One Last Blind Date by Erin Brady ~ My Review

One Last Blind Date by Erin Brady 

Publication Date: May 22nd, 2014 
Publisher: Price Publishing 
Pages: 205 
Received: e-copy from author for my honest review. 
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


"Because when you've found the one, you know it....It's magical the first time you're with him." p. 102

 
Oh my! I just love One Last Blind Date! It’s a super cute, humorous, feel good story! It gave me the warm fuzzies, and I had to go back an re-read the ending again as soon as I finished! I needed to re-live it again right away! 

For her 30th birthday, Sarah receives a membership to SoulMates4Everafter, an online dating service, by her best friend, Amy. Why do married people always think their single friends NEED to be married too? Not thrilled by the prospect, Sarah reluctantly agrees to giving it a try for at least three months. Having trouble just setting up her profile, Sarah calls for technical support. The IT guy, Gabriel, finds himself helping her out way more than his job description calls for, and somehow she’s managed to keep him on the phone for over 45 minutes. Then she weasels out the number for a direct line to him in case she has anymore questions…which, of course, she does.

Soon Sarah has Gabriel’s cell phone number and is calling him daily. They look over potential candidates for her future husband, discuss which ones she should date and then, after every date, she calls and tells him about it! They develop a beautiful friendship over the phone.

After the first few dates don’t go the way Sarah had hoped, she decides just to have some fun and quit looking for Mr. Right! Go on as many dates as she can and enjoy herself. I had to laugh at some of the situations that she finds herself in! But she does meet some interesting people, some of which become life long friends. Topher is my favorite, and even though he’s not husband material for her, they become close friends.

Many of the chapters are from Gabriel’s point of view, and he is falling for Sarah. But he’s been hurt by love before and doesn’t want to get hurt again, so he resists the feelings he has for Sarah. Instead, he will help her find the love of her life …if he can. 

Sarah is also falling for Gabriel. She drops all sorts of hints, but since he doesn’t seem to pick up on any of them, she doesn’t think he’s interested in her. She is worried that once she quits the service she won’t have a reason to talk to Gabriel again. She is sad at the thought of not speaking to him again.

I loved One Last Blind Date! This romantic-comedy is a fun, quick read! Erin Brady has become one of my favorite writers! I love her fun, flirty romances! I think you should give this one a try! 

For those who care to know, this is a clean romance.

FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-copy of the story from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.

Buy at Amazon.
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FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

Connect with Erin Brady

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My Reviews for other books by Erin Brady

The Holiday Gig

The Shopping Swap

...And The Winner Is!

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

W... W... W... Wednesdays ~ July 23, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I am reading Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James. I started this last week but before I got very far into it, I put it aside. Instead, I worked on my bloggiesta list, and decided to read a book for the course I'm taking online. 





What did I recently finish reading? I finished The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. This is the book I read for an English Country House Literature course I'm taking. It was amusing! I was surprised that it didn't feel like it had been written in the late 1800's! 




What do I think I'll read next?  My plan is to read Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet by Marilyn Brant. This is Bingley and Jane's story, and the sequel to Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match (my review). I'm excited to read this! I love Marilyn Brant's books! 






FTC Disclaimer: Book links are to Amazon. I'm an Amazon Associate and should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

What are you reading? I'd love to know!

We are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt ~ My Review

We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt 

Publication Date: May 27th, 2014 
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Sold by: Random House LLC 
Pages: 210 
Received: ARC e-copy from NetGalley for my honest review. 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 
We Are the Goldens is an interesting story about two sisters, Layla and Nell Golden. Told from Nell’s point of view as if she is speaking to Layla; as if the reader is Layla.

Layla and Nell Golden are only about 17 months apart in age, and Nell has always adored Layla. Even calling herself Nellalya, as if they were one. Two years apart in school, Nell is going to be a freshman this year and is thrilled to be going to school with Layla again. It’s going to be a perfect year! They’re even going to play on the same soccer team as Nell made the varsity team. But things aren’t going the way Nell planned, Layla is acting different, and she is pulling away from Nell.

There is something going on, Nell can feel it. Something is not right with Layla. Slowly throughout the year Nell starts putting the pieces together. Layla’s got a secret. A big secret, and when Nell knows what it is she has to decide what to do about it. Because secrets can eat away at you….even if you are keeping them for someone else.

There are a few things I really loved about this story. I loved the way it was told. I loved Nell’s best friend Felix. He is funny and he always reminds Nell that she’s the only one who thinks Layla is perfect. Another thing that I loved is this, Nell talks to two dead boys, Duncan and Parker Creed. The brother’s died when they were 14 and 16 years old. 

I would have liked to see a little more of the story played out. The ending of the story is left up to your imagination. I mean, you're pretty sure you know what’s going to happen, but it’s left open for interpretation.   

I really enjoyed reading We Are the Goldens and read it very quickly! This Young Adult novel is about growing up, making mistakes, and realizing, the sister you idolized ...isn’t so perfect after all.

FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-copy of the story from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.

Buy from Amazon.
Add to goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

Connect with Dana Reinhardt

twitter • website • goodreads

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

Mini Bloggiesta!!! ~ July 2014

 Hey! It's that time again! Bloggiesta!! Time to clean up your blog, and learn some new things! =)

So, this weekend, July 19 and 20th, it's happening! I've tried to keep my calendar cleared for this, but something always seems to come up. But for the most part, I will be working away on my To Do list all weekend! 



Here's what I hope to get done:

• Write at least 2 reviews. - I liked Work Lily's 2012 mini-challenge. Completed! Woot! They are scheduled and ready to go. 
•  Figure out how to use Evernote - past mini-challenge at Joy's Book Blog and Tif Talks Books.
• Comment on other Bloggiesta participant posts.
• Check out the new mini-challenges.
• I've already read through Stormy's Time Management mini-challenge at Book.Blog.Bake, and downloaded the Pomotodo app. I will use this over the weekend and see how it works! I like the idea of this, but after the first day I kept forgetting to use it. I will keep trying. :)
• Work on questions for a guest post on Austenesque Reviews. Answered questionnaire, ready to send off. 
• Twitter chat. Was able to participate in the first 30 minutes of chat!

What I have been working on since the last Bloggiesta:

• I finally put together a page listing all my reviews in alphabetical order.
• Figured out how to LinkWithin to work on my blog. I was going to ask questions about this during this Bloggiesta, but I figured it out by myself! :) The problem was with Safari. After I had updated to Maverick, I noticed I was having problems with a few things on blogger. I started using google chrome and now programs like LinkWithin will work! 

Shout out:

I want to do a shout out to Grammarly support! I love Grammarly and run most of my reviews through it. Recently I was having trouble getting into the editor page. I kept getting an error message. After waiting a day, I emailed customer support. I received a reply in 5 minutes! From a person!! She asked me some questions about my problem and asked for a screen shot of the page. I returned her email, and about 20 minutes later she replied back telling me others were getting the same message, and they were going to work on it. About an hour later, I checked and Grammarly was working again! The same tech emailed me the next day to make sure everything was working properly. I am extremely impressed! That never seems to happen now-a-days! 

Okay! That's it for now! If you would like to join us hop over to Bloggiesta, check out the mini-challenges and linkup your blog! 

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

  

W... W... W... Wednesdays ~ July 16, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I just started Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James. I was going to start on one of the books from my TBR pile, but when this came in the mail, I decided to read it! :) Its release date is August 5, and I'm going to be part of the blog tour for the book, so I thought I better get started! 





What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Reached (Matched) by Ally Condie. Well, I thought it dragged, and 500 pages took a long time to finish.  The second book was much more exciting. 







What do I think I'll read next? I hope to read Edenbrooke: A Proper Romance byJulianne Donaldson. Looks like a great book. It's been on my TBR pile so long, I really want to read it.






Disclaimer: Books links are to Amazon. If you should purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission.

What are you reading? I'd love to know!

The Earl's Enticement by Collette Cameron ~ My Review

The Earl’s Enticement by Collette Cameron 

Publication Date: May 27, 2014 
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing 
Pages: 326 
Received: ARC e-copy from the author for my honest review. 
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 
I loved The Earl’s Enticement! I think it is Collette Cameron’s best work yet!! Although, this is the third book in the series it more closely follows the first book than the second. Set in Scotland in the year 1817, the story begins just before Highlander’s Hope (Book 1) ends, and this is Adaira and Roark's story. I loved how the ending and the beginning of the two books overlap! 

Adaira mistakes Roark, the Earl of Clarendon, for the man who is trying to harm her brother’s wife, Yvette. She tricks Roark into going the wrong way and lures him into her trap. Poor Roark! Having been abused as a youth by his father, he is afraid to be confined in small dark places, which is exactly where Adaira puts him. He is mad at being locked up, and at the same time he is irritated with himself for being aroused by Adaira. 

You couldn't get more opposite than Adaira and Roark. While Roark values the rules of proper society, Adaira does not. She dresses in breeches, knows how to fence, and could ride a horse better than most men. She has also made a name for herself as a breeder of exceptional horseflesh. An incident several years ago has left her with no desire to become someones wife. So... why does she find herself so attracted to Roark?

When the truth is revealed and Roark is released, Adaira finds herself in big trouble. The consequences for imprisoning an Earl could be severe, but Roark gives her an ultimatum…learn to act like a proper lady or go to prison. No more breeches, riding side saddle and a Season in London was to be her punishment, but to Adaira prison might be a better option. Adaira and her whole family are to travel to The Earl’s Estate where her studies in ladylike behaviors will begin. It's all very amusing when Adaira cannot seem to get through one day without some kind of blunder! She is not cutout to be a lady! Her fierce temper gets her into trouble and she acts before she thinks. All the while, Roark is beginning to regret trying to change her ... he finds he likes her just the way she is. 

With a house full of interesting guests, a neighbor lady who has had plans of her own to be the next Lady of Clarendon and Edgar (Roark’s evil brother who would like nothing more than to become the new Earl of Clarendon) still on the loose, danger and mayhem ensue!

Even though the events in The Earl’s Enticement closely follow Highlander’s Hope, I feel the story will stand quite nicely on its own. 

The Earl’s Enticement is a humorous, action-packed romance! I would highly recommend reading this fast-paced story, and all of Collette Cameron's books! 

Read my reviews for books 1 & 2 of the Castle Brides series, Highlander's Hope and The Viscounts Vows.


Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book from the author for my honest review. 

Buy from Amazon.
Add to goodreads. 

Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link, I will receive a small commission. Thanks.

Connect with Collette Cameron

twitter • facebook • website • blog

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

W... W... W... Wednesdays ~ July 9, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I'm going to start Reached (third in the Matched series) by Ally Condie. Can't wait to see how this ends! I hope it doesn't drag like book 1 did.








What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Matched by Ally Condie. I thought this was monotone most of the story, and I didn't think I would finish the series. Thank goodness it picked up the last quarter of the book, and I was finally hooked. So, I also read Crossed, and I loved it! I couldn't put it down! 




What do I think I'll read next? Hmm...I'm thinking about something for my TBR Pile Reading Challenge... Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally, The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell or Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. I'll let you know what I've chosen next week! Or maybe, you can help decide! Let me know what you think! :)

Book links to goodreads.

What are you reading?

Winners to The Perfect Match Giveaway!

Hey Everyone! Rafflecopter has picked the winners of 

The Perfect Match 

Giveaway!

Before I announce the winners I would like to take a moment to thank Lory Lilian for her lovely guest post and generously offering to give away two copies of her new book!

Thank you, Lory!

And now....the winners are:

Connie ~ paperback

Vesper ~ e-copy

Thanks to all who entered! I appreciate you all so much!

I have emailed the winners. They have 72 hours to respond to the email. If they don't respond a new winner will be picked.

The Perfect Match

by Lory Lilian

Amazon •   goodreads

Disclaimer: If you should purchase a copy of the book through the Amazon link on this page I will receive a small commission. Thank you. 

Just One Thing by Holly Jacobs ~ My Review

Just One Thing by Holly Jacobs 

Publication Date: June 10th, 2014 
Publisher: Montlake Romance 
Pages: 186 
Received: an e-copy from the publisher for my honest review. 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 
I really enjoyed Just One Thing! It was a reflective story of loss, grief, anger, finding yourself and finding love again in the process. From the book blurb, I thought Just One Thing was going to be more of a lighthearted contemporary romance, but I would categorize it as women’s fiction.

Every Monday night Lexie Morrow walked down to the bar for just one beer, then she would walk back home. For months, Lexie kept to herself. Then one night, Sam the bartender started asking her to share just one thing before he would serve her a drink. She began sharing small things at first, like just her name, but as the weeks wore on she started sharing deeper stuff about herself. It was freeing. Oh, sometimes it was hard and sometimes she couldn't finish, but Sam didn’t push. Mondays became very important to Lexie, and she slowly unraveled her story, and she began to heel. 

Eventually, Lexie started asking Sam the same question and he began sharing bits and pieces of his life. While serving our country, Sam was severely injured. Waking up in the hospital, he had to learn to walk again. Having battled with depression and PTSD, Sam has an interesting story also.

It’s a story about learning to stop focusing on what could have been, or what you could have done, but to enjoy the fullness of life, remembering the good and the bad. To quote the author, Holly Jacobs, “a person’s life can’t be defined by one incident.”

I like how the story was told. Lexie would begin to tell Sam something about herself or her family and the story would then flashback to that time. I like when a story takes you back to the past and you see what happened rather than being told that it happened.

Even though, this isn’t a story I would normally read, I really liked Just One Thing. It held my interest while I cried with Lexie and laughed with Sam. I had to know all of Lexie’s story.

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book for my honest review. 

Buy from Amazon 
Add to goodreads

Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link, I will receive a small commission. Thanks.

Connect to Holly Jacobs

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Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

W... W... W... Wednesdays ~ July 2, 2014

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading? I'm currently reading Matched by Ally Condie. It's good so far, a little slow, but I'm curious as to what's going to happen!  







What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading One Last Blind Date by Erin Brady. Super cute! I loved it! It's definitely a great summer read. I hope to have my review up in the next couple weeks.







What do I think I'll read next? Well, if I like Matched, I'll move on to the next in the series, Crossed by Ally Condie. 



Disclaimer: Book links are to Amazon. If you should purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission.


What are you reading?

Haunting Mr. Darcy by KaraLynne Mackrory ~ My Review

Haunting Mr. Darcy by KaraLynne Mackrory 

Publication Date: March 17th, 2014 
Publisher: Meryton Press 
Pages: 286 
Received: paperback from the author for my honest review. 
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

~ A Spirited Courtship ~

 
I loved Haunting Mr. Darcy! It’s a delightful retelling of Pride and Prejudice with a mashing of one of my favorite movies, Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon.

The story begins on New Year's Eve in London, and Darcy has struggled since November, after leaving Netherfield, to rid Elizabeth from his thoughts. On the look out for a wife, Darcy makes a New Years wish to end his search and then at the end of the wish adds, “and to see Elizabeth one last time.” That same night the Bennet’s are at the New Year’s Eve Assembly in Meryton. Jane, still suffering from the effects of Bingley’s sudden removal from Netherfield, was not feeling well, she and Elizabeth left the assembly early. One the way home, blaming Darcy for Jane’s unhappiness, Elizabeth makes her own wish, “for Mr. Darcy to want something he cannot have!” Before reaching Longbourn, the carriage slides off the road and tips over. Elizabeth hits her head and slips into a coma.

The fun begins when Elizabeth’s spirit leaves her body and she finds herself unknowingly in Mr. Darcy’s library. She thinks she is having a lovely dream in a room filled with a great many amazing books! Darcy, who has fallen asleep in the next room, wakes to the sound of Lizzy’s voice and laughter. When they come face to face, they both think they are dreaming and have a very candid conversation. Only this is a dream either of them can shake. There seems to be an invisible barrier that surrounds Darcy, and Elizabeth is confined to that area. Everywhere that Darcy goes Elizabeth follows. Tethered together. 

I loved the humor in this story! There are so many funny moments when Darcy is having a conversation with someone, like Bingley, and Elizabeth is making comments that only Darcy can hear and he has to keep a straight face and make no comments back!  Another time, while sneaking about, Darcy has to hide to keep from being spotted and Elizabeth hides too, but of course, nobody can see her. Darcy reminds her of this, and she responds by saying, “I am aware of it, sir, but this is more fun, is it not?”

My only complaint about the story is how closely it followed Just Like Heaven's storyline. I knew how they were going to get out of their predicament. Still, I enjoyed the story because of the cultural and social differences of the time period, and, as a result, Elizabeth and Darcy had other obstacles to maneuver. 

Haunting Mr. Darcy is a humorous and sweet retelling of Pride and Prejudice! I would highly recommend reading it!

Disclaimer: I received a paperback of the book for my honest review. 

Connect with KaraLynne Mackrory

twitter • Facebook • website • Meryton Press

Amazon • goodreads 

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!