Blog Archives

Review: The Lady Travelers Guide to Deception with an Unlikely Earl

1/28/2019

The Lady Travelers Guide to Deception with an Unlikely Earl
by Victoria Alexander

Synopsis

Harry Armstrong has spent years in Egypt, recovering relics and disregarding rules. Now he’s back in England with a new title and a new purpose: penning his exploits. But his efforts are overshadowed by London’s favorite writer about Egypt—a woman they call The Queen of the Desert, of all things. Worse, her stories—serialized in newspapers and reprinted in books—are complete rubbish.

Miss Sidney Honeywell didn’t set out to deceive anyone. It’s not her fault readers assumed her Tales of a Lady Adventurer in Egypt were real! Admitting her inadvertent deception now would destroy her reputation and her livelihood. But when the Earl of Brenton challenges her to travel to Egypt to prove her expertise, accompanied by his dashing, arrogant nephew, what choice does she have but to pack her bags?

With the matchmaking founders of the Lady Travelers Society in tow, Harry is determined to expose Sidney’s secret. But the truth might not be as great a revelation as discovering that love can strike even the most stubborn of hearts.

Review

I believe this book is part of a series - I have not read any others, so please keep that in mind!

Historical romances were never my "cup of tea" (see what I did there?) about two years ago - but now, I am happy to say that I am an ecstatic convert to the genre. I enjoy the subtlety, the chivalry, and the rebellion of their heroines - no matter how fictitious the stories (unlike how it probably was...). The Lady Travelers Guide... was truly a breath of fresh air in a genre that I am getting well acquainted with. It provided, along with its romance, a whirlwind of adventure and some mystery. It was quite funny having the side characters join Sidney and Harry. They definitely provided much of the humor and helped move along the story. As for the hero and heroine - what can I say? I am a sucker for the main characters having a secret hiding from the other. Usually the books I read have this going only one way (i.e. the guy is hiding something from the woman), but in this case, we see both hiding something from the other. Hijinks ensue.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to give historical romances a try, and to any already-lovers of historicals who would like some adventure with their romance!

1 Comment

Review: Pretty in Punxsutawney

1/24/2019

1 Comment

Pretty in Punxsutawney
by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Synopsis

A Groundhog Day meets Pretty in Pink mashup from author Laurie Boyle Crompton, Pretty in Punxsutawney tells the tale of a girl willing to look beneath the surface to see people for who they really are.

Andie is the type of girl who always comes up with the perfect thing to say…after it’s too late to say it. She’s addicted to romance movies—okay, all movies—but has yet to experience her first kiss. After a move to Punxsutawney, PA, for her senior year, she gets caught in an endless loop of her first day at her new school, reliving those 24 hours again and again.

Convinced the curse will be broken when she meets her true love, Andie embarks on a mission: infiltrating the various cliques to find the one boy who can break the spell. What she discovers along the way is that people who seem completely different can often share the very same hopes, dreams, and hang-ups. And that even a day that has been lived over and over can be filled with unexpected connections and plenty of happy endings.

Review

Any book that starts with a dedication to THE Molly Ringwald is definitely a book I can get behind. Those were my exact thoughts as I opened this lovely book.

How can I describe Pretty in Punx? It is basically everything I ever wanted in a book that I didn't know I wanted.

The story is about Andie, a girl on the brink of her first day of her senior year in a brand new high school in a brand new town. She's a movie buff - with a special love for all things John Hughes thanks to her mother. Being the movie buff that she is, Andie visits the only theater in her new town - which is where she meets Colton, the cutie that works behind the counter. The more she spends time with him, the more she just knows they are meant to be together. She's just waiting for the special moment when their meet-cute turns into something more. Andie has only the best expectations when Colton agrees to give her a tour of the school on her first day. Little did Andie know, however, that she'd be re-living her first day over and over again. Intent on breaking the curse or whatever it is, she tries to make that first love happen - because surely, that's what she needs to do...right?

This book is too good to ruin it for you readers. I know I am no stranger to the spoiler, but I love the great blend between John Hughes' teen rom coms and Groundhog Day. This book is perfect for the movie buff who loves old and new movies alike. There is simply something special about people who love movies and Pretty in Punx displays that magnificently. Not only does it do a great job of just being a lovely fun read, it also brings to light how we see other people and how we feel about them and ourselves. Perspective is truly the key.

And now I have to go watch some John Hughes movies. Bye for now!

1 Comment

Review: Dr. Arthur Spohn: Surgeon, Inventor, and Texas Medical Pioneer

1/20/2019

2 Comments

I need to start off by saying I love reading biographies, and memoirs. I love learning about people! And in going into any nonfiction book, it is important to know that some areas may seem dry with all its facts and figures - but ultimately, you have to remember that these bits matter when you're learning about your subject.

In the case of this book, Dr. Spohn was a fascinating person to read about. He had a wealthy background, sure, but what struck me the most interesting was his commitment to treat anyone who needed it - whether they could "afford" it or not. To do this during a time where the technology we have today didn't exist is just astounding. That's the other plus of reading about Dr. Spohn's life - you also learn so much about the medical field before everything we know now. I learned extensive information about how very different being a doctor was back then to what appears to be now than I did before picking up this book.

This book is best for people who love to learn about other people, and ESPECIALLY if you have a specific interest in medical history. It is written in a way that flows and that the average (i.e. non-doctor lol) can understand. Definitely worth picking up!

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
1/15/19
Promo
Hall Ways Blog

1/16/19
Review
Reading by Moonlight

1/17/19
Scrapbook Page
All the Ups and Downs

1/18/19
Guest Post
That's What She's Reading

1/19/19
Review
Forgotten Winds

1/20/19
Excerpt
The Clueless Gent

1/21/19
Review
Book Fidelity

1/22/19
Excerpt
Kelly Well Read

1/23/19
Guest Post
Chapter Break Book Blog

1/24/19
Review
StoreyBook Reviews

2 Comments

Cover Reveal: Handle With Care

1/18/2019

0 Comments

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
Social Media Links:

Look for Handle With Care to be available August 27, 2019!

Click here for more information!

An Excerpt

NOTE: This is an unedited excerpt and is subject to change.

I’m startled out of my thoughts when my brother jumps up and shouts a bunch of profane nonsense, hands flailing like he’s trying to swim on land, or approximate the chicken dance while on an LSD trip.

“You can’t do this! It’s absolute bullshit!” Armstrong yells.

I look around the table, trying to piece together what I missed.

“I’m sorry, Armstrong. I know this is a shock, but we feel it’s in the company’s best interest to put Lincoln at the helm during this transitional stage,” G-mom says firmly.

At the helm? I look to G-mom who’s busy not looking at me.

Armstrong jabs at finger at himself. “But I’m the one who’s put in all the time here! I deserve to run the company! Lincoln doesn’t know the first thing about Moorehead. All he knows how to do is dig wells and forage for food in the wilderness. How are those valuable assets here?” He turns his attention to our mother. “Did you know about this? How can you let this happen? Look at him. How can that be the face of our company? He looks like he crawled out of a gutter and mugged a twenty-year-old college kid on a bender. How is this better for our bottom line?”

My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Armstrong, but this decision wasn’t mine to make. I know this is hard for you, but your grandmother and fath—”

Armstrong stomps his foot, exactly as a toddler would. “The company is mine! Lincoln can’t have it!”

I raise a hand, half to quiet my brother and also to find out what the freaking deal is. “Whoa, let’s back this bus up. Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“You’ve been appointed as the CEO of Moorehead Media, according to the will,” Christophe—no R, because that would make it far too pedestrian a name—my father’s lawyer says.

I’m working on trying to remain calm as I address my grandmother. “You didn’t say anything about me being CEO. You said you needed my help.”

“Running the company, yes,” she says through a practiced, stiff smile.

It’s her warning face, but seriously, when she said she needed my help for a few months I figured it meant I’d be keeping Armstrong in line while she sorted out who was going to take over the company, which I realize now was a stupid assumption.

“I didn’t think that meant CEO. How am I going to run a company with this dickhead on staff?” I motion to my brother.

“The name calling is unnecessary,” G-mom replies.

“Lincoln’s not even part of this family! He hasn’t attended one event in the past five years except for Dad’s funeral. He didn’t bother coming to my wedding and now he’s going to run the company? How is that fair?”

I snort. “Your wedding was an expensive joke.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I was set up. Amalie had cold feet and made me out to look like the bad guy.”

The woman beside him shoots him disgusted look.

Armstrong clears his throat and tugs at his collar. “My wedding is not the real issue. The point is that you’ve never involved yourself in any part of this family and now you think you can come in and take over. I will not stand by and let this happen!” He keeps jabbing his finger at me, as if he’s engaged in a finger sword fight.

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers behind my neck. Armstrong has always been reactive. And self-absorbed. For a while it seemed like he finally had it together—back when he was engaged. But ever since that fiasco of a wedding he seems to have come completely unglued. Again. But worse this time. “Someone needs a timeout.”

0 Comments

Review: Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe

1/18/2019

2 Comments

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe
by Carla Laureano

Genre: Christian Fiction; Contemporary; Romance

Synopsis

From the RITA Award–winning author of Five Days in Skye comes a sweet, romantic treat that will leave you hungry for more.

Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.

Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.

Review

This is quite unlike the other romance books I read and review. I mean - there's no naked guy on the cover, for one. And you will not find any sex within it's pages. However, setting all that aside (because I do not believe a book needs to have sex in order for it to be a worthwhile romance), this was a lovely book about Melody, a woman yearning to return to Paris to open up her own bakery, and Justin, a pilot finding a relationship when that is the last thing he's wanting.

We learn so much about these two as they navigate dating and a relationship. From similarities and differences, to real life obstacles of decisions and change - we experience it all with these characters.

Since this is a Christian romance (definitely a FIRST for this blog), there is mentioning of God. I say this knowing that not all my readers may want to read about God (I respect all, y'all).

I recommend this book to everyone and anyone wanting to read a heartfelt romance with real-life obstacles - especially if you enjoy a book that has to do with food and baking! Truly a lovely read.

2 Comments