Robyn Echols's Blog, page 3

Book Tour: SWEET INDULGENCE by Debbie White

Real Men Eat Cupcakes
Annie McPherson has had it with all the blind dates her grandmother and auntie set her up with. She just wants to be left alone to run the Sweet Indulgence cupcake bakery – even if it means she’ll remain single forever.
Jack’s just been through a gut-wrenching break-up, and women are the last thing on his mind. Now he’s on a mission to pick up cupcakes for his niece’s birthday party—not a mission to fall in love. Pulled in by Annie’s good looks and witty charm, though, temptation proves too sweet.
But will Annie’s pesky grandmother and auntie welcome Jack as Annie’s choice or will they have him jumping through hoops to prove he’s the one?
Fans of Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, and Susan Wiggs are sure to love Sweet Indulgence, the first sweet romance novel in the Charleston Harbor series.
This book is too sweet to pass up! Scroll down to the buy links below and begin your indulgence today!

~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~



USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Debbie currently lives in northern California where the beautiful landscapes are often the settings in her books. The jagged coastline, the rolling hills with vineyards and the redwood forest make wonderful sceneries for her romance novellas.
When Debbie isn’t writing or traveling to a book signing, she’s visiting her family on the east coast, traveling to other places on her bucket list, enjoying her backyard, hiking with her husband and riding on the back of their motorcycle.

As an avid animal lover and parent to two rescue dogs, Debbie donates a portion of her proceeds to animal rescue organizations. When you purchase one of her books, you’re also helping a furry pet with shelter, food and ultimately a new home!

Connect with the Author here: ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~



This was a delightful romance that happened in spite of well-meaning, meddlesome older relatives, a sister still finding her way, and a host of friends. Annie, owner and operator of Sweet Indulgences, a cupcake shop, is focused on her business. By opening her heart to a handsome customer and taking a chance on people, she not only makes dreams come true for others, but finds fulfillment of bigger dreams for herself. A great cast of characters lead to a happy ending.



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Book Blitz: SERVIE'S SONG by Heidi Tucker

Heidi Tucker won the 2017 Illumination Award for her first inspirational book Finding Hope in the Journey and her newest release is entitled Servie’s Song. Her passion for writing and speaking about light and hope has inspired thousands. Heidi is known as a great storyteller who motivates us to rise up and find new strength. She teaches how to recognize truth and make a difference.

When Heidi isn’t writing her next book, or speaking at a conference, you’ll find her spending time outdoors with her husband, four grown children and eight grandchildren. She loves sunflowers, hiking, and ice cream … not necessarily in that order.
Find out more about Heidi at ThePickledSunflower.com

Connect with the Author here: ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~






The true story of one mother living in Zimbabwe, Africa who encounters a devastating loss leaving her unable to care for six children. In a heart-wrenching sacrifice she surrenders to a desperate plan to leave her children and find work in the United States. It is a door which feels impossible to walk through. But perhaps, the only door which holds any promise.
Servie's Song takes you on an emotional journey of tragedy and heartbreak to an inspiring path of hope. This touching story is complemented by gospel principles which will teach and motivate you to grab onto your faith and move forward trusting that you are never alone. God always hears your prayers.

~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~




 Snippet:

 Angela saw the emotion. She saw dark eyes that had seen too much. Servie had a beautiful smile that lit up a room, but Angela sensed something deeper. “There is a story behind this woman’s face,” she thought. A story that she hoped to learn. “In time,” Angela thought. A small stirring in her heart told her to trust and help Servie.
          Angela smiled and leaned forward.           “How soon can you start?”

YouTube Trailer For Servie's Song:



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Blog Tour: CHRISTMAS SECRETS by Donna Hatch

Holly's two Christmas wishes this year are to finally win her mother's approval by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and discovering the identity of the stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss...even if that mystery kisser is the resident Christmas ghost.






~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ ~ Amazon Canada ~ 
~ Amazon Australia ~




Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with the Author here: 
~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~



This was a delightful Christmas novella. It was not too long—just right for the holidays. A cast of fun characters added to a light-hearted plot. I loved the dialogue, and the interactions among the young people, not to mention the very concerned, meddling mama.
The story dealt with the pressures of the Regency era to not only marry, but marry well, preferably “up.” A gathering of young people celebrate Christmas along with—a ghost. The ghost story is told as a fun diversion, but is it real? Someone gets kissed, but only does that someone not “kiss and tell,” she couldn’t tell if the kiss was with a real live gentleman, or if it was the ghost.
All I can say is, read the book.


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Wednesday Wonders: THE DARKEST SUMMER

This week's Wednesday Wonders is part of a blog tour for The Darkest Summer  by Rebecca J. Greenwood

About the book:
Lady Cora Winfield’s life has always gone according to plan–her mother’s plan. So when she meets the dark Duke of Blackdell, Cora is fascinated. Knowing his dangerous reputation, Cora’s mother flatly forbids the match, and the duke decides to take matters into his own hands. Kidnapped and facing a scandal, Lady Cora must now decide whether love will be her downfall or the beginning of a new plan, one she never dreamed possible.
Set in the stormy summer of 1816, this Regency romance is a retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone.
Excerpt:
She wanted to press for more details, but caught her mother’s glare and remembered that she was dripping on the carpet. Lord Eastham wasn’t the type to have really noticed or cared about the crops or the tenants who worked them unless they weren’t getting enough money to him. This might be an unfair assessment, but he did give that impression. While he was blond, handsome, athletic, and dressed in the height of fashion, Cora had always found him to be mocking her on some level whenever they met. But he was her mother’s favorite, so they met far too often.

Author Rebecca J. Greenwood is offering a Goodreads giveaway for her book for an opportunity to win a copy, please click on the following link:
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Goodreads Book Giveaway The Darkest Summer by Rebecca J. Greenwood Giveaway ends November 27, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway

The promotional prequel novella, The Darkest Hour, is out and available on Instrafreebie, if you would like to check it out in connection to The Darkest Summer. 


Blurb for The Darkest Hour:
When Lady Hester discovers her brother Adam, the Duke of Blackdale, was injured in the Battle of Waterloo, she rushes from Scotland to Belgium to be by his side. Her minister, the widowed Reverend Alasdair Gilchrist, escorts her on the journey. She is determined to keep her brother alive, and to keep her greatest secret: she’s been in love with Mr. Gilchrist for years.The novella is both a standalone romance and a prequel to The Darkest Summer. 
To download a copy of The Darkest Hour from Instantfreebie, please CLICK HERE. 
My Book Review of The Darkest Summer:
I have read several Regency novels set in 1816, but this novel got the details right about this particular year. It became known as the year without a summer. Although the inhabitants of Europe did not realize it at the time, the eruption of Mount Tamora in the Dutch East Indies in 1815 was to blame due the volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere blocking the sun. However, the author used this phenomenon as the setting and an important element for her novel.
I loved how the author depicted the novel’s characters. With her peculiarities, Cora was such an unlikely, yet lovable heroine. She was as distressed about the effect of the summer weather on plants, including crops, and what poor growth would mean to the common people as she was about her court of fortune-seeking suitors. Her mother, and overbearing, over-protective personality, micro-managed her daughter’s life, yet there was a little room for empathy for her reasoning. And our hero, Adam, struggling to overcome the effects of being raised by his abusive father, fighting what we know today as PTSD, and struggling with physical pain as a result of a battlefield injury not completely healed, was a hero easy to love and cheer for. I ached over his inability to know how to court according to the accepted customs of the day—the man could not “say the pretty,” yet he loved deeply.
This novel engaged me from the start, first with the character of Cora, and then with the action and suspense as she and Adam struggled with the effects of the winter weather in summer while they traveled north. I also enjoyed the secondary romance between two very interesting characters. This was a sweet romance about some dark times, and one that was a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance. 
Purchase Links: 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books & things

About the author:

Rebecca J. Greenwood is an author, artist, and designer with a love of stories, especially Regency romances. She grew up in Texas as the oldest of six, and studied visual art with a music minor at Brigham Young University. Rebecca lives in Utah with her husband, where she listens to audiobooks, cooks experimentally, has an interest in alternative health, and constantly has a new project in mind. Visit rebeccajgreenwood.com to experience more of her art, writing, and upcoming projects. Author Residence: Orem, UT

Connect with Rebecca J. Greenwood:

Website | Facebook |  Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter 

Wednesday Wonders: SWEET TEXAS CHRISTMAS

Today I am happy to feature Sweet Texas Christmas  an anthology of four sweet romance stories by Stacey Coverstone, Cheryl Pierson, Marie Piper with a focus onSarah J. McNeal and her story,"A Christmas Visitor"About Sweet Texas Christmas:

Christmas in Texas couldn’t be sweeter than these stories of lost love found and new love discovered at the most joyous time of the year! SWEET TEXAS CHRISTMAS is a boxed set of Christmas novellas that will warm your heart and keep you reading long into the night to see how these couples find their happily-ever-after ending!

With the holiday season in full swing, these western heroes and their ladies come together in a delightful collection of four deliciously sweet Yuletide stories you’re sure to love and remember. Authors Stacey Coverstone, Cheryl Pierson, Sarah McNeal, and Marie Piper have penned these scrumptious Christmas tales just for your reading pleasure, along with a special surprise in each story!

Each of these holiday tales includes a delectable dessert recipe guaranteed to bring an added measure of Christmas sweetness your way! There’s nothing quite like a SWEET TEXAS CHRISTMAS!
Excerpt from "A Christmas Visitor":
“Don’t you even think about stepping up on this porch, Sterling Alexander Thoroughgood, or I’ll shoot a hole in you big enough for a team of horses to jump through.” The woman wearing a faded blue calico dress aimed the shotgun straight at his heart…and sometimes his liver, since she wasn’t holding the shotgun all that steady.Sterling raised his hands in the air. His bare hands were practically numb from the cold. He glanced up at the slate gray sky. Snow’s comin’. Then, he grinned at the woman holding the shotgun. “Merry Christmas to you, too, Matilda.”She dipped the shotgun for just a moment, but raised it again as if on a second thought. “What do you want here after being gone for three years? Did you break some hearts up in Wyoming? Maybe you have some fathers and brothers gunning for you and you thought you’d come running back here to hide.”Well, there it was. He’d hurt her when he left, and she wasn’t about to let him forget it. “I came to see Allister. I told him I’d be coming back soon as I got my place up and running. We hadan agreement about him selling me some cattle and maybe a bull to get a good, diverse herd started of my own.” He reached out his hand to press down on the barrel of her shotgun pointing it toward the broken-down boards of the porch. “So, if you could see yourself clear to let me speak to your daddy, I’d be obliged.”Matilda placed a hand on her hip while the other held tight to that shotgun. “Seems you’re a little too late, Mr. Thoroughgood. Pa died last year from pneumonia. He’d been sick a while and I had to sell off all of the livestock except for the mule and a few chickens to pay for the doctor and his medicine. I guess you’ll be leaving here empty handed.”“Tilly, darlin’, I’m so sorry to hear the news that Allister has passed away. He was a good man, and a good friend to me.” He stretched out a hand to touch her arm, but she stepped backjust out of reach.“Don’t you dare call me sweet names or my nickname, you snake. You’ve been gone three years, and not a single word from you in all that time! All that sweet talk means nothing to me now.” She opened the door and stepped back to wave him into the house.
My Book Review:
What a delightful collection of sweet Christmas romances containing action, courting and recipes. I enjoyed all the stories and recommend the book.Today I am highlighting the story “A Christmas Visitor” written by Sarah J. McNeal. How long must a girl be expected to wait for the man she loves to return—to write, anything? Matilda is one unhappy woman in love, and Sarah did a wonderful job writing her character. The character of the man who finally showed up after three years, Sterling Alexander Thoroughgood, is also well-written, and he is so likable, I felt ready to forgive him his massive error in judgment. Sarah painted with words a sweet scene of their Christmas celebration, along with describing a unique gift Sterling hoped would soften Matilda's heart and change her mind. I kept guessing at the contents of the gift as she worked to open it. In the end, what she received changed everything for her. Great ending. 

To purchase Sweet Texas Christmas, please CLICK HERE.
About Sarah J. McNeal:
I became interested in writing at a young age. My parents didn't allow us to have a television so my sisters and I became avid readers. We read everything from Shakespeare to my mother's True Detective Stories that, by the way, scared the hell out of me. I submitted my first story and received my first rejection when I was thirteen years old.

Along with writing, I have a deep love of music and play the violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica.

I live with my four-legged children, Liberty, my rescue kitty and my golden retriever rescue, Lily. I feed the wild birds around my house and care very much about all creatures of the Earth. I am a member of The Defenders of Wildlife and The ASPCA as well as The Humane Society of the United States.
I write time travel, paranormal and romance novels and love doing the historical research for them. I am presently writing a series of musical instrument stories inspired by my love of music. My Wildings of Wyoming series began with Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride and the sequel, For Love of Banjo. The Wilding family has grown since then with several short stories, A Husband for Christmas, When Love Comes Knocking, Hollow Heart, and The Beast of Hazard, and a novella, Fly Away Heart from Prairie Rose Publications. You can find all my Wilding stories listed at http://prairierosepublications.com/bo... There are more Wilding family stories to come.
Writing brings me a joy and fulfillment that nothing else can. I love creating magical worlds and people who want to make a difference. I hope that anyone who reads them will love them, too.
Connect with Sarah J. McNeal:
Facebook | Twitter | Website | My Amazon Author’s Page
Prairie Rose Author Page

 

Book Review: GRACE FROM THE FALL by Mike Mabe

Mike Mabe is a young man ready to graduate from high school, but ends up in prison instead. Angry and confused, he wants a better life. 
Given a sentence of over a year, he must learn how to cope with prison while discovering that better life. With the aid of his family and some unlikely relationships, he begins to find that better life. 
Based on a true story, Mike fights the daily inward and outward battles to avoid prison becoming a permanent part of his future.









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Check out this amazing Book Trailer!



Michael Mabe is no stranger to adversity. As a young man recently graduated from high school, he was arrested for crimes he committed in his youth. While his friends were making plans to attend college, he was sent to prison for a year and a half.
Thirteen years later, Michael has completely changed the direction of his life. He is married, has three kids, graduated from college with a 3.7 GPA, and has experienced success as a professional. Change did not come without significant challenges.

The author of the biographical fiction, entitled ‘Grace From The Fall,’ Michael encourages people to be something better than the day before.


Connect with the Author here: ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~


This book provided great insight into a young mind who was raised in an active Latter-day Saint home and taught right from wrong, but chose a different path. He soon found his fantasies took him into deeper trouble than he realized, with friends who turned on him to save themselves. His situation went from bad to worse as he entered the juvenile rehabilitation system. Mike found opportunities for his better side to come out to help others. At the same time he battled within himself regarding whether he wanted to change, or if he really could change. This was a story about family who did not lose their faith, and did not give up on a wayward child.
Told in the first person, the dialect was a little difficult to get used to at first. However, even more than for Mike’s character, but for the others he interacted with while going through this experience, the dialect added to the setting and made the characters real. The pacing of the story was good. The story held my interest. It was a story of hope. I definitely can recommend it.



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Wednesday Wonders: PACIFIC COAST WEDDING

About Pacific Coast Wedding:
His new business partner. Her ex.
When they realize each other’s connection to the groom,
will their own fledgling love survive?

Attending her ex-husband’s wedding is the last thing Lacey Wells wants to do, even if it’s happening along the gorgeous Pacific Coast where she once dreamed her own beach wedding would take place. Now that dream is coming true for someone else, and to add insult to injury, she needs to get their daughters to the wedding on time. If only her car would cooperate . . .

Noah Grady doesn’t expect to come to the rescue of a beautiful woman and her two daughters on the way to his friend and new business partner’s wedding, but meeting Lacey makes the long drive and an unpleasant visit with his half-brother worth it. Hitting it off with her makes Noah feel like he might finally be ready to begin a new chapter in his life.

But things start to unravel when Noah discovers Lacey is his business partner’s ex-wife, making her off-limits unless he wants his career to disintegrate. Can he throw it all away for a chance at true love?

Summer just got a little better with a sweet new romance from the author of Pierced by Love and The Matchup!

This novella was such a sweet contemporary romance. I loved the interaction between the characters, how much both the hero and heroine valued home and family, and how their interest in each other bloomed over several realistic, everyday situations. Plus, the setting was gorgeous--the beach wedding and coastal scenery Walker created with her writing swept me away. I love a clean romance, and this qualifies.
Jennifer Griffith, author of Wills & Trust, Legally in Love Collection
You may purchase Pacific Coast Wedding by CLICKING HERE .
My Book Review:
I enjoyed this romance with the wedding set in one of my favorite places to visit. However, it starts in the stark desert wasteland of eastern California as two people connect casually and cautiously. Only later do they realize they have more than a connection either initially guessed at.
The author did a masterful job of leaving the reader guessing when Noah and Lacey were going to figure out that greater connection, which added a air of suspense. The characters were well-developed, even those I loved to hate. I recognized the personality type of the ex, Jeff, which made it more real to me. This is a delightful romance for those who want a break from the world and assurance that good things come to those who take a chance.
  About the author :

Laura Walker grew up in southern Arizona. She met her husband, Rob, at Northern Arizona University where she earned her bachelor degree in Elementary Education. Now, taking care of their six children is a full-time job. Laura is the author of Pierced by Love.



Connect with Laura :


Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Wednesday Wonders & Book Review: RIGHT NEXT TO ME by Rachel Ward

This week's Wednesday Wonders features  Right Next to Me by Rachel Wardand includes my book review

About Right Next to Me:
She has a crush on her boyfriend's best friend.

How long can a good thing last? Sydney was sure Gavin was the perfect boyfriend until he moved across the country for school. After spending more time with her best friend, James, she’s now rethinking everything. Sydney’s once sure footing in life slips even more as she discovers new details about her own father’s betrayal. Scared she’ll hurt Gavin like her father hurt her, Sydney must decide if she’ll stay with the perfect boyfriend, or the perfectly flawed boy who’s been there all along.

Excerpt:
          There is a moment at the end of the graduation ceremony where everyone is supposed to throw their caps. But the senior advisors told us not to. Several times. Per minute.          “If you lose your cap, you don’t get it back."          “If you lose your cap, you lose your tassel.”          “If you lose your cap, it won’t be in any of your graduation pictures.”          So, only about half of us threw our caps. It was very anticlimactic. And then after the ceremony, it took about half an hour to find everyone. Piper was closest. (Madison, Piper, Morris, Sydney). It seemed appropriate though, that we ended this together: Piper and I had been friends since first grade. We wandered toward the exit and spotted James easily, almost a head taller than the rest of the blue and white herd. Piper found her boyfriend, Sean, and ran to him, throwing her arms around him and laughing. As we approached the dais, Gavin appeared at my side.          “You did good, man,” James praised as Gavin pulled me in.          “You did,” I repeated from his embrace, my voice muffled by his gown.          “Thanks,” Gavin kissed the top of my head, a few copper strands attaching themselves to his five o’clock shadow, and then pulled on my hand. “Let’s get out of here.” He navigated out of the doors and we stepped out into the sunlight, immediately surrounded by parents. I glanced around at the crowd. Moms were crying, kids were yelling, and there was a lot of hugging and photography           “I see my mom,” I exclaimed, pointing through the crowd. “And yours,” I announced to James. “C’mon.” I let go of Gavin’s hand and grabbed James, dragging him through the crowd. “Mom!” I shouted over the din. Somehow she heard me and turned in my direction. She was beaming. My sister, Whitney, was next to her, tapping the program against her leg impatiently. I released James and threw my arms around Mom’s neck.          “Congratulations,” she said, hugging me tightly. “You did it.” She pulled away and posed me under a nearby tree for a picture. “Whitney,” she called, “come be in the picture.” Whitney made a face and trudged over. She plastered a fake smile on her face and as soon as Mom’s camera clicked she was gone again.          “James,” my mom called. He stood between his parents, laughing at the empty diploma cover. He turned toward us when he heard his name. She waved him over. “Come take a picture with Sydney.” He handed his diploma to his mom and was next to me in a matter of strides. He wrapped his arm around me and we smiled as the camera clicked. He wrapped the other arm around me and pulled me into him.          “How you feeling?” he asked softly.          “Weird,” I laughed. He pulled back and nodded. For most of my high school career it had been the five of us. Gavin, Sean, James, me, and Piper. The group had evolved naturally during our freshman and sophomore years. Gavin and Sean had been close since junior high school. Then Gavin and I got together after freshman year. James had moved into my neighborhood the summer before sophomore year and clicked immediately with all of us. And Piper and Sean hooked up at the beginning of junior year. We were always together, at least in some combination. But starting in the fall, that would change.          We were all set to head our separate ways. Gavin would go to Yale in Connecticut; he was the pride of our high school and the only one to be accepted into an Ivy League school. Piper was headed to USC. None of us are entirely sure how she got in, but I have a theory that it had something to do with generous donations from her father. Sean had gotten a full scholarship to Utah State and would be moving to Logan. James was accepted to the University of Utah, and was planning on living at home since it was only minutes away from campus. And I was headed north to Boise State University in Idaho to study graphic design.          “Sydney!” Gavin yelled my name across the crowd. Sean and Piper were next to him. I turned and smiled at him and beckoned to them.          “Come take pictures,” I called. James stepped behind me and Gavin positioned himself on my left side. Piper snuck in and wrapped her arm around my neck and Sean stood next to James.          “Smile,” Mom called. James’s mom had sidled up next to her as well, camera at the ready. I knew that we had the whole summer before us, but there was something so final about this moment that my breath caught momentarily in my chest. Everything was changing.          “You want a ride tonight?” Gavin asked me as we finished with the pictures. Sean and Piper had disappeared and James had returned to his family. Mom and Whitney were waiting to take me home. I nodded. “I’ll text you in a bit.” He bent down and kissed me quickly and then he was back with his family as well.           My eyes scanned the crowd apprehensively as we walked back to the car. Whitney shot me a look. “You know he’s not here, Syd.”          “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied quickly, shifting my eyes to my feet. I felt Mom’s hand on my arm. “I’m fine,” I snapped, pulling away slightly, immediately sorry. It wasn’t her fault that my dad couldn’t care less about us. He lived out of state and only showed up very occasionally. I had hoped that maybe my graduation would warrant a visit, but it was stupid to get my hopes up. Something as minor as my high school graduation apparently wasn’t worth a plane ticket.

My Book Review:
This was a thoughtful coming of age novel covering many of the challenges facing young adults as they prepare to leave the cocoon of safety they enjoyed in high school and go off to college. Told in the first person, Sydney Morris is one of five tight-knit friends who spent most of their high school years doing almost everything together. Sydney’s personal life is also complicated by her parents’ divorce. The story starts at the time of high school graduation, but includes flashbacks to relevant scenes in her past life.
At graduation, the five sense the changes that are coming in their lives even though they have the summer ahead of them to still enjoy each other’s company. Several of them work, Gavin is off to Yale, James will go to the local college and live at home due to finances, Sydney’s application to her first choice of colleges, Cal Art, is rejected, so she must settle for her second choice. All of them are facing the challenges of moving in different directions. Sydney and Gavin face the decision of whether or not to try to continue a long-distance relationship with him attending college back east and her being in Idaho with the hope of eventually transferring to California. Some relationships in the group solidify, some drift apart, not everything is as it appears on the surface. Then there are the complications of Sydney and her siblings dealing with their relationships with their father.
This story is well-written, character and situation-driven story. It held my interest as I empathized with the difficulties and choices they faced as they solved their individual challenges. It held my interest, it captured my empathy, and I recommend it to readers from high school age and up.  
Right Next to Me Purchase Links:
Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Books & things| Deseret Book

About Rachel Ward:  Rachel grew up reading every book she could get her hands on and spending time with her cat. At least, that was the report in every annual Christmas letter.  The humiliation was enough to spur her into action, and she began writing.  And she never stopped.  Rachel studied English at Brigham Young University-Idaho and then wrote and blogged in between the births of her six children. She currently lives in West Jordan with her family, and while she no longer has a cat, she still reads every book she can get her hands on. Connect with Rachel Ward:

Blog  |  Twitter   |  Facebook 

Wednesday Wonder & Book Review: SAFE HOUSE by Shannon Symonds

This week's Wednesday Wonders features  Safe House  by Shannon Symonds 
About Safe House:
True, it was her prison, but it was also her sanctuary.

Where can you turn when your house is not safe? In a small coastal town in Oregon, Amber and Kelly know the deadliest people sleep down the hall. As they attempt to escape the violent, domineering men in their lives, despair fights against faith and hope as an introduction to the Book of Mormon promises them a haven they can’t find in their homes. But getting out of these abusive situations is not as easy as it appears. With their lives spiraling out of control, can they have faith that God’s grace will save them?
As a victim's advocate, Grace James is used to rushing into trouble to save her victims from abuse or assault. And with a handsome officer like Joe Hart at her side, Grace is sure there's nothing she can't do. But an ominous storm brewing on the Oregon horizon is about to change everything-and bring with it dangers and revelations Grace and Joe never expected.

Excerpt:
Grace drove up the winding road, high among large new homes. They sat along the edge of the lush Oregon forest on the Pacific Coast Range Mountains. She didn't have to look too hard for the address. An ambulance and two lit up police cars, lights silently rotating, marked the last home at the top of the steep road. Light spilled from every window and the open front door. Ancient pines and a dark old growth forest swayed in the wind behind the house. On the front porch a woman was arguing with a medic, holding a bloody rag to her face.
My Book Review:
This book was a mystery/thriller suitable for teens and adults. The author has worked as an advocate for victims of abuse and/or assault. She has taken her first-hand knowledge of what she had learned in real life to write fiction that is believable and reflects some the actual difficulties with which people can find themselves dealing.
At first I experienced anger directed not only at the abusers, but in the ineffectual response on the part of the victims. The author gently leads a reader to understand how people can find themselves being gradually led into situations that open them up to abuse without realizing the position they are in until it is too late. Her goal, besides telling an excellent and exciting story, is to guide the readers to see how victims who blame themselves for the abuse they receive can work to become survivors who put the blame where it belongs, but sometimes they must accept help from others to do so. The story highlighted not only the issues of spousal abuse, but how much abuse of a spouse can have a negative impact on the children in the family and leave them living in constant fear and uncertainty.
In addition to the social issues and the tensions they provided the characters, this was an exciting adventure as the characters in the town find themselves dealing with a force of nature that threatens to overpower them all, including the modern technology we take so much for granted in this day and age. The action kept me reading.
This is a novel with many L.D.S. (Mormon to much of the world) characters. I believe the novel can be enjoyed by readers who are not L.D.S. since the author depicts people of faith, and some of L.D.S. practices, without getting much into doctrine. 
The focus of the book was not romance, but the romance elements present were sweet and clean. Not all romances were resolved, which leads me to hope the author may have a sequel to this novel. It was an enjoyable and enlightening read, and I recommend it. 
Purchase Links for Safe House:
Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Books & things | Deseret Book


About Shannon Symonds:
Shannon Symonds currently works as an Advocate serving victims of intimate partner or family violence. Shannon responds with law enforcement to the scene of domestic or sexual assaults, works with victims, accompanies them to the hospital and provides follow-up care. She is a trained trauma and recovery specialist, has completed the Oregon Coalition training as a professional advocate, has completed training as a parent educator, Head Start Teacher, early childhood education certification and one year program, an Associates Degree with an emphasis in Social Services, has worked and trained as an advocate for over 15 years total. She is the recipient of the Oregon Trial Lawyers award for her work to change housing for victims of domestic violence. She is a confident trainer and speaker, and is comfortable working with the public. 
You may stay in touch with Shannon on her blog:
http://www.shannonsymonds.com/about-the-author/

Book Tour: 10 Weeks at Chanute by Ren Garcia

In 1992 an aimless young man decided to serve his country and joined the Air National Guard. To complete his training, he was sent to venerable Chanute Air Force Base in the flats of Illinois to learn how to turn wrenches on jet engines. It was a place brimming with history, a place he soon grew to love.
Soon thereafter, Chanute closed its doors forever, becoming a modern ruin in the years that followed, taking the young man's heart with it.
This humorous, witty and occasionally ribald memoir details the experience of one of the last Airmen to pass through the hallowed gates of Chanute Air Force Base, and how the experience haunts him to this very day.

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Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature. Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood, he also has a passion for caving, urban archeology and architecture. His highly imaginative "League of Elder" book series is published by Loconeal Publishing.



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I agreed to read and review this book with the expectation that it might be a dry, factual memoir detailing the Chanute facility. I could not have been more wrong. The author's humorous collection of tales telling how he became involved with the Ohio National Guard, his experiences with the recruiter, basic training, and arriving at Chanute to be trained as at "Jetmec" kept me entertained. His adventures with his superior officers, fellow airmen (and women) and his run-ins with Navy swabbies and Marines (he wasn't a fan of either) who were there for weather training just before the base closed added to the humor. Although the story of this facility the last 10 weeks it operated was included, this book was more the personal experiences of the people, particularly the author.

The language is definitely rough and vulgar--military personnel are not know for genteel vocabulary--but the emotions and irony come through and made the story. I enjoyed the pictures the author scattered throughout the book. This is not your typical research book full of facts. I enjoyed reading 10 Weeks at Chanute.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 


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