Category: blogging

Blue
L.E. DeLano
Publication date: October 26th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
When Blue Mancini’s mother picked her name, it ended up being a self-fulfilling prophecy.

A year ago, Blue’s brother, Jack, was involved in a car accident that killed the father of her classmate, Maya Rodriguez. Luckily for Jack, he got out of a manslaughter charge and into a plea bargain thanks to the top-notch lawyer hired by Blue’s wealthy parents.

The fallout is now affecting Blue as Maya returns to school determined to carve out a pound of flesh from the only member of the Mancini family she can reach. On top of that, Blue has a demanding mother, a father who’s never around, a drama-addicted best friend, and a secretive new guy who’s determined to make Blue his own personal cheer-up project. It’s a perfect storm of misery.

When Maya’s social media taunts and in-person digs finally push Blue to retaliate, they find themselves in afterschool detention and forced into a project meant to foster cooperation and civility. As the layers of their tangled drama unravel, Blue learns more about Maya’s life—and her own sense of privilege—when secrets are revealed that cast a new perspective on everything in Blue’s world.

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Author Bio:

L.E. DeLano comes equipped with a “useless” Theatre degree that has opened doors for her in numerous ways. Though mostly raised in New Mexico, she now lives in Pennsylvania with two adventurous kids and two ridiculous cats. When she’s not writing (which is almost never), she’s binge-watching Netflix and planning road trips.

Her debut novel, TRAVELER was selected as a Keystone To Reading Secondary Book Award finalist for school year 2018-19 by the Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) and also voted one of The 20 Most Beautiful Books in the World for 2017 by MTV UK.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Amazon

Before getting into my review I quickly want to thank Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of the blog tour and for graciously providing a eGalley of the book so that I could read it for my tour stop today.

When I picked up Blue to read I knew that this would not be a fast read and that it would be emotional. So I was prepared with kleenex on hand.

The main character is Blue and what she is going through after her brother Jack, was involved in a car accident that killed a classmates (Maya) father. We also see the kind of life Blue is living. She has a very demanding mother and a father who is never around. You can’t help but feel for Blue. As a mother it broke my heart to read it.

When Maya returns to school she is determined to make Blue’s live a living hell. I get where Maya is coming from but its not really Blue’s fault. Maya does everything in her power to make Blue’s life miserable and Blue is feed up and decides she needs to fight back.  Both girls are given detention and a project that forces the girls to work together.

As they are working on this project Blue realizes that there is more to Maya then she lets on. She also realizes that there is more to herself and how much privilege she has. Will the girls be able to understand each other better? Will the secrets be too much for Blue to handle?

I really did enjoy reading this and looking forward to reading more of L.E. DeLano’s books in the future.

GIVEAWAY!
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Tour Stops:

November 1st
–pick a good book >> Excerpt
–Movies, Shows, & Books >> Guest Post
–Rants N Scribbles >> Excerpt
–Two Ends of the Pen >> Interview

November 2nd
–The Avid Reader >> Excerpt
–Rockin’ Book Reviews >> Guest Post
–Monogamist Reader >> Excerpt
–Candlelight Reading >> Guest Post

November 3rd
–Iron Canuck Reviews & More >> Review
–Living in a Bookworld >> Excerpt
–Cindy’s Love of Books >> Review
–The Eclectic Review >> Review

November 4th
–Drunk On Pop >> Excerpt
–The Phantom Paragrapher >> Review
–Adventures in Writing >> Review
–Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’ >> Review

November 5th
–@shaez_reads >> Review
–Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author >> Playlist
–Teatime and Books >> Excerpt
–InAshleysWorld >> Review
–Bookish Trisha >> Review
–Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love >> Excerpt

 

 

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Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing
Lacey Baker
Published by: Hallmark Publishing
Publication date: November 2nd 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Welcome back to Evergreen,
the town built on Christmas wishes…
And learn what happens
after one snow-globe wish comes true.

Life is going great for Hannah, really. She’s fallen in love with her best friend, her brother is getting married, and she’s looking forward to another festive Christmas in Evergreen. Still, between her job, taking charge of the choir, and being the town’s jill-of-all-trades, she’s feeling uninspired…especially when Elliot starts to question his own role in the town.

Hannah finds fresh inspiration in the brand-new Evergreen Christmas Museum, and she volunteers for their storytelling project. When she interviews her fellow Evergreenians, however, she learns that not everyone wants the museum around; specifically Mr. Cooper who owns a third of the building. As Hannah finds herself with more and more responsibilities, and as her relationships with Elliot and her family grow strained, she starts to wonder about what she really wants. Can her love and newly-found purpose survive the changes that loom after the holidays are over?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Before I begin my review I quickly want to thank Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of this book tour and for graciously providing a eGalley of the book to read for my review spot today.

Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing is based on a Hallmark original movie. This is the fourth book in the series but you can read them as stand-alone. The previous books are Christmas in Evergreen, Letters to Santa, and Tidings of Joy.

Bells are Ringing’s main characters are Hannah and Elliott. I should mention that it’s more of Hannah’s story as it’s told in her perspective the most with a little of Elliott thrown in. But there is a secondary storyline and that is of her brother Thomas and his upcoming wedding to Michelle who is the town’s mayor.

Evergreen is a cozy little town where everyone knows everyone. They strive to make it a magical place for visitors when they flock to the town during Christmas. One of the attractions is the magical snowglobe where everyone goes to make their wish. Do they come true? No one will ever know.

Hannah has lived in Evergreen her entire life. She is like a jill of all trades and she never says no when someone asks for help. Hannah is very much a part of this town. She is always busy doing something. Elliott moved to Evergreen when he was 10 years old and when he first laid eyes on Hannah he know she was the one for him. They have been best friends since they were younger and he finally made the move and asked Hannah out. They have been dating for a year. On the outside things seem perfect but are they really?

Things were good when Elliott takes over the Tinker Shop from Hannah’s parents because they were always together and it’s what brought them together but now it seems like she is way too busy and it leaves Elliott questioning his role in the relationship and in the town. He needs to talk to Hannah and he isn’t sure how she will take it. Little does Elliott know but Hannah is feeling the same way. Will this relationship survive? How will Hannah react to Elliott’s news?

While all that is happening Michelle is in the midst of planning her wedding plus doing her job as a mayor. She is hoping things will go off without a hitch but we all know that won’t happen because a huge storm is rolling in and Thomas is delayed. You can’t help but feel bad because we all want a wedding to go on without issues. I loved that Michelle and Thomas were looking at the positive side and not the negative. I was really rooting that this wedding would happen despite all that is thrown at them.

After reading this I definitely want to pick up the previous books to see what they are like. I also want to see the movies. I think it would just add another element to the story.

Have you read the previous books? Have you seen the movies?

Author Bio:

Lacey Baker, a Maryland native, lives with her husband, three children, two grandchildren and English Bulldog in what most would call Suburban America–a townhouse development where everybody knows each other and each other’s kids. Family cook-outs, reunion vacations, and growing up in church have all inspired Lacey to work towards her dreams and to write about the endurance of family and the quest to find everlasting love. To date she has written in several genres including small town romance, YA paranormal (as Artist Arthur), a cozy mystery series titled Rumors and adult paranormal (as A.C. Arthur).

Website / Goodreads / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
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Hosted by:

Tour Schedule:

November 1st
–Michelle Cornish >> Excerpt
–Adventures in Writing >> Excerpt
–Natasha Brooks’ Favorite Books >> Interview
–Read Your Writes Book Reviews >> Interview

November 2nd
–Angela Anderson Presents >> Review
–Movies, Shows, & Books >> Guest Post
–Perusewithcoffee >> Review

November 3rd
–The Avid Reader >> Excerpt
–Rockin’ Book Reviews >> Guest Post
–Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm >> Excerpt
–Cindy’s Love of Books >> Review

November 4th
–Iron Canuck Reviews & More >> Excerpt
–Pick A Good Book  >> Interview
–Community Bookstop >> Review
–breen.rb >> Review

November 5th
–Jathan & Heather >> Guest Post
–Teatime and Books >> Excerpt
–Y’all, This Book >> Review

This is my post during the blog tour for The Cowboy’s Christmas Retreat by Catherine Mann. In The Cowboy’s Christmas Retreat a Rodeo champ is jilted at the altar and takes his best friend and her son on his honeymoon to the Top Dog Dude Ranch.

This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours and the tour runs from 26 October till 8 November. You can see the tour schedule here.

The Cowboy’s Christmas Retreat (Top Dog Dude Ranch #2)
By Catherine Mann
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 26 October 2021

Blurb:
After they’ve opened gifts, maybe he’ll unwrap her heart…

Instead of his winter wonderland wedding, Riley Stewart has been jilted. This rodeo champ needs an understanding shoulder, so Riley invites his best friend, Lucy Snyder, her son and their scruffy pooch on his “honeymoon.” But moonlit doggy walks, romantic fires, the glow of Christmas lights—everything is conspiring against their “just friends” resolve. Will this fake honeymoon ignite the real spark Riley and Lucy have denied for so long?

Links:
– Goodreads
– Bookbub
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo
– Google Play
– Apple
– Books a Million

About the Top Dog Dude Ranch series
Welcome to Moonlight Ridge, Tennessee, home to the Top Dog Dude Ranch, renowned for family-friendly rustic retreats that heal broken hearts. Some say it’s the majestic mountain vistas. Others vow there’s magic in the hot springs. All agree, there’s something special about the four-legged creatures at the Top Dog Dude Ranch that give guests a “new leash on love.”

First book in the series:
Last-Chance Marriage Rescue (Top Dog Dude Ranch #1) by Catherine Mann

“They’re about to step into a parent trap of their twins’ making!”

Links:
– Goodreads
– Bookbub
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo
– Apple
– Google Play
– Books a Million

About the Author:
USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Harlequin, Tule, Berkley, and Sourcebooks. With over seventy-five books released in more than twenty countries, she has won a RITA Award, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Bookseller’s Best Award. She’s also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. After years moving around the country bringing up four children, Catherine has settled back in her home state of South Carolina where she lives with her husband. The nest didn’t stay empty long though as they are both active in animal rescue. Catherine enjoys hearing from her readers and can be found online frequently on Facebook. She can also be reached via mail at: PO Box 290762, Columbia SC 29229. (For a free bookmark, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope.)

Author links:
– Website
– Facebook
– Instagram
– Pinterest
– Goodreads
– Newsletter

I quickly have to give a quick thank you to Lola’s Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour and for graciously providing a eGalley of the book to read and review for my tour stop today.

This is the second book in the series. I didn’t read the first one but I definitely want to check to see if I can find it online as an ebook to read. There will be a third book called Last Chance on Moonlight Ridge scheduled to be released in 2022. I should say that this can be read as a stand-alone and you don’t need to have read the first one.

This was a pretty quick read that I really enjoyed it. I am a sucker for a small-town romance especially if it involves friends that fall in love and has their happily ever afters. Whenever I read these kinds of books I can’t help but think of my small little town.

Our main characters are Riley and Lucy. They have been best friends forever and are there for each other through thick and thin, good and bad. In high school, they had kissed but the timing just wasn’t right, and it’s too bad but I always feel like things happen for a reason and maybe it wasn’t the right time to pursue it.

The thing with Riley and Lucy is they both have been burned in past relationships and have guarded hearts. Yes, they have feelings for each other, and no matter what they tell people they do realize things are starting to heat up between them. Both are afraid to take that next step and possibly risk their friendship. Will they risk it all to see if this timing is right?

As you are reading it you can’t help but want this to work out for both of them. I loved both Riley and Lucy. AS you are reading you can definitely feel the attraction both have towards each other. This was definitely a sweet friends-to-lovers story.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE THROWBACK LIST by Lily Anderson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Title: THE THROWBACK LIST

Author: Lily Anderson

Pub. Date: October 5, 2021

Publisher:  Hyperion Avenue

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Welcome to Sandy Point, Oregon: a sleepy beach town that’s home to a giant anchor statue, a sometimes-karaoke-bar, and Frosty’s questionably legendary Sunday Sundae Surprise. A town Jo, Autumn, and Bianca thought they’d left far behind when they graduated high school, finally moving on to greener pastures than the midway point for tourists heading to the Goonies house.

But life seldom goes according to plan.

Bianca Boria-Birdy, former prom queen and valedictorian, has always been an overachiever. As she juggles managing the family tattoo parlor, caring for her grandmother, and adjusting to a new marriage, Bianca’s schedule becomes stricter than ever, with no room for disruption. What she really needs is a vacation, but not even Bianca Boria-Birdy can achieve the impossible.

Autumn Kelly used to be an actress. Now she teaches drama at Sandy Point High. She may have had to kiss her movie-star dreams goodbye, but molding the next generation of performers has given her life meaning in a whole new way. Until the sudden reappearance of her ex-best friend throws everything off-balance.

Jo Freeman has it all together. With a cool job in Silicon Valley, connections at the trendiest fitness studios, and a down payment on her dream condo, she’s well on her way to reaching every one of her goals before thirty. Or she was, before she got fired and landed right back home with her parents and teenage sister.

When Jo finds an old bucket list in her childhood bedroom, it sets the three women on a path that brings them closer to one another with each task. And it just might lead to a life none of them could have planned.

Praise
for The Throwback List
“Witty and fiercely relatable. Lily Anderson writes about what it’s like to realize you’re totally failing at this adulting thing and how it makes you turn to that one, special, friend who always knew you best. A fun, funny, and
surprisingly emotional look at  how friendship evolves but always endures.”—Sarah Watson, author of Most Likely and creator of The Bold Type

Before I begin my review I quickly want to thank Rockstar Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this blog tour and for sending a eGalley of the book to read for my review today.

I know I have said this numerous times but I love taking part in blog tours especially if it’s new to me authors and books. This is the case today. I have heard of Lily Anderson’s books before but I never picked them up until now and after reading this I will definitely be checking out Lily’s previous books.

The Throwback list centers around three women, Jo, Autumn, and Bianca. It’s told from their points of view.

Once Jo graduated high school and left her small town in Oregon, Sandy Point  (I could totally relate as I grew up in a small town that sounded just like this town) she never looked back until she is terminated from her job. With no job in sight and unable to pay her bills she has no choice but to go back home to a place she never thought she would go back to. It’s there that she finds her old notebook that had a sort of bucket list of things to do in Sandy Point that Autumn and Jo wanted to accomplish. Sadly she didn’t check anything off her side of the list.

Next door to Jo’s parents is Bianca. Bianca was prom queen, valedictorian, president of the Honor Society in high school but now she is a newlywed who is taking care of her grandmother and runs the family tattoo shop. Just when Bianca thinks she is finally getting the long-overdue honeymoon the rug is snatched from under her because her husband is planning on buying a dentist’s office for his orthodontal practice with the money. I have to say that this point annoyed me because he just went ahead and did it without consulting his wife. He knew that she was looking forward to this.

Next is Autumn. She was Jo’s best friend. She moved out to LA to pursue acting and when things didn’t pan out she moved back to Sandy Point as a teacher to teach drama at her old high school. Since moving back Bianca and Autumn have become friends. Autumn wants nothing more in this world for her two friends to get along. But can they?

I was instantly hooked and found this to be pretty much a quick read for me. Once I started it I didn’t want to put it down. I do have to say that while I was reading this I couldn’t help but think of friends that I have lost contact with since leaving my hometown many many years ago but thanks to Facebook I am able to reconnect and hopefully, if I can make it back there next summer I will be able to make plans to hang out with them. I do applaud anyone who can say they still have best friends from when they went to school.

I definitely could relate to Jo the most because I did the same things she did. Once I graduated high school, I high-tailed it out of there and moved to the big city. Only because my little hometown didn’t have a lot going on. Things were limited job-wise etc. At first, I went back almost every year, and then there was a point I stopped going back. I haven’t been back in almost 15 years and I miss it. I guess you can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl.

I have one question is a second chance at friendship the new thing to a second chance at a love troupe? Because if it is sign me up. I am here for that kind of troupe.

About Lily Anderson:

Lily Anderson is the author of The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You; Not Now, Not Ever; and Undead Girl Gang. A former school librarian, she is deeply devoted to Shakespeare, fairy tales, and podcasts. Somewhere in Northern California, she is having strong opinions on musical theater.

Find her online at www.mslilyanderson.com.

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Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE THROWBACK LIST, US Only.

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