The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros ~ My Review

Hello, my friends! Do you love loyal men? I do! And Beckett in The Last Letter is just that! Strong, loyal, and handsome! 

The Last Letter
by Rebecca Yarros

Publication Date: February 26th 2019
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Pages: 432
Received: ARC E-copy from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Rating: 4.5 stars


Beckett, 

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. 

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. 

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair. 

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help. 

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family. 

Please don’t make her go through it alone. 

Ryan

My Review

I loved The Last Letter! Set in Telluride, Colorado, present day. Beckett has come to honor the request that his best friend, Ryan, made in his “last letter” (see book description).

First off, I loved the main characters, Ella and Beckett! Ella is fiercely independent and has already suffered a lot in her life. Beckett is extremely loyal. If he says he’s going to be there for you, nothing is going to stop him. I love strong, loyal men! He’s also very handsome, and an all-around good guy.

Second, I adored Ella’s kids, Maisie and Colt! The cutest kids ever. But sadly, Maisie has cancer, a rare form. She is incredibly brave through it all, and Colt is so good to his sister. They have that twin bond that can tell when something is wrong with the other.

Ella and Beckett are made for each other! Their romance is nicely paced, and trust is built.  I really like that they don't meet and jump into bed. But there are some mature scenes if you’re not into that.

Oh, and how can I forget to mention Havoc! Havoc is Beckett's military special ops dog.  She retired with Beckett because she wouldn't work with anyone else. They have a special bond. Havoc is a cool dog and is fantastic with Maisie and Colt.  

The Last Letter was definitely an emotional read. So grab your tissues because it has all the feels!


4.5 stars

FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the story from the publisher for my honest review.

Buy: Amazon • B&N
Add to Goodreads.

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

About the Author

Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and a lover of all things coffee, chocolate, and Paleo. She is the author of the Flight & Glory series, including Full Measures, the award-winning Eyes Turned Skyward, Beyond What is Given, and Hallowed Ground. Her new Renegade Series features Wilder and the upcoming Nova, and is sure to keep your heart pounding. She loves military heroes, and has been blissfully married to hers for fourteen years. 


When she’s not writing, she’s tying hockey skates for her four sons, sneaking in some guitar time, or watching brat-pack movies with her two daughters. She lives in Colorado with the hottest Apache pilot ever, their rambunctious gaggle of kids, an English bulldog who is more stubborn than sweet, and a bunny named General Fluffy Pants who torments the aforementioned bulldog. They recently adopted their youngest daughter from the foster system, and Rebecca is passionate about helping others do the same. (taken from Goodreads)

Connect with Rebecca Yarros

Website • Blog • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter

Many thanks to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Rebecca Yarros for the opportunity to read The Last Letter.

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

Guest Post with Charlotte Brentwood ~ Excerpt

Hello, my friends! It's my pleasure to have Charlotte Brentwood on the blog with her new book, Gloved Heart -which is the second book in her Hearts of Amberley series. I read her first book, The Vagabond Vicar, and was delighted with it! You can read my review here. 

Gloved Heart
by Charlotte Brentwood

Publication Date: April 20, 2019
Pages: 206, Kindle Edition

Book description: 

Can she ever trust again?



Amy Miller is struggling to come to terms with her new life as a mother, while being a reluctant guest in a rigid gentry household. A victim of abuse, she is determined to never trust a man again.



Henry Russell has loved Amy for as long as he can remember, but his family want nothing to do with her. A chance encounter with Amy rekindles a friendship which might save them both.



The discovery of a secret which holds the key to Amy’s past will change them forever, and jeopardise any chance they have for happiness. Can Henry show Amy that true love will give her everything she could ever need? 

Note, although this is a 'sweet' read, there is some subject matter that may offend sensitive readers, including mention of a rape and very mild violence and coarse language.

A word from the author:

I hope readers enjoy the second book in the “Hearts of Amberley” series. GLOVED HEART can be read as a standalone but if you’ve read THE VAGABOND VICAR you’ll enjoy seeing your favourite characters again.

As a mother of a young baby, I was able to pour my heart into this story of a new mother, Amy Miller, adjusting to her life in less than ideal circumstances. She has sworn off men for good, but she comes to rely on the friendship of Henry Russell. She resists her growing feelings for him, building walls around her heart. Just as she begins to trust, the revelation of a secret will ruin everything.  

This is also a book about strong women and the relationships between them. It’s really the women who drive the story and I loved exploring their unique bonds despite their different stations in life. The men provide the sparks and also the problems, just like in real life!


Excerpt:

     Amy was glad of the ride back to Briarwood. She was so weary she thought her legs might give way. Her emotions were close to the surface, threatening to brim over. Henry had touched on more than one nerve with his innocent line of questioning just now. He was right to wonder why a respectable couple such as the Fortescues, who she had hardly said a word to in her life, would stoop so low as to house an unwed mother when no one else wanted her. She had asked herself that question many times; it was reasonable for him to wonder too.

    She wanted to believe his assertions that they wanted to make her more like them so she would belong. But she couldn’t bring herself to foster such a happy illusion; she was no more an innocent young girl who would see the best in people first. She knew most people were hiding something, and their actions were not always a good indicator of their motivations or intentions. In fact, sometimes they acted to deliberately deceive. She couldn’t believe the Fortescues would intentionally hurt her, as there was undeniably an altruistic motive for most of their actions. But their efforts to re-make her in the image of a lady were an affront to her very identity.
    
     “Miss Miller?”
    
     Amy turned to see Henry waiting for her on the cart. She laughed at him. “Come now, Henry, don’t address me as if you were my chauffeur. It’s only Amy, and it always has been.”

     She stepped towards the box and he automatically offered his hand to help her up. She stared at it, dismayed.
    
     It was perfectly natural for him to help her up into her seat, but despite her recent familiarity with him, she still could not stand to let their hands touch. She tried to fight the irrational terror which overtook her. Nothing bad would happen, it would be over in a matter of seconds and Henry was not going to abuse the situation, was he? But she could not bring herself to put her hands in his.
    
     “I’m sorry,” she said.
    
     He shook his head as if to dismiss her apology. “It’s nothing, just put your foot here, and hold on here, and you can pull yourself up.”
    
     She nodded, did as he instructed, and managed to hoist herself up onto the seat.
    
     Henry took up the reins. “Are you comfortable?”
    
     She met his eyes and nodded again, startled by how close his face was to hers. “Thank you.” Her voice came out as a squeak and she immediately felt herself colouring. She focussed on the lane ahead as Henry brought the cart around and steered the mare down towards the road.
    
     He sat as far as he could to the right of her while still maintaining control of the cart, but the seat was not very wide, so their thighs were still only inches apart. She could see his muscles flexing within his buckskin trousers. Suddenly she was unbearably warm.
    
     Comfortable? Perhaps too comfortable.
    
     She could not resist taking sly glances at him as they bounced along towards her home. The freckles across his nose had multiplied, giving him a boyish charm. His shock of fiery hair was tossed about in unruly waves like a turbulent sea. He caught her looking at him, and threw her a bashful smile, which she couldn’t help returning before forcing her eyes to her lap. She caught a whiff of his scent; he smelled of the grasses and earth and a rich, masculine aroma.
    
     The motion of his hands guiding the reins caught her attention as they rounded a corner, and she took in his strong, toned forearms. He’d rolled his shirt up above his elbows, and even beneath all that fabric his upper arms bulged. His chest strained against his waistcoat. He was a robust working man, of course he would be… strapping. It was just that she’d never had such leisure to observe all this before. Or perhaps she had just never taken notice, never appreciated him in his masculinity. She’d been a slip of a girl when she’d last spent any length of time with him, without any notions of forming attachments. Now, she was all too aware of him, and the nearness of him. She began to feel a little light-headed, and her heart seemed to be pulsing through her entire body.
    
     She hadn’t felt like this since… her breath quickened as a painful pang hit her heart. She’d rather not remember the last time.
    
     “Amy? Are you all right?”
    
     Henry was looking at her seriously as he guided the cart through the gates that led to Briarwood.
    
     She tried to slow her breathing, but the rising panic could not be quelled.
    
     The last time she had felt this way, it had nearly destroyed her. It had made her giddy, blind, defenceless. She’d been a gullible fool, and she had paid the price for her infatuation with her innocence.
    
     Fear closed over her heart in a vice-like grip, and she clutched the sides of the seat with white knuckles. She could not explain to him, could not summon any words lest she begin to cry.
    
     The cart came to a stop outside the house, and she leapt to the ground, nearly falling over.
    
     “Amy!” Henry cried, dismounting in a flash and coming around to her side. “What on earth is the matter?”
    
     She darted away from him, wishing she hadn’t let her fancies get the better of her, that she could go back to the simplicity of their recent friendship. Perhaps she still could if not tempted in such a way.
    
     “Goodbye, Henry,” she called as she began walking away from him. “Thank you.”
    
     Then she turned and took quick steps up to the front door, banging until she was granted admittance. Once inside, the house felt like a safe place for the first time. She was in no danger of being overcome by treacherous feelings here. She went to her room and closed the door, leaning back against it. She would have no reason to see Henry again, and it was just as well. She could not risk putting her heart in danger again.

Buy: Amazon US • Amazon UK
Add to Goodreads

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

About the Author

Charlotte developed serious crushes on a series of men from age fifteen: Darcy, Knightley, Wentworth and Brandon. A bookworm and scribbler for as long as she can remember, Charlotte always dreamed of sharing her stories with the world. 



Earning a degree in communication studies, she was seduced by the emerging digital world and has since worked with the web and in marketing. She is a member of the Auckland chapter of RWNZ.



Now mother to an adorable human tornado, Charlotte is trying to find the time for reading, seaside walks, warbling at the piano and quaffing far too many hot chocolates.

Connect with Charlotte Brentwood

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Goodreads Page

Many thanks to Charlotte for visiting with us today! She has piqued my curiosity! Like Henry, I'm wondering why the Fortescues took Amy into their home! And what happened to poor Amy to find herself in this unfortunate situation? I'm looking forward to finding out when I read, Gloved Heart! 

What are your thoughts?! We'd love to hear! 

What Are You Reading? ~ April 17, 2019

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finished reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

Here's my list: 

Currently Reading:

I'm slowly reading The Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and David M. Shapard. So much good stuff in here! 







Recently Finished:

I finished reading Alive (Sundown Series Book 3) by Courtney Konstantin. I loved it! This third book explains how the virus that turns people into zombies started. I certainly hope there will be a fourth book. I would like to know more about what happens to the Duncans and if a cure is discovered!





What's next? 

I'm not sure, but I picked up a new book at the LA Times Festival of Books that I'm excited to read called Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne. It's a Jane Eyre retelling set in space! 






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



So, tell me, what are you reading? 

Be More Jane Blog Tour ~ Guest Post, Deleted Scene & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! I sure did! I was a volunteer at the LA Times Festival of Books on Saturday! It was fantastic! To see a few pictures, check out my Instagram! -->

Today it's my pleasure to have Sophie Andrews visiting with us here at So Little Time... with her new book Be More Jane! I'm very excited for Sophie! This is a cute little book that I'm sure many of you will enjoy! The illustrations are just beautiful, and you may recognize the artist Jane Odiwe; author of more than a few Austenesque stories herself! 

Sophie's sharing with us a deleted scene from Be More Jane, and CICO Books is giving away a copy of the book to one of my lucky readers! Details are at the bottom of the page.

Thank you so much, Candy, for welcoming me to your blog today.  Of course, throughout most of my new book, I share light-hearted but genuine advice; lessons I have learned from Jane Austen and her novels and letters.  However, I have also had a little extra fun along the way, by writing as some of Austen's most beloved, often comic, characters - who mistakenly believe they have their own sensible advice to share!  So today, I am excited to share with you something which didn't quite make it into the final book, (due to lack of space!).

I was working to a page and word limit, and I had rather too much inspiration for some of my comic character sections, and a few had to be dropped. So today, I am delighted to share with you and your readers some advice from Mrs Augusta Elton.  

Mrs Elton: How to be fashionable in an unfashionable location

       I have recently changed my name from Hawkins - and you will surely know of the Hawkins family, of Bath society? - to become Mrs Augusta Elton, and wife to the rector of a small and somewhat insignificant little village called Highbury, in Surrey. I cannot deny that Mr E comes from a prettyish sort of little place; after all, we have all heard that Surrey is the garden of England; yet it is all rather ‘countrified’ roundabout. Town is so much more diverting, sociable and modern, and being used to a most fashionable lifestyle in Bath before my marriage, I have had to adapt to the somewhat less.... well, civilised ways of the countryside. I am learning to retain as much style as is possible in such an ordinary place, and who knows, perhaps some of my neighbours may pick up some tips? However, I do feel obliged to share my advice with you, too, in case you have the misfortune to find yourself living in a similarly remote situation and in need of such assistance.

•  When first you are to be seen in your neighbourhood, I recommend you make an entrance. You must ensure people notice you have arrived, remember your arrival, and hopefully mention it to others. Word will soon circulate. You might elect to come suitably late to social gatherings; in fact, should you be the last to arrive, then everyone will have the opportunity to observe your entrance - it does seem to me that in the countryside, people are unfashionably fond of punctuality.

•  It almost goes without saying that you must have your husband acquire for you an elegant and modish means of transport. A lady must have a carriage at her complete disposal, to go calling in the afternoon, and to arrive at soirees and evening parties in the correct manner. Might I suggest the barouche-landau for real comfort? - a most fashionable choice, it cannot fail to impress. My darling sister Selina has one, and she says they fit four perfectly!

•  My next idea is to form a musical club. I absolutely cannot live without something of a musical society, indeed, without music, life would be a blank to me. Therefore do not be forced to give up such cultural activities upon leaving town, indeed, ladies of consequence in society should lead the way by organising such pursuits.

•  If there is to be a ball in the neighbourhood, - there is likely to be one held in your honour -, do be sure to supervise the arrangements, since you will doubtless have greater expertise in the organisation of fine occasions. Ensure that people are made aware that you, as guest of honour, must lead the first dance of the evening, since they will not know this is how it is done in Bath, and other popular towns. I would advise you against filling your dance card, despite the numerous gentlemen who will be seeking your favour, for you cannot possibly perform every dance at the ball with the same high degree of accomplishment. Nor should you be seen to be making yourself too obviously the centre of attention and admiration.

•  Beware of trimming. Nobody can think less of dress in general than I do, for a simple style of dress is so infinitely preferable to finery. Mr E is of the same mind, but I do fear I am quite in the minority; - few people seem to value simplicity of dress, - show and finery are everything. Yet I have the greatest dislike of being over trimmed. However, there are of course exceptions, and at times you must think in great detail about your appearance. At the Highbury Ball held in my honour when every body's eyes were so much upon me, I would not have wished to be inferior to others. However, I need not have worried, for I saw very few pearls in the room except mine. At a recent wedding, that of the daughter of supposedly the foremost family in the neighbourhood, I must confess I thought it all extremely shabby, and very inferior to my own. (Very little white satin, very few lace veils; a most pitiful business!)

•  If an outdoor pursuit is to take place, (which is inevitable when one is in the countryside where there is little else to do), you must be dressed in an entirely appropriate manner, which may well require some new dress or pelisse. This is a good opportunity to show you are adapting to country life, whilst retaining your sense of stylish attire. We had the most pleasant day, strawberry picking on the estate of one of Mr E's dearest friends, Knightley, and I was quite pleased with my outfit for that occasion; I wore a straw bonnet, and had trimmed my basket with a pink ribbon. I considered riding on a donkey, which would have made for a noteworthy arrival. I really must talk to Mr E about purchasing a donkey, as I conceive it to be a sort of necessity for dusty country lanes.

       I do hope I have encouraged you to introduce some style to your little neighbourhood and to retain a sense of fashion, even if, like me and my caro sposo, your situation requires you to live in an unfamiliar and less important society.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you again, very much, for hosting me here today. I really hope you liked this little vignette, which didn't quite make the final edit, and that you all enjoy reading  my new book, 'Be More Jane'.

Be More Jane
by Sophie Andrews


Are you more Marianne than Elinor, Lydia rather than Lizzy? Be More Jane will teach you to address life with more sense and less prejudice, taking useful lessons from the novels and letters of Jane Austen, one of the world’s best-loved writers. Times may change, but many of our problems remain the same. Sophie Andrews, a young Janeite, knows from personal experience that in times of trouble, or just on matters of friendship, family, and love, answers are to be found in the pages of Miss Austen’s novels.

Buy: Amazon US • Amazon UK
Add to Goodreads.

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

About the Author

Sophie Andrews is a founder member of the Jane Austen Pineapple Appreciation Society, and organises events such as picnics, balls and house parties for her fellow Austenites. Sophie started her blog, Laughing with Lizzie, in 2012, aged 16, after studying Pride and Prejudice at school. She has been attending Austen-themed events since then, and was featured in the BBC documentary “My Friend Jane” which focused on the fun and friendship she has found with her fellow Janeites. She lives in Berkshire and has over 100 different editions of Pride and Prejudice on her bookshelves.

Connect with Sophie Andrews

Facebook • Instagram • Twitter

Be More Jane Blog Tour Schedule

April 8 Regency History/Q&A & Giveaway

April 9 Diary of an Eccentric/Book review & Giveaway

April 10 More Agreeably Engaged/Book review & Giveaway

April 11 Babblings of a Bookworm/Excerpt & Giveaway

April 12 My Love for Jane Austen/Guest Post & Giveaway

April 14 My Jane Austen Book Club/Book review & Giveaway

April 15 So Little Time/Guest Post & Giveaway

April 16 Austenesque Reviews/Book review & Giveaway

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time! CICO Books is giving away a copy of Be More Jane to one of my US, Canada or European readers! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

• One person will win a copy of Be More Jane by Sophie Andrews.
• To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter below.
• Rafflecopter will randomly select the winner.
• Open to US, Canada, or European readers.
• Last day to enter the giveaway is April 22, 2019, at 11:59 PM, Pacific Time.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win, please check out the other stops on this tour. Each site is giving away a copy of Be More Jane!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Sophie Andrews on her book! Also, I want to thank her for being a guest on my blog!

Many thanks to CICO books for including me in this book tour and for the wonderful giveaway! 

So, friends, what do you think? Isn't there so much we can learn from Jane? 

What Are You Reading? ~ April 10, 2019

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finished reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Happy Wednesday, friends! It's been a better reading week for me. How about you?

Here's my list: 

Current Read:

Last week I started reading the first book in the Sundown Series by Courtney Konstantin, and really got into it! So, I'm just starting the third book, Alive! Hopefully, it's as good as the first two! 

These books all start at approximately at the same time; at the beginning of the plague that turns people into zombies. Each book is from the POV of adult siblings who were raised by a doomsday prepper. Each very equipped to handle such an occasion, thanks to their dad.



Recently Finished:

I finished reading Survive (Sundown Series Book 2) by Courtney Konstantin. This is Max Duncan's story. She and her daughter are trying to make it to their family compound in Montana. In this book you learn a little bit more about what's going on with the government and the zombies. A fast-paced story!

I also finished Prepared (Sundown Series Book 1) by Courtney Konstantin. I loved it! This is Alex Duncan's story of how she uses all the survival skills her crazy dad taught her to get her and her two kids to the family compound.  






What's next? 

I'm not sure. I think I'm going to have to read something not quite so tense! Lol! I'll probably just finish reading The Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and David M. Shapard for this months reading group meeting. 






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



So, tell me, what are you reading? 

What Are You Reading? ~ April 3, 2019

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finished reading, and what you plan on reading next!

Happy Wednesday, my friends! How has your week been treating you? My week's flown by, as usual!  

Here's my list: 

Currently Reading:

I'm reading Prepared (Sundown Series #1) by Courtney Konstantin. It's exciting! But I guess I didn't read the book blurb very carefully (I must have read only the first sentence! Lol) because I didn't realize this was a zombie/apocalypse story! I love apocalyptic stories, but I could do without the zombies! It's still really good! :) This is Courtney Konstantin's debut novel.

I've also read some more in The Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and David M. Shapard. I'm trying to read a couple chapters a day. Some of Shapard's remarks are so interesting. 







Recently Finished: 

I finished Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp. This was a strange, sad, and mystical (or maybe magical, or a little of both??) story. It dealt with bipolar disorder, suicide, grief, and a strange town. 3 stars. 







What's next? 

I think I'm going to read The Final Six by Alexandra Monir, or I might read the second in the Sundown series. I'll let you know next week! 








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


So, tell me, what are you reading?