Kristen Brockmeyer's Blog, page 4
December 5, 2013
Book Review: Love in Touch by Lucy May Lennox
I'm so glad I have the opportunity to review books. Everything I've read so far has been fantastic, despite the fact that a couple of them have fallen pretty far outside my normal, comfortable romance novel boundaries. I've been dipping my toes in other genres, people, and I love it! This next book, Love in Touch, by Lucy May Lennox, broadened my horizons. Drastically. In really incredible ways. Feel free to read on, while I try to explain.
Book: Love in TouchAuthor: Lucy May LennoxPublisher: Dev Love PressGenre: Wounded Hero RomanceRating: [ [ [ [ [ (5 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:Kassie has felt adrift ever since her dad died when she was in college. Now 24 and living in Seattle, she gets interested in learning sign language through her roommate, a sign language interpreter. One day at a Deaf community event, she sees a young man sitting off by himself. Kassie feels compelled to try signing to him–the fact that he’s strikingly handsome doesn’t hurt.
Jake has been deaf and blind since birth. His disability has cut him off from the world, but beneath his isolated exterior, is a smart, sweet guy with a dry sense of humor. Despite the odds, he’s highly educated, but at 26, he’s gotten stuck in a rut, with few friends and no clear career plans. Until a sweet-smelling girl introduces herself to him unexpectedly, and opens up a whole new world to him.
Jake is more intelligent, more genuine than anyone she has met before, and for the first time Kassie starts to feel like her life has some direction. But as their friendship deepens into something more, the difficulty in communicating with each other only grows, and it seems like everyone they know thinks their relationship won’t work. How can they come to a deeper understanding of each other, and find a future together?
My Thoughts:I read an excerpt of Love in Touch on a blog somewhere--I can't even think of where, now--and, in the comments, mentioned that I'd really like to review it. It seemed like such a fascinating love story and, I could tell from the brief excerpt, well-written. Plus, there was that hauntingly gorgeous cover. Something about this book just tugged at me. Next thing you know, I had a kind email and an e-copy of the book in my inbox.
Four hours later (at work, mind you... oops) I'd finished it.
Can I just say, I was not disappointed? Kassie and Jake were just so real and I was so invested in their story, that by the end of the book, I just wanted it to keep going and going so I could find out how the rest of their lives went.
This book was so completely outside any kind of romance I've ever read. I was utterly unfamiliar with the "Wounded Hero" romance. (And please correct me if you're familiar with this genre and there's a better known name for it!) The most "wounded" hero in any other book I'd ever read was some guy from the 1820's who came back from the war with a limp and an attractive scar slashed through his right eyebrow. Not like Jake, who was born deaf and blind because of an illness his mom suffered during pregnancy. How could he and Kassie overcome those kind of barriers to create any kind of meaningful relationship?
The answer is, sometimes painfully, sometimes awkwardly and uncomfortably, and often in heartwrenching and beautiful ways. This was not a condescending, "normal" girl lowers her standards and finds a way to make it work with a person with disabilities. (Please note my quotations, because really? Normal? What even IS that?) This was a true love story, with curiosity, openness, heartache, patience and passion. It was an adventure in discovery between two people (I understand they're not real, but their fully-developed personalities and problems and friends and character arcs make them really feel real), who stumble their way through incredible odds to create something amazing.
If you couldn't tell, I absolutely adored this book and would recommend it to anyone. Five stars. Er, hearts.
About the Author:Lucy May Lennox is a lifelong resident of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her first ambition in life was to become a child actor, but when she grew too old to be an adorable prodigy, she turned to writing instead. A connoisseur of novels featuring men with physical disabilities, she grew frustrated with all the cliches, ignorance and stereotypes and decided to write her own positive take on disability. In addition to writing, Lucy also enjoys cooking and gardening, and is an amateur opera singer.
Connect with Lucy May Lennox:BlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Buy the Book:PaperbackAmazonBarnes and NobleSmashwords
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Love in Touch in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
Book: Love in TouchAuthor: Lucy May LennoxPublisher: Dev Love PressGenre: Wounded Hero RomanceRating: [ [ [ [ [ (5 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:Kassie has felt adrift ever since her dad died when she was in college. Now 24 and living in Seattle, she gets interested in learning sign language through her roommate, a sign language interpreter. One day at a Deaf community event, she sees a young man sitting off by himself. Kassie feels compelled to try signing to him–the fact that he’s strikingly handsome doesn’t hurt.
Jake has been deaf and blind since birth. His disability has cut him off from the world, but beneath his isolated exterior, is a smart, sweet guy with a dry sense of humor. Despite the odds, he’s highly educated, but at 26, he’s gotten stuck in a rut, with few friends and no clear career plans. Until a sweet-smelling girl introduces herself to him unexpectedly, and opens up a whole new world to him.
Jake is more intelligent, more genuine than anyone she has met before, and for the first time Kassie starts to feel like her life has some direction. But as their friendship deepens into something more, the difficulty in communicating with each other only grows, and it seems like everyone they know thinks their relationship won’t work. How can they come to a deeper understanding of each other, and find a future together?
My Thoughts:I read an excerpt of Love in Touch on a blog somewhere--I can't even think of where, now--and, in the comments, mentioned that I'd really like to review it. It seemed like such a fascinating love story and, I could tell from the brief excerpt, well-written. Plus, there was that hauntingly gorgeous cover. Something about this book just tugged at me. Next thing you know, I had a kind email and an e-copy of the book in my inbox.
Four hours later (at work, mind you... oops) I'd finished it.
Can I just say, I was not disappointed? Kassie and Jake were just so real and I was so invested in their story, that by the end of the book, I just wanted it to keep going and going so I could find out how the rest of their lives went.
This book was so completely outside any kind of romance I've ever read. I was utterly unfamiliar with the "Wounded Hero" romance. (And please correct me if you're familiar with this genre and there's a better known name for it!) The most "wounded" hero in any other book I'd ever read was some guy from the 1820's who came back from the war with a limp and an attractive scar slashed through his right eyebrow. Not like Jake, who was born deaf and blind because of an illness his mom suffered during pregnancy. How could he and Kassie overcome those kind of barriers to create any kind of meaningful relationship?
The answer is, sometimes painfully, sometimes awkwardly and uncomfortably, and often in heartwrenching and beautiful ways. This was not a condescending, "normal" girl lowers her standards and finds a way to make it work with a person with disabilities. (Please note my quotations, because really? Normal? What even IS that?) This was a true love story, with curiosity, openness, heartache, patience and passion. It was an adventure in discovery between two people (I understand they're not real, but their fully-developed personalities and problems and friends and character arcs make them really feel real), who stumble their way through incredible odds to create something amazing.
If you couldn't tell, I absolutely adored this book and would recommend it to anyone. Five stars. Er, hearts.
About the Author:Lucy May Lennox is a lifelong resident of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her first ambition in life was to become a child actor, but when she grew too old to be an adorable prodigy, she turned to writing instead. A connoisseur of novels featuring men with physical disabilities, she grew frustrated with all the cliches, ignorance and stereotypes and decided to write her own positive take on disability. In addition to writing, Lucy also enjoys cooking and gardening, and is an amateur opera singer.
Connect with Lucy May Lennox:BlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads
Buy the Book:PaperbackAmazonBarnes and NobleSmashwords
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Love in Touch in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
November 26, 2013
On Writing Book Reviews
Image Credit: Self-Conscious PosturingBook reviews--at least the good ones--are like the holy grail to writers. Nothing makes a person take a chance and spend their hard-earned money on an unknown book or author like a bunch of recommendations from others who have read it before them. Unfortunately, on the flip side, few things tank a book faster than a negative review. And, thanks to the immortal internets, a bad review can haunt you for the rest of your life.I'm not telling you anything new--chances are, if you're a writer, you get it already. Reviews are coveted and feared, all at the same time, with the power to make or break our careers. So what makes a writer want to wield that power over others? And how can they do it responsibly? I don't claim to be an expert on the topic, but I can share my own perspective. I've covered a few main points below, but feel free to add your own input or questions in the comments!
Image Credit: Awesome People ReadingWhy Should Authors Write Reviews?Whether you choose to review other authors or not is totally a personal decision. The biggest reason I chose to review is that it is so stinking hard to get reviews for your books, that I figured I could maybe get good karma by reviewing books for other writers. Here's some more reasons I do it:
Reviews make for good blog content.Hopefully they up your blog traffic, if only through the author's friends and family visits.It's a chance to make friends, network and build relationships with other authors.Um, hello? FREE READS! How Do You Write a Book Review?
This one's a little tricky to answer. In short? Simply tell an imaginary reader what you like and don't like about the book. But you have to remember, if you're an author, too, or ever plan to be one, saying what you don't like about a book could carry some consequences. I'll cover that in the next section.
If you do more than one review every blue moon, and make them a regular feature on your blog, I'd recommend setting up a template first. (Sorry, is my inner administrative assistant showing?) Here's the template I use:
Having a template makes it easy for me to plug in the info from each book, making them consistent and instantly recognizable as a review for anyone that might be reading.Blog Post Title (Book Review: Name of Book by Author Soandso)
Intro (short paragraph, just a few sentences)
Book
Author
Publisher
Genre
Rating (I use hearts, like a 5-star rating system)
Photo of the Book Cover
About the Book (back cover copy)
My Thoughts (the actual meat of the review, the part I copy and share on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.)
About the Author (taken from author's website or author section of book)
Connect with Author (Website, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook links)
Buy the Book (buy links)
Disclaimer (I just say, "The book was free, but this is a fair and impartial review," or something like that.)
Image Credit: Violet FennShould You Review Bad Books? This is actually a pretty hot topic when it comes to writers giving other writers reviews. Some of us don't like to hurt people's feelings (see this post for my reasons). Others say you're not doing readers any favors by glossing over a book that's the literary equivalent of discount dog food, and by not verbally tearing said books into tiny, mocking pieces, you're compromising your own integrity as a reviewer.But what about the potentially fragile and sensitive writer you're slamming? "If they can't take the heat, they should get their sorry asses out of the frying pan," reply the hardcore critics everywhere dismissively. And, really, the hardcore critics make a good point. Readers do deserve honest reviews. And writers should be able to take criticism. But darn it, I just don't want to be mean. Not to mention, the author I slam today might be in a position to lambaste me tomorrow.
If you're reviewing books on your blog, you're totally within your rights to specify what kind of books you read. And you're also free to give your opinion, of course. My only advice would be to give potential reviewees a head's up on what to submit and what to expect. For example, on my Reviews page, I invite anyone to submit a book for review, with the caveats that 1.) I'm not going to review anything I would give less than three out of five stars to, and 2.) I don't like books where the MC's cheat or die.
I recommend reading more about reviewing bad books at Kristen Lamb's post Should Authors Write Bad Book Reviews. She makes some great points, and the folks chiming in in the comments section do, too, both for and against bad reviews.
Personally, I like reviewing. I enjoy getting the word out there on books I love and, since I'm 'po, I love getting free books to read. I don't take reviewing lightly, though: I can't, when something I say could potentially sway a writer's career for good or for for ill. Search engines, in particular, seem to have reaaaally long memories.
If you're a writer or blogger writing reviews, do you have pointers? If you don't, do you have any questions not covered here? Dying to review Lucky in Love? Leave me a comment! [
November 18, 2013
Time Out for To-Do Lists
Image CreditMan, these last couple of weeks have been hairy. Anybody else feel like they've been in over their heads this past month? I'm tightroping through all sorts of obligations and I've let the writing-related things slip by the wayside. (Except for reviews. I've gotten those out, mostly on time!)Headslap moment! Paused here to go pay my license and registration renewal online. Saturday's my birthday and I almost forgot. That would have been a $47 memory lapse...
Today's the first day I've gotten to sit for a second and take stock of where I'm at. So, if you'll bear with me, I'm going to hash out a to-do list. If it's out here and not scribbled on a sticky note somewhere, I'm thinking I have a better chance of getting things done.
1. Start writing again nightly: Book 2 of the Lucky series. I'm supposed to be doing NaNo, but I've only gotten about 2,500 words written. Less focus on word count, more focus on getting words on paper! Beating myself up over it, though, is non-productive and just plain mean.
2. Decide what to do with Small Town Love. I found out that my second book, Small Town Love, didn't make it into the top 10 of Harlequin's SYTYCW contest. Got some great, encouraging feedback, but I don't want to rework the book as completely as the editor suggested. Maybe put this out to my critique friends for a second and third opinion?
3. Get going again on social media. I was chugging along pretty good there for a bit, blogging regularly, participating on Twitter, posting to FB, but I've slowed down. Gotsta socialize more! Within reason, that is...
4. Blog post for MMRWA. Promised a friend I'd write a post on reviewing, and almost forgot about it, until- I found a scribbled sticky note just now. Cover how I got into it, why I do it, how to write one, and how to convey what you like about a book, per Diane's request.
5. Look into CreateSpace. I'd like Lucky in Love to be Lucky in Print, so I've been researching how to get there. CreateSpace looks like a good option, so it's time to get the ball rolling.
It's not nearly a full list, but it's a start. Do you believe in the power of a to-do list? Is yours normally 8.5 miles long, like mine is?
November 15, 2013
Book Review: Touched by Darkness by Catherine Spangler
Surprise: it's a double book review day! Two great books, but definitely at different points on the romance spectrum... with Patricia Kiyono's Christmas Wishes, we had sweetness and light. In Catherine Spangler's Touched by Darkness, the first in the Sentinel Series, we have edgy, dark and sensual. If you like a little paranormal with your romance, this one will give you all kinds of good shivers.
Book: Touched by DarknessAuthor: Catherine SpanglerGenre: Paranormal RomanceRating: [ [ [ [ (4 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:
After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell thought she and her son, Alex, were safe. She was wrong.
Kara settled in the sleepy town of Zorro, Texas, convinced she and her child had escaped the sinister reach of a supernatural underworld. But now dark forces may jeopardize her new life. Her only hope is Damien Morgan, a dangerous, alluring man with superhuman abilities. He and Kara share a mystical link that triggers desires they must ignore. But as they work together to protect her son, and to track the evil stalking them, something threatens to push them toward the edge, to reach out with the touch . . . of darkness.
My Thoughts:
I read all sorts of books, but until a chance conversation with Catherine Spangler on Twitter, I had never read a paranormal romance. Well, besides the Twilight series, but everybody read those, so they don't really count. Catherine offered up the names of several of her favorite paranormal authors, never once touting her own books, which made me curious. What were her Catherine's books like? So I expressed an interest, and next thing you know, I received a copy of Touched by Darkness in the mail. Not to review, but as a gift, with a sweet, signed note! Then I read the book, loved it, and decided to share it.
I wasn't sure what to expect. I mean, from the back cover copy, I didn't detect any sparkly vampires, and felt a little of out of my depth. So I just jumped in. Thankfully, there was an interesting glossary at the beginning that explained what a Sentinel was, among other things, and then a prelude that briefly established the world I'd be reading about, so I felt a little more sure-footed.
In the first chapter, I met Kara and her son, Alex, a precocious 6 year-old who has some special abilities. The same special abilities that Kara's husband had, that led to his murder seven years before. So calling Kara an overprotective mom would be pretty accurate, but she's not just protecting her son from normal bad things. She's trying to keep him from being detected by the Belians, murderous demons who could look like anyone: friends, neighbors, loved ones, or any familar face in town. I personally have two little boys and this setup hit a chord with me--I got Kara. Paranormal happenings or not, here was a gal I could identify with. Her main focus was to protect her boy at any cost. I was hooked.
That hook didn't loosen any as the book progressed, but the tension sure ratcheted up. Along comes Damien, a mysterious and sexy stranger who, Kara can tell with her own set of abilities, is focused on her son. He turns out to be on the side of the good guys, but the battle of wills between the two is immediate and intense. He's a Sentinel--an otherworldly tracker of the Belians Kara fears. And she's a Conductor. The good news is, a Conductor and a Sentinel can match up to track Belians a lot more effectively. The bad news, in Kara's opinion anyway, is that for best results, they need to have sex.
When I read that, I was intrigued, of course. What a premise! But the curiosity came from more of a writer's standpoint. At its heart, a romance is all about... well, the heart. How does that work when the protagonists have to do it? Like, for the good of the world. Is it cold and clinical? Where's the romance? Well, I won't give anything away, but the steamy scenes were far from cold and the heart was definitely still there.
I enjoyed Touched by Darkness from beginning to end. It was a fantastic introduction to the world of paranormal romance: dark and hot, with a high-tension plot full of jolts and twists. The Belials, the bad guys, were completely successful in creeping me out, but even with all of the external conflict, Touched by Darkness was, where it counted, a romance. Kara and Damian's relationship shone through and carried the book to the end.
Thank you, Catherine Spangler, for gifting me with your book, and I can't wait to read the rest of the Sentinel Series.
About the Author:
Catherine Spangler is a national bestselling and award winning author of the Sentinel series (urban fantasy romance) and the Shielder series (science fiction romance). She is a two-time Golden Heart finalist and a RITA finalist and has received numerous other awards and honorable mentions.
She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and her local chapter, Dallas Area Romance Authors. A frequent speaker at writers’ groups and conferences, she has taught workshops on the creative process, writing techniques, writing paranormal romance, and goal setting.
Catherine lives in north Texas with her husband and a menagerie of critters. She loves reading, taking naps on the sofa with a good football game for background noise, eating chocolate, and playing poker.
Her fun fact: I celebrated the sale of my first book, Shielder, by drinking champagne from a plastic cowboy boot mug. My critique partners brought four of them to my house, along with the champagne. Drinking champagne from those cowboy boot mugs every time one of us sold a book became a tradition, which we still honor.
Connect with Catherine Spangler (and wish her a happy birthday, today!)
WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter
Buy the Book:
The Sentinel books are now available on Amazon. Get them here:
Touched by Darkness
Touched by Fire
Touched by Light
Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of Touched by Darkness as a gift. The fair and impartial review was my idea! :)
Book: Touched by DarknessAuthor: Catherine SpanglerGenre: Paranormal RomanceRating: [ [ [ [ (4 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:
After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell thought she and her son, Alex, were safe. She was wrong.
Kara settled in the sleepy town of Zorro, Texas, convinced she and her child had escaped the sinister reach of a supernatural underworld. But now dark forces may jeopardize her new life. Her only hope is Damien Morgan, a dangerous, alluring man with superhuman abilities. He and Kara share a mystical link that triggers desires they must ignore. But as they work together to protect her son, and to track the evil stalking them, something threatens to push them toward the edge, to reach out with the touch . . . of darkness.
My Thoughts:
I read all sorts of books, but until a chance conversation with Catherine Spangler on Twitter, I had never read a paranormal romance. Well, besides the Twilight series, but everybody read those, so they don't really count. Catherine offered up the names of several of her favorite paranormal authors, never once touting her own books, which made me curious. What were her Catherine's books like? So I expressed an interest, and next thing you know, I received a copy of Touched by Darkness in the mail. Not to review, but as a gift, with a sweet, signed note! Then I read the book, loved it, and decided to share it.
I wasn't sure what to expect. I mean, from the back cover copy, I didn't detect any sparkly vampires, and felt a little of out of my depth. So I just jumped in. Thankfully, there was an interesting glossary at the beginning that explained what a Sentinel was, among other things, and then a prelude that briefly established the world I'd be reading about, so I felt a little more sure-footed.
In the first chapter, I met Kara and her son, Alex, a precocious 6 year-old who has some special abilities. The same special abilities that Kara's husband had, that led to his murder seven years before. So calling Kara an overprotective mom would be pretty accurate, but she's not just protecting her son from normal bad things. She's trying to keep him from being detected by the Belians, murderous demons who could look like anyone: friends, neighbors, loved ones, or any familar face in town. I personally have two little boys and this setup hit a chord with me--I got Kara. Paranormal happenings or not, here was a gal I could identify with. Her main focus was to protect her boy at any cost. I was hooked.
That hook didn't loosen any as the book progressed, but the tension sure ratcheted up. Along comes Damien, a mysterious and sexy stranger who, Kara can tell with her own set of abilities, is focused on her son. He turns out to be on the side of the good guys, but the battle of wills between the two is immediate and intense. He's a Sentinel--an otherworldly tracker of the Belians Kara fears. And she's a Conductor. The good news is, a Conductor and a Sentinel can match up to track Belians a lot more effectively. The bad news, in Kara's opinion anyway, is that for best results, they need to have sex.
When I read that, I was intrigued, of course. What a premise! But the curiosity came from more of a writer's standpoint. At its heart, a romance is all about... well, the heart. How does that work when the protagonists have to do it? Like, for the good of the world. Is it cold and clinical? Where's the romance? Well, I won't give anything away, but the steamy scenes were far from cold and the heart was definitely still there.
I enjoyed Touched by Darkness from beginning to end. It was a fantastic introduction to the world of paranormal romance: dark and hot, with a high-tension plot full of jolts and twists. The Belials, the bad guys, were completely successful in creeping me out, but even with all of the external conflict, Touched by Darkness was, where it counted, a romance. Kara and Damian's relationship shone through and carried the book to the end.
Thank you, Catherine Spangler, for gifting me with your book, and I can't wait to read the rest of the Sentinel Series.
About the Author:
Catherine Spangler is a national bestselling and award winning author of the Sentinel series (urban fantasy romance) and the Shielder series (science fiction romance). She is a two-time Golden Heart finalist and a RITA finalist and has received numerous other awards and honorable mentions.She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and her local chapter, Dallas Area Romance Authors. A frequent speaker at writers’ groups and conferences, she has taught workshops on the creative process, writing techniques, writing paranormal romance, and goal setting.
Catherine lives in north Texas with her husband and a menagerie of critters. She loves reading, taking naps on the sofa with a good football game for background noise, eating chocolate, and playing poker.
Her fun fact: I celebrated the sale of my first book, Shielder, by drinking champagne from a plastic cowboy boot mug. My critique partners brought four of them to my house, along with the champagne. Drinking champagne from those cowboy boot mugs every time one of us sold a book became a tradition, which we still honor.
Connect with Catherine Spangler (and wish her a happy birthday, today!)
WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter
Buy the Book:
The Sentinel books are now available on Amazon. Get them here:
Touched by Darkness
Touched by Fire
Touched by Light
Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of Touched by Darkness as a gift. The fair and impartial review was my idea! :)
Book Review: Christmas Wishes by Patricia Kiyono
While I don't appreciate stores putting out their holiday wares in October, now, in mid-November, I have to admit I do love seeing signs of the impending holiday season. Especially since I'm only going to be working eight days at the day job in December! And while I don't put my tree up or listen to Christmas music until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I couldn't resist doing a review of Patricia Kiyono's Christmas Wishes, and I'm so glad I did. It was like an early shot of the holidays that warmed me right to my toes.
Book: Christmas WishesAuthor: Patricia KiyonoPublisher: esKape Genre: Sweet RomanceRating: [ [ [ [ (4 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:
Mitch Carson is tired of the big city. In his former life, he'd been a news photographer in Chicago, where the dangers are endless. But now, he just wants to settle down in this quiet town with his daughter, Angie. Here, his only fear is losing his daughter to his scheming mother-in-law.
Sophie Gardner wants to be a screenwriter. She's ready to leave small town Zutphen, Michigan and go to Hollywood. With a theater degree under her belt, she's busy writing scripts while helping out her sister Joanie, who's bedridden with a difficult pregnancy. Unfortunately, Joanie has somehow coerced Sophie into directing the Christmas pageant at Zutphen Community Church.
When Sophie and Mitch meet, the attraction is instant and mutual. But each wants what the other is trying to get away from. Can they deny their feelings and pursue their dreams? Or will the holiday prove to them that their true wishes might not be what they'd thought?
My Thoughts: Right around this time of the year, my sweet tooth starts acting up. (Okay, I lie. My sweet tooth is always acting up.) I start craving mint and chocolate things, dreaming of snowflake-shaped sugar cookie cutouts outlined sparkling white icing, and digging out the old, traditional family treat recipes.
Reading Patricia Kiyono's Christmas Wishes was like eating one of my late Grandma Rolfe's church window candies. If you've never had a church window (recipe here), they consist of a perfectly balanced blend of semi-sweet chocolate rolled up in a log with cheerfully-colored marshmallows, and when they're sliced, they turn into perfect little rounds that look like kind of like stained glass. So why did Christmas Wishes remind me of such a specific thing?
Well, those simple candies make me happy. The taste of them is soft and sentimental and sweet (but not in an overly saccharine way that hurts my teeth). They remind me of family. They bring back memories of holidays past that now seem so old-fashioned and perfect. Their stained glass resemblance reminds me of the magical midnight mass we'd attend sometimes on Christmas Eve at Grandma's church, when we dressed in our best clothes and sang O Come All Ye Faithful while the light of the candles flickered against the tall, beautifully colored windows that stood between us and the crisp, snow-filled night. I could eat a hundred of those candies.
Christmas Wishes was the same way. It was an uncomplicated, sweet romance, in which the focus was on family ties and a relationship between faltering single dad, Mitch, and Sophie, a young woman trying to find her direction, that bloomed in a snowy small town in Michigan, not too far from the small town I grew up in. It felt warm and familiar, with realistic secondary characters and locations that brought the town of Zutphen to life. And most impressively, each child in the book had a distinct little well-drawn personality, like Mitch's lovable daughter Angie, and the impish and out-of-control twins, Jordan and Josh, who cause Sophie so many headaches while she tries to direct the church children's Christmas pageant. The kiddos come across so realistically, the reader has no problem equating them to similar kids in their own lives.
Structurally, Kiyono used plenty of humor, an easy writing style and a tight storyline that blended both internal and external conflicts well. At 136 pages, Christmas Wishes was a fast read, but paced well, with a couple of surprising twists and situations that tugged at my heart. I haven't read a sweet romance in a while, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them. There are no steamy bedroom scenes, which left the focus on the development of just the romance between Mitch and Sophie--their road from first meeting to happy ending. It was a light and satisfying book that featured friends, faith, family, love and Christmas wishes granted.
My verdict? I wish I had 99 more books just like it.
About the Author:
In a previous life, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary students by day and changed diapers at night. Now she teaches college students part time and changes diapers only when she's taking care of grandkids. She loves to do anything that doesn't involve exercise. Right now her favorite activities, in addition to writing, include scrapbooking, sewing, and making music. She and her husband live in southwest Michigan, near their five children and nine grandchildren.
Connect with Patricia Kiyono:Patricia's WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitter
Buy the Book:Christmas Wishes can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other ebook outlets.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Christmas Wishes in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
Book: Christmas WishesAuthor: Patricia KiyonoPublisher: esKape Genre: Sweet RomanceRating: [ [ [ [ (4 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:
Mitch Carson is tired of the big city. In his former life, he'd been a news photographer in Chicago, where the dangers are endless. But now, he just wants to settle down in this quiet town with his daughter, Angie. Here, his only fear is losing his daughter to his scheming mother-in-law.
Sophie Gardner wants to be a screenwriter. She's ready to leave small town Zutphen, Michigan and go to Hollywood. With a theater degree under her belt, she's busy writing scripts while helping out her sister Joanie, who's bedridden with a difficult pregnancy. Unfortunately, Joanie has somehow coerced Sophie into directing the Christmas pageant at Zutphen Community Church.
When Sophie and Mitch meet, the attraction is instant and mutual. But each wants what the other is trying to get away from. Can they deny their feelings and pursue their dreams? Or will the holiday prove to them that their true wishes might not be what they'd thought?
My Thoughts: Right around this time of the year, my sweet tooth starts acting up. (Okay, I lie. My sweet tooth is always acting up.) I start craving mint and chocolate things, dreaming of snowflake-shaped sugar cookie cutouts outlined sparkling white icing, and digging out the old, traditional family treat recipes.
Reading Patricia Kiyono's Christmas Wishes was like eating one of my late Grandma Rolfe's church window candies. If you've never had a church window (recipe here), they consist of a perfectly balanced blend of semi-sweet chocolate rolled up in a log with cheerfully-colored marshmallows, and when they're sliced, they turn into perfect little rounds that look like kind of like stained glass. So why did Christmas Wishes remind me of such a specific thing?
Well, those simple candies make me happy. The taste of them is soft and sentimental and sweet (but not in an overly saccharine way that hurts my teeth). They remind me of family. They bring back memories of holidays past that now seem so old-fashioned and perfect. Their stained glass resemblance reminds me of the magical midnight mass we'd attend sometimes on Christmas Eve at Grandma's church, when we dressed in our best clothes and sang O Come All Ye Faithful while the light of the candles flickered against the tall, beautifully colored windows that stood between us and the crisp, snow-filled night. I could eat a hundred of those candies.
Christmas Wishes was the same way. It was an uncomplicated, sweet romance, in which the focus was on family ties and a relationship between faltering single dad, Mitch, and Sophie, a young woman trying to find her direction, that bloomed in a snowy small town in Michigan, not too far from the small town I grew up in. It felt warm and familiar, with realistic secondary characters and locations that brought the town of Zutphen to life. And most impressively, each child in the book had a distinct little well-drawn personality, like Mitch's lovable daughter Angie, and the impish and out-of-control twins, Jordan and Josh, who cause Sophie so many headaches while she tries to direct the church children's Christmas pageant. The kiddos come across so realistically, the reader has no problem equating them to similar kids in their own lives.
Structurally, Kiyono used plenty of humor, an easy writing style and a tight storyline that blended both internal and external conflicts well. At 136 pages, Christmas Wishes was a fast read, but paced well, with a couple of surprising twists and situations that tugged at my heart. I haven't read a sweet romance in a while, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them. There are no steamy bedroom scenes, which left the focus on the development of just the romance between Mitch and Sophie--their road from first meeting to happy ending. It was a light and satisfying book that featured friends, faith, family, love and Christmas wishes granted.
My verdict? I wish I had 99 more books just like it.
About the Author:
In a previous life, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary students by day and changed diapers at night. Now she teaches college students part time and changes diapers only when she's taking care of grandkids. She loves to do anything that doesn't involve exercise. Right now her favorite activities, in addition to writing, include scrapbooking, sewing, and making music. She and her husband live in southwest Michigan, near their five children and nine grandchildren.Connect with Patricia Kiyono:Patricia's WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitter
Buy the Book:Christmas Wishes can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other ebook outlets.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Christmas Wishes in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
November 8, 2013
Seven Great Things
original image credit: waitbutwhy.com (doctored a little by me) This week kind of sucked. I'm a Pollyanna and tend not to dwell on the cruddy stuff, but poke after poke after poke, my happy bubble took quite a bruising this week.And then, yesterday, in the midst of all the crumminess, I realized that there had been all kinds of cool little things happening all around me and I'd been too caught up to notice them.
So, I thought I'd list some of those things. Hopefully it will remind me to pay attention the next time I have a rotten week, because as trite as it sounds, things really aren't as bad as they seem.
1. I got a "no" on something I'd hoped badly would be a "yes." But after I got over my knee-jerk, poor-me, rejected and dejected reaction, I realized it was a really a good thing and not a dead end after all.
2. A co-worker brought me a bag of caramel and cheese popcorn because she'd seen me flailing around with horrible Excel issues all week. Yes, caramel and cheese. Weirdest/tastiest combo of popcorn flaves ever and don't knock it till you try it.
3. The UPS driver at work that I'd known for six years by the name of Al? His last name, I just found out, is Green. I love Al Green. He even kind of looks like Al Green if you squint. That made me smile.
4. Another co-worker also heard I was having a crappy week. She picked me up a yummy caramel pumpkin treat from the coffee shop across the street. Just because.
5. I got an ARC from the wonderful Patricia Kiyono to review (it's over there on the sidebar) and am enjoying it immensely!
6. My mom brought me lunch at work one day. Egg salad sammiches and baked chips. With fresh-baked cookies for dessert. It was like going back to my childhood for an hour.
7. I'm doing NaNoWriMo. Well, I signed up for it, anyway. I'm all of 1,445 words in on Day 8. With all the crazy happenings, I emailed my fellow NaNo girls of the MMRWA and let them know I was going to be dropping out. Not in a whiny way, just an FYI way, but encouragement ensued. My favorite quotes are below. (I think Alyssa Alexander said something super nice, too, but I can't find all my original emails!)
So my advice to Crazy NaNo-ers one and all--including myself--is to listen to Winston Churchill. "Never give up. Never, never give up." - Lana Malkston
Get what you can. It's more than you had before! - Ami Weaver
I've noticed that writers do one thing better (and with more love and understanding) than anyone else - support one another. - Deb Moser (if I find her website, I'll link her, too! )
I hope your week is going fantastic. But if it's not, take a sec to look around. Even the smallest, simplest thing might have the power to pull you out of a funk. [
November 6, 2013
Book Review: One Red Shoe by Diane Burton
If I could describe my week in one word, it would most definitely be LATE. Late getting up (daylight savings), late on day job deadlines, late sending my prize packages to the blog hop winners, and now, late on posting my next review! But oh, my goodness, I promise you this book was worth the wait.
Book: One Red Shoe
Author: Diane Burton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: [ [ [ [ [ (5 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:
Wannabe writer rescues wounded spy while risking her heart.
Daria Mason’s life is too predictable. Nothing ever happens in her small Iowa town where everybody knows everybody else. But when she travels to New York City looking for a little excitement, she never expects to bring home a wounded spy.
From the moment agent Sam Jozwiak steals intel vital to US security from a Russian Mafia kingpin, Murphy’s Law takes over. No matter how he covers his tracks, the kingpin’s assassins find him. What’s worse than getting shot in the butt? Accepting help from an Iowa tourist.
Sam and Daria flee cross country with the assassins right behind them. Sharing danger and excitement—and a few kisses—with Sam soon has Daria convinced he’s the man for her. He thinks she’ll be better off once he’s out of her life for good. With their lives on the line, can she convince him they belong together?
My Thoughts:Holy moly, I loved this book. Like, seriously loved it. I hope I don't sound too gushy and effusive here, but for me, there was no downside to One Red Shoe. Diane Burton did the nearly-impossible and created a realistically naive main female protagonist who was likable and engaging. Now, don't confuse "naive" with "dingbat," because our main character, Daria, is sharp as a tack and makes your average Girl Scout look like a fumbling, unprepared, hot mess. Daria just hasn't gotten out much, is all. And Sam, our male protagonist, is just as appealing, but in a completely different, uber sexy, hard-nosed way, and the sparks that fly between these two opposites are fantastic.
These two work so well together. I mean, Sam is a spy on the run from the Russian Mafia and Daria is a teacher and writer from Iowa whose idea of going crazy is buying a sweet lot of vintage Nancy Drew books. Doesn't sound like it would work, right? But who better to have by his side when he gets shot in the butt than a cool, levelheaded woman with a First Aid kit, a cooler and water stashed in the trunk of her sensible brown Buick? I don't want this pair to sound trite, because the match-up is anything but, but Daria's honesty, openness and sweetness is a perfect foil for Sam's more jaded, world-weary outlook.
I also think its great that Daria channels her book heroine, Alexa, when she needs a little extra bravery. I might need to try that. Alexa sounds pretty kick-ass.
So, take these two awesome, loveable characters, and throw in some action. Like fast-paced, super suspenseful, run-for-your life action. But mixed in perfectly with that action, like the bubbles in a gin and tonic, is humor. Sometimes farcical (oh, Ivan, how I love you), but never ridiculous, this book strikes the perfect balance of comedy, intrigue, steamy attraction and adventure. Think Romancing the Stone or True Lies--there's no shmaltz here, just pure, enjoyable writing. If One Red Shoe were a movie, my husband would watch it with me and get a huge kick out of it.
This probably goes without saying, but I wholeheartedly recommend One Red Shoe to any romance reader who loves action and adventure along with their spice. For Diane, this is a foray outside of her usual sci-fi genre. I'm not as big of a reader of sci-fi romance, but if this book is any indicator of Diane's talent and voice, I'm going to enjoy her other novels just as much. I'm thinking Switched, next.
About the Author:
Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched series, she is the author of The Pilot, the first book in a series about strong women on the frontier of space. One Red Shoe is her first romantic suspense. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Connect with Diane Burton:
Diane's Website
Facebook
Twitter @dmburton72
Goodreads Author Page
Pinterest
Buy the Book:
Have a Kindle? Buy One Red Shoe through Amazon. Available in all formats, including print, January 2014.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of One Red Shoe in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
Book: One Red Shoe
Author: Diane Burton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: [ [ [ [ [ (5 out of 5 hearts!)
About the Book:
Wannabe writer rescues wounded spy while risking her heart.
Daria Mason’s life is too predictable. Nothing ever happens in her small Iowa town where everybody knows everybody else. But when she travels to New York City looking for a little excitement, she never expects to bring home a wounded spy.
From the moment agent Sam Jozwiak steals intel vital to US security from a Russian Mafia kingpin, Murphy’s Law takes over. No matter how he covers his tracks, the kingpin’s assassins find him. What’s worse than getting shot in the butt? Accepting help from an Iowa tourist.
Sam and Daria flee cross country with the assassins right behind them. Sharing danger and excitement—and a few kisses—with Sam soon has Daria convinced he’s the man for her. He thinks she’ll be better off once he’s out of her life for good. With their lives on the line, can she convince him they belong together?
My Thoughts:Holy moly, I loved this book. Like, seriously loved it. I hope I don't sound too gushy and effusive here, but for me, there was no downside to One Red Shoe. Diane Burton did the nearly-impossible and created a realistically naive main female protagonist who was likable and engaging. Now, don't confuse "naive" with "dingbat," because our main character, Daria, is sharp as a tack and makes your average Girl Scout look like a fumbling, unprepared, hot mess. Daria just hasn't gotten out much, is all. And Sam, our male protagonist, is just as appealing, but in a completely different, uber sexy, hard-nosed way, and the sparks that fly between these two opposites are fantastic.
These two work so well together. I mean, Sam is a spy on the run from the Russian Mafia and Daria is a teacher and writer from Iowa whose idea of going crazy is buying a sweet lot of vintage Nancy Drew books. Doesn't sound like it would work, right? But who better to have by his side when he gets shot in the butt than a cool, levelheaded woman with a First Aid kit, a cooler and water stashed in the trunk of her sensible brown Buick? I don't want this pair to sound trite, because the match-up is anything but, but Daria's honesty, openness and sweetness is a perfect foil for Sam's more jaded, world-weary outlook.
I also think its great that Daria channels her book heroine, Alexa, when she needs a little extra bravery. I might need to try that. Alexa sounds pretty kick-ass.
So, take these two awesome, loveable characters, and throw in some action. Like fast-paced, super suspenseful, run-for-your life action. But mixed in perfectly with that action, like the bubbles in a gin and tonic, is humor. Sometimes farcical (oh, Ivan, how I love you), but never ridiculous, this book strikes the perfect balance of comedy, intrigue, steamy attraction and adventure. Think Romancing the Stone or True Lies--there's no shmaltz here, just pure, enjoyable writing. If One Red Shoe were a movie, my husband would watch it with me and get a huge kick out of it.
This probably goes without saying, but I wholeheartedly recommend One Red Shoe to any romance reader who loves action and adventure along with their spice. For Diane, this is a foray outside of her usual sci-fi genre. I'm not as big of a reader of sci-fi romance, but if this book is any indicator of Diane's talent and voice, I'm going to enjoy her other novels just as much. I'm thinking Switched, next.
About the Author:
Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched series, she is the author of The Pilot, the first book in a series about strong women on the frontier of space. One Red Shoe is her first romantic suspense. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.Connect with Diane Burton:
Diane's Website
Twitter @dmburton72
Goodreads Author Page
Buy the Book:
Have a Kindle? Buy One Red Shoe through Amazon. Available in all formats, including print, January 2014.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of One Red Shoe in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
October 31, 2013
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
Image CreditHappy Halloween: here's hoping your day is filled with more treats than tricks!And speaking of treats and tricks, it's time to award two winners with some sweet Halloween surprises:
Drumroll...
The Halloween candy, $10 Amazon gift card and free e-copy of Lucky in Love go to Valerie Rhodes!
And the mystery bag of tricks goes to Jenni L!
Thanks for playing, everyone - such an awesome turnout for my first Blog Hop (gimme a woohoo for Nancy Gideon!) and giveaway. Valerie and Jenni, I'll be in touch tomorrow. Right now, I'm off to Trick or Treat!
October 25, 2013
Book Review: Holding On by Rachael Brownell
Kicking off my book review series, I have a fantastic YA novel by Rachael Brownell:
Holding On
. I was a little hesitant to review this one, having not having read a YA book since I was a YA, but I'm so glad I did.
Book: Holding On
Author: Rachael Brownell
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Romance/YA
Rating: [ [ [ [ ]
About the Book:
For five years, Becca has been struggling to hide her feelings for her best friend, Brad. Now she finally has a chance to move on. She's in a new city, she's attending a new school, and she's met the first guy besides Brad who's held her attention in a long time. Not only is Ethan attractive, he's an amazing tennis player, and he might just be Becca's match on and off the courts.
Brad has loved Becca for as long as he can remember. Now that Beca's family has moved two thousand miles away, Brad may finally be ready to lay his heart on the line and do whatever it takes to hold on to Becca.
But is Brad too late? Or with Ethan's secret drive Becca back into Brad's arms Torn between her love for Brad and the promise of something new and exciting with Ethan, Becca has an almost impossible choice to make, the choice between letting go or holding on.
My Thoughts:
I mentioned I haven't read a YA novel in a long time. Well, since my 33rd birthday is looming large next month, let's just say it's been a couple of years. Holding On took me right back to high school, though, and in the best way possible. It's not just because Becca, the main female protagonist, went to school in Michigan like I did. It's because the author created such a tangible and complex emotional struggle, drawing out those same feelings that I had as a mixed-up teenager who once had a crush on her own best friend, but hated the thought of the relationship-destroying potential that came with that crush.
The character development was really interesting for me. The story is in first person, so, of course, we see everything develop through Becca's eyes. And I found myself really relating to Becca. Her emotions were so well crafted that I was automatically drawn in, and really felt the conflicted impulses along with her. Because, boy was there conflict. Both guys, Brad and Ethan, really have a lot going for them, and to be honest, I'm not sure that I would have known which one to choose either. I'm glad it wasn't my decision--I could see why she was drawn to each of them. But without spoiling anything, the one she ended up with was the one that she needed--he brought out the best in Becca, in my opinion. Together, I thought they were stronger, and really complemented each other. But you'll be guessing on which one that was until the end.
And lest you think this was all teenaged angst and emotional upheaval, it wasn't. There was external conflict, too, and one scene in particular that came out of left field so hard, it literally made me flinch when I read it. In a good way. Plus, the attraction between characters--it just simmered. Hot stuff, but tastefully done, and I wouldn't hesitate to let my 16 year-old read it. In fact, since Holding On's official release date is December 3, I intend to use a little of my Christmas bonus to grab a copy for said 16 year-old.
The only negative I found in the book, and I only mention because of the whole "fair and impartial" thing, was that there were some editing issues--some past/present tense inconsistencies and a couple of really minor typos. But unless you're anal-retentive and the type to send snarky letters to the newspaper about that misplaced comma in the third paragraph of section A6, it will not detract from the power of this story.
After reading Holding On, I've been inspired to broaden my little primarily Romantic Suspense/Historical bubble. I'll be checking out some more YA offerings (recommendations are welcome!), as well as watching for Unglued, the sequel to Holding On, because this book was awesome.
About the Author:
Rachael Brownell was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she currently resides with her boyfriend and son. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she studied Advertising and Public Relations. Upon graduating, Rachael accepted a position in the Hospitality industry working for Darden Restaurants. She has been working for them for the past twelve years and counting.
In 2005, Rachael met the love of her life, Jeremy. Then, in 2007, they welcomed their only child, Nicklas. When her son started Kindergarten, Rachael found that she had extra time on her hands and decided to try her hand at writing again, something that had been a passion on hers for a long time.
In December of 2012, Tate Publishing picked up her first book, Holding On (Holding On, #1). It will be released 12/3/2013. In July of 2013, Tate Publishing picked up the sequel to Holding On, Unglued (Holding On, #2) and is planning to release it in the late spring of 2014.
When she’s not working, building Lego’s or writing her next book, Rachael enjoys scrapbooking, photography and is an avid reader.
Connect with Rachael Brownell:
Rachael's Website
Facebook (there's a Giveaway!)
Twitter @HoldingOn2013
GoodReads Author Page
Buy the Book:
Currently available in paperback and e-book through Tate Publishing
Official release date December 3, 2013
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Holding On, in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
Book: Holding On
Author: Rachael Brownell
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Romance/YA
Rating: [ [ [ [ ]
.jpg)
About the Book:
For five years, Becca has been struggling to hide her feelings for her best friend, Brad. Now she finally has a chance to move on. She's in a new city, she's attending a new school, and she's met the first guy besides Brad who's held her attention in a long time. Not only is Ethan attractive, he's an amazing tennis player, and he might just be Becca's match on and off the courts.
Brad has loved Becca for as long as he can remember. Now that Beca's family has moved two thousand miles away, Brad may finally be ready to lay his heart on the line and do whatever it takes to hold on to Becca.
But is Brad too late? Or with Ethan's secret drive Becca back into Brad's arms Torn between her love for Brad and the promise of something new and exciting with Ethan, Becca has an almost impossible choice to make, the choice between letting go or holding on.
My Thoughts:
I mentioned I haven't read a YA novel in a long time. Well, since my 33rd birthday is looming large next month, let's just say it's been a couple of years. Holding On took me right back to high school, though, and in the best way possible. It's not just because Becca, the main female protagonist, went to school in Michigan like I did. It's because the author created such a tangible and complex emotional struggle, drawing out those same feelings that I had as a mixed-up teenager who once had a crush on her own best friend, but hated the thought of the relationship-destroying potential that came with that crush.
The character development was really interesting for me. The story is in first person, so, of course, we see everything develop through Becca's eyes. And I found myself really relating to Becca. Her emotions were so well crafted that I was automatically drawn in, and really felt the conflicted impulses along with her. Because, boy was there conflict. Both guys, Brad and Ethan, really have a lot going for them, and to be honest, I'm not sure that I would have known which one to choose either. I'm glad it wasn't my decision--I could see why she was drawn to each of them. But without spoiling anything, the one she ended up with was the one that she needed--he brought out the best in Becca, in my opinion. Together, I thought they were stronger, and really complemented each other. But you'll be guessing on which one that was until the end.
And lest you think this was all teenaged angst and emotional upheaval, it wasn't. There was external conflict, too, and one scene in particular that came out of left field so hard, it literally made me flinch when I read it. In a good way. Plus, the attraction between characters--it just simmered. Hot stuff, but tastefully done, and I wouldn't hesitate to let my 16 year-old read it. In fact, since Holding On's official release date is December 3, I intend to use a little of my Christmas bonus to grab a copy for said 16 year-old.
The only negative I found in the book, and I only mention because of the whole "fair and impartial" thing, was that there were some editing issues--some past/present tense inconsistencies and a couple of really minor typos. But unless you're anal-retentive and the type to send snarky letters to the newspaper about that misplaced comma in the third paragraph of section A6, it will not detract from the power of this story.
After reading Holding On, I've been inspired to broaden my little primarily Romantic Suspense/Historical bubble. I'll be checking out some more YA offerings (recommendations are welcome!), as well as watching for Unglued, the sequel to Holding On, because this book was awesome.
About the Author:
Rachael Brownell was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she currently resides with her boyfriend and son. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she studied Advertising and Public Relations. Upon graduating, Rachael accepted a position in the Hospitality industry working for Darden Restaurants. She has been working for them for the past twelve years and counting.In 2005, Rachael met the love of her life, Jeremy. Then, in 2007, they welcomed their only child, Nicklas. When her son started Kindergarten, Rachael found that she had extra time on her hands and decided to try her hand at writing again, something that had been a passion on hers for a long time.
In December of 2012, Tate Publishing picked up her first book, Holding On (Holding On, #1). It will be released 12/3/2013. In July of 2013, Tate Publishing picked up the sequel to Holding On, Unglued (Holding On, #2) and is planning to release it in the late spring of 2014.
When she’s not working, building Lego’s or writing her next book, Rachael enjoys scrapbooking, photography and is an avid reader.
Connect with Rachael Brownell:
Rachael's Website
Facebook (there's a Giveaway!)
Twitter @HoldingOn2013
GoodReads Author Page
Buy the Book:
Currently available in paperback and e-book through Tate Publishing
Official release date December 3, 2013
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Holding On, in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
October 23, 2013
Trick-or-Treat: It's a Halloween Giveaway!
Welcome to the Haunted Open House Giveaway Blog Hop, hosted by Nancy Gideon!
BOO!
Image Credit: ListalAck, she looked terrified, didn't she?
I'm so excited to participate in this shindig. This is the third year for Nancy's Haunted House, and it's totally spectacular. She has featured guests, Halloween games in the game room, awesome snacks and all kinds of trick-or-treat giveaways!
So, in honor of Fright Night next week, I want to know: what's your favorite kind of candy? I mean, when you're "safety checking" your children's spoils of war, you know there's always certain varieties that are "damaged" and must be "disposed of" at a later time--but put for now in Mommy or Daddy's pocket for safekeeping. For me, it's anything KitKats. My 9 year-old has gotten smart and just hands them over right away. Pretty much, he pays me the KitKat tribute, and the rest is his.
What about you?
For my Halloween giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a bag of treats that will include a $10 Amazon gift card, a bag of Halloween candy (your favorite, if I can find it!) and a free e-copy of Lucky in Love. Rafflecopter will pick that winner. I'll also be using the old-fashioned, names-in-a-hat method to pull a bonus name, and that person will receive a top-secret, surprise bag of tricks.
Enter at your own risk... but do it quick--you've only got until midnight on Halloween! Bwahahaha!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
BOO!
Image Credit: ListalAck, she looked terrified, didn't she?I'm so excited to participate in this shindig. This is the third year for Nancy's Haunted House, and it's totally spectacular. She has featured guests, Halloween games in the game room, awesome snacks and all kinds of trick-or-treat giveaways!
So, in honor of Fright Night next week, I want to know: what's your favorite kind of candy? I mean, when you're "safety checking" your children's spoils of war, you know there's always certain varieties that are "damaged" and must be "disposed of" at a later time--but put for now in Mommy or Daddy's pocket for safekeeping. For me, it's anything KitKats. My 9 year-old has gotten smart and just hands them over right away. Pretty much, he pays me the KitKat tribute, and the rest is his.
What about you?
For my Halloween giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a bag of treats that will include a $10 Amazon gift card, a bag of Halloween candy (your favorite, if I can find it!) and a free e-copy of Lucky in Love. Rafflecopter will pick that winner. I'll also be using the old-fashioned, names-in-a-hat method to pull a bonus name, and that person will receive a top-secret, surprise bag of tricks.
Enter at your own risk... but do it quick--you've only got until midnight on Halloween! Bwahahaha!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
