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Friday, September 28, 2018

Blog Tour: Love Unscripted by Tiffany Odekirk

Reviews * Giveaway
Love Unscripted by Tiffany Odekirk

Book Description:

Evie Jennings doesn't believe in happily ever after—it's been a year since moving home to Los Angeles to gather the pieces of her broken heart after her divorce, but she is only going through the motions. That is, until a chance encounter on her college campus brings about an unexpected turn of events: Evie finds herself face-to-face with the heartthrob whose poster decorated the wall of her teenage bedroom. And he's desperate for her help.

Hollywood sensation Ridge Dashly is facing a career crisis—a bad review threatens his A-list status. Desperate to win back the favor of the media and his fans, Ridge reluctantly agrees to enroll in college, never dreaming he'll meet someone who can see past his fame to his true self.

As their paths continue to cross, Evie's seeming disinterest intrigues Ridge, and the pair form a tentative friendship that slowly grows into something more. But when confronted with the unrelenting paparazzi and the nagging shadows of their pasts, will they follow everyone else's script or fight for their own happy ending?

Andrea's Review:

Love Unscripted is a beautiful novel, inside and out. It has the draw of a fairy tale type romance (famous actor falling for regular girl), and it also has a lot of depth and a great message about forgiveness. I loved Odekirk's first novel, Love on Pointe, so when this arrived in my mailbox I couldn't help but bump it ahead of several other books. And, I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint.

Evie is dealing with the aftermath of some bad choices. She's really struggling to love and forgive herself, and to think that others can do the same. She has support, but her guilt and self doubt is screaming so loud that she can't really let that help in. On top of that, she has had to move back in with her parents and start at a new university. A new relationship is the last thing on her mind, but things take an unexpected turn when she meets Ridge Dashly, a famous actor.

Odekirk does an excellent job of creating deep and likable characters. Love Unscripted has a wide range of emotions, and feels very real. It is LDS fiction, but I think it could appeal to anyone interested in a redemption story. This is a companion novel to Love on Pointe, and while it would probably be fine as a standalone novel, I highly recommend reading Love on Pointe first to have a better appreciation of Evie's situation and to learn more about the supporting characters.

Love Unscripted is an excellent, quick read that I'm looking forward to reading again.

Rorie's Review:

Reading Love Unscripted reminded me just how much I enjoyed Love on Pointe. I'm so glad that Emmy plays such an important part in this book. And I continue to pronounce Rhys' name wrong. I'm pretty sure I always will.

But. Back to this story. I loved it. It was a read-in-one-day sort of book. The kind that you don't want to end because everything about it is just so good. 

Evie is carrying some pretty serious baggage with her, and lets her past continue to haunt her. She's just going through the motions at life and isn't really even doing a good job at that. Ridge is kind of amazing, actually. Not only is he super-talented and famous, but he's actually a decent, down-to-earth person. The first meeting between those two is hilarious.

I appreciate how the religious aspect of the story wasn't in-your-face, instead it was just part of the character's lives. I also appreciated getting to know their different struggles and how they dealt with them.

Good character development will make or break a story, and this one excels at that. I felt like I really got to know ALL of the characters, not just Evie and Ridge. Although I wish that we had been able to find out what the deal was between Drew and Jason. Maybe that will be covered in a third book. (Here's hoping!)

Tarah's Review:


This was a book that has been sitting on my night-stand mocking me because I was super looking forward to reading it and I just haven't had the time I wanted to give it. I knew before starting this novel that it was going to be a story that I wasn't going to want to put down, and I was right. This is a book that you will want to stay up and keep reading until you are completely done.


This was beautifully written. You really feel for all the characters, and you get to know more than just the main characters, which makes me super excited for any other stories about this family.


I will admit that Emmy's story touched me more (loads of tissues for that one). However, I adored the dialogue and text messages between Evie and Ridge.


I will definitely read this story again, and look forward to more from this author.



Tour Schedule:


*Sept. 24thhttp://mybookaday.com/

Tour Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Title: Love Unscripted
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: September 2018
ISBN: 1524407879
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for honest reviews.


Purchase: Amazon | Deseret Book


Movie Review: Little Women

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? I'd highly recommend heading over to a theater near you to watch Little Women. No, I'm not referring to a repeat showing of the '94 version with Winona Ryder and Christian Bale. Debut director Clare Niederpruem has co-written a modern-day remake of Louisa May Alcott's novel and it opens nationwide tonight!


We had the opportunity to attend a VIP screening of Little Women this week, and the film exceeded my expectations. When I hear Indie film and shoestring budget, I don't picture a movie like we saw. The script, acting, cinematography, set design, and music all worked together for a high quality film. The modern-day makeover worked very well with this classic story, and the message of love and the importance of family showed through.

For any criers out there, be sure to have some tissues handy. The story line follows the original quite well, so it should come as no surprise that there are some tear inducing moments.

The film is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and teen drinking.

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LITTLE WOMEN—starring Lea Thompson (BACK TO THE FUTURE) —brings the same sisters to a new generation to celebrate dreams, family and unconditional love. LITTLE WOMEN also stars Sarah Davenport as “Jo”, Melanie Stone as “Meg”, Taylor Murphy as “Amy”, Allie Jennings as “Beth”, Ian Bohen (Teen Wolf) as “Freddy”, Lucas Grabeel (High School Musical, “Family Guy”) as “Laurie”, and Bart Johnson (High School Musical) as “Papa March”.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

#FallingInLove – Author Jennifer Griffith – $25 Giveaway



 
My 90's Boy Band Boyfriend by Jennifer Griffith 

Teenage singer Oakley Marsden is having a rough week. Pop-star Hudson’s rough week is twenty-three years long. 

Sixteen-year-old Oakley just wants to win a spot on TV’s The Next Radio Star. But when her bad audition goes viral, going back to school is a nightmare. 

Even more humiliating, she discovers her own mother was a boy band groupie. Cringe. And Mom still has a thing for a nineties boy band killed in the tragic plane crash twenty years ago. 

When things can’t get worse, a strange beggar guy ends up carrying Oakley home—and Oakley’s mom loses her mind. She’s convinced he’s the long-dead popstar Hudson Oaks, frontman for Girl Crazy and Mom’s long-lost love. 

And the guy isn’t denying it. Curse him. 

Oakley has to save her mom from this impostor before Mom does something insane—and before Oakley starts falling for his charm too. 

Get your copy now for just 99 cents!

Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Mom’s voice got that suppressed squealing quality again. “Don’t you know who that is?” 

“Who who is?” Oakley refused to believe her mom knew the seventeen/forty-year-old currently in her master bathroom shower. “That guy? He’s probably a drug addict, Mom. Believe me, I see a lot more of them at high school than you see in kindergarten. They’re actually pretty easy to spot: lack of self-care, bad personal hygiene, general disorientation, smell of smoke.” 

“Sweetheart.” Mom looked more serious than she had in days, and she grabbed both of Oakley’s hands again for emphasis. “That guy who is now showering in our house is Hudson Oaks.” 

The housing development guy from the boy band two decades ago? 

“Mom.” Oakley wondered how many times she was going to have to call her mom out today for making wildly ridiculous statements. It was climbing into the dozens category now. “I think you and I both know that’s impossible.” 

“He sounds like him, walks like him, says his name is Hudson Oaks. All the reasons. Trust me, I’m probably the greatest living expert on Hudson Oaks besides the man himself.” 

That guy in her shower couldn’t be more than seventeen, and therefore not, legally, a man. Her mom should stay right away from that jailbait. Weren’t school teachers specifically trained on stuff like this? Apparently Mom had shelved all that based on seeing a … what? 

Oakley’s world shifted on sands she hadn’t even known she’d been standing on. This new version of her life contained a mom who might just run off with a minor. 

“Did you look at him, Mom? He’s, like, a seventeen-year-old kid. This whole incident happened over two decades ago. Don’t tell me you can explain that.” 

“Of course I can.” 

Of course she could. Oakley swallowed all the acid-tinged words and asked, “How?” 

“Obvious. Time travel.” 

A tiny explosion detonated in Oakley’s brain, but before she could react, a soft knock came at Oakley’s door. Mom hadn’t heard it, too enthralled in her moment of brilliant discovery. But Oakley had. 

She looked over. 

There in the doorframe, lit from the hall light behind, stood a dripping wet, formerly dirty boy, clad in just a towel at his waist. His hair was combed, and he had a definite young Tom Cruise quality about him—dark hair, charming smile, and those shoulders. Great Gatsby, those shoulders! Oakley caught her breath and had to swallow hard. The way he held his mouth, like he expected every woman to want to kiss it, made a little muscle tremble at the back of Oakley’s stomach. 

She immediately tightened the muscle to put a halt to that nonsense.

 

  

Loved it! Fun and witty and had enough twists to keep me guessing. The hero was totally swoony and I really identified with the heroine. It had a perfect ending! ~Donna H   

Time for a blast from the past! I had a lot of fun reading this book. I loved all the references to 90s music and culture. I had some pretty good laughs every time I came across a reference from that time. ~Julie C   

Fun, fun read! Between a time-traveling rock star who looks like Tom Cruise, finding out about her mother’s teenaged craziness, learning to give her stepfather the credit he deserves, and coming to terms with her own insecurities and talent, Oakley has a lot on her plate! Let the fun and games begin! ~Traci A   

This brought back a lot of memories as I was a teen in the 80's. I loved this story. Sweet read & definitely good for teens & pre-teens or adults looking for a clean, fun story with a little romance, a little mystery & feel good ending! ~Rose D

 


Author Jennifer Griffith 

Jennifer Griffith writes light, sweet romances she calls Cotton Candy for the Soul. Her Legally in Love Collection stems from the fact she fell in love with a handsome law school student who now serves as a judge--as well as her muse. She also writes the Millionaire Makeover Romances, millionaires and makeovers being some things with which she has less experience. 

Jennifer loves old cars, landscape paintings, fresh bread with raspberry jam, and reading. She lived in Japan during college, where she once ate a cricket on a dare. She also traveled through Europe, where she slept a night in a castle on the Rhine. Jennifer worked summers in a cookie factory, and she spent a few years working for the U.S. Congress before becoming a wife, a mom and an author.  




 

 

 

 

Giveaway Details: 

Ends 10/12/18 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Christmas by Accident by Camron Wright

Christmas by Accident by Camron Wright

Book Description:

Carter is an insurance adjuster whose longing for creative expression spills over sometimes into his accident reports. Abby works for her adoptive father, Uncle Mannie, in the family bookstore, the ReadMore Café. Carter barely tolerates Christmas; Abby loves it. She can't wait past October to build her favorite display, the annual Christmas book tree stack, which Carter despises.

When an automobile accident throws Carter and Abby together, Uncle Mannie, who is harboring secrets of his own, sees a chance for lasting happiness for his little girl. But there are so many hurdles, and not much time left. Will this Christmas deliver the miracle everyone is hoping for? Where love and Christmas are concerned, there are no accidents.
 


Tarah's Review:

First of all, I need to complain just a little bit about the cover and the size of the book. The cover is cute enough, but there is just something about it that throws me off. I'm guessing it's the size of the book. I realize most people will think I'm crazy for this, but none of my other books are this size and it just throws my bookshelves off kilter. Especially if I'm organizing by author. His other books are not this size and that drives me batty. I'm sure the publishers have a reason for making a smaller book, but since I don't know what the reason is it just drives me nuts!

Okay, now that that's out of the way...on to the book! I love Christmas books. I have no problem reading Christmas stories in July. Now, setting up Christmas in stores, I have issues with them getting earlier and earlier every year. I think they should wait till after Thanksgiving, but no one asked for my opinion so there you go.

I haven't read everything Camron Wright has written, but the handful that I have read have been serious, gut-wrenching, reach for a tissue type books. I admit I was expecting more of the same from this one. Well, if that is what you are expecting throw those expectations out the window and I think you will enjoy this book a lot more. This book is a satire, and part of me is wondering how serious he was when he wrote this, and the other part of me said, "Hey, it's funny, so let it go." The book is filled with cliches and humor, but I did love the "I chose Christmas". I really can't take this book seriously, but considering I read it in one sitting very quickly and I occasionally burst into laughter I can't say bad things about it either. I was entertained. Let's maybe just leave it at that.

Andrea's Review:

Christmas by Accident is such an interesting story. It's not like many stories I've read with Christmas as a theme. In fact, it was sort of . . . making fun of those. Kind of. It's not like it was mean, but one of the main characters, Carter, doesn't like Christmas. He's an aspiring author though, and decides to write a Christmas story. He finds that there is a Christmas book about everything (that's where the kind of "making fun of" came in). His process is . . . strange. So, in part, Christmas by Accident is a book about writing this book. That part was unusual and unlike your typical Christmas story.

However, even though this isn't the deep, heart-wrenching story you may have expected from Wright, there is a touching story on top of the writing the book story, and that has a nice message of hope.

I enjoyed the characters. Carter is an insurance adjuster-a job that would slowly kill him from the boredom if he didn't spice up the claim reports. However, the insurance industry isn't known for feelings, and Carter's creativity gets him into trouble. He was a quirky character, and I enjoyed seeing his growth. I liked Abby as well. She has such a good heart and positive outlook. Mannie and the employees at the Read More Cafe are an entertaining group.

This wasn't a gripping, read it all in one sitting type of book for me. But, I did care about what happened, and I liked the happy ending.

Rorie's Review:

Based on the description on the back of the book, I was expecting a sickeningly-sweet, "Christmas is my life!" meets bah-humbug "I hate everything Christmas!" sort of story. That's actually not what happens at all. Yes, Abby does love Christmas, but she's not super-obsessive about it. Carter isn't fond of Christmas, but the story doesn't really get into that aspect of it very much. I honestly wish there had been a bit more butting heads involved, to be honest.


For me, the story was just ok until the last few chapters. Then things picked up and really started to get interesting. The author is a little over-exuberant with his descriptive words, so I think that's part of the reason why I struggled to get into this story. It was kind of distracting.

This is a cute, quick read, but it had a very powerful lesson at the end. Plus, yummy-sounding recipes are included. That's always a bonus in my opinion.


Christmas by AccidentTitle: Christmas by Accident Author: Camron Wright
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: September 2018
ISBN: 1629724769
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for honest reviews.

Purchase: Amazon | Deseret Book

#FallingInLove – Author Kimberly Krey – $25 Giveaway



 
The Sheriff's Bride by Kimberly Krey 

Book Description:

Trent Lockheart might be the new sheriff in town, but he can’t stop Jessie Jean from stealing his heart. 

Sheriff Trent Lockheart knew he’d be in for a challenge when he moved from the big city and a large police force to the small Wyoming town of Cobble Creek. But at least he’d be able to stick to his bachelor ways without temptation. So he thought. Cobble Creek isn’t overflowing with young, single ladies, but Jessie Jean—the gorgeous brunette who runs the Country Quilt Inn—proves more tempting than any woman he’s known. 

Jessie doesn’t care much for the new sheriff in town. After an explosive first meeting that almost ends in Jessie’s arrest, she’s even more determined to plan on dinner for one for the rest of her life. Sure, the new sheriff is seriously attractive, and after a second, much less dangerous run-in, he might not be that bad, but Jessie has no plan to marry, date, or even let a man into her life. Still, as the days pass, Trent’s surprising charm works past Jessie’s determination, and she finds promise in their budding relationship. 

After opening up about the difficulties in her past, Jessie finds that Trent is guarding a dark tragedy of his own, one that might threaten their chance at a future together.

Get your copy on Amazon

Add to your Goodreads Shelf





    

Of all the nerve! Who in their right mind would remove flyers for a fundraiser to help a single mother battling cancer? If Jessie came across this guy she’d let him have it. No doubt it was a guy; no woman had the heart to do such a thing. 

She took her frustration out on the stapler, pounding three staples into each corner of the page. “There,” she hissed. “Take this one down. I dare ya.” 

The deep sound of a man clearing his throat sounded behind her. “Who are you talking to, Miss?” 

She spun around, surprised to see an unfamiliar officer standing there. Wait, maybe he was familiar after all. Those sunglasses looked a whole lot like the ones she’d caught sight of a moment ago. She hadn’t noticed the uniform, as distracted by she’d been. In those tinted glasses, with that thick, dark hair and chiseled features, he looked more like a Hollywood heartthrob than a … 

The thought was lost as a shock of lime green caught her eye. Why were those papers in his hands? A gasp tore from her throat. “Are you the one ripping these down?” 

The man flicked the stack with the back of his hand. “As a matter of fact,” he mumbled around a toothpick between his lips, “that’s exactly who I am.” 

It was the perfect clash – the ugly admittance of what he’d done, and the attractive features of his face. Everything about him boasted manly perfection. His well-defined jaw showed hints of a five-o’clock shadow, the scruff also casing that perfectly sculpted mouth. The impressive span of his chest and shoulders said he was disciplined too; muscles like that didn’t happen overnight. 

Jessie forced her mind back to the less-attractive parts of him. Mainly, the part that was trying to sabotage her upcoming event. She reached out to snatch the stack from his grip, but he yanked it from her reach, a wry smile pulling at his lips. 

She gasped once more, visions of grade school coming to mind. Mean Milton playing keep away after swiping her backpack. 

“You’re a bully,” she accused. 

“No, ma’am, I’m just doing my duty.” The sunglasses made it hard to dissect just what was going through his head. In the reflection, Jessie saw a ticked-off version of herself, looking somewhat small from the lowered angle. 

A hand went to her hip. She leaned on one foot. “Did you take even one teeny tiny second to read what’s on those flyers? Huh? Because if you did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” 

“Ma’am, I don’t care if you’re having a yard sale or warning the town that a UFO landed in your backyard. What you’re doing is illegal.” 

Fire roared in her chest. “Who are you?” 

The officer slowly lifted a hand, took hold of the sunglasses he wore, and pulled them off his face. Their eyes locked as he moved the toothpick from one corner of his lips to the next. “I’m the new sheriff in town.”

 

  

"One of the best books I've read... there were parts where I cried, laughed and cheered at the happily ever after." Ginny LaMere 

"...a sweet but rowdy romance with charming characters, a heartwarming story, and breathtaking moments too." Kindle Customer 3  

 

  
  Author Kimberly Krey 

Kimberly has always been a fan of good, clean romance, so she decided to specialize in writing 'Romance That's Clean without Losing the Steam'. She's a fervent lover of God, family, and cheese platters, as well as the ultimate hater of laundry.  



 


 

Giveaway Details 

Ends 10/12/18 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.