Tag Archives: contemporary

A Leap of Faith by Nell Castle (Book Review)

 
Desperate times call for desperate measures. 
 

At her core, merchandising maven Sophia Anton is an old-fashioned girl. To start a family by age 30, she’ll do what’s needed to make sparks fly with an old friend—including a crash diet. But when Sophia meets Jackson Thomas, the handsome new minister in town, she quickly finds she’s playing with fire. Sophia’s new look is working like a charm to snag the man of her dreams, so why is it Jackson’s face she sees when she closes her eyes?

Jackson, whose troubled past has led him to adopt a life of celibacy, never expects to feel hot under the collar for a woman of his own parish. How can Jackson dream of a future with Sophia after he’s shut the door on love?

 
 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
This book is a prime example illustrating how imperfect humans are. 
 
In “A Leap of Faith”, Sophia attempted  to become the perfect woman for Christopher by losing an unhealthy amount of weight by basically eating like a baby bird. Why? I didn’t see his appeal. He was a man whose needs came first. I would say ‘love is blind’ but I don’t think she truly loved him and he never loved her.
 
I understand her desire to become a mother but haven’t we all learned a marriage is doomed to fail without love and why even consider bringing a child into that situation. 
 
As for Pastor Jackson, he showed an imperfection by lying when he said, “Actually, I’ve got my eye on a couple women.” He also broke the tenth commandment, Thou Shall Not Covet.  
 
Even though there were a few things I didn’t particularly love about A Leap of Faith, there were many areas I did enjoy very much. 
 
1.) Franny and Sam: They were married 50 years before he passed away and anyone could see, feel the love they had for one another. 
2.) Jackson’s lobster picnic idea for Franny and Sam was extremely sweet and romantic. He went above and beyond the duties of a minister. 
3.) This quote: “If we can send a man to the moon, how can we still let kids go to bed hungry?” I couldn’t agree more and that’s why I believe we all should do our part to make sure no one has to wonder if they are eating today. 
 
Nell, I can tell by your book you are a key member of your community and I’m sure they appreciate everything you do and the time you devote to others. 
 
And I appreciate you writing A Leap of Faith —- a book less about romance (for me) and more about helping out your fellow ‘man’ and PAYING IT FORWARD. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nell Castle grew up in western Pennsylvania and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia. Since then, she’s lived in Key West and Anchorage, Virginia Beach and Sarasota. She moved back to northeastern Ohio to raise her kids closer to the family homestead but looks forward to moving to a gentler climate after her youngest graduates. Until then, she revisits white powder beaches and craggy mountain tops only in her writing. She’s submitted a new manuscript to her publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and is currently at work on a novella.

WordPress / Amazon Author Page / The Wild Rose Press

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Law Of Attraction by Darlene Fredette (Book Review)

 

Lawyer Christina Crawford has a successful career and stable financial future, but is it enough? Her world is disrupted when a routine divorce case means working with a man she never expected—or wanted—to see again. During their first meeting, she can’t deny a connection still exists. Her head warns her to run, but her heart yearns to stay.

Steven Mitchell is ruthless in the courtroom, but outside those doors, his easy charm, good looks, and unlimited stream of female companions gives him an unscrupulous reputation. Six years ago, Christina saw beyond his façade, but the emotions she evoked scared him and he pushed her away. Now he wants a second chance and he is determined to get her back…even if he has to play dirty.

 
 PURCHASE LINKS:  KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Five years ago, Christina meets Steven through work, they go from despising each other to liking one another to becoming much more (in a span of three weeks) and is it no wonder why trust wasn’t ever fully achieved. 
 
It takes time and patience to build up trust. Seriously, I don’t think this can be achieved in 3 weeks, especially given their rocky start. (He questioned her character upon their first face-to-face meet.)  
 
He goes from  0-60 without thinking causing him to make one disastrous judgment call after another. All those years ago, his rash actions got her fired, tarnished her reputation, and hurt her in every way possibly.
 
Stephen really needs to learn to think before he speaks. His actions/words keep hurting her, even after they meet again due to a case they are both representing counsel on. 
 
Present day: Stephen’s mouth doesn’t seem to know when to quit. He still hasn’t learned the importance of slowing the eff down.  
 
With their history and his present attitude, I’m thoroughly surprised how quickly she melted in his arms…. again.  
 
As you can guess, I wasn’t a huge fan of their coupling.  
 
Sure, he was sweet towards the end. The letter to her, nice gesture. IMHO, one small gesture doesn’t erase a multitude of  pain. 
 
The only saving grace was Vince. Now him, I couldn’t get enough of and I think you’ll agree with my sentiments after you get a taste of him. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
 PURCHASE LINKS : KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 
 



An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loves to develop the stories swimming in her head. Following a career path in administration, she excelled in the art of editing and design, which eventually led to a position as Director of Administration and Marketing.

Now, making her dream come true to write full time, Darlene writes heartwarming contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners.

Darlene resides on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab. When not working on her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family.

  

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Author Showcase – M.S. Kaye (The Once Series)

Book One
Released July 2, 2016 from Inkspell Publishing.
 
Her first and also her once.
Jonathan and Rebecca’s paths cross at exactly the right moment, when each most needs to hear what the other has to say.
But Jonathan is three days from entering the priesthood, and Rebecca leaves him to his peace. But he is unable to find peace.
Without each other’s comfort and strength, they must each struggle to forge a new path, with only memories of the one day that changed everything.
But are they able to forget and let go?
—> Kindle Purchase Link <–
 
 
Book Two
Released TODAY from Inkspell Publishing.
 
She was once his secret desire… Will she be again?

Father Aiden, an ex-marine and new priest, falls in love with Maylynn, but he struggles to stay away from her. He’s successful for many years, though he can’t keep her out of his dreams.
Then one day she shows up for a pre-marital counselling session with her fiancé, Davis. Aiden soon realizes Davis isn’t who he says he is, but what does that mean for Maylynn, and for himself?
 

Get your KINDLE copy today at  Amazon.
Add to your to-read on Goodreads.
 
 
Once & Forever, book
three
Releasing December 2016 from Inkspell
Publishing.
 
Eden, a nun, is constantly struggling against her dark past of living on the streets, and her attraction to Trace, an ex-convict farm worker. After a twelve-year separation, Eden is finally reunited with her brother, Thomas, but why hadn’t she reached out to him in all those years? As Eden and Trace grow closer, confessing their pasts to each other, will they be able to resist getting too close?
 
~~ Excerpt~~ 
 
“You’re studying to be a priest?”
He made himself meet her eyes. “I am a priest.”
She let go of his hand and stepped back.
Her smiled was tight. “I’m glad you found your
path.”
Quiet.
He couldn’t quite read her expression. The distance
between them felt like a gorge chiseled into the earth.
“Are you all right, Maylynn?” he asked.
“I’m really happy for you.” Then she added, “Father
Aiden.”
For some reason, her words stabbed him in the gut.
He usually liked when people used his title—it seemed to imply a certain amount
of trust.
“I’m sorry, Maylynn.” He wasn’t entirely sure why
he was apologizing. He just didn’t like to see her uncomfortable.
“I’m happy for you,” she repeated.
Then he realized what the problem was. He hadn’t
anticipated this.
He moved closer. “I’m so sorry.”
Her forced smile finally dropped. “Why didn’t you
tell me sooner?”
“It didn’t occur to me…”
“That I might be attracted to you?”
“Yes.”
“Why aren’t you wearing your collar?” Anger
prickled the edge of her voice.
“My mother’s last wish was that I find my father.
I’ve been following her notes. She was convinced he was somewhere in this
area.”
“Wait… Your mother’s name was Adalina?”
He nodded. With the number of times the shelter was
mentioned in the notes, he figured his mother and Maylynn had met.
A pause.
Anger flashed in her eyes. “You still should’ve
told me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why’d you play with me like that?”
“I swear that wasn’t my intent.”
“You knew damn well what was going on. Was it a
game—see if you still had it? If you could still get the chicks?”
Under the anger in her eyes, he saw the hurt. He
swore he could feel it exactly, as if it was his own.
He shifted even closer, just in front of her. “I’m
sorry,” he said again. His voice lowered, quieted. “I didn’t see what you were
feeling because I was fighting so hard myself. I still am.”
“Fighting what?”
“What I felt the first time I saw you, what I’m
still feeling.”
She waited, glaring at him.
“I’m attracted to you,” he said. “Intensely.”
 
 
 
 
M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.
To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website.

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Interview with Brenda Ashworth Barry

      Welcome, Brenda Ashworth Barry❣
 
 
1. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?
 
     (Brenda) I started my business in writing, about six years ago. However, I’ve been writing since childhood. I was always a bookworm and loved reading. I think it was my love of reading that lead to my writing my six book saga.  I have always loved, storytelling and creative writing in college. One day after having a dream over and over again about two kids on a railroad track and how they meet. A story was born.
 
2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.
 
(Brenda) I wish I could. With my Seasons Saga, I never had it, because the story was born in my dreams and I had the entire saga inside my mind. Now, that I’m writing my new book, I am indeed having some blocks. What I do is pretend to know what I’m going to write and just start writing. I think the most important thing is to write something every day, even if you don’t know where it’s going. Pretend you do.
 
 
 
3. Contrary to what some people envision about a romance writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
 
(Brenda) Travel, playing with our two dogs, spending time with my parents and getting ready to take a long trip in our RV. I love to swim and workout. And because we eat naturally, that takes time to prepare the meals. My husband and I have a very peaceful life and we are looking forward to traveling in our motor home.
 
4. I know many writers, such as myself, keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?  
 
(Brenda) My family has been wonderful. One of my cousins is a BETA reader, and my friends have been there, working as my street team. It’s been amazing at the support I have had around me. They know my ideas for books as soon as I get them.
 
5. Will you share with us your all-time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
 
(Brenda)  
  1. Louise May Alcott  
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien  
  3. Jack London  
  4. Marshall Saunders  
  5. RaeAnne Thayne (Kam: Good writer.) 
  6. Debbie Macomber (Kam: I ♥ her books.)
  7. Susan Wiggs  
  8. Joyce Sterling Scarbrough
  9. Robyn Carr.  (Kam: She proudly displayed on my bookshelf, too.) 
  10. Nickolas Sparks
6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?
 
(Brenda) I would love to see Seasons of Love and War go to the big screen. The main actor would be Thor Knai as Kaylob, who is wonderful and allows me to use his pictures for Kaylob, and Bella Thorne as Beth Ann.
 
 

Seasons Of Love And War Book One, is a historical family saga and epic love story. Childhood sweethearts Beth Ann Rose and Kaylob Shawn O’Brien just want to get married and pursue their dream careers, but the Vietnam War changes everything when Kaylob is drafted into the Army and declared dead. Beth Ann has a complete emotional melt down and starts to have visions of him in the jungles of Vietnam. Is he alive or has she completely lost her mind?

 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now? That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I swear it’ll go no further.
 
(Brenda) I’m working on a book called. Finding my Heart. It’s about a young lady who is a two time survivor of breast cancer and it’s come back for a third time. There is so much more to this story than cancer. It’s about love and how healing one’s heart can often heal one’s body. The main character is Starla Moon and she is finding her way in a town that she stumbled into. It’s a romance novel, but so much more. I just signed a contract with, Satin press for that one. 
(Kam: Congrats!!) 
 
8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular reading order? 
 
(Brenda) Yes, you can find them at Amazon, Melange LLC, Barnes and Nobles and my website. The reading order.
(Kam: Click on the book titles to be redirected to Amazon)
 
  1. Seasons of Love and War 
  2. December Road 
  3. The Journey of Elizabeth Ann Rose(Prequel) 
  4. June’s Stolen Rose 
  5. April’s Secret Storm 
  6. The Season of Forever (Coming soon in 2016)
 
 
And there may be a book Seven in the next few years.
 
 
9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you? 
 
(Brenda) They can contact me on facebook or sunsetsky52@aol.com. Also, www.brendaashworthbarry.com
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
 
(Brenda) Just remember if you are a writer. Never ever give up. It took me five years to get done with my Saga. Almost six. I had no idea how to write a book. So just hang in there and never be afraid to ask a friend or another writer to help you out.  I love writing so much and the only regret I have is, I didn’t start sooner.
 
Kam: Brenda, you have given aspiring writers some great advice. If you have a dream, keep pursuing it until the dream becomes reality. Never stop reaching for the stars!! 
 
Ladies and gents, I hope you enjoyed my interview with Brenda Ashworth Barry. If so, we want to hear from you. Say hi. Ask a question.  Basically, don’t be shy. 🙂
 
 

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Multi-Author Showcase featuring Hebby Roman & 7 Other Bestselling & Award Winning Authors – (CONTEST INCLUDED)

Man, oh man, are you all in for a treat today. Hebby Roman and her writing companions are here to promote Come Love A Cowboy and, with this promo, they are offering up three prizes. But first, let’s take a peak at anthology.

 

 

 

Overall Blurb with Short Individual Blurbs:
 
Eight stand-alone Contemporary Western Romance novellas from Bestselling and Award Winning Authors. 


From firefighters, bronco busters, and wealthy ranchers to bad boys, we have them all for you! If you’ve ever wanted to fall in love with a sexy, alpha cowboy of today…now’s your chance.
 
Luke’s Fate by Kathleen Ball 
Meg O’Brien hoped never to lay eyes on the one man who broke her heart. To her dismay, Luke Kelly arrives at her ranch a much different and broken man. Can Meg ever forgive his callous treatment of her and help Luke become the man he used to be? 


Grant Me The Moon by Caroline Clemmons 
All Tory Fraser intended was to show her high school history club students a local archeology dig. How could she know the excursion would involve a murder? 


Three for The Win by Keta Diablo 
Hollis should have known better than to fall for a bone-melting man like Stede. He’s gone now and Eli is left to pick up the broken pieces of her life. 

Border Affair by Hebby Roman 
When his partners’ daughter is kidnapped in México, a self-made millionaire must confront his feelings about their affair and the future of their relationship. 

Leaving Necessity by Margo Bond Collins 
Mac has one week to convince his ex-girlfriend Clara not to sell his oil company. In this high-pressure reunion, can they strike love again? 

The Shape of Destiny by Julie A. D’Arcy
A young male shape shifter. A beautiful female ranch owner. Can love be born in a web of deceit? 

Bad Boy, Big Heart by Andrea Downing
She’s a New Yorker escaping her parents. He’s a Wyoming cowboy supporting his dad. One summer, two young people—three months to find love. 

Desert Heat by Patti Sherry-Crews 
A single mother struggling to keep her guest ranch puts her own desires on hold. When a handsome and persistent fireman sets his sights on her, she must decide how much she’s willing to give.
 
 

KINDLE PURCHASE LINK

 

No matter if you live here in the USA or abroad, anyone can be eligible to win one of THREE Amazon gift cards; each worth $10.

Pretty sweet deal, right? 🙂

To enter, all you have to do is leave them a question, comment or simply say hi. Heck, we will accept smiley and winky faces too.

So, whatcha waiting for. Drop them a line!!

(Contest will end Sunday at 11:59 p.m. – central standard time. Winners will be selected Monday, names posted on a comment, and I will send out a congrats email to each of you.  However, I do suggest you follow the posting and check back Monday afternoon to see if you are one of the lucky winners. Emails get lost and you DO NOT want this gift to go unclaimed!)


Good luck!! 

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