Cami Checketts's Blog, page 22

The Captive by Julie Coulter Bellon

Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications–something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?





Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father’s enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she’ll do anything to bring her home–including walking into the enemy’s lair. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he’s the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late? 




My Review:

I'm such a huge Julie Bellon fan and this book is up there with my favorites. I loved the blend of danger, action, internal character drama, and romance. I cannot wait for the second book. This series is definitely a must-read for me.




Find The Captive - Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

Book Giveaway - Forever and Forever by Josi S. Kilpack

Forever and Forever by Josi S. Kilpack

A Proper Historical Romance series

The first book in a new series which will focus on the lives of real historical figures who have intriguing stories of courtship that are recreated in fictionalized accounts based on real biographical and social history research.



Based on the true romance of poet Henry Longfellow who was madly in love with Fanny Appleton and devotedly courted her for seven years until finally winning her over. Includes notes, excerpts from Longfellow's poems and discussion group questions.





Amazon * Goodreads * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book












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Deliverance by H.B. Moore

Experience the life of Moses as never before, following his journey from fugitive of Egypt to prophet of God. In this exhilarating follow-up to H.B. Moore’s biblical drama The Moses Chronicles: Bondage, the account of Moses’s flight from Egypt continues. Moses’s life as he knew it is over. He has chosen to stand for his beliefs at the cost of being cast out of his royal home and family. He is free of the wickedness of Egypt, but peace is not to be found, for Moses is as much an aimless wanderer as those in the nomadic tribe he encounters in the wilderness. Exhausted by long weeks of travel, he nevertheless jumps to action when he observes a group of young women accosted by a band of Bedrayan men at a communal well. These lovely daughters of Jethro are grateful for his help, and their Midianite tribe welcomes Moses with open arms. As he learns the ways of the Midianites, his kinship with Jethro grows—as does his admiration of one of Jethro’s daughters, Zipporah. But when Moses suddenly receives a burning call to free the very people he has long oppressed, will he have the courage to return to the land from which he has been exiled?





Find it on: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads




My review:

I've been a huge H.B. Moore fan for years. I think her biblical fiction is the best of any I've read. The Moses Chronicles are so fantastic. I love the mix of the Bible story, action, family drama, and romance. I can't wait for the next release. 

Running from the Cowboy

Running from the Cowboy: A Snow Valley Romance is now available on Amazon.

I loved writing the third story of the Wilson family. It was so fun to learn Porter's story. I hope you enjoy it too.



Missy Horman escaped an abusive marriage and returns to Snow Valley to help her father deal with her emotionally disturbed mother. Volunteering to teach a youth Sunday school class seems like a good way to get out of her comfort zone—until she ends up kissing Porter Wilson in front of a bunch of teenagers. Embarrassed, and secretly thrilled, by the kiss, she writes Porter off as a playboy. But, Missy wasn't the only one affected and Porter's new mission in life is to prove that there's more to him than flirting and world-tilting kisses. He wants to show her that a true cowboy knows how to treat a lady and, if Missy can't keep her wits about her, she might just let him.

Book Signing

I rarely do book signings as life is just nuts and I can't stand to miss out on anything my boys are doing, but this Saturday, March 19th, I agreed to sign at the Tremonton City Library from 1-3 p.m. If any of you live nearby and want to come say hi I would love to see a friendly face.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Spring always lifts my spirits and has me singing about my favorite things. Besides my boys, chocolate and books are at the top of the list for me. My good friend, Christina Dymock (aka Lucy McConnell), offered to give away her Chocolate Lover's Cookbook and share her fabulous Dark Chocolate Cookies in honor of our favorite things. You can enter to win the cookbook and find the recipe below.





I'm thrilled with the success of my good friends and critique partners, Lucy McConnell and Taylor Hart. Even though I read their books as a beta reader, I read them again when they're released because they're like book chocolate to me! We all had a fun surprise last week to see our books listed as #1, 2, & 3.

If you haven't had a chance to read their books I'll paste in the covers, buy links, and blurbs below.

Happy reading and happy chocolate consuming!





The Protective Groom

Noah Baker is about to meet the toughest woman in Texas—right before he marries her.

Harley Wilson, of the Texas Wilsons, is being stalked by an unscrupulous creeper who is intent on doing her harm. In order to protect herself, Harley asks Pamela Jones to find her a groom. She needs someone who can hold his own in a firefight and happily sign annulment papers when this nightmare is over.

Noah Baker thinks he’s hit the jackpot as a Billionaire Marriage Brokers’ groom. The position is the perfect opportunity to move forward and put the past behind him once and for all. However, Noah must dig into his training as a police officer and doing so brings up demons he buried two years ago when he left the force.

Time runs short for Noah as his list of suspects grows to include an almost fiancé, a twisted cousin, and Harley’s step-brother. With Harley’s father breathing down his neck, Noah finds himself falling for Harley in a way that makes this assignment as personal as—well, marriage.


Buy The Protective Groom on Amazon * Add to Goodreads






Second String


Experience what has been called a ‘swoon worthy’ romance series, by Amazon best-selling author, Taylor Hart. Fun, flirty, and emotionally fulfilling, The Last Play series will keep you smiling long after the last kiss. 

Cameron Cruz, quarterback for the Denver Storm, doesn’t expect to meet a beautiful woman in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, while he’s grieving a major life loss. But a spunky river guide blitzes him when she doesn’t know who he is. C’mon…anyone who doesn’t know he won the championship game must be stuck under a rock. Good thing she made it clear she was unavailable by flashing a big diamond ring in his face. 

Katherine Foster only wanted one thing this summer—to finish her dissertation and spend some time on the river. She never anticipated getting stuck taking the cocky, arrogant Cameron Cruz on a privately guided rafting trip. Her fake engagement ring keeps him at bay until they get tossed into the river and Cam saves her life. In a moment of confusion and just-escaped-death euphoria, they share a kiss that tilts her world. She didn’t plan on telling him she’s not really engaged—but somehow THAT slipped out, and now she’s sure she’s not the only one with secrets. 

When her ex boyfriend shows up and asks her to marry him, Kat’s left with a choice--get what she wants…or pick Second String. 


Buy Second String on Amazon * Add to Goodreads









Dark Chocolate Cookies

Makes 36 Cookies



These cookies have just enough of a sweet flavor to keep them from tasting bitter, but the cocoa comes through loud and clear. If you’re the type who enjoys dark chocolates, then these are the cookies for you. You can change out the milk chocolate chips for all semi-sweet or even white if you prefer.



Ingredients

1/3 cup butter

¾ cup brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 ½ cups flour

¼ cup special dark cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ cup milk chocolate chips



Directions

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Beat in the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt until the batter is smooth. Add the chocolate chips and stir in by hand. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use a large cookie scoop to form 2-inch balls of dough and place them on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until centers are set. Allow to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to complete the cooling process.





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Giveaway - Sugar 'n Spice

I love the home decor store, Sugar 'n Spice. They have a fabulous online store and I was able to work with the owner to offer a giveaway to all of you. Please enter on the rafflecopter below to win this spring wreath.











Website:  http://sugarnspicehomedecor.mysimples...

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sugarnspiceh...

Instagram:  @sugar.n.spicehomedecor





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The Protective Groom: A Billionaire Marriage Broker Romance

Noah Baker is about to meet the toughest woman in Texas—right before he marries her.


Harley Wilson, of the Texas Wilsons, is being stalked by an unscrupulous creeper who is intent on doing her harm. In order to protect herself, Harley asks Pamela Jones to find her a groom. She needs someone who can hold his own in a firefight and happily sign annulment papers when this nightmare is over. 

Noah Baker thinks he’s hit the jackpot as a Billionaire Marriage Brokers’ groom. The position is the perfect opportunity to move forward and put the past behind him once and for all. However, Noah must dig into his training as a police officer and doing so brings up demons he buried two years ago when he left the force. 

Time runs short for Noah as his list of suspects grows to include an almost fiancé, a twisted cousin, and Harley’s step-brother. With Harley’s father breathing down his neck, Noah finds himself falling for Harley in a way that makes this assignment as personal as—well, marriage. 




Buy it on Amazon

Add to Goodreads




My review:

I've loved every one of the Billionaire Marriage Broker books and this one might just be my favorite. Noah is... delectable - fun, good-looking, kind, protective. He is the perfect groom. Harley is feminine while still being tough and it was so fun to read how smitten she was with Noah and how hard she tried to hide it. Highly recommended.

Painting Rain by Annette K. Larsen

 



Painting Rain by Annette K. Larsen
How do you heal your heart after tragedy leaves you broken? When the person you loved didn’t deserve it and they can’t earn your forgiveness because they’re already dead? How do you move on, and heal, and love?
If you’re Princess Lorraina, you paint.
A year ago Lorraina watched Tobias die, and she still doesn't know how she's supposed to heal—or forgive. How can she when she’s still running away? In an attempt to reinvent herself, she steps outside her comfortable life as princess and seeks the tutelage of a master painter—a man who is not at all impressed by her pedigree, and demands not just talent, but emotional honesty.
Struggling to learn what’s being taught, she finds herself drawn to someone who not only knows her secrets, but who she once considered far below her notice. Now she is compelled to seek him out despite knowing their relationship would be forbidden if discovered. Staying away from him doesn’t seem possible when discovering him may be the key to healing her heart and rediscovering herself.





 



My Review:

I've really enjoyed Annette Larsen's books and Painting Rain was another fabulous romance that drew me in and kept my attention until the end. I didn't love all the painting descriptions and that slowed down the book for me a little bit, but the romance was more than worth plunging through the slower parts.



Excerpt:



“Now.” Master Sterrino stepped toward me, grabbing my arm and pulling me forward until I stood in front of the canvas. He jabbed a finger at the blank expanse. “This is your one chance. This is it. So I suggest you take it! If you are so convinced that I should spend my time teaching you instead of a worthier candidate, then prove it!”

My chest rose and fell as I battled my emotions. I fought for poise, for dignity. I fought for the righteous indignation I had felt only moments before.

But his words screamed through my head, over and over until all I could hear were the words Tobias had spoken to me. What’s pathetic is that you have one chance. And this is it. I—am it. I’m your one chance to choose, and you won’t take it!

It had been a long time since I’d felt this kind of burning anger, and I hated it. I hated that Sterrino had found a way to fling me back into the muck that I’d been in throughout my youth, that he could make me feel isolated and unwanted. What did he want? For me to paint something angry and disgusting? To tear open my healing heart and smear my own blood all over the canvas? I had put up with Dante’s provocations—his odd mood swings—all in the hopes of having a chance to work with this man, to show him what I could do. Now as he stood there, mocking, I couldn’t make myself move.

“That’s what I thought,” he said with grating satisfaction. “Brilliance comes from experiencing life, from true love and true loss. I didn’t expect a privileged member of the royal family to be acquainted with either.” He raised one eyebrow as a final challenge.

True loss? He wanted to know what my loss looked like? “Fine.” I stalked over to the paints. “You want me to paint something you’ll understand?” I ignored the brushes and thrust my hand directly into the bowl of deep black, scooping out a handful and slapping it onto the canvas in globs. I grabbed a rag and smeared the paint until it spread in uneven, clumsy strokes across most of the canvas. But I couldn’t leave the black uncontaminated, so I grabbed two more rags, dipping one into the gray and the other into brown, smearing them on top of the black, mixing everything into a muddy mess. If pain and angst was all he wanted to see, then I could certainly give him that. I had spent so much of my life pushing people away—afraid that any close attachments would make me weak, that having fun with my sisters would make me less worthy of my title. I knew what isolation, anger and fear would look like. I threw the rags aside and curled my hands into claws, then dragged my fingernails over the canvas, slashing through the paint, criss-crossing in jagged, broken stripes. I scrubbed my hands on my skirts, forgetting that I had abandoned my apron, and moved on to the bowl of red. The final touch would speak of blood because that had been the ending of my tragic story. The story that I would just as soon have left behind but which Sterrino seemed determined to drag out of me. I grabbed a jar of linseed oil and dumped some into the red, mixing it until it was thin and fluid; then, cupping my hands in the bowl, I filled them with crimson liquid before flinging it at the canvas. It splashed across the surface, dripping down in rivulets. I shook my hands forward, splattering the edges with the excess paint from my hands, then took two steps back, my breathing labored as I took it in. What I had created was angry, torn, and ugly. Exactly what I had wanted. Exactly what I thought Master Sterrino deserved.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to tamp down the burning in my chest caused by the blatant reminder of the pain I used to cling to so desperately. I tore my gaze away, refusing to claim it as my own and spun to face Master Sterrino. He was staring at me, his eyes intent but unemotional.

I flung one paint-caked hand toward my work. “There you have it,” I declared. “Enjoy.” I sank into a mocking curtsey, but as I did, it reminded me too much of the way I used to treat people, of the way that Tobias used to taunt and humiliate, and I hated myself for stooping to such depths. I turned without meeting his eyes and stalked out of the studio.






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Author Annette K. Larsen

I was born in Utah, but grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and St. Louis, Missouri, the fifth of seven children. I attended Southern Virginia University and Brigham Young University, where I studied English and Theater. I now live in Idaho with my husband and four children. I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it. I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.



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Blog Tour Giveaway

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Ends 3/31/16

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

It's always exciting to choose a setting for a new book. I like to find a place that I enjoy visiting. The Feisty One is set in Island Park, Idaho where my dad's best friend has a beautiful cabin. I have so many great memories in the cabin and the forest surrounding it. I wanted to share a recipe that also reminded me of Island Park. We end up cooking a lot more than we usually would on vacation because the cabin is so isolated. My favorite is chicken enchiladas because they're delicious, easy, and can feed a huge group. This recipe is what I would do for my family of six, but I double or triple it when we go to the cabin.



Chicken Enchiladas

One to two pounds cooked and shredded chicken (depends if your children are carnivores like mine)

One eight-ounce package cream cheese

One cup salsa

Two cups shredded colby jack cheese

One package taco seasoning

One can pinto or black beans



Mix everything together and either roll in flour tortillas or I've gotten so lazy lately I cut up the tortillas and layer them with the mixture. Top with colby jack or parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake 350 for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!









Buy the The Feisty One is available for only $2.99 or if you're an Amazon Prime member you can borrow it for free.



Can he hide his heart or will the reporter take everything? 

Maryn Howe isn’t intimidated by billionaire recluse, Tucker Shaffer, or his enormous log cabin in Island Park, Idaho. Maryn needs this interview and she’ll get it at any cost, even if the last four reporters were physically removed from his presence.

Tucker Shaffer has no desire to change his less than flattering public image; but his PR people persuade him to give it one more try. Ready to make nice with whoever comes through the door, Tucker is blindsided by a petite blond with an extra-large personality. As the snow piles up and the questions keep coming, Maryn discovers the secret Tucker Shaffer has spent the last four years torturing himself with. She suddenly sees him in a new light and she flees—right into danger and into Tucker’s arms.

But the danger has just begun and now Maryn has to make a choice—trust in Tucker or lose it all.