Review: Summer's End by Dianna Hardy @TheWitchingPen

Summer's End

Once Times Thrice #2

Dianna Hardy
Published: June 20, 2016 
Published by Satin Smoke Press
Genre: Romance

Pippa knew her life had all but ended seven months ago, when she answered the phone call no one ever wants to receive: her husband had been in a fatal car accident.

Left physically and mentally disabled, David now sits in a care home while she struggles to keep herself together as she brings up their three kids. And on top of the grief, there's the guilt... she should be there for him, too.

One Christmas alone, one Valentine's, one spring, and now summer's nearly over... Can she face it all again?

Jimmy's known Pippa since before they were teens. Best friends with her younger brother and two years her junior, she's never had eyes for him, and when she fell in love with David, Jimmy finally accepted she would never be his. In fact, he swore off committed relationships altogether, for his path took him down a different route. No one needs to be burdened with the cross he chose to bear.

But his torch for Pippa never went out.

And maybe someone, somewhere, knows it, for words scribbled down and said out loud in a moment of desperation, might just be working their magic, about to shine a light on everything they could have ... if they're prepared to take a leap of faith...

This is the second book in Dianna's heartfelt romance series about loving big, living big, and trusting big. Book one, The Spell of Summer, can be read as a standalone.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase:

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon AUS 

Google Play  ~ iBooks ~ Nook 

My Review:

Pippa has everything she could ever ask for a nice home and a family, a wonderful husband and three beautiful kids until one night when their lives are torn asunder by one phone call telling her that her husband David has been in a fatal accident. Now she is left when raising three kids on her own. Now she spends her days taking care of her children and her nights alone. Pippa and her children miss David so much but are lucky in that they can visit him at the care home where he lives now.

Pippa has spent the last several months trying to cope with her husband accident and but it has been a hard road to travel. But Pippa has been so lucky in having her parents around to help her with the children. Her parents take the children whenever she needs them to whether she is running an errand or just needs some time to herself. Her parents love her and the children very much and will always be there for them no matter what or how long it takes. Besides they love have their grandchildren stay with them.

Jimmy has loved Pippa from afar for a very long time ever since they were children. Jimmy is Pippa’s brother’s best friend so Jimmy was at their house a lot when they were growing up. Jimmy was there for Pippa when they were teenagers and she broke up with her boyfriend Jimmy was there lending her a shoulder to cry on literally. But Jimmy didn’t mind all he cared about was having Pippa so close. But eventually Jimmy realized that a girl like Pippa was never going to be with a guy like him. So he gave up on Pippa and having a family and a relationship of that kind and chose another path to follow. Without Pippa it would never be the same.

But after Jimmy and Pippa meet again after ten or twelve years all of Jimmy’s love for Pippa resurfaces not that it ever went anywhere; it was always right there with him. But for Pippa she now sees him in a deferent light and wonders why she is so jealous of him and other women.

Pippa finally sees and recognizes what it is she is feeling for Jimmy but she doesn’t think that she can ever be with Jimmy because her husband is still alive. She thinks that if she loves again and leaves everything behind that she will be betraying David.

Poor Pippa and Jimmy they both want to love each other and be together but they both have so much baggage to bring into a relationship they don’t know if the other one can handle it or if they can ask them too. What will they do? Can they put aside or deal with the baggage that they both are caring around enough to be with each other? Is their love strong enough? Can they ask the other one to deal with their baggage? Would it be fair? What will they do?

I always love reading one of Dianna’s books and meeting all the characters. I think I always learn something when I read one of her books and in the end they always leave me feeling peaceful and thankful for a lot of things even when the ending may blow me away sometimes. I have loved reading about Pippa and Jimmy’s little adventures. I also liked reading about Candy and all the small little sacrifices she made for the people she loved. Candy had a lot of heartache that she had to deal with too but she still would set aside her feelings for the people she loved. I can’t wait for the next book in the Once Times Thrice series. 

Author Bio:

Dianna Hardy is the international bestselling author of The Witching Pen series and the Eye Of The Storm series. She combines a titillating mix of contemporary and paranormal romance into her writing, as well as urban and dark fantasy, to bring you stories that are action-packed, fast- paced and not short of heat, with the focus on both character development and the plot. She writes full-length novels and short fiction.

She currently lives in Surrey (United Kingdom) with her partner and their daughter, where she writes full-time.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Read More

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Chasing Swells by A.L. Goulden @A_L_Goulden @XpressoTours

Chasing Swells
A.L. Goulden
Publication date: June 21st 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance

Dean “DeBaz” Bazner is a Professional Surfer, private about his past and quiet about his future. Like any famous professional athlete he’s got the talent and sponsors, but he hasn’t clinched a World Title since his rookie year. Now in his thirties, with a career clock ticking, he’s pushing his limits to get to number one again. When a travel writer named Azure Thomas is assigned to observe his journey between events, what seems like a dangerous diversion, both in and out of the water, forces him to accept that there’s more missing from his life than another trophy.

She doesn’t know anything about surfing. She doesn’t drool over his celebrity. And she sure as hell doesn’t ask others to haul her crap around. Azure Thomas has been taking care of herself for most of her thirty years, and this is just another assignment in the changing world of freelance journalism. What she doesn’t expect is an athlete who relates to her profound loss and has sacrificed everything except his soul to get to the top of his sport. Dean is more than the hot surfer splashed across magazines and surfing is more than a hobby. Is it possible that what she can’t live without is chasing the next big swell?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Azure
***

It’s clear right away which of the four men on the porch in front of her is Dean. His confidence and physique are superb. Although the Latino man could easily pass as a competitor, Dean’s bleached hair in its slightly wavy shag fits the stereotype. She wasn’t expecting him to smolder though. His jaw is too chiseled, and his chest muscles are too thick. Sure, surfers are in great shape, but she thought they were lean, vegan types. This was a meat eater. A strong, tall, carved, carnivorous man. She can feel her pulse pounding when he stands to greet her. If she lacked all self-control, his cobalt eyes would’ve sold her the moon.

Dean
***

Dean’s playing spades on his porch with the guys when he sees Lennox and Moses walking with a beautiful, tall brunette. Her long yellow sundress flows in the breeze like a flag waving for his attention. Even through all that fabric Dean can see her hips swaying naturally as the cotton clings to her body. Before he can survey her bare breasts underneath, she raises her eyes towards him. Even at a distance, they glow like the ocean, adding a spark to her perfect smile. It’s worse than he dreaded. He can handle pretty or attractive, but this woman is beautiful.
Moses stops to show her something, stealing those eyes away and Dean flinches. Not holding her attention stings a bit. He drops the cards in his hand, giving up. There’s no way he can deal with real distractions right now, in life or a card game.
The other guys turn and stare. The way she genuinely listens and reacts to everything is intoxicating to watch. She doesn’t carry herself like a beach bunny, but her skin is just as golden. Her long brown hair isn’t being twirled or tossed by a nervous hand, it just flows naturally, never shaking her poise. Most of the women in Dean’s past walked with a false confidence. Especially Abigail. She was always ready for a photo through a veil that sheltered her from the world’s honest eyes. This woman in yellow is different. She doesn’t need to be patronized or complimented, and her laugh is so unguarded and full.
Fuck. She’s gotta knows she’s beautiful. She wouldn’t have traveled in that if she didn’t. He stands as casually as he can manage wondering if she’s going to be a bitch. Part of him hopes she is so it’ll be easy to blow her off, but her laid back shoulders and relaxed smile hint that she’s pretty cool. He blurts out, “Welcome to Fiji,” wincing at the sound of his own voice. I sound like a fuckin’ idiot. He cracks his knuckles gently at his side until her cheeks flush a little.

Author Bio:
A. L. Goulden has a BFA in Film Production from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her love of a good story came way before college, but when numerous instructors and peers praised her dialogue she realized her creative writing hobby was a skill worth honing. Her 18 year career in interior design, production design and art direction for film and television have spun a unique perspective on visually emotional tales of relationships and the thread that ties all things together. 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: A Second Chance by Dana K. Ray @dklarsonray @XpressoTours

A Second Chance
Dana K. Ray
Publication date: June 14th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

A past she can’t forget… 

Raven will do just about anything to forget a horrific event from the past that still haunts her. Forced to attend church because of a promise she made at a party, she is immediately attracted to the young, handsome preacher but is unconvinced of his promises of a better life. 

A future he refuses to accept… 

Matthew has everything planned out until Raven walks into his church and turns his life upside down. Repulsed by her lifestyle, yet fascinated by her beauty and charm, he finds himself drawn to her by a force he can’t explain. 

Raven and Mathew’s unlikely friendship leads them through escalating troubled waters that threaten to doom their growing relationship. Will they survive to learn valuable lessons of grace, forgiveness and love?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

—

Q&A with Dana K. Ray:

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

Always. I felt odd because I always had movies playing in my head. I was so concerned with it that in college I wrote a paper on “fantasy thoughts” because I wasn’t sure if it was normal. I was a stay-at-home mom which gave me the chance to write my books down. Now, I am a full-time children’s minister at my church, which I love, and a writer in the evenings and weekends.

What do the “movies in your head” look like?

Very vivid. I see the characters in color but the fun of it, is I can change things. I can watch a scene and if I don’t like it, I mix it up. I do this until I love the scene then I go write it down.

When did you first start putting your stories on paper?

I won my first poetry contest when I was in 5th grade, 1976. A very basic, five-line poem. (you can go to danakray.com to read it) I’m not a poetry writer so I find it funny that that’s what I wrote, entered and won first place. In college I’d write thoughts, short stories but when computers came out in 1994, I wrote the book, Absolution.

So A Second Chance wasn’t the first book you wrote?

No. A Second Chance was the second book I wrote but the first on to be published. Funny how that worked out. I’ve had a couple articles on the Internet published that I got paid for.

Were any of the characters based on real people or your own experiences?

All the characters are purely fictional. I did draw from my own experiences. I’ve been touched by one friend and two family members that have fought Leukemia. I’ve also experienced the effects of suicide four times in my life, from a close friend’s attempt to three friends/relatives that accomplished it. Although fiction, some of Raven’s feelings were therapeutic for me to write about. Suicide is never the answer and I’d plead with anyone thinking about it to please, please, please reach out for help. Your life is SO important and you are loved more than you can even imagine, even if you don’t feel like it.

Have you met people like Raven and Matthew?

Oh yes, and I have been Raven and Matthew. I’ve felt people were too judgmental of my past actions and I’ve been too judgment towards other people. That’s the awesomeness of our God. With repentance, He’s forgiving of everything. And as we grow closer to Him, we become more forgiving of other people.

Where can I buy A Second Chance or contact you?

I love to connect with my readers and aspiring authors. You can go to my website danakray.com, amazon.com or eLectiopublishing.com to purchase my book. If you buy from my website, I’d be happy to send you a signed copy. While at my website, you can signup on my email list so you can receive news, updates, blog posts and new releases. I’d also love to hear from you

What’s next?

Absolution is the first book in the Luciano series and comes out in July of 2017. It’s about two brothers, one woman, and one bullet. Absolution is a fast read with mystery, love, devotion, fun and you might find a murder or two.

—

Author Bio:
Dana K. Ray has been writing gutsy, true to life stories since she became a teenager. A full-time children's minister in her church, she and her husband reside in the Midwest with their four children and four dogs. A Second Chance is her first published novel. Absolution, the first in the Luciano series, is set to be released July 2017. Connect with her at danakray.com. 

Website / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

Read More

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Mr. Romantic by J.A. Huss @jahuss @XpressoTours

Mr. Romantic
J.A. Huss
(Mister #2)
Publication date: June 22nd 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance

Charm is the key to the world.
Charisma, magnetism, sex appeal—that ‘it’ factor that can’t be described.
Nolan Delaney has it is spades.
The infamous Mr. Romantic.
And maybe he is out of my league… But I’m going to give it the old college try anyway. Because I didn’t travel two thousand miles for a job interview at his request just to be put out like trash.
Don’t underestimate me, Mr. Delaney.
I’m really not as innocent as I look.

ALL BOOKS IN THIS SERIES CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE!
Mr. Perfect
Mr. Romantic
Mr. Corporate (Releases 8-17-16)
Mr. Mysterious (Releases 10-12-16)
Mr. Match (Releases 12-7-16)

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

—

While you’re at it, grab your copy of Mr. Perfect!

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

You can also pre-order Mr. Corporate today!
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

—

MR. ROMANTIC SNEAK PEEK:

“What do you think so far? Do I live up to the hype?”

“Not really.”
“No?” He chuckles as we walk past the pool. “Why not?”
The whole thing becomes surreal for me in that moment. The emptiness of the resort. The heat and the sun. I am two thousand miles from home and I’m clutching Mr. Romantic’s elbow like we are lovers taking an evening stroll.
“You’re a little bit quiet so far.”
“Is that right?”
“Your sister is the bigger personality. I’m surprised she wasn’t accused of something inappropriate in college. I think she has it in her.”
Nolan laughs. “That’s kind of true. She’s a handful to most, but she’s been good to me. She’s very protective.”
“She called you dangerous.”
“What?” He stops walking and looks down at me. “When?”
“Today. She told me to stay away from you. Didn’t you know that?”
“What exactly did she tell you?” His mood has changed. Not a lot, but there’s an edge to his words.
“She said something like…” I struggle to remember her exact words, but can’t. I shouldn’t have said anything. He’ll probably confront her and use me as an example.
“Like?” Nolan pushes.
“You’re not romantic. Something like that. They called you Mr. Romantic when all that stuff happened because it was a joke.”
“And the dangerous part?” His words are low and when I look up at him, the easygoing expression has changed into something else.
“I don’t know why she said it. She was telling me to stay away from you all day. And I was angry that she was so dismissive of me. She said I was here by mistake. So I told her I was going to do my best to get the job anyway. And while I agree those men you hired are far more qualified, it was not fair of her to dismiss me so quickly. I’m not as innocent and inexperienced as I look, Mr. Delaney. I have ideas and I’m smart. Hiring everyone in the applicant pool but me was about the most humiliating thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Nolan continues our walk, silent for a few seconds. “You’re lucky.”
“I am?” I ask, a small laugh escaping. “How so?”
“You’re lucky that you’ve never been humiliated the way I have.”
Oh, shit. Way to go, Ivy.
“Do you think I’m dangerous?” Nolan asks, staring down at me in that way he does.
It makes me uneasy. “Maybe.”
“You’re willing to take that chance?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, good,” Nolan says. “Let’s have a nice dinner and I’ll tell you why I sent Claudette away and kept you here against her wishes.”
He did what?
My heart starts to beat faster. Why would he do that? Maybe Claudette was right to warn me? There’s hardly anyone here at the resort. Especially now that all the construction people have left for the day. The main pool is empty when we pass, and even the desk clerks are missing when we enter the lobby.
The dining room has two couples eating dinner and Nolan greets them by name as he leads me to the rear part of the restaurant. Back into a dimly lit room with a single table, white linen tablecloth flowing over the sides. Candle glowing in the center. Set for two.
“This is… unexpected.” My mind is filled with possibilities. And even though I came here with the intention of getting his full attention, possibly losing my virginity to him—and even though I’ve talked myself into feeling ready to take on a man like him, both professionally and personally—I am not excited. I am suddenly scared.
There’s not enough people. There’s not enough noise. There’s not enough of anything to make me forget just who I’m having dinner with.
Mr. Romantic. A man accused of raping a woman ten years ago. A man who was not prosecuted for that crime because the woman died before she could testify. A man who might be guilty.
Nolan pulls out a chair and waits for me to sit, sliding it in perfectly the way a gentleman does, before taking his seat across from me. “I like the unexpected, Miss Rockwell. Get used to it.”
I am in way over my head.

Author Bio:
JA Huss is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending. 

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her blog, New Adult Addiction (www.jahuss.com). 

If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox. 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Summerlypse by Gerardo Delgadillo @Gero_Delgadillo @yaboundtourspr

Read More

Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Bound by Oath and Honour by Debbie Peterson @DebbiePeterson1 @GoddessFish

Bound by Oath and Honour

by Debbie Peterson

GENRE: Paranormal/fantasy romance

BLURB:

Fresh from her photo shoot in Northern England, wildlife photographer Tala Westbrook makes a promised stop at the family manor in Staffordshire, desperately in need of renovation. Though she didn’t plan to stay longer than it took to find a contractor, she is caught up in an ancient paranormal war. Despite the danger all around, she finds herself falling for the handsome, enigmatic man assigned to protect her.

Micah Berrington, elite guardian from the realm of the Bewitan Fierd, is used to protecting men of strength in the greatest of peril, not a female looking for someone to repair her home. Yet the assignment is far more than it seems and so is the beautiful woman destined to capture his heart, regardless of the cost.

EXCERPT:

After he chambered a round in his rifle, he placed a finger against the trigger. He faced Tala with lifted hand and palm out. “Wait here while I check out the second floor.”

She gazed at him for several moments as if he had quite lost his mind. “I think not. In case you have forgotten, this house belongs to my family, Micah, not yours.”

“I will not debate the issue with you right now. Either you can wait here as directed, or I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you back to the cottage. I’ll then lock you inside for the remainder of the night. The choice is yours.”

She sucked in a breath while her mouth dropped another notch. “You wouldn’t—”

“Oh, but I would,” he whispered as he leaned in close to her face.

In evidence of his staunch determination, she gritted her teeth. She turned her head to the side. Once again, she refused to meet his gaze. “Fine.”

The dreaded “fine” escaped her lips for the second time in less than ten minutes. This one had a bit more oomph and resentment behind it than did the first. He ignored it. Instead, Micah turned his attention away from her little snit fit and focused on the task ahead.

 Guest Post:

Favorite Places to Visit:

I am happy to be here with Nancy today as I share my favorite--and in no particular order--places to visit with all of you!

Those who know me know I love history. Therefore it should come as no surprise that I love visiting historic places. Let me walk the grounds of Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields, or tour homes and buildings of historic significance and I am in my element. I have a reverence for these places and in them, more often than not, a foundation for my books are conceived.

The same thing happens when I visit “Ghost Towns.” Living here in Southern Nevada, it doesn’t take long to find one. They are as intriguing as they are quiet, sad, and oftentimes, downright creepy. Some of my favorites? Calico, Virginia City, and Goldfield (The old abandoned Goldfield Hotel is a bit eerie to say the least). 

Being an avid genealogist, among my favorite places to visit here in the good old U.S.A., are the towns my ancestors once called home. Since my earliest ancestors arrived as early as the 1500’s, we have traveled around the state of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana for an up close and personal look at the towns and cities they settled in. I still have many, many more places on my bucket list before I have seen them all.

Would you believe cemeteries are a favorite haunt? I visit them for the same reason--to search out my ancestors. We’ve found many a missing spouse or child in grave yards. As a writer of paranormal and fantasy romance, the old cemeteries are by far my favorite (though not at night...no, no, not at night). They too have a way of stoking my imagination…especially if I’m there right around sunset and the sky is thick with dark, gray clouds.

Lest you think I don’t know how to have any real fun at all, another favorite place of mine (which I’ve never outgrown) is Disneyland! The top attractions on my list? Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones Adventure. We’re going again in October and I’m really looking forward to seeing the Park dressed for Halloween! 

I must also add Hawaii as a favorite, though I’ve yet to see all of the Islands. The ones I’ve missed are on my bucket list of must see places. After enjoying the show at the Polynesian Cultural Center, I’ve added the other Polynesian Islands as well!

I’ll have to lump oceans, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls all together rather than separate them since they’re all water found in various forms. I thoroughly enjoy hearing the roar of ocean waves, walking along a sandy beach (preferably deserted) or looking out over a lake or river. For me, these are places of spiritual renewal. 

So are the beauty and serenity of majestic mountains with magnificent forests. What better place to sit down, relax, and rejuvenate? Maybe even write a chapter or two...

What about you? What are some of your favorite places to visit?

AUTHOR BIO:

Debbie is an author of paranormal and fantasy romance because she has a soft spot for fairy tales, the joy of falling in love, making an impossible love possible, and happily ever after endings. She loves animals of every persuasion, music, art, beautiful sunrises, sunsets, the smell of rain, and thunder storms.

When she is not busy conjuring her latest novel, Debbie spends time with the members of her very large family in the lovely, arid deserts of southern Nevada, where some of those spectacular sunsets occur. She also pursues her interests in genealogy—which she also teaches—mythology, and history.

Connect with Debbie:

Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook 

Amazon ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ The Wild Rose Press

Giveaway:

$15 Amazon/BN GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Read More

Cover Reveal: Butterfly Bones by Rebecca L. Carpenter @TheTotalDCofCW @yaboundtourspr

Read More