; donate a sweater. Shira teaches that the most important thing you can do is start, and that small victories, achieved one at a time, will snowball into massive transformation. Broken into small, bite-sized chunks, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Minimalista</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> makes it clear that if the process is fun and easy to follow, anyone can learn the principles of editing and organization.</span></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-16197505592174192782024-02-22T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-22T00:00:00.166-05:00Mother Daugther Murder NightThis is my first read by Ms. Simon, and I'll be back for more. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGMxbRmyy7MkP9ZTbMfDPdhVUqe8y7Zja0h865WpY-_aNmyXTl7bCRKXG2oGFOzKdOMCDztNdb5woNd-gGxuK_yQGVLKzXHwpxl4WCuxhVU2DLMAQVQmWYbk2j0uzSq7J8GuNjr4aywn8vWSOT5UUW0PaW7VkbbWxlU7t4VCpmYCMHb68hREU5yiRaIQ/s466/MDMurderNight.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGMxbRmyy7MkP9ZTbMfDPdhVUqe8y7Zja0h865WpY-_aNmyXTl7bCRKXG2oGFOzKdOMCDztNdb5woNd-gGxuK_yQGVLKzXHwpxl4WCuxhVU2DLMAQVQmWYbk2j0uzSq7J8GuNjr4aywn8vWSOT5UUW0PaW7VkbbWxlU7t4VCpmYCMHb68hREU5yiRaIQ/s320/MDMurderNight.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>It's so hard to find a clean murder mystery these days, free of gore, foul language, and sex. Ms. Simon proves that a good mystery can be written clean and thoroughly enjoyed. </div><div><br /></div><div>The murder of a naturalist brings the three women in one family together, even if some of them are reluctant. </div><div>There's a great deal of research that Ms. Simon did to accurately portray the town and the issues of land use that revolve around the murder. She likely only put in a quarter of what she learned, and parcels it out bit by bit over the course of the novel. </div><div><br /></div><div>This novel is a womencentric story, and I enjoyed getting the perspectives of each woman. </div><div><br /></div><div>The only question on the table is which motive is the strongest: love, money, or power. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/MDMurderNightLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud of:</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before the cancer does. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Then Jack—tiny in stature but fiercely independent—happens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath the surface of a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always resisted: depend on each other.</span></p></div><div><br /></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-32619024267766031402024-02-15T00:00:00.013-05:002024-02-15T00:00:00.355-05:00Jennifer's Football Collection <p>Lots of love in this four book collection. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73ThbJbmEkf_IDWyWM-rVDEplcUud152qlz0juMzVJ6y0LMIMEoKy2pi7tlwRVwXsd8mf32qg_wilRdwQS8jTCg_iXBlzoXMNK4cjv-c2v413ZTNctCavnDy1pAsHAzJNCuGC3LPvg45jOsvrc5moT7UKS3Sca0hQvOE4LtQIVTrdQV_96cUOQjmY6B0/s445/JYoungblood%20Football%20Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73ThbJbmEkf_IDWyWM-rVDEplcUud152qlz0juMzVJ6y0LMIMEoKy2pi7tlwRVwXsd8mf32qg_wilRdwQS8jTCg_iXBlzoXMNK4cjv-c2v413ZTNctCavnDy1pAsHAzJNCuGC3LPvg45jOsvrc5moT7UKS3Sca0hQvOE4LtQIVTrdQV_96cUOQjmY6B0/s320/JYoungblood%20Football%20Collection.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>Each one is a stand alone. The Titans carry the first two books but the second two are about nonfootball players who are side characters to the original books. You won't get football players all the way through. I was hoping for at least Kade's story. </p><p>But you won't be disappointed. Each couple has their own barriers and issues to overcome to get their HEA and are diverse in their problems and solutions. </p><p>Lots of good sweet kisses and nothing more is needed. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/JYoungbloodTitans4" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">A collection of four, standalone novels from the popular Texas Titan Romance Series. Lives are changed and worlds are rocked when these take-charge, alpha pro players find the right women to settle scores of the heart.</span></p><p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">The Persistent Groom</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When single mom Silver Coulter gets a chance to plan the bachelor auction event of the season, she has no idea it’ll bring her face-to-face with the very man she’s spent years trying to forget—Ace Sanchez, superstar running back for the Texas Titans.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Long-held attractions sizzle to the surface as Ace tries to get back into Silver’s life. But Silver has a sordid past that includes a nasty ex-husband and ruthless ex-mother-in-law who’ll stop at nothing to keep Silver in her clutches.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">The Ghost Groom</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />After a long, painful search that involved legions of duds, Ariana Sanchez, fitness guru and gym owner, finally meets the perfect guy when she least expects it. Not only can Rennen tear up the dance floor, but he has these adorable blonde curls and compelling green eyes, specked with gold. When Ariana’s around him she feels oh, so alive! And the best part is that he’s a perfect gentleman and easy to talk to. Their first encounter leaves Ariana floating on air, thinking there’s hope for her love life after all … until she learns that Rennen is the celebrated rookie who’s taking her brother’s position as starting running back for the Titans. Too bad she’s totally loyal to her brother and has to hate him now!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">The Hometown Groom</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Emerson Stein has no intention of marrying billionaire Finley Landers just so her daddy’s merger will go through, no matter how much of a hissy fit her mama throws. When she skips out of a high-profile barbecue to barrel race at a rodeo, she never expects to meet Riker Dylan, the new starting quarterback for the Titans. With his startling blue eyes, easy smile, and boyish charm, Riker turns Emerson’s head and sends her pulse racing to the stars. Too bad she chews him out and punches him in the gut.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Growing up just outside Dallas, Riker Dylan never imagined he’d get the chance to play football for the Titans. An unexpected encounter with a copper-haired beauty puts him on an uncharted path. Why does he get the feeling there’s more to her than meets the eye?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When the stakes get impossibly high, will Emerson have the courage to choose her own path to be with the man she loves, or will the family pressure prove to be too great?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">The Jilted Billionaire Groom</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Still reeling from getting dumped on national TV, Finley Landers flees Dallas and takes solace in his hotel in Park City, Utah. When a young hooligan tries to steal his money, Finley gets an explosive introduction to Sunny Day who happens to be a maid at his hotel. Intrigued by the dark-eyed beauty and her sharp tongue, he can't seem to get her out of his mind.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With her sister's killer hot on her trail, Sunny has no room in her life for a relationship. But try as she might, she can't seem to avoid Finley who's determined to sweep her off her feet. When an unfortunate accident sends Sunny running to Finley for help, she must decide if she’ll close off her heart to protect her secret or risk it all for love.</span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-5470958833178599172024-02-08T00:00:00.001-05:002024-02-08T00:00:00.136-05:00Crying in Hmart<p>This is an interesting nonfiction read. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlXzRQKALgqTgAhoMI1nV2XobCspEZzgxwB5wbrcn2Rtuq6cri2rCf88Hx9nDlrNYBBILGQ50_4mDEg97aebcoWgDdGKdRmpngoXpDsoeYRCn0on-34aL6ukTMPqyP9t9vfA6XBGpmLcKE5qO0dXiy9_K7kZ7ZjjPf4sCMpaI9KBl219L7d4RgjxAiCo/s500/Crying%20in%20Hmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlXzRQKALgqTgAhoMI1nV2XobCspEZzgxwB5wbrcn2Rtuq6cri2rCf88Hx9nDlrNYBBILGQ50_4mDEg97aebcoWgDdGKdRmpngoXpDsoeYRCn0on-34aL6ukTMPqyP9t9vfA6XBGpmLcKE5qO0dXiy9_K7kZ7ZjjPf4sCMpaI9KBl219L7d4RgjxAiCo/s320/Crying%20in%20Hmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Ms. Zauner reflects on what it's like to grow up as part Korean in America. </p><p>The struggles and how it took time to embrace all the parts of her to become who she is, to come to a place of peace with her relationships with her parents, and how to move forward with her future. </p><p>I recommend the audiobook narrated by the author. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/CryinginHmartLS" target="_blank">AMAZON </a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">From the indie rock star of Japanese Breakfast fame, and author of the viral 2018 </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 700 !important;">New Yorker</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;"> essay that shares the title of this book, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">In this exquisite story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner proves herself far more than a dazzling singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With humor and heart, she tells of growing up one of the few Asian-American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food. As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band - and meeting the man who would become her husband - her Korean-ness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was 25, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Vivacious and plainspoken, lyrical and honest, Zauner's voice is as radiantly alive on the page as it is onstage. Rich with intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Crying in H Mart</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> is a book to cherish, share, and enjoy many times.</span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-64313443740032073782024-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:002024-02-01T00:00:00.136-05:00HorseThere are there timlines runing in this book, back and forth. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN44IYJmUIV_Xa_0ZrtgIqsQMaJqT5C-0ABTsIk_nTNaSUOce1duraZOpRdd_n8ids0clvZuiT1bFMFQ8slIQsZnuN9aHyLkC-QCqFt1GGRKFz3weRmetzO_wi4Bse7vtZ3N5R34KZcKfCnDXiLelqNcFO_Bfl_z1lzF0Ga7s2S56yBYqDH135-HCOJCQ/s445/HOrse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN44IYJmUIV_Xa_0ZrtgIqsQMaJqT5C-0ABTsIk_nTNaSUOce1duraZOpRdd_n8ids0clvZuiT1bFMFQ8slIQsZnuN9aHyLkC-QCqFt1GGRKFz3weRmetzO_wi4Bse7vtZ3N5R34KZcKfCnDXiLelqNcFO_Bfl_z1lzF0Ga7s2S56yBYqDH135-HCOJCQ/s320/HOrse.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I learned so much about the horse racing industry in early America and how we owe much to the enslaved for the breeding and racing of the thoroughbreds. </div><div>I learned about how the paintings came to be a circulated. </div><div>I was reminded of how our country still has much to do with seeing equality instead of race. </div><div>This is worth a read. </div><div>Well researched. Well constructed. Well done. </div><div>I recommend the audiobook. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/HorseLS">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Kentucky, 1850</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">New York City, 1954</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Washington, DC, 2019</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse—one studying the stallion’s bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Horse</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-62470446381005935112024-01-25T00:00:00.015-05:002024-01-25T00:00:00.342-05:00When a Star FallsMs. Eliker certainly has a talent for romantic comedy. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3lMxOgFteeHvu7DQ1pwhJFJINd2DJMhfv_Ri3UNKWrAehM7fpHKeUjtIQAkwtr9_GBYnIMD6Ua9Wz_SOn0K7_9jXtHfxPEdYq1vSlukCcGQDKvy8VnDF8AwCTH9sLookzk7t2Y_S7nXRvh4SkMwl4tc8N5InL5CBjM-khACe9UUtBW26WYD6dogH7iQ/s500/When%20a%20Star%20Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3lMxOgFteeHvu7DQ1pwhJFJINd2DJMhfv_Ri3UNKWrAehM7fpHKeUjtIQAkwtr9_GBYnIMD6Ua9Wz_SOn0K7_9jXtHfxPEdYq1vSlukCcGQDKvy8VnDF8AwCTH9sLookzk7t2Y_S7nXRvh4SkMwl4tc8N5InL5CBjM-khACe9UUtBW26WYD6dogH7iQ/s320/When%20a%20Star%20Falls.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Poor Ruby. She's clumsy in both body and words. And yet, you can't help feel sorry for her putting her foot in her mouth and speaking without thinking. </div><div>Collin will be your next book boyfriend. And Jill will be the next wicked witch you want to drop a house on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lots of fun reading how our lovebirds navigate long distance while living out their dreams. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/WhenaStarFallsLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">How many ways can I embarrass myself? </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">A lot.</span></h4><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">I wish I could say tripping a hot guy and tumbling across the grass with him was the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s not. Somehow, it turned into a date with him, ending with a seriously incredible kiss.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">I’d say that was a pretty good recovery.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Especially since that date with Collin led to me being discovered by a record label powerhouse. </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Whoa</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">. An amazing boyfriend, and becoming music’s next big thing?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Yes, please!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">I thought I was ready for fame, but I’m not so sure. Collin’s career is taking off at the same time as mine, and I swear his personal assistant is making gaga eyes at him.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Over my dead body!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Except she’s conniving enough that she </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">would</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> stab me in the back.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Turns out, stardom isn’t all glamorous. I just wish I didn’t have to choose between Collin and making a name for myself.</span></p></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-84613150671747071402024-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:002024-01-18T00:00:00.132-05:00How to Find a KeeperMr. Banner tackles a difficult premise in this romance. A married woman and single man are attracted to one another. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT4hOEx3lvio3dPWR_8ocICjgot1-RF98viLKWcZoXI6BV5YD47Yu6k1R1CvzkxvwP_yBKH48ThKyiLN2OV_FUBu5UE9i_jDG1HKj0ehTK3cBa1_Qy3sfg8weV091SmKXUyQ3mDsPa9XqOZOMrHdRmTZMpmo_Wkj4ylInRnECyjBqBC9XL6lLk6mkLS8/s500/How%20to%20Find%20a%20Keeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT4hOEx3lvio3dPWR_8ocICjgot1-RF98viLKWcZoXI6BV5YD47Yu6k1R1CvzkxvwP_yBKH48ThKyiLN2OV_FUBu5UE9i_jDG1HKj0ehTK3cBa1_Qy3sfg8weV091SmKXUyQ3mDsPa9XqOZOMrHdRmTZMpmo_Wkj4ylInRnECyjBqBC9XL6lLk6mkLS8/s320/How%20to%20Find%20a%20Keeper.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /><div>No one likes a cheater. So I want to root for them and not root for them at the same time, very conflicting. </div><div>This makes it hard to build the romance between them. </div><div>And so this isn't a straight forward romance for me as both characters are, blessedly, highly moral and won't act on the attraction until the way is clear, which doesn't come until the end of the book. </div><div>This novel felt more like a prequel to their love story rather than the love story itself. </div><div>And so the romantic declarations missed their powerful punch for me. </div><div>Worth a read? Yes. Does it follow the typical romantic plot line? Not so much. </div><div>Keep those points in mind when you pick up this book. And, yes, you will enjoy it. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/HowtoFindaKeeperLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Zandra Curtis’s world is turned upside down when she finds out her husband has cheated. But she doesn’t believe in throwaway marriages, and she won’t let go without a fight. As Zandra tries to heal her marriage, she is also trying to figure out how to heal the lesions on her French Mastiff’s joints. Dog coach Cason O’Connor, with his easy-going manner and good looks shows up at just the wrong time and Zandra, ever-faithful to her husband, keeps her distance.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Cason quickly falls in love with the Curtis’s Mastiffs, but he’s careful about getting close to the attractive—but very married—owner. Having been hurt by a cheating fiancée, the last thing Cason wants is to cause problems for the young couple.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Can Zandra find a way to convince her husband to fight for their marriage? Or is she fighting the wrong fight altogether?</span></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-1672780967327979702024-01-11T00:00:00.002-05:002024-01-11T00:00:00.150-05:00Snow Valley RomancesThis is a four book box set of Jeanette Lewis's Snow Valley Romances. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8rxwLUZ3a3dcGTPmlZ1mRFcTWR_pGCo8ojwB2YRf7Bijv5C6EkF9cE82UwR_V-morMQ287ZZ-kV1LpEgU-eJOku-gnD2onL9bPI-APvaqsvUga_casRUfgLZQCCXi2n6ItqBJSjIzIjAvz62Ks_CqvGNDw7F9WGEWjcHC9XPe05zYNcpB2g3JYwkoQE/s367/JL%20Snow%20Valley.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="367" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8rxwLUZ3a3dcGTPmlZ1mRFcTWR_pGCo8ojwB2YRf7Bijv5C6EkF9cE82UwR_V-morMQ287ZZ-kV1LpEgU-eJOku-gnD2onL9bPI-APvaqsvUga_casRUfgLZQCCXi2n6ItqBJSjIzIjAvz62Ks_CqvGNDw7F9WGEWjcHC9XPe05zYNcpB2g3JYwkoQE/s320/JL%20Snow%20Valley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These stories are all well told with lots of heart. Enjoyable characters, idyllic setting, and soft kisses. </div><div>Easily enjoyable and clean with just kisses. </div><div><br /></div><div>I only wish two things: the stories were just a bit longer, and that the editor had taken more care. There were multiple missing commas in every chapter. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/JLSnowValley">AMAZON</a></div><div><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">From Book 1: A sweet romance about second chances and finding the love of your life right where you left him.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiance, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, he is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.</span></div><div><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-3340361087760965932024-01-04T18:13:00.002-05:002024-01-04T18:13:00.128-05:00The Billionaire Love Match<div>Ms. St. Claire never disappoints. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjg-suhN-eod5oPue33V2fiweTlR0Jj36YlR5BDF-PpskqLee_esS1sHeU775E-6JB5944SCRwSbRm___6cy8ZJCMTZ1C8gzx58KtG0svlvl7EXJAwfvxAfm9kens_v97yd6KGyp-kdEdNma2GKQFRavFxjzsJ6knNcK2AejrL4U8Rb5PTcmLvwwh9SE/s346/Billionaire%20Love%20Match.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjg-suhN-eod5oPue33V2fiweTlR0Jj36YlR5BDF-PpskqLee_esS1sHeU775E-6JB5944SCRwSbRm___6cy8ZJCMTZ1C8gzx58KtG0svlvl7EXJAwfvxAfm9kens_v97yd6KGyp-kdEdNma2GKQFRavFxjzsJ6knNcK2AejrL4U8Rb5PTcmLvwwh9SE/s320/Billionaire%20Love%20Match.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This may be my favorite book by her to date. </div><div>Love the premise. The book starts out with bang and Ms. St. Claire isn't afraid to torture her characters. </div><div>She keeps the plot developing along with all the feels. </div><div>The MCs are both between a rock and a hard place with the situation and discerning if their feelings and the other person's are real or just emotional whiplash. </div><div>So much fun!</div><div>Happily blame Ms. St. Claire if you ignore sleep and responsibilities to finish this novel. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/BillionaireLoveMatchLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Does real love stand a chance on reality TV?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The odds are NEVER in your favor. At least, that’s what she thought. But when Casey makes the final casting call for a matchmaking show, she holds her breath and takes a chance.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Colt Woods needs to find ratings, not romance. When the show he expected to be all-fake turns all-too-real, Colt has to rethink everything. Especially when his movie-mogul mother tries to script the ending.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">In front of cameras and surrounded by fourteen other jealous women, Colt and Casey do their best to let a real relationship unfold.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Can they trust something built on live television or will their relationship run out like fifteen minutes of fame?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Scroll up and one-click to find out if love gets the final rose!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">This clean, inspirational billionaire romance is a perfect read if you enjoy witty dialogue and colorful characters or consider shows like The Bachelor a guilty pleasure.</span></p></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-63754193395892005472023-12-28T00:00:00.004-05:002023-12-28T00:00:00.128-05:00The Little White Christmas LieKristy Tate does a wonderful job of collecting some favorite romance tropes into one story. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZcWRx1k_976UvmKru4Ji8S9SfRAJiMHLyEZ6AcX1zF24olbiuB1WCZXETeB4tl0YKA1FM_2Q19cT5eQ7L0lNlV75Md96lIowToWPvfOv7EUgtLnmSEbOfELbF0S-tbBMymSX-lZzyxzJE38pfQ4jmh6SdbH1SGgG8ZgiyHqhMg9Ey13nEFQ0utkfrzI/s522/Lil%20White%20Cmas%20Lile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZcWRx1k_976UvmKru4Ji8S9SfRAJiMHLyEZ6AcX1zF24olbiuB1WCZXETeB4tl0YKA1FM_2Q19cT5eQ7L0lNlV75Md96lIowToWPvfOv7EUgtLnmSEbOfELbF0S-tbBMymSX-lZzyxzJE38pfQ4jmh6SdbH1SGgG8ZgiyHqhMg9Ey13nEFQ0utkfrzI/s320/Lil%20White%20Cmas%20Lile.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you like holiday, fake relationships, celebrity, and small towns, then you are in the right book. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had fun with the hangups both Millie and Carson had to overcome to be together. Plus a matchmaking grandmother in the mix added even more holiday spice. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's a sweet story you'll enjoy best with a side of gingerbread men and a mug of cocoa. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/47LKgYc" target="_blank">AMAZON</a><br /><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Carson Trent doesn't know that the beautiful Millie Cruise who literally falls into his lap on the morning train is really Camille Harper, a rock star of the romance industry. Millie doesn't know she is headed for Carson's grandmother's picture-perfect inn in a quaint New England town. Neither Carson nor Millie know their lives are about to spin out-of-control thanks to a patch of black ice, a cow, and a little white Christmas lie.</span></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-51952380358093203282023-12-27T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-27T00:00:00.122-05:002000+ FREE BOOKS TODAY ONLY!<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaa8fygbgqSXeB4V6r0IJyt0G27CsIic-XqsTaGPP5BNgSQGeUF0xLIPyGEAoYytYGETa3BeYDB-JdmIvHBqUbuEkuImGIu8bQ7Y7zu3Ii_M8woHId3cxhDTz50MtUMPG05NbV8VJtGkkSyoliY7j0g2-qjwsLi4kDTjdbSGXO6Dwn5vApIh_yfdIAVM/s1080/ZoeBub%20Dec%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaa8fygbgqSXeB4V6r0IJyt0G27CsIic-XqsTaGPP5BNgSQGeUF0xLIPyGEAoYytYGETa3BeYDB-JdmIvHBqUbuEkuImGIu8bQ7Y7zu3Ii_M8woHId3cxhDTz50MtUMPG05NbV8VJtGkkSyoliY7j0g2-qjwsLi4kDTjdbSGXO6Dwn5vApIh_yfdIAVM/s320/ZoeBub%20Dec%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.romancebookworms.com/" target="_blank">GET MY FREE ROMANCES!</a></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><h1 style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; font-family: futura-pt; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 3px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ARE YOU A VORACIOUS ROMANCE READER? FOR ONE DAY ONLY, STUFF YOUR KINDLE, NOOK, KOBO, APPLE BOOKS OR GOOGLE PLAY EBOOK READER WITH 2000+ FREE ROMANCE READS!!!</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="" data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="background-color: white; color: rgba(28, 28, 28, 0.8); font-family: futura-pt; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 1.8em; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><p class="" style="background-color: white; color: rgba(28, 28, 28, 0.8); font-family: futura-pt; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 1.8em; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">On December 27, 2023, get a curated offering of free romance books at your preferred ebook retailer, no strings attached. This is just a helpful collection of free-for-a-limited-time romance ebooks, all of which are being featured on Romance Bookworms for the first time!</p><div style="background-color: white; color: rgba(28, 28, 28, 0.8); font-family: futura-pt; line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px 0px 1.8em; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be sure to grab my book: <a href="https://bit.ly/12KissestoCmas" target="_blank">12 Kisses to Christmas</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://bit.ly/12KissestoCmas" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aMTqi7OnqFEPcq-6jVzxlhY8gNupOpmtxA65rdjzp3sJez-N4QlTxMxOPQrK69urNZj8YT0i4sHixqAnLDcZ_rrfmMdefmgnX2NVj0XhISTcaS-_VIE7g4pXsR0l-s-CoafZt7ZWHTOPn6i_ugL714u4RUXPdjAZOV0UXLJt0BzIxC-YmTp2_wY8wls/s320/12%20KTC%20Cover%20Final%2010182022.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-46992687368080497962023-12-21T00:00:00.004-05:002023-12-21T00:00:00.136-05:00Christmas in Three RiversLiz Isaacson has a wonderful collection of her Three Rivers Christmas novels all bundled into a super novel for holiday reading enjoyment. Sigh. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc01NiaofkLpTiS-f6-yBkR0pNELKQlM99ZNYKCI9M-7R45dNJkGKNxs9OLrWL35FIsYZcv3oVSk_slO_AxfAB5v3rEBek5Hhg9enMTqUIri-PW56MVoe6-mCoWI-POgV38NDhawbPIw1d3OlQcyAW22-rShPxmwUX45Ho35pLSz1QhcO1tMwo1i8-NaE/s522/Cmas%203%20Rivers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc01NiaofkLpTiS-f6-yBkR0pNELKQlM99ZNYKCI9M-7R45dNJkGKNxs9OLrWL35FIsYZcv3oVSk_slO_AxfAB5v3rEBek5Hhg9enMTqUIri-PW56MVoe6-mCoWI-POgV38NDhawbPIw1d3OlQcyAW22-rShPxmwUX45Ho35pLSz1QhcO1tMwo1i8-NaE/s320/Cmas%203%20Rivers.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed all four stories with unique characters and difficulties to overcome. You'll have trouble picking your favorite couple. I sure couldn't. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/Cmas3RiversLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">Isn't Christmas the best time to fall in love? The cowboys of Three Rivers Ranch think so. Join four of them as they journey toward their path to happily ever after!</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">THE NINTH INNING:</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> The Christmas season has never felt like such a burden to boutique owner Andrea Larsen. But with Mama gone and the holidays upon her, Andy finds herself wishing she hadn't been so quick to judge her former boyfriend, cowboy Lawrence Collins. Well, Lawrence hasn't forgotten about Andy either, and he devises a plan to get her out to the ranch so they can reconnect. Do they have the faith and humility to patch things up and start a new relationship?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">TEN DAYS IN TOWN:</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Sandy Keller is tired of the dating scene in Three Rivers. Though she owns the pancake house, she's looking for a fresh start, which means an escape from the town where she grew up. When her older brother's best friend, Tad Jorgensen, comes to town for the holidays, it is a balm to his weary soul. A helicopter tour guide who experienced a near-death experience, he's looking to start over too--but in Three Rivers. Can Sandy and Tad navigate their troubles to find the path God wants them to take--and discover true love--in only ten days?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">ELEVEN YEAR REUNION:</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Pastry chef extraordinaire, Grace Lewis has moved to Three Rivers to help Heidi Ackerman open a bakery in Three Rivers. Grace relishes the idea of starting over in a town where no one knows about her failed cupcakery. She doesn't expect to run into her old high school boyfriend, Jonathan Carver. A carpenter working at Three Rivers Ranch, Jon's in town against his will. But with Grace now on the scene, Jon's thinking life in Three Rivers is suddenly looking up. But with her focus on baking and his disdain for small towns, can they make their eleven year reunion stick?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">THE TWELFTH TOWN:</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Newscaster Taryn Tucker has had enough of life on-screen. She's bounced from town to town before arriving in Three Rivers, completely alone and completely anonymous--just the way she now likes it. She takes a job cleaning at Three Rivers Ranch, hoping for a chance to figure out who she is and where God wants her. When she meets happy-go-lucky cowhand Kenny Stockton, she doesn't expect sparks to fly. Kenny's always been "the best friend" for his female friends, but the pull between him and Taryn can't be denied. Will they have the courage and faith necessary to make their opposite worlds mesh?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Amidst the magic of Christmas, four love stories unfold in the heart of Three Rivers Ranch, with four sexy cowboys, and all the holiday cheer you could ask for. Join the family in Three Rivers today!</span></p></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-39025016432104787622023-12-14T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-14T00:00:00.134-05:00Snowy White Christmas<p>I believe this was my first read by Josie Riviera. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFKIhLOEXd2GQt-Fae7kdLA0ojGny_S1QI5Kj4p3KaNXHJs4nxRWvtVn67gLdvwnhPfKnlRTHO7LhnkNKblbv1YP3exO4VFyAjwc-YtgoEXmYOVKGnDy7tUuabYnA7dwOXppg8Q9EjLnOCq2qogTZ9JsGAQPnrfxB7vcpYmspErsoYMeIdvbQV1zzzz0/s522/Snowy%20White%20Cmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFKIhLOEXd2GQt-Fae7kdLA0ojGny_S1QI5Kj4p3KaNXHJs4nxRWvtVn67gLdvwnhPfKnlRTHO7LhnkNKblbv1YP3exO4VFyAjwc-YtgoEXmYOVKGnDy7tUuabYnA7dwOXppg8Q9EjLnOCq2qogTZ9JsGAQPnrfxB7vcpYmspErsoYMeIdvbQV1zzzz0/s320/Snowy%20White%20Cmas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>There were certainly lots of poplular romance tropes packed into this novella: billioniare, celebrity, second chance romance, secret baby, and small town. </p><p>Lots of elements to form a charming story, but not all the character's reactions hit quite right with me. </p><p>You may read it differently and it's on the shorter side so it won't take you long. </p><p>Perhaps that was my difficulty, that there wasn't quite enough time to flesh everything out. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/snowywhitecmasLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Margaret Snow, a devoted mother, is determined to create a Christmas filled with heartwarming memories for her five-year-old daughter. Leaving behind her glamorous life as a successful swimsuit model in bustling LA, she returns to her small, snowy upstate New York town to reclaim the foreclosed trailer she once called home. Accompanied by her lovable menagerie of rescue animals, including a deaf parrot and a kitten with one eye, Margaret embarks on a journey that will test her faith in second chances.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Little does she expect to encounter Fernando Brandt, her former high school sweetheart, who now exudes charm and charisma like a true Prince Charming. As Margaret and Fernando reunite after years apart, their hearts are filled with both the warmth of familiarity and the ache of past regrets. But there's an unexpected twist—they share a secret, a precious gift from their past, a daughter he never knew about.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">As their love rekindles amidst the snow-covered landscapes and twinkling Christmas lights, Margaret must confront her insecurities and embrace the true gift of Christmas—unconditional love for Fernando, a billionaire hiding his wealth beneath his humble exterior. Can they overcome the challenges that drove them apart and forge a new future as a family?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Loosely inspired by a favorite fairy tale, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">A Snowy White Christmas </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">weaves the enchantment of a second-chance romance with the surprise of a secret baby and the allure of a billionaire hero. This sweet and wholesome holiday novella is perfect for fans of tender love stories, the joy of rediscovery, and the miracles and magic of the holiday season.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Immerse yourself in the warmth of this heartwarming second-chance romance with a secret baby twist, where delightful characters come to life, and love finds its way back amidst the snowflakes. Experience the magic of </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">A Snowy White Christmas</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> and let it transport you to a world where love conquers all.</span></p><p><br /></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-71780142891271471492023-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:002023-12-07T00:00:00.135-05:00The Sleigh on Seventeenth StreetMs. Isaacson is the best. Just the best. <div><br /><div>If you're looking for a clean holiday romance with the right amount of sizzle, this is the book you need to curl up with in a comfy spot, a mug of your favorite hot drink, and uninterrupted reading time. </div><div>That's all. </div><div>Delightful.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwOVKYi7-IvsxK9VDPHeTOAJy5h5ansDR25MxfF5NCxe7ZBBcwPQOcUaUMuSKLTmlO0VKg0IdCU8ik-lyOdvemuUDt1rMBzgzPpIBIt0e8SljrtmYqQ2xbWSnSDPdCRhKydI95wH__BENKKVt18tiIH1QJ7UUA59RRrVvfBOdQdTU5KWFJcn7OMiVan0/s522/Sleigh%20on%2017th%20St.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwOVKYi7-IvsxK9VDPHeTOAJy5h5ansDR25MxfF5NCxe7ZBBcwPQOcUaUMuSKLTmlO0VKg0IdCU8ik-lyOdvemuUDt1rMBzgzPpIBIt0e8SljrtmYqQ2xbWSnSDPdCRhKydI95wH__BENKKVt18tiIH1QJ7UUA59RRrVvfBOdQdTU5KWFJcn7OMiVan0/s320/Sleigh%20on%2017th%20St.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/Sleighon17thStLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">When sparks fly in Three Rivers, can love light up the Christmas season for these two opposites?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;">A skilled cowboy electrician and a determined plumber must overcome their differences and navigate the challenges of love, work, and falling for each other during the magic of the Christmas season.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Camila Cruz is eager to secure the bid for a new development project in Three Rivers to save the mom-and-pop plumbing shop she works for and make it her own. Meanwhile, Dylan Walker, a talented electrician and somewhat cocky cowboy, is equally determined to win the electrical contract for the same project. When they both succeed in their bids, their professional paths become entwined, igniting a connection that neither can deny.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Despite the small town rumors surrounding the handsome electrician, Camila finds herself drawn to Dylan. As they work together and share in the town's festive Christmas celebrations, Camila begins to see a different side of Dylan—one that challenges her initial assumptions.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Can Camila and Dylan finish the build without breaking up or losing their shirts? Will they be able to traverse the delicate balance of water and electricity, the spell of mistletoe and Santa’s sleigh versus reality, without losing their hearts?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;">In this heartwarming Christian cowboy romance, Dylan and Camila learn to decipher the truth in business, embrace the magic of the season and the power of faith as they take a chance on love, discovering that sometimes the most unexpected connections can be the most rewarding.</span></p></div></div></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-1795920518153829662023-11-30T00:00:00.001-05:002023-11-30T00:00:00.127-05:00Christmas Romance Collection<p>Ms. Youngblood delivers another round of holiday cheer in this collection. </p><p>I enjoyed each story but the final one seemed less holiday than the others. Perhaps because it was a suspense. </p><p>Regardless, you'll have an enjoyable time reading these stories and getting your holiday cheer on. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfycqPY3zQAJEJtrjKEYX4SeyvgoO72coOS0_FutPC5nZFLcBhvYvL54SIeCsdSSrESerm9XrxYiGmmlmQUlNOj7HC4g-WuHjwymllKXBR4AnwA0fiuXVJg29JF5yGB495ye-Ag2HoyUEcaTzTr7ZUcq9JtM7LalrEuHd0kHnhuncm1UUIJ_fQQXPIj8o/s522/Cmas%20Rom%20Coll%20Youngblood.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfycqPY3zQAJEJtrjKEYX4SeyvgoO72coOS0_FutPC5nZFLcBhvYvL54SIeCsdSSrESerm9XrxYiGmmlmQUlNOj7HC4g-WuHjwymllKXBR4AnwA0fiuXVJg29JF5yGB495ye-Ag2HoyUEcaTzTr7ZUcq9JtM7LalrEuHd0kHnhuncm1UUIJ_fQQXPIj8o/s320/Cmas%20Rom%20Coll%20Youngblood.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/CmasCollContYoungbloodLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Enjoy this collection of 3 complete Christmas romances by USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Youngblood.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Yours by Christmas</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A recovering alcoholic turned firefighter, a mysterious woman with a secret, and the Christmas miracle that just might save them both.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Her Christmas Wedding Fake Fiancé</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sparks ignite when a strait-laced CEO and a feisty business owner strike an unusual bargain that might be just the thing to kindle a little Christmas bliss.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">False Identity</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">Believe in miracles … believe in hope … believe in love.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It's Christmastime, and Chancy Hamilton can’t bear the thought of spending the holidays without her late husband Max who died in a plane crash. When Chancy and her teenage son, Travis, have an argument, Travis storms out of the house and ends up in the wrong part of town where he is attacked by a group of thugs. When a homeless man comes to his rescue, he invites the man home to have a meal with his mom and little sister.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Gabe Jones is not like any other homeless man Chancy has ever seen—he’s confident, intelligent, and devastatingly handsome. Jake, Chancy’s boyfriend, takes an instant dislike to Gabe and warns Chancy to stay away from him. Nevertheless, their lives become intertwined, and Chancy is soon thrown into nightmarish events caused by a betrayal of trust and a chilling deception where nothing is as it seems, bringing a terrifying aftermath that threatens not only her but the lives of her children.</span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-77919846853973329292023-11-23T03:00:00.001-05:002023-11-23T03:00:00.132-05:00Fighting for Love <p>Ms. Checketts doens't hold back in this second chance romance. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9uru2nbE8gc4b1PxIJilt7uZJO0ZPUxXDFVMs7sRwBAKER0ziUHFpyQ4CCFGykXSUxW-gqRRoNDiNQi1IvzYtS-uxacPaJK4-4TCx4QUv58hb_g2Cn2jgNGQX9QQr_Ponhtskdabom6URw2oBmV7wkkfAXPdSd6UGlstXQlYxBXWiPER99i8hmw8zqs/s466/Fighting%20for%20Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9uru2nbE8gc4b1PxIJilt7uZJO0ZPUxXDFVMs7sRwBAKER0ziUHFpyQ4CCFGykXSUxW-gqRRoNDiNQi1IvzYtS-uxacPaJK4-4TCx4QUv58hb_g2Cn2jgNGQX9QQr_Ponhtskdabom6URw2oBmV7wkkfAXPdSd6UGlstXQlYxBXWiPER99i8hmw8zqs/s320/Fighting%20for%20Love.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p>High school love gets another go round between Hannah and Josh and it's so much fun to read. The hockey player who's softer side only comes out for Hannah? Yes, please and thank you. </p><p>I love the angst and the chemistry between these two. They have their past and present to work through. Not to mention their daddy issues. </p><p>A great holiday read. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/FightingforLoveLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;">A hockey player who loves to fight. The only woman who can soften him. A misunderstanding tore them apart years ago. Can they get a second chance for Christmas?</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Josh Porter overcame an abusive father and poverty to become one of the top professional hockey players in the world, but he lost the love of his life along the way. When Josh and Hannah get stuck on a ski lift, will he finally have a chance to clear up misunderstandings, or will she shred his heart for the final time?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Hannah Haven Hall has loved Josh since high school, but when she sees him cheating on her after a college hockey game she dumps him and locks her heart. Is reconciliation possible with the man she’s always loved, or is a Christmas miracle too much to ask for?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br /></span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-14965959898077645082023-11-16T03:00:00.001-05:002023-11-16T03:00:00.141-05:00Once Upon a RomanceThis was my first read by Ms. Bailey, and I would read more of her work. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKP6TTOxArCPRsOp5ZIo5PpOwrJS9OlQhDxpddHZ4Fy4vU6eFsIMMR9AMzqaOhX3u0e_Q3DxB4wlrvOA9_RSsazbaCCAmRuZOKCeHHyZfH2H-HqCQ-47ivdlyP-NtyhTTBkw4dI9-iUwMmh7hsMepKF7bzPe0tOFSJdnof5E4B4Y4uuXaRoYoKn2LnCw/s466/Once%20Upon%20a%20Romance.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKP6TTOxArCPRsOp5ZIo5PpOwrJS9OlQhDxpddHZ4Fy4vU6eFsIMMR9AMzqaOhX3u0e_Q3DxB4wlrvOA9_RSsazbaCCAmRuZOKCeHHyZfH2H-HqCQ-47ivdlyP-NtyhTTBkw4dI9-iUwMmh7hsMepKF7bzPe0tOFSJdnof5E4B4Y4uuXaRoYoKn2LnCw/s320/Once%20Upon%20a%20Romance.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I had fun. The story is well constructed, hits hard on the Disney theme (which I love), and has a satisfying ending. </div><div>Keep in mind that the romance blooms while the heroine has a boyfriend which might be off-putting to some readers. Though, it seems from page one the boyfriend needs to be kicked to the curb. He's not mean or rude or abusive, just not right for her anymore. </div><div>If you're a big Disney fan like me, you'll notice this is a prepandemic story. If only we had Fast Passes again instead of paid Lightning Lanes. </div><div>But don't let the changes at Disney stop you from enjoying this sweet read. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bit.ly/OnceUponARomanceLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Christmas. Disney. Romance. No greater magic.</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When Sophie’s eight-year-old niece, Ariel, asks Santa Claus for a single wish to honor her mom’s memory, Sophie knows she must grant it. Unfortunately for Sophie, Ariel's wish is to ride her mom's favorite ride on Christmas day, and it’s at the last place on earth Sophie wants to visit—Walt Disney World. It will be the first Christmas without her sister, and reliving childhood memories of her best friend is not how she wants to spend her holiday. Sophie’s only desire is to spend Christmas on the slopes with her reliable and stable beau, Darren, who has reluctantly agreed to postpone their trip until the day after Christmas.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But when Sophie runs into a charming stranger, who offers up his extensive Disney knowledge, he instantly becomes her hero. A wave of relief washes over Sophie—he may just be the one to give Ariel the magical experience she desires. And, even though Sophie doesn’t realize it, he may be exactly what she needs too.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Can a bit of </span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Christmas magic</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"> help this ruggedly-attractive stranger win Sophie’s heart when she believes it already belongs to Darren? And will Sophie continue to allow her painful past to haunt her, or will she let it go?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">The first book in A Dream Come True series is a heart-warming holiday romance set in "The Most Magical Place On Earth."</span></div></div>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-56326833973176623242023-11-09T01:30:00.000-05:002023-11-09T01:30:00.148-05:00Christmas in Sweetheart Springs<p>This is a great introductory trilogy to lead you into full length novels. So much fun to have love stories at holiday time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaZ6STc-7amcU7_MDEgOXnrgnu1khp7NCP8Qdfj7kIyNSgWHvsx1CKb_u9DDhkGScXyXhch4bRpIi_Wk2EeXeJIc5T3_jDXXgbsiA7H1Abpxdv4bU9QjqP3XW_uFX8EhREUgTDNZF9dK-J4r1mN4sJloBN528jKKgIUOp_pyeKJdLAmbFx0UQsNAf/s346/Cmas%20in%20Sweetheart%20Springs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaZ6STc-7amcU7_MDEgOXnrgnu1khp7NCP8Qdfj7kIyNSgWHvsx1CKb_u9DDhkGScXyXhch4bRpIi_Wk2EeXeJIc5T3_jDXXgbsiA7H1Abpxdv4bU9QjqP3XW_uFX8EhREUgTDNZF9dK-J4r1mN4sJloBN528jKKgIUOp_pyeKJdLAmbFx0UQsNAf/s320/Cmas%20in%20Sweetheart%20Springs.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><p>I enjoyed each one and can't wait to read the rest of their stories. </p><p>Get cozy with the mug of your fave beverage and consume deliciousness in two lovely formats. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/CmasSweetheartSprings" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Eggnog in the Evergreens by Monique Brasher</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;">They were never supposed to fall in love, let alone elope in Vegas. But love doesn't pick sides.</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Emma Watkins and Miles Decker grew up together, her family's Christmas tree farm and his family's ranch separated only by a row of trees that forms a boundary line between the two. As children of two feuding families in Sweetheart Springs, it's always gone without saying that they're supposed to stay away from one another. Until they disregarded the memo and fell in love anyway.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As the annual Sweetheart Games near, they both worry about keeping their secret marriage under wraps, especially while under the scrutiny of the whole town. As if marrying your almost enemy isn't trouble enough, there's a town legend to contend with.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In a season that's supposed to be about finding your soulmate and celebrating Christmas, can they withstand the secrets and rise to the challenge?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Laughter and Lattes by B Burton</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700 !important;">Falling in love at the Sweetheart Games, Lena and Pete seek to make love work in a life that has them on two different paths.</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When Lena gets paired up with childhood friend Braden for the annual Sweetheart Games, she can't wait to tell him she's in love with him. Deciding to let their chemistry and ability to work together open his eyes to the woman she is now, Lena is shocked when he decides to trade her for someone else.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Pete has wanted to be Lena's since the day she walked into Sweetheart Springs Middle School. But between being a timid nerd, and best friends with the jock of the school, he was often overlooked. When Braden asks him to swap partners for the Sweetheart Games, it doesn't sit well with him, but he agrees knowing he'll finally get his chance with Lena.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />By making the most of a bad situation, Lena and Pete commit to being one another's partners, and wind up getting to know one another all over again. Before she knows it, Lena finds herself missing him when they return to college and he's no longer near. But is it possible for them to find love and make it work in a life that has them on two different paths for the future?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A HFN story.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Cocoa in the Candlelight by Kimberly Hanson<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 700 !important;">Being paired with your brother's best friend and first love. Christmas magic in the air. What could go wrong?</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Coming home for the holidays, all Ellie Johnson wanted to do was catch up with her best friends and family. For fun, the girls signed up for the Sweetheart Games in the Sweetheart Springs Christmas Kickoff. Little did she know, she'd be paired with her brother's best friend, and the one man she could never get out of her head.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Tommy Donovan didn't want anything to do with the Christmas Kickoff. Every year, he was able to work and forget it was happening, especially dodging the matchmaking events. This year, his mom had other plans.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Forced together under the stress of a town myth hanging above their heads, they must work together under the watchful eye of the town, while trying to come to terms with their feelings for one another.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important;">Each of these three prequel stories introduces you to a Sweetheart Springs couple, coming soon to your e-reader (or in paperback) in the form of a second chance love story. So grab a chair, a blanket, and some hot cocoa, and come visit our little town full of Christmas shenanigans and clean, wholesome romance.</span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-37492837150214522732023-11-02T01:30:00.000-04:002023-11-02T01:30:00.135-04:00Ginger<p>This is the first book in the Marrying Miss Kringle series by Ms. McConnell and if Ginger is any indication of the fun to come for the other sisters, then sign me up for the rest of the series!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpLvDwM6bqbii8uY_OU8bYrSzkGtYdphdoO_OEQmS5O9WaDV04-AC3XexFS5WZytojiHKIRRfC5oyQXyGVuBiRXMWdbnFNrZkb3k0jOqk2CyBYFrBwKaayAH8FWMRDY3nkkZ3JuifsRffNXy3rgZUDLQL5kw8yrYuPAHfHqVB4wbn0kQ6frJFDRUQ/s500/Ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpLvDwM6bqbii8uY_OU8bYrSzkGtYdphdoO_OEQmS5O9WaDV04-AC3XexFS5WZytojiHKIRRfC5oyQXyGVuBiRXMWdbnFNrZkb3k0jOqk2CyBYFrBwKaayAH8FWMRDY3nkkZ3JuifsRffNXy3rgZUDLQL5kw8yrYuPAHfHqVB4wbn0kQ6frJFDRUQ/s320/Ginger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>I love watching this slightly type A list maker feel her way through the process of finding a husband to save Christmas. And of course her true love isn't on the list, but worse he gave up on Santa and Christmas magic a long time ago. He's rather bahumbug about the whole thing, until his niece comes to stay and Ginger enters his life. </p><p>Ginger has all the feels you'd expect from Ms. McConnell and her witty, swoony way of writing a sweet romance. </p><p>Get Ginger and the series and curl up with a cozy blanket and mug of cocoa. Better than bingewatching Hallmark holiday movies anyday. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/gingerkringle" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and romantic Christmas romance form USA Today Bestselling Author Lucy McConnell.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">When Ginger Kringle is branded to wear the magic red suit, she has to fall in love and get married before Christmas Eve to save the family business. After being given a list (Santas love lists!) of potential Mr. Kringles, Ginger heads off to Clearview, Alaska, where she embarks on a mission to save her family, their home, the elves, the reindeer, and Christmas for children across the globe.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">In her quest, Ginger finds that checking a list has much more to do with her heart than it does her head.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Can she fall in love before it’s too late?</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-40200229094233507262023-10-27T00:00:00.000-04:002023-10-27T00:00:00.182-04:00Love & Other Crazy Plans<p>Overall, I'm a fan of Ms. Tuttle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYOljkAM2nqKNjUbvgY77wpz92ZG-wPpQJBasmI2pyD2TNX8svtkei0Vd7D1TA74nkQZInbUXxDBuve34DnbCxEWBOmW1W_NtLFZ-aiBYLoyRKyP33vDzppAqPTIptPKmqhvFOA6D-kKvzORTYAWJpwNWg20MhifSJv7fH6ChNpYvbtnxLv_Q8sDRoOE/s500/Love%20&%20Other%20Crazy%20Plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYOljkAM2nqKNjUbvgY77wpz92ZG-wPpQJBasmI2pyD2TNX8svtkei0Vd7D1TA74nkQZInbUXxDBuve34DnbCxEWBOmW1W_NtLFZ-aiBYLoyRKyP33vDzppAqPTIptPKmqhvFOA6D-kKvzORTYAWJpwNWg20MhifSJv7fH6ChNpYvbtnxLv_Q8sDRoOE/s320/Love%20&%20Other%20Crazy%20Plans.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>This story has all the right elements for a clean and wholesome romance, so you won't find any shenanigans here. </p><p>The characters motivations are pure, and both have pasts and present issues they're working through as they grow closer. </p><p>But I was missing chemistry between the hero and heroine. They liked each other but then when he got bold about it midway through they broke things off? I got a bit confused there. </p><p>For some reason although all the elements were there, the story just didn't quite come together for me. </p><p>That being said, you shouldn't skip out on this novel. It might hit just right for you. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/LoveandOtherCrazyPlansLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">He’s running away from a tragedy to start over. She’s trying to overcome her past in a small town with a long memory.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Adelle Reagen grew up in Hawk’s Point, Maine. She loves the beauty and history of the small coastal town, but can’t seem to outgrow the reputation left over from her parents. As an event planner, she works with everyone in town to create happiness and fond memories for her clients. After meeting Kade, she starts to wonder if she found a love to last a lifetime.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kade Nance’s heart broke a year ago in an accident that claimed his fiancé’s life despite his effort. After selling his construction company, he moves across the country to start over. He never thought it possible to love again, but Adelle’s beauty captured his attention and her kindness is healing his heart.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Will her secret destroy their chance at a happily ever after?</span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-25581228122018118952023-10-20T00:00:00.000-04:002023-10-20T00:00:00.144-04:00The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo<p>I would've missed this one but for book club, which ulitmately decided was a little too racy for discussion. I was nearly 75% done with the book at that point and "flipping pages" to learn how the last two husbands were procured. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjjMYw09Ivg3rc4K0WJjz09rS6VeG9DBnkPsenJ0CnjCSbnfXHY62rE8_EmfEnGzeri4JDTLtQhfjVF_4j9m3EwzDanSid8nUnCYsLsZIFdjn1OSW5nUE5dOuXdl1P-bkT5ExvgJmQwYBuBefmryQJ1sa93JK64KNDkaPPUeCblqtk_ZR_d4KMB989SA/s500/Evelyn%20Hugo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjjMYw09Ivg3rc4K0WJjz09rS6VeG9DBnkPsenJ0CnjCSbnfXHY62rE8_EmfEnGzeri4JDTLtQhfjVF_4j9m3EwzDanSid8nUnCYsLsZIFdjn1OSW5nUE5dOuXdl1P-bkT5ExvgJmQwYBuBefmryQJ1sa93JK64KNDkaPPUeCblqtk_ZR_d4KMB989SA/s320/Evelyn%20Hugo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This story sucks you in. Seven husbands is equal to Henry the 8ths six wives. You just have to know what happened, and if Evelyn ever found true love. </p><p>Well, yes, she did. In more than one instance. </p><p>But who she loves, how, and why is what kept me wondering, "What happens next?" </p><p>If you pay close attention, you can see the trail of breadcrumbs Ms. Reid wisely, stealthily, and intentionally drops on the pages. That is brilliant writing. </p><p>This book does deal with themes some readers will find uncomfortable, inappropriate, and not to their taste. This isn't a sweet/clean and wholesome romance, my usual genre. Across the pages Evelyn explores her sex life, bisexuality, trauma from abusive relationships, and defines what love and family mean and look like to her. If any of these topics are triggers, you should skip this novel. </p><p>Still I felt Ms. Reid handled the subject matter tactfully, without being graphic or explicit, but getting the points across clearly. </p><p>The narration is excellent. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/7HusbandsofEvelynHugoLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jump-start her career. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Summoned to Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late '80s and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn's life unfolds - revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love - Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways. </span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-50124617453426722442023-10-12T00:00:00.016-04:002023-10-12T00:00:00.149-04:00Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies<p>If you ever wanted to know how to write a romance novel from A-Z, this is the book for you. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy9UdGFWmfS5L01BjZozcZMNTuLQen_Nq-EOeVgIzzNGetQlQU17W4twdyt4H-Zb2nQ32FGQx3Aho50FSa8xKlTun3ArA9zy3hg2LAnkbdTo0WhGjF8PqsGHJ-8F0o7cGik47MXx9aBPhvvoN9DuwC1HTy26_Q2oLF_CHoSxKaTCOlcHJZGTO-4uYpe4/s499/Romance%20for%20Dummies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="399" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy9UdGFWmfS5L01BjZozcZMNTuLQen_Nq-EOeVgIzzNGetQlQU17W4twdyt4H-Zb2nQ32FGQx3Aho50FSa8xKlTun3ArA9zy3hg2LAnkbdTo0WhGjF8PqsGHJ-8F0o7cGik47MXx9aBPhvvoN9DuwC1HTy26_Q2oLF_CHoSxKaTCOlcHJZGTO-4uYpe4/s320/Romance%20for%20Dummies.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p>Ms. Lieske takes you step by step through the process: from brainstorming to rough draft, to formatting, to publishing and marketing. </p><p>This is a treasure trove of knowledge by a successful author who knows what she's doing at a bargain price. </p><p>Definitely add this to your craft collection. You'll refer to it again and again. </p><p>I received an ARC of this book. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/WritingRomance4Dummies" target="_blank">AMAZON </a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">Get your romance (writing) on! </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Writing a Romance Novel For Dummies</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> is the only reference aspiring writers need to get their careers off to the right start. Fully updated to reflect the industry's latest trends and secrets, this book helps you understand what makes a great novel, so you can hone your craft and write books people want to read. We break down the romance subgenres, give you expert tips on plotting and pacing, and walk you through the process of finding an agent and getting published in today’s competitive market―or self-publishing like many six-figure authors are doing. For aspiring writers longing to find success in the industry, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Writing a Romance Novel For Dummies i</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">s easy to read, highly informative, and a must-have! </span></p><ul class="a-unordered-list a-vertical" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Refine your writing to craft engaging stories readers can’t put down </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Find a route to publication that works for you―mainstream, or self-published </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Understand the ins and outs of the romance genre and its subgenres </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: disc; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span class="a-list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Learn how to get your work noticed in the popular world of romantic fiction </span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">This Dummies guide is perfect for beginning writers who want advice on writing and publishing a successful romance novel. It’s also a great reference for accomplished writers looking to level up their romance game. </span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259607874617619100.post-66189595774775066272023-10-05T01:00:00.000-04:002023-10-05T01:00:00.145-04:00Iceberg<p>Jennifer A. Nielson has done it again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXzcY7gY1jl_vtesgsq7U0fuAWox_KxN7ghjBn2kr6VUtp2-gCFss1qndw81GWExdC95maPr9djcPkKJjSKtHRxL_WpIm2aZerrBL9hN1jNQWXAYlsURk9OcJnpccFVlS900WlVcw51Zn4ObT5afSQS19WNSRmm3ZgHQBPa_6gY7xW4gRn8PtSP5BPKI/s346/Iceberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXzcY7gY1jl_vtesgsq7U0fuAWox_KxN7ghjBn2kr6VUtp2-gCFss1qndw81GWExdC95maPr9djcPkKJjSKtHRxL_WpIm2aZerrBL9hN1jNQWXAYlsURk9OcJnpccFVlS900WlVcw51Zn4ObT5afSQS19WNSRmm3ZgHQBPa_6gY7xW4gRn8PtSP5BPKI/s320/Iceberg.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><p>This time we follow the journey of a stowaway on the Titanic, which means we know the ending from the beginning, which kept me in suspense the whole time. </p><p>Every time a new character was introduced on the page I wondered, "Will they be alive at the end of the book or not?" knowing that it was unlikely that everyone would survive. </p><p>As always, Ms. Nielson is impeccable with her research and weaves in the details of that fateful night without coming across like a boring history lecture. </p><p>I can always trust Ms. Nielson to write complex characters with heart that I can relate to. </p><p>So many factors went into that failed sailing. </p><p>If you want to learn about the Titanic in an engaging way, this is the right book. Excellent for both teens and adults. </p><p>I recommend the audiobook. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/IcebergLS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;">As disaster looms on the horizon, a young stowaway onboard the </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 700 !important;">Titanic</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;"> will need all her courage and wits to stay alive. A thrilling tale from </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 700 !important;">New York Times</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700 !important;"> bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Hazel Rothbury is traveling all alone from her home in England aboard the celebrated ship </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Titanic</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">. Following the untimely death of her father, Hazel’s mother is sending her to the US to work in a factory, so that she might send money back home to help her family make ends meet.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">But Hazel harbors a secret dream: She wants to be a journalist, and she just knows that if she can write and sell a story about the </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Titanic's</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> maiden voyage, she could earn enough money to support her family and not have to go to a sweatshop. When Hazel discovers that mother didn’t send her with enough money for a ticket, she decides she must stow away onboard the storied ship.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">With the help of a porter named Charlie and a sweet first-class passenger named Sylvia, Hazel explores the opulent ship in secret, but a haunting mystery quickly finds her. The danger only intensifies when calamity strikes, and readers will be caught up in the terror and suspense alongside Hazel as she fights to save her friends and herself.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen weaves an extraordinary tapestry of survival and disaster in this magnificent thriller.</span></p>Lisa Swintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13379546805837841144noreply@blogger.com0