Robyn Echols's Blog, page 8

Wednesday Wonders: ALMOST AS MUCH

This week's Wednesday Wonders features  Almost as Much  the third book in The Cherished Memories seriesby Linda Ellen
About Almost As Much:
The long awaited final installment of the series that began with the 2014 Lyra Independent Fiction Contest Romance Category Winner, Once in a While.

It’s now 1955...

Vic and Louise Matthews are living his Bold Venture and raising their family. Together with Louise’s son Tommy and their own two boys, along with Louise’s mother, Lilly, they have settled into a comfortable life.

With Vic working seven days a week to make his dream a success, they have realized Almost as Much happiness as they had hoped for, but Louise unexpectedly finds herself becoming frustrated and dissatisfied. As problems between them grow, each one steadfastly searches for answers. Finally, in desperation, Louise makes a decision that sets in motion an event that will change the dynamic of their lives forever.

Follow this hard-working couple as they weather accidents, robberies, and misunderstandings – as well as joys, triumphs, and answered prayers.

Will that magnificent love that began on a dark rainy night in 1937 truly prevail? And will the event that Louise longs for become a reality?

Heartfelt, delightful, riveting, and at times comical, Almost as Much is an inspirational tale awash in historical references, while thoroughly portraying the reality of a family striving to live the American dream in Louisville in the 1950’s.

You may purchase Almost as Much on Amazon. CLICK HERE .
Excerpt:

The shower was still running, steam building up in the bathroom in spite of the door being open.  Louise stepped in leaving the door ajar a few inches for ventilation.   She couldn’t see any movement behind the curtain and the thought crossed her mind that her husband was hiding, purposely trying to avoid having a confrontation. She knew he realized she was aggravated at him.  Slowly moving up, she put out a hand and moved the curtain just enough to peer through the steam, her face set with a frown...What she saw gave her heart a twinge.  Her husband...her hard-working man...was standing with his back to the streaming hot water, allowing it to beat down on his neck and left shoulder. So much so that the skin was bright red from the heat.  Thinking of her teenaged son already in bed and exhausted from his day at the station, for a crazy moment, she wondered if Vic had managed to fall sleep on his feet.  His hair was plastered to his head, and his face wore a grimace. Then, slowly rotating his arm, she watched as he shifted to allow the water to beat down on the other shoulder.After a few moments, as if he felt her gaze, his eyes opened and met hers as he blinked water from his lashes.  Then his lips turned up in a tiny smile.  “Sorry I was late gettin’ home...”Louise smiled softly and shook her head. The remnants of her anger from earlier had fled the moment she had seen the extent of his exhaustion. “That’s okay.”  After a few beats, she added, “Want me to wash your back?”He let out a groan.  “That’d be heaven.”She closed that end of the curtain and reached up for the washcloth he had stashed over the curtain rod, taking a moment to make it good and soapy.  Then opening the curtain again, she pushed it back a bit.  “Come here...turn around,” she murmured over the sound of the water hitting the floor of the tub.  He obligingly came forward, turning and bracing his hands on the shower wall, and letting out a soft moan as she began soaping and massaging his back and shoulders.  When she was finished, she scrubbed his elbows and the backs of his arms free from ground-in grime.Memories seeped in of the many times she had scrubbed his back during their early days.  They were so much in love back then... With a soft sigh, she handed him the washcloth. Leaving the bathroom, she shut the door and slipped behind the curtain into their sleeping area.  Slowly removing her party dress and jewelry, she allowed her mind to wander over first one subject and then another. She wondered why she felt so restless of late. Was it because the boys, her babies, were getting so big? Both of them would be away from her in school soon and not with her and not under her protection every day. Thoughts of her friends having babies crossed her mind and for a moment, she wondered why she hadn’t gotten with child again after Jimmy – it wasn’t as if they had begun taking precautions again, because they hadn’t. She paused in contemplation, wondering if having another child would make her feel fulfilled.  Then, for the first time in a long time, thoughts of the baby she had lost on the banks of the Ohio so many years ago crossed her mind. The memories of pain, loss, and the accompanying conflicting emotions, had been buried so deep, they seldom surfaced...Placing her hands up to her cheeks, she stared at her reflection in the bureau mirror. Oh, what is my problem?  Was it that she and Vic didn’t seem as close as they used to be? They had been so happy for so many years. It wasn’t that she didn’t love him or that she felt he didn’t love her...I know he does.  It was just that they never had time to spend together anymore...like they were two boats floating down opposite sides of the Ohio, but in the same direction. Louise heard the shower stop and several minutes later heard him brushing his teeth as she stood running her brush through her hair, allowing her mind continuing to flit from one subject to another.   Not long after, Vic slipped through the curtain. Putting down her brush, she gathered her things to ready herself for bed, before she turned, emotions warring within. Wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, he stood gazing across the bed at her, his expression carefully neutral, as if bracing himself for a tirade. All day, she had been planning on having it out with him over a great many things, but now...all the wind seemed to have left her sails.  She could see the fatigue lines around his eyes and the guarded air of his posture.With a sigh, she averted her eyes and slipped out past the other side of the curtain, pausing for a moment to gaze back over her shoulder before making her way to the bathroom. He hadn’t moved, except to follow her movements with his eyes.  After a moment, he shifted his focus onto the light blue sheets invitingly turned down.When she joined him in their bed twenty minutes later, he was sound asleep. For her, however, sleep was a long time coming.

About Linda Ellen:

Linda Ellen is an historical romance writer who's making her debut with Depression Era romance, rich with history, love, heartache, and real life.

Linda was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where she resides with her husband and youngest son.

Connect with Linda Ellen:
Amazon Author Page   |  Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  

Wednesday Wonders: A CHAOTIC COURTSHIP

This week's Wednesday Wonders is part of a book tour for  A Chaotic Courtship by Bethany Swafford


We are so excited to have Bethany Swafford back for a tour for her amazing book. We had such a great response to her blitz and every so many reviews coming this week from people excited to read her wonderful book. Come join us on the journey!


For as long as she can remember, Bethany Swafford has loved reading books. That love of words extended to writing as she grew older and when it became more difficult to find a ‘clean’ book, she determined to write her own. Among her favorite authors is Jane Austen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette Heyer.

When she doesn’t have pen to paper (or fingertips to laptop keyboard), she can generally be found with a book in hand. In her spare time, Bethany reviews books for a book site called More Than A Review.

Connect with the Author here: ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram ~



Twenty year old Diana Forester, a country bred young woman fears that her inexperience and uncertainties has driven Mr. John Richfield away. On arriving back home from London, she learns that he is already there, ready to continue their acquaintance. If Diana thought that it was difficult in London, courting takes on a whole new aspect when Diana's younger siblings become involved. She finds herself dealing with her own feelings, her sister, her younger brother, jealous members of a house party, a jilted suitor, and a highwayman as she falls in love with the charming Mr. Richfield.




Find the book on:
~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ 
~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~

This book could have also been titled A Courtship In Spite of a Chaotic Family. I thoroughly enjoyed this story that not only told the story of the courtship of Diana and Richard, but introduced a full cast of supporting characters that added to the chaos. Yet, unlike some books I’ve read with several characters, the author artfully introduced them in a manner that I did not lose track of who was who or who was suspected of what. After all, there was a highwayman roaming the neighborhood, and a lot of suspicion about who it could be. 
Diana’s younger brother had his own unique traits that made him stand out and contribute to the overall plot. Diana’s younger sister Sarah was written to have such a lively and engaging personality that she almost stole the show.
The author kept me guessing about several issues. Who was the highwayman? Was he one of the featured characters, or an unknown? Was Richard, the suitor Diana was initially unsure of, to end up as her own true love? Or, would her neighbor that had pursued her earlier end up being the knight in shining armor?
This was a sweet romance laced with suspense with very engaging characters, ones that convinced me that the nature of inter-family relations cross eras in spite of the mores of the time. I whole-heartily recommend it for lovers of historical and Regency romances.

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


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Wednesday Wonders: THE YANKEE YEARS

This week's Wednesday Wonders features the boxset  The Yankee Years  by Dianne AscrostAbout the books:
After the Allied troops arrived in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland during the Second World War, life in the quiet, rural county would never be the same again.

Book 1: The Shadow Ally

June 1941: When Ruth Corey finds a letter her journalist boyfriend, Harry Coalter, has written, revealing details of the secret construction of an American flying-boat base, she fears he will disclose information that could destroy America’s neutrality and land him in serious trouble. The letter must not be posted. Ruth enlists the help of a guest at her family’s hotel, attractive Italian-American civilian contractor Frank Long, to help her stop Harry.
Can Ruth safeguard this military secret and protect her beau?

Book 2: Acts of Sabotage

December 1941: The attack on Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into the war have eliminated the need for secrecy surrounding the construction of the American flying-boat base but now there is an urgency to complete the project before the first US troops arrive on Northern Ireland’s shores. Frank is doing his utmost to ensure the airbase will be ready but religious conflict within the workforce and suspected IRA involvement in the theft of materials and tools from the construction site make his job nearly impossible. When Frank confides his worries to Ruth, despite the risks entailed in meddling in the activities of terrorists, the pair devise a plan to catch the thieves.
Can Ruth and Frank stop the acts of sabotage that threaten the military project and what does the future hold for the two of them?

Book 3: Keeping Her Pledge
June 1942: Pearl Grainger’s life is much more exciting since the Allied troops arrived. She’s out dancing several times each week and she has met RCAF seaplane navigator, Pilot Officer Chuck Walker who quickly becomes special to her. The harsh realities of war are far removed from her until the evening an RCAF flying-boat crashes into a field on her family’s farm. Watching her family attempt to rescue the crew from the burning wreckage, she realises it’s time she played her part in the war effort and resolves to volunteer at the nearby US Army Station Hospital. Pearl’s intentions are good but she is unprepared for the harsh reality of a hospital during wartime, and her RCAF boyfriend is determined to protect her from it.
Can Pearl keep her pledge to do her bit for the war effort without losing the man she loves?

A tale for fans of Annie Murray, Ellie Dean and Margaret Dickinson.

The Yankee Years series: During the Second World War Northern Ireland hosted American, British and Canadian troops. County Fermanagh welcomed Air Force squadrons hunting U-boats and defending shipping convoys in the Atlantic Ocean and Army battalions training and preparing for deployment to Europe’s Western Front. After the Allied troops arrived, life would never be the same again. The Yankee Years novels and Short Reads weave thrilling and romantic tales of the people and the era.  
The Yankee Years may be purchased on Amazon by CLICKING HERE.
My Thoughts:
I read the second book in this series, Acts of Sabotage , which prompted me to invite Dianne to share her book series on my blog. Her series, set in northern Ireland just before the United States entered World War II, gives a view to not only the dangers United Kingdom citizens faced due to tensions between Northern Ireland and Ireland, but the extent of American involvement even at that point in time. It has a delightful clean romance. I recommend these books to readers who enjoy World War II stories as well as romances set in this era.
 
About the Author:

Dianne Ascroft is an urban Canadian writer. She moved to Britain more than a quarter of a century ago and gradually downsized until she is now settled on a farm in rural Northern Ireland with her husband and an assortment of strong willed animals.
She writes historical and contemporary fiction, often with an Irish connection. Her current series The Yankee Years is a collection of Short Reads and novels set in World War II Northern Ireland. After the Allied troops arrived in this outlying part of Great Britain, life there would never be the same again. The series weaves tales to evoke the people and the era. Her previous writing includes a short story collection, Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves and an historical novel, Hitler and Mars Bars. Online she lurks at www.dianneascroft.com.

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Wednesday Wonders: COURTING THE COUNTESS

This week's Wednesday Wonders is part of a cover reveal for  Courting the Countess  by Donna Hatch



We just had a fantastic release with Author Donna Hatch ... and now we get another one! I am beyond ecstatic! I love her books and I'm excited to share each and every one.

As a little recap - let's take a look at the previous books we've featured for Donna's before we see her newest addition!


And she has even more books we have not featured! Be sure to check them out!


And now ... On to the cover reveal starting with our author!




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:
       
   
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And finally ... let's check out her fantastic new book!
Synopsis:When charming rake Tristan Barrett sweeps Lady Elizabeth off her feet, stealing both her heart and a kiss in a secluded garden, her brother challenges Tristan to a duel. The only way to save her brother and Tristan from harm—not to mention preserve her reputation—is to get married. But her father, the Duke of Pemberton, refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. The duke demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry a man who despises her, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love. Richard fears Elizabeth is as untrustworthy as his mother, who ran off with another man. However, to protect his brother from a duel and their family name from further scandal, he agrees to the wedding, certain his new bride will betray him. Yet when Elizabeth turns his house upside down and worms her way into his reluctant heart, Richard suspects he can’t live without his new countess. Will she stay with him or is it too little, too late?


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And now ... are you ready to see the wonderful new cover??


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We love it! So sweet!
But don't just go on our word, Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Then share the fun news and enter the giveaway!

And pre-order your copy of this book here:

~ AMAZON ~ AMAZON UK ~

~ AMAZON CA ~ AMAZON AU ~





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Wednesday Wonders: THE SECOND SEASON

Book Description:
Caroline is not looking forward to this year's Season in London. Her mother already has schemes for her marriage prospects--and none of them include love, it seems. But when a dashing young duke begins to pursue her, Caroline has second thoughts. Caught between ambition and desire, Caroline may gamble her heart away without even realizing it . . .
Short Excerpt:
"I see we both have cast our eyes upon that which will never be ours." 

My Book Review:
This was a delightful well-written Regency romance with a twist. As usual, Caroline began her second season, her mother was insistent on Caroline attracting the attention of someone well-placed among the aristocracy if not the nobility. She quickly attracts the attention of a duke. To Caroline’s mother, it is the perfect match and she puts the pressure on her daughter to accept the match. What more could Caroline ask for?
Caroline, whose season the previous year was cut short due to illness is not as enthusiastic to enter the fray in search for a husband. While preparing for the season, Caroline is persuaded to go to a cordswainer’s shop owned by one John Clark, a famous shoemaker, for the perfect slippers to go with a gown and some new boots. There she meets not only Mr. Clark who intrigues her, but Lord Searly, the Duke of Rembridge whose purchase of boots from Mr. Clark is making the shop famous. She quickly attracts the duke’s attention. To Caroline’s mother, it is the perfect match and she puts the pressure on her daughter to accept the match. What more could Caroline ask for?
Caroline comes in contact with the cordswainer regarding her new footwear, she finds herself attracted to John Clark. He is a craftsman, not a member of the aristocracy. John Clark also is attracted to Caroline, but knows his place. The question becomes, which romantic opportunity will Caroline pursue?
There is a secondary romance developed within the book involving Caroline’s older sister, Lucy, which I enjoyed very much.
This story moves along smoothly as the author leads the reader into insight about each character, their personalities and motives. There are twists along the way, many of them keeping me asking, will this story turn out like the typical Regency romance with the dashing duke getting the pretty heroine? I found The Second Seasonan engaging and entertaining story with a satisfying ending. It is a sweet and clean romance, one I recommend to those who love Regency romance.
Author Bio:

Being the youngest of four sisters (and one very tolerant older brother), Heather grew up on a steady diet of chocolate, Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables, Audrey Hepburn, and the other staples of female moviedom and literature. These stories, along with good teachers, encouraged Heather throughout high school and college to read many of the classics in literature, and later, to begin writing her own stories of romance and adventure. After meeting and marrying her husband Mark, Heather graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University and finally settled down in a small farming community in southeastern Idaho with her husband and four children. In her spare time, Heather enjoys time spent with family, volleyball, piano, the outdoors, and almost anything creative.

Connect with Heather Chapman:
Website  |  Facebook
Buy Links:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Deseret Book  |  Booksamillion

I Love Writing & Winning

I won! I’m taking the course. You can too. Here are the details: 
Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development  by Keena Kincaid
was published just this past week by Sundown Press , an imprint of Prairie Rose Publications . 


You may purchase it in Kindle format by  
CLICKING HERE ,
or as a bound trade book from Amazon.com by CLICKING HERE.
Keena is offering a work course to go with the book from September 20th through October 20th. The course is only $15.

For details on how to contact Keena and sign up for her course, click on either 
Sundown Press, or
Prairie Rose Publications  

Wednesday Wonders: A GATEWAY TO HOPE

This week's Wednesday Wonders is part of a Book Blitz for  A Gateway to Hope  by E. C. Jackson 

After 2 wonderful book tours, we are excited to have both of the books in the Hope Series featured together for a blitz! Come help get these wonderful books seen!

Twenty-one-year-old Neka is a bit of an introvert, she also happens to be stunningly beautiful.When she discovers her friend James is about to be dumped, she sees the perfect opportunity to escape from her quiet life. Can she summon the courage to leave it all behind? James Copley comes from a ruthless family. It’s rubbed off. Years ago, he disengaged from his brother’s smear campaign, but now his father has offered him an ultimatum, “Get married or lose your seat at the table.” Plotting to stamp his design on the family business, he proposes to a woman, even though he doesn’t love her. But his carefully laid plans start to unravel when she leaves him on the day she’s due to meet his family. Could years of planning his comeback vanish with her departure?
A possible solution comes in an unexpected form: Neka. She’s not only a friend, but the daughter of his benefactor. And she’s right there, offering to support him. But will her support stretch to marriage? He attempts to win her over to his plan but collides with her powerful father who wants to leverage the situation for his own gain.
In their fight for survival and love, they are forced to face some uncomfortable truths.Can they overcome thwarted dreams and missed chances to find true love, or does forcing destiny’s hand only lead to misery?


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It was a match made in heaven. Or so everyone thought. Sadie Mae Cummings is all set to marry her childhood sweetheart, Kyle, when she is assigned to tutor Lincoln, the new college football running back. This sophomore phenomenon has all the girls on campus knocking on his door. But Sadie isn't interested in his advances.
Lincoln’s overblown ego doesn't take well to being shunned, and he resolves to make Sadie his own. He pursues her relentlessly, until finally Kyle finds himself shut out of Sadie's life, with their shared future crumbling around him.
After two years, Sadie’s relationship with Lincoln ends, and she is left having to put the pieces of her life back together. She desires nothing more than to recapture her relationship with Kyle. He has stayed true to the dreams they had planned together, living the vision even without Sadie by his side.
When she moves back to her hometown, she labors to rekindle their love. But things have changed, and Kyle has moved on. Sadie quickly discovers how hard it is to rebuild burned bridges.
Follow Sadie’s story as she fights for a chance to restore broken dreams. Will love endure?
This inspirational romance by E. C. Jackson is book two of the Hope series and is a standalone book..



~  Amazon  ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Amazon UK ~  ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~ Indigo ~



E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. For three and a half years, she published the Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to writing tracts and devotionals. Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church for eleven years led naturally to her current endeavor, writing inspirational romance novels. Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through fiction.Connect with the Author here: ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~
~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~


#1 Sadie bit into a cupcake, then dipped her spoon into a bowl of chocolate ripple ice cream. She seldom ate dessert—and usually pigged out when she did—which is why she normally didn’t. But it was her birthday, and she celebrated it alone. Just like last year. But that was okay; she was going home. And soon. But not soon enough. She was anxious to get on with her life.


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



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Wednesday Wonders: ONE SMALL CHANCE

As part of a Book Blitz, Today's Wednesday Wonders features  One Small C hance    by Lucinda Whitney

Author Lucinda Whitney is back to join us with her newest book!She is offering her book at a discount price right now too - you can pick it up for $0.99! 
And, for a short time, she is offering a $25 gift card for posting a review!!See below for the giveaway options


Lucinda Whitney was born and raised in Portugal, where she received a master’s degree from the University of Minho in Braga in Portuguese/English teaching. She lives in northern Utah. When she’s not reading and writing, she can be found with a pair of knitting needles in winter, or tending her herb garden in the summer. She also works part-time as a substitute teacher.


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



One city of two million people and only three months to find her.What are his chances?

When Isabel Antunes is hit by a man on a bike, she doesn’t expect to see him again. But on Monday at work, she learns her boss just hired him. Despite the guy’s repeated assurances to the contrary, she feels he’s a threat to her position of director, and she won’t hand it over without a fight. As if that’s not enough, he’s a member of the same church she joined a few months ago and she can’t get away from him on the weekends either.
Simon Ackerley is in Lisbon, Portugal, as a consultant for an English-only private academy. He doesn’t speak any Portuguese but he’s enjoying the city and his new job, despite a co-worker who’s bent on treating him as the enemy.
But when he discovers a clue to her identity, Simon realizes there is so much more at stake than just a pleasant working environment. If only he could tell her the reason why he’s come, he’s sure Isabel would treat him differently. But he knows she’s not ready for the truth.


~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~
Excerpt: 
Isabel nodded at him. “To answer your question, Mr. Ackerley, I’m not quite sure what a singles ward is. Everybody keeps talking about it, but I don’t know what or where it is.”
“Call me Simon. We’re not at the academy and we’re not at church.” 
He was persistent, she gave him that. “Simon.” 
He smiled. “A singles ward is for members of the church who are between the ages of eighteen and thirty.”
“The equivalent to a marriage mart, I’m guessing?” 
Simon tossed his head back and laughed heartily. He had an honest laugh. “Well, yes, that’s the main purpose even though nobody likes to admit it.” 


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


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Wednesday Wonders: DEAR JANE

This week's Wednesday Wonders is part of a blog tour forDear Jane by Rachel Ward
Book Description: 
Before the mission, Quinn’s future was uncomplicated, straightforward and involved a wedding. Now, eighteen months later she is without a fiance, without a job and without a direction. Slowly, things begin to fall into place, maybe not the way she would like, and definitely not the way she imagined, but after much trial and error Quinn creates a new path. One that will open her eyes and change her life.
Excerpt: 
You know that Primary song? I hope they call me on a mission. When I was about seven I learned that one for the first time, and I took it literally. When my mom wanted my brother Nathan to do something, like try a new food or meet new people, she would always say, “When you’re on your mission you’ll have to eat crazy stuff . . .” or “When you’re on your mission you’ll have to talk to all kinds of people.” But she never said it to me. And then we learned that song. I hope they call me on a mission. I remember asking my Primary teacher if girls could go on missions too, or if boys should just sing it. “No!” she replied emphatically. “You sing that song, sweetie. And you go on a mission. Can’t let those boys have all the fun.” And since that day, I was going on a mission and nothing was going to stop me. Especially not falling in love six months before my nineteenth birthday. No man would keep me off a mission. Even if he was the perfect man—my best friend’s big brother.
My Book Review of Dear Jane:


Fantastic story. Many young men in the military or on missions have received “Dear John” letters over the decades. With the increase of young women serving proselyting missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it only stands to reason that some of them who leave sweethearts behind with a promise of marriage at the end of the mission will receive “Dear Jane” letters. That is exactly what happened to Quinn Matthews about three months before the end of her mission.

I thought from the title much of the story would deal with Quinn as a missionary doing her best to carry on as a devoted missionary while attempting to cope with the loss of her sweetheart. Only a small portion of the story touched on it. The bulk of the storyline dealt with Quinn’s situation once she returned home. Without marriage to look forward to, she found herself living at home while started college courses, searched for a job and worked towards getting her own car so she didn’t need to share with her sixteen year old sister. The author did a masterful job of expressing Quinn’s challenges and her feelings as she made the adjustment back to post-mission life. She had a lot more depth to her after she returned, and some of the shallower values and relationships, although not necessarily bad or evil, were no longer right as her closest relationships.
There was love interest in this story. Two for Quinn. It was like a tennis match as Quinn moved back and forth between two men, deciding which was best for her as the woman she had become as a result of her mission.
The characters in the story had complex personalities. Although most were L.D.S., they had their own weaknesses and challenges which created a lot of tension. Some went off the deep end and had to struggle to come back, some found it difficult to cope with their lives and that of their families not turning out perfectly even though they made the best effort to stay close to the church and live the teachings of Christ the best they knew how.  Quinn found herself in the center of the dynamics between several people, including her own family, with their dysfunctions. How she worked her way through those relationships kept me engaged to the end of the book.
Although this was written geared to an L.D.S. reading audience, I do not think a non-L.D.S. reader would have difficulty following along. The story is worth it. 
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.
Purchase Links:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Deseret Book  |  Books & things
Connect with Rachel Ward:

Blog  |  Twitter   |  Facebook

Wednesday Wonders: ACCIDENTALLY ME

This week's Wednesday Wonders features  Accidentally Me  by Kim Karras
About Accidentally Me:
 “Maybe, just maybe, if I can convince Dad that I’m in enough danger at home, he won’t mind shipping me to California for school. But there’s only one problem. If I hope to pull this stalker scheme off, I’m going to need more than just a scary story.”

Sabrina has been trying to be the perfect child her whole life to convince her parents that she’s more than just an “accident.” Now she is desperate to go to her dream college, but her parents want her to stay close to home. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Sabrina must team up with an unlikely ally to get what she wants. But she can’t let her parents discover her plan. If she wants to maintain her perfect image, Sabrina must break rules that even her rebel sister keeps . . .

Excerpt:

“I want to pay you to stalk me.”Impossibly, Calvin’s big, blue eyes get even bigger. “Wow,” he says, stroking his beard. “That was...unexpected.”“Well, yeah.” Inside I am reeling. Unexpected is not my territory. “Here’s the thing. I’ve been accepted to go to Caltech in the fall. But my parents—well, really, my dad—is worried about me being so far away from home. I’m thinking, if I can convince him that I’m in some sort of danger here, California will almost look like—”“Refuge.” Calvin turns from me and looks vacantly at the ground for a minute. There is something about this guy that makes me uncomfortable. Finally, he returns his attention to me. “So, what, exactly are you proposing?”


Book Review for Accidentally Me:
This book surprised me. Written in first person with main character Sabrina freshly graduated from high school, I expected a healthy dose of teenage angst. However, this story dealt with a young woman probably too smart for her own good who goes about getting what she wants even if it means manipulating her parents and resorting to unscrupulous measures. She soon finds herself in deeper trouble than she ever thought she could be. Her challenge then becomes, what will she do about it?
Part of trouble stems from her belief that because she was born so many years after her brother and sister, she wasn’t wanted. She looks at her birth as an inconvenient accident rather than a pleasant surprise. She feels she has always needed to be the perfect child to overcome her position in the family. The way she wears her safari hat that is part of her work uniform even when she is not at work becomes a symbol for her desire to hide from her perceived reality. This misunderstanding clouds her reasoning leading her to make choices which, although they are very innovative, are destructive. I could understand her motivation although I couldn’t agree with it.
The author not only portrayed Sabrina well, but the other characters are also engaging. The secondary romance plot involving the rebel older sister Sabrina thinks can get away with anything because she is so beautiful touched me. It portrayed the consequences that can be suffered later in life of not making good choices while younger, yet there is the hope that she can turn around her life and move forward. Also, the mother as the powerhouse in the family—the main person Sabrina recognizes she must work around—and the father—tired and loving—kept the story interesting.
This was no Pollyanna story. It gave me a lot to think about. I could not help but like Sabrina in spite of her poor choices. The book is well-written and the plot moves forward at a good pace.  I recommend it.
About Kim Karras:

Kim Karras writes contemporary fiction for teens and adults. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English in 2002. Kim lives with her husband and three children in Sandy, Utah. Her notes on life, motherhood, and writing can be found on-line at kimkarras.blogspot.com.

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