Lovers At Heart Book Blast

**Please note that this is not the type of book I usually promote. I am part of a book blast series for this author.  With the first books I have checked out samples and found them intriguing. I haven't yet checked out Lovers at Heart and thus can not vouch for them personally yet.**

Synopsis 

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+** Lovers at Heart is a steamy contemporary romance with alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable for readers who enjoy adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction. Enjoy Lovers at Heart as a stand-alone novel or for more enjoyment, read the entire Love and Bloom series (nine full-length novels featuring the Snow Sisters and the Bradens).

Handsome, wealthy resort owner Treat Braden is used to getting what he wants. When Max Armstrong walked into his life six months earlier, he saw right through the efficient and capable façade she wore like a shield, to the sweet, sensual woman who lay beneath. She sparked an unfamiliar desire in him for more than a one-night stand, leaving his heart reeling and his blood boiling. But one mistake caused her to turn away, and now, after six months of longing for the one woman he cannot have, he’s going home to try to forget her all together.Max Armstrong has a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, and she’s never needed a man to help her find her way–until Treat Braden caught her attention at a wedding in Nassau, causing a surge of emotions too reminiscent of the painful past she’d spent years trying to forget. Max will do anything to avoid reliving that pain–including forgoing her toe-curling, heart-pounding desire for Treat.When a chance encounter turns into a night of intense passion, Treat realizes that the mistake he made six months earlier may cause him to lose Max completely. He will do everything within his power to win her heart forever–and Max is forced to face her hurtful past head on for the man she cannot help but love.

Watch for the full LOVE IN BLOOM series:

.

SNOW SISTERS

Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White

.

THE BRADENS

Lovers at Heart
Destined for Love
Friendship on Fire
Sea of Love
Bursting with Love
Hearts at Play

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18690048-lovers-at-heart?from_search=true

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Heart-Love-Bloom-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00G0ZRN18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386643632&sr=8-1&keywords=lovers+at+heart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Foster is the New York Times Best Selling author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

GIVEAWAY:

Must be 18+ To Enter due to mature content | Open Internationally

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Allegiant Review

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Visit the author's website HERE
Goodreads Summary:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. 

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent

I bought the hardcover edition of this book. Buy it today on Amazon for $11.51 (12/14/13)

My Thoughts:
**Spoilers Warning:** If you have yet to read this book, try to avoid all reviews unless it specifically states 'no spoilers' and it is from a reviewer you can trust. Too many readers have accidentally discovered the ending to this book. That said, in my review here I will do my best not to state any specifics, but will probably allude to things. If you wish to avoid any foreknowledge before reading this novel: BE AWARE!

After clicking through reviews on Goodreads, I think I can safely state that Allegiant was a letdown for most readers. I, myself, bought this book the day after it came out, yet found myself too anxious to start reading. Here was the book we had been waiting for all year! I felt there was so much built up expectations, pressure, preconceived notions....(Sidebar: Authors/Publishers need to quit doing this. More and more the last book in a series is my least favorite because I have so much time to build up expectations that just aren't met).

Allegiant started off with a bang, typical Divergent series style, which quickly and easily led to getting past the fence. Once our band of characters were in the Outside World, it was like a whole new series. Readers get the answers they were looking for all wrapped up in a shiny package. Roth then moves on and the city of Chicago becomes background noise. Instead we are shoved into this new world that is even more messed up and crazy then the Factions were. It was a new world, with new secondary characters, but the same exact struggle: overthrow the government. More creepy, controlling, meddling government ruining it all for everyone. To be fair, it was all interesting in it's own right, but it just wasn't 'Divergent' anymore.

Then of course the biggest piece of news: Dual perspectives; reading from both Tris and Four's voices. From the moment I heard Roth was writing from Four's perspective as well, I was weary. Why would we need to see the story from his eyes? What could happen in the plot to make it necessary? Not to mention it would be a crazy break from the previous books, would it gel? I commend Roth for being brave to insist upon it and even attempting it.

But let's be real...

Four's perspective was annoying.

Previous to Allegiant, Four was a figure we could drool over, strong, yet with *four* weaknesses, just enough to make him real. Now he is portrayed as some weak, emotional newbie following Tris around like a sad, lost puppy. His character development over the series was just backwards. Divergent Four I can love, Allegiant Four I want to flick like a booger. Ahem. Obviously I am emotional about it.

And after reading the end, it makes sense Roth insisted on having Four's voice. If someone sat down to really think about it, knowing dual perspectives are going to be used could give some giant hints as to the ending. But it also caused me to disassociate from the story. Flipping back and forth between depressing Four and strong-willed Tris was jarring, obnoxious, and frankly didn't add much to the story.

As to the ending, I am not in a huff about it, but I know a lot of people are. I was dismayed and bewildered, but hardly surprised. I mostly felt horrible for Four. Like much of the plot, the ending was predictable from pretty far out. The plot is the third low point for me. It was unoriginal, far too similar to Divergent and Insurgent even though in the Outside World, things could have been...well anything really! But, it was also highly predictable. As the story progressed, I even said out loud "Well, why don't you use the memory serum??" And like eight chapters later?? They finally used the memory serum.

Even worse, personally? This book ruined my reading life. I put off reading it for quite some time, was nervous to progress, and then eventually had to force myself to finish. It put a sour taste in my mouth for reading overall. While not reading Allegiant, I was reading a non-fic book as well, that while fantastic, was slow going. The two combined together .... so now I am trying to slowly move back into a comfortable reading life.

Conclusion: I calculated this book as a 2.8, but kindly rounded up to 3 Stars. I recommend this to readers who need to finish the series. I would still recommend Divergent and Insurgent to others with a cautionary warning about the series ending.

Favorite Books for a 13 Month Old

Hello Dear Book Blogging Buddies!

I notice that so many of us have been off on hiatus for undetermined amounts of time, myself included. My computer is now tucked away in a far, distant corner of the house that I never seem to get too. Keeping up with the sheer number of blogs I had subscribed too was also overwhelming my Feedly (and phone!). My reading life also has come to a screeching halt thanks in part to two books that scared me (more on that later!)

So I will be slowly breaking the ice again, starting with this simple post highlighting my Baby Girl's recent faves. Baby Girl will be 14 months in a week, but already her love of books is shining through. She sits in her pile of books and flips through the pages non-stop and now as she learns to jabber, reads them aloud to herself while pointing at all the pictures. Baby Girl goes through phases where she will love one book the most, and then another, so here is a list of her recent faves!



Quack! Quack! published by Priddy Books
This is also one of my fave touchy feely books I've found. Far too often the feely spots are so tiny and thus not nearly enjoyable enough. We have a pretty old copy on our shelf, but the fur and feelies are still fresh and fluffy! I was excited to find similiar books on Amazon, including this puppy book since Baby Girl loves to sign 'puppy'.


I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rosetti-Shustak & illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
I note the illustrator here because Baby Girl and I have loved several of Church's works, most of all this one as well. This book has adorable pictures, but the rhyme is also easy to engage baby with. For example, it reads 'I love your fingers and toes, ears and nose.' It is easy and fun to point to those body parts on your baby. Brings out a quick smile, and subtly teaches body parts and emotions. One page is a close up of the boy's face, which I will publicly admit Baby Girl loves to kiss :)


Puppy BOO! by Sarah Phillips 
As previously mentioned, puppies are Baby Girl's favorite animal. Combine them with a form of peek-a-boo, and you are made in the shade! The best part for me that she can't pull out the sliders herself yet, which means mommy daughter reading time!!


1, 2, 3 Count with Me from Sesame Workshop
Bright colors, a plethora of animals, and a big ole party at the end, this book easily capture's Baby Girl's attention. I enjoy this book because it teaches counting, animals names, and animal signs. Because of this book, Baby Girl learned to sign 'elephant' and 'puppy'!


Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
I will end with a seasonal fave....well...our only seasonal book so far! We bought this one to start of the collection, and luckily it has been a hit! Simple pictures and easy rhymes teach Baby Girl the reason for the season. This is also another book where she is beginning to learn some signs, for example it is helping her learn 'baby' and 'mommy'. She also gets a kick out of all mommy's attempted animal sounds :)


Before wishing you a fantastic Tuesday, check out these posts for older kids from two of my favorite bloggers The Deliberate Reader and Modern Mrs. Darcy.

Have a fantastic Tuesday!! 

Sisters In White Book Blast

Book Three in the Snow Sisters Series! Check out the post for Book Two Sisters in Bloom!

Synopsis:
Danica and Kaylie Snow are about to celebrate the biggest day of their lives—their double wedding—on an island in the Bahamas. But no wedding is complete without a little family drama. The two sisters aren’t ready to face the father they haven’t seen since he divorced their mother and moved away to marry his mistress, and live with Lacy, the half sister they've never met.

While Danica has exchanged letters and phone calls with Lacy, Kaylie has fervently tried to pretend she doesn't exist. Lacy is sweet, fun, and nearly a mirror image of Kaylie. To make matters worse, not only is Lacy looking forward to meeting her sisters, but she idolizes them, too. As the countdown to the wedding date ticks on, their parents are playing a devious game of revenge, and there’s a storm brewing over the island, threatening to cancel their perfect wedding. The sisters are about to find out if the bond of sisterhood really trumps all.

Book Links: 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18242157-sisters-in-white?from_search=true

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-White-Love-Bloom-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00FQYJPXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384264223&sr=8-1&keywords=sisters+in+white

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sisters-in-white-melissa-foster/1117118587?ean=2940148419204

Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor

Website: http://www.melissafoster.com/

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Before I Met You

Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell
Visit the author's website HERE
Goodreads Summary:

Having grown up on the quiet island of Guernsey, Betty Dean can't wait to start her new life in London. On a mission to find Clara Pickle - the mysterious beneficiary in her grandmother's will - she arrives in grungy, 1990s Soho, ready for whatever life has to throw at her. Or so she thinks... 

In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette - Betty's grandmother - is starting her new life in a time of post-war change. Beautiful and charismatic, Arlette is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But less than two years later, tragedy strikes and she flees back to Guernsey for the rest of her life.

As Betty searches for Clara, she is taken on a journey through Arlette's extraordinary time in London, uncovering a tale of love, loss and heartbreak. Will the secrets of Arlette's past help Betty on her path to happiness? 

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Find if for your Kindle today for $10.38 (11/8/13).


My Thoughts:
I feel the need to be very frank and upfront first:  The one redeeming quality about this book were the 'flashback' scenes about Arlette, set in the 1920s. I feel this needs to be said first to get it out of the way, the rest of this review will take the long way around to point out this simple fact. Read this statement and check out the 'recommend' for at the end, and you are good to go.

So. 'Before I Met You' is mostly a story about Betty, a Guernsey girl trying to find her way in London in the 1990s. She spent most of her teenage and young adult life taking care of her elderly and dying grandmother, Arlette. Upon Arlette's death, a mysterious beneficiary named Clara Pickle is to inherit a substantial amount of money. Betty sets off to find Clara, and in turn discover more about her late, grumpy grandmother. 

As Betty makes her way and begins to taste life, we also get to glimpse Arlette's life, set in the bohemian 1920s of London life. Arlette, as well, is working on finding her own life and discovering who and what she is made of. Betty's boring life of a dingy flat, job flipping burgers, and even the most exciting thing about her: nanny-ing for a rock star, completely pales in comparison to the rock-and-roll lifestyle that Arlette experiences. Arlette is making weird, artsy friends, falling in love with a 'colored' man (giant gasp for that time period!), hitting up the jazz clubs, and running into some huge, disappointing surprises. The mystery of Clara Pickle truly unfolds here. I found myself constantly wanting to skip over boring Betty to jump back into the glitz and glam of her grandmother. 

Betty's story is nothing special. She leaves behind her boring island to try and find some glitz and glam of her own. She drinks and smokes a lot, falls into the lap of recently divorced rock star and becomes his childrens' nanny. Along the way she slowly, and quietly falls for a 'normal boring' boy who sells records outside her building. Wow. That sounds a lot cooler than it turned out to be.

This bland coming of age story only served to remind me why I am drifting away from 'adult' fiction. The writing is too arbitrary, too descriptive over silly details trying to pull in all my senses, yet keeping me distanced from the characters. Also, I really stumbled over a lot of the vocabulary. The time period verbiage, the fact that it is a British novel, and the author trying to use 'literary words' made for a lot of stumbling points for me. 


Officially rated as 2.5 stars. Recommended for fans of coming of age-esque stories, 1920 jazz age historical love stories, and people who don't mind a slooow read. 

A Talent for Trouble

A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano
Visit her website HERE
Goodreads Summary:

Miss Felicia Murdock firmly believed her destiny was to become a minister's wife. When the minister on whom she had set her sights marries another lady, Felicia is forced to take a close look at her life and comes to a few uncomfortable conclusions. Determined that something needs to change--and soon--Felicia discovers she is finally ready to spread her wings and embrace life the way she's always wanted. 

Grayson Sumner--or Lord Sefton, as he's officially known--has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a normal, respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some well-meaning friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter a young lady who seems to have become quite adventurous and quite determined to get herself into all sorts of troublesome situations. 

Intent on remaining independent, Felicia is reluctant to accept Grayson's help, especially as she finds herself developing feelings for him. However, just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in her life has endangered Felicia. Will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?/

I received this novel from the publisher via Netgalley. Find it on Amazon in paperback for $9.81 (11/8/13)

My Thoughts:

A Talent for Trouble is a fun Historical Christian Romance.

Felicia is a fun loving, crazy, impulsive girl who has spent the last four years of her life pining after a Reverend who happily marries someone else. What ensues next is her 'awakening' to the fact that she was pretending to be someone else for 4 years and now has to discover who she is and what she really wants. 

Grayson is a rich (of course) Lord from England with a complicated and shady past. This past of course, tries to keep him from developing his feelings for Felicia. I might add that his story is probably the only part of the book that gives us a historical glimpse of America and New York at the time. Let me hint at the larger pieces: Chinese, opium, and stolen gems. Intriguing, no?

The secondary characters are fun and well developed, each having a past of their own (this is the third in the Ladies of Distinction series by Turano. No need to read the previous books to enjoy this one however)or will soon have a book written for them I am sure. Felicia's mom is loving yet meddling, her brothers are protectors yet distant, and all her friends are loyal, loving, and willing to let Felicia be Felicia. 

I really enjoyed Grayson's past; it was truly a little sketch. I also liked the pace of the book, not too slow but not too fast. Some scenes seemed unnecessary at first, yet upon further thinking the book was really about Felicia's development into her true self. With this perspective the scenes made more sense. The tension between Grayson and Felicia was not over the top to the point of annoying, so it was fun to watch them finally develop and admit feelings for each other. 

One of other things I enjoyed about this novel was the touch of humor. The circumstances the characters get into and some of the misunderstandings had just the right nuances to make it truly a fun read. Dialogue between characters was quick, witty, and delightful. 

My biggest hang up with 'A Talent for Trouble'?? Sadly, the main character, Felicia, herself. She was waaay too over the top crazy and weird for the time period given (1880s is my understanding). Some of her actions would have seriously landed her in the looney bin for this time period and she was too abrupt and seemed to have no stopper on her mouth. I found it incredibly hard to believe this story wasn't set in at least the mid 1900s. It was also really hard for me to relate to Felicia at all. It seemed she was too purposeful about finding mayhem, a bit childish even, and honestly annoyed me. There is fun-loving, and then there is rude and childish. Felicia was definitely in the latter category.

I think it is a bit telling about a novel and it's author when I don't like their MC, so I am not sure I will read more from Turano. From reading other reviews, it sounds like the first two books in this series are highly similar to this one in plot and character personality. If I ran across another Turano book, I might read it, but I won't go looking for one. 

Yet, after reading that little warning, let me note that this book is worth picking up at the library! The plot and pacing were great, the secondary characters fun and full of live, and Grayson is truly gentleman-ly. This mixture of 'blah' and 'yay!' are what earned this book a 3 star rating from me!

Recommend for lovers of the genre who also enjoy strong female characters who have a serious talent for trouble :)

Sisters In Bloom Book Blast

Synopsis 
You loved Danica and Kaylie in SISTERS IN LOVE, find out what happens next with
SISTERS IN BLOOM

Kaylie Snow has always been the fun, flirty, pretty sister. Now, her burgeoning baby bump, hormone infused emotions, and faltering singing career are sending her into an unexpected identity crisis. Watching her older sister Danica glide through a major career change and a new relationship with the grace of a ballerina, Kaylie’s insecurities rise to the forefront—and her relationship, with fiancé Chaz Crew, is caught in the crossfire.

Chaz Crew has everything he’s ever wanted: a lovely fiancé, a baby on the way, and soon, the film festival he owns will host its biggest event ever. When he’s called away to woo the festival’s largest sponsor—and the lover he’s never admitted to having—secrets from his past turn his new life upside down.

With her baby shower around the corner, and her fiancé’s big event looming, the pressure is on for Kaylie to pull herself together—and for Chaz to right his wrongs. In a few short weeks, the couple who had it all figured out will learn things about life and love that may change their minds—and their hearts.

SISTERS IN BLOOM is a testament to the bond of sisters, the strength of women, and the pains and delights that accompany motherhood. A book for every mother, sister, and daughter, SISTERS IN BLOOM will resonate with readers who love to explore family dramas

Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18242154-sisters-in-bloom?from_search=true
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Series-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B00F24NJY8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1379876613&sr=8-4&keywords=melissa+foster
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sisters-in-bloom-melissa-foster/1116861270?ean=9780989050869




Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

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