Swoon Worthy Spotlights #15

Welcome to Swoon Worthy Spotlights hosted by KJ's Book Nook, Katie's Clean Book Collection and Bookworm Nation! Once a month we will feature 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month. We will share the cover(s), our review(s) and a link to each other's post so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

For this month's Swoon Worthy Spotlights I am going to choose...

Lovers and Madmen by Nichole Van

Statistically Impossible by Jennifer Peel

Stone Silence by Taylor Dean

Undeniably Chosen by Shelly Crane

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

And don't for get to check Katie's post here and Kathy's post here!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Do you have a blog and want to join us for Swoon Worthy Spotlights? Then grab the picture and post with us! We will be posting on the last day of each month. Make sure you share your link with us so we can check out your favorite authors as well!

Happy reading my fellow bookworms!

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

Synopsis:

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border.

Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?

Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

My Review: 5 Stars

March 2018:

*dreamy sigh* Oh. My. Gosh! I still absolutely LOVE this book! I am dying for the next book to come out! I can't wait to see where this series goes!

October 2017:

When Lucy receives a letter from her cousin Kate stating that she is afraid and falling ill, she drops everything to rush to her side. There was an urgency to the letter and she could not waste a moment in getting there. 

From the moment she arrives at Blackwell Manor, Lucy knows that there is definitely something amiss. Her cousin is worse off than she thought, the ghost of Lord Blackwell's sister, Marie, roams the halls of the manor and is bound and determined to get Lucy's attention, there are vampire attacks near by and werewolves have been reported in the area. 

On top of all that, she has to deal with the infamous Lord Blackwell upon his arrival home from his monthly trip to his hunting lodge. He is none too happy to discover her in his house. Can things get any worse? 

Miles is beyond surprised and extremely agitated to have his solitude disturbed by some random woman running around his house in the middle of the night in her nightgown. Who is she and where did she come from? He detests visitors, and with good reason. He has a secret that must be kept at all costs. His life depends on it after all. But it's getting harder and harder to keep. Someone out there knows it and is determined to bring it to light. But who? And how can he stop them?

Lucy and Miles must work together if they are every going to solve the mysteries that plague Blackwell Manor. But the more they work together, the closer they become and the harder it is to fight their feelings for each other. Can Miles trust Lucy to keep his secret and keep her safe at the same time? Can Lucy prove to him that love can conquer the beast within? 

*dreamy sigh*

Oh how I loved this book! It had me chuckling out loud, sitting on the edge of my seat, creeped out, letting out little dreamy sighs, swooning... I felt like I was right there with Lucy and Miles experiencing it all! I wasn't too sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I have some friends who adored it and that's the reason I decided to give it a chance. And I am SO glad that I did! This is my first introduction to the Steampunk genre and I was not disappointed! I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series! 

Not only is this my very first Steampunk book, but it's also my very first Nancy Campbell Allen book. She did an amazing job of sucking me in to her world and making me forget all about reality. I absolutely love when that happens! I will definitely be reading more books by her! 

And of course I can't forget about my casting! What do you think?!

Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt

Synopsis:

For centuries, the elite of the world have sought the Pimpernel everywhere. Some want to kill him, others want to hire him, but Jack Cavanaugh knows that the love/hate relationship comes with the job title.

At present, Jack is trying to dismantle an investment scheme centered in Las Vegas, but "trying" is the operative word. It's been a month since he put the face of the scheme behind bars, yet the scam is still going strong. As Jack tries to uncover who has stepped in as the new head, what miniscule evidence there is all seems to point him back to Claire Ramsey, an introverted PhD student studying at UNLV.

If ever there as an unlikely head of an investment scheme, Claire's it. She has a genius IQ, but from all Jack has seen, Claire’s intelligence is as much a blessing as a curse when paired up with her acute OCD. Claire can barely make conversation with the cute guy down the hall, which makes it hard to believe she could be the charismatic salesperson who is getting international businessmen to invest $5—50 million a pop.

So what is Jack missing? What is the real story behind Claire Ramsey? And once Jack learns it, will he be able to walk away?

My Review: 4.5 Stars

March 2018:

It's been a couple years since I have read this book and I have one word for you... wow! Just wow! I forgot about all the twists and turns! I think I also picked up on things that I missed the first time around. The complexity of this book blows my mind. I have a feeling I'm going to be really glad that I reread this book before picking up Royal Ball. From what I've heard and read, it's just as, if not more complex than this one. Wish me luck! ;)

April 2016:

For the majority of Claire's life, she has never been close to her family. In fact, she has never really been close to anyone. With her OCD tendencies, it makes it hard for her to put herself out there. She feels in control of her life about 1% of the time. She feels alone and wishes for things to be different. When she finds someone who believes in her and doesn't give much thought to her idiosyncrasies, she will do anything she can to keep them close to her. 

Jack has been commissioned to dismantle an investment scheme. He thought he had the head of the investment scheme behind bars but there is still someone out there pulling all the right strings. All leads are pointing to Claire but he just can't see it being her. There is something bigger at play and he must figure it out before it's too late. 

I can't really go into too much detail in fear of giving things away. But just know that this book is full of twists and turns that you won't see coming. Just when I thought I had something figured out... BAM! Plot twist! Lol. Pimpernel kept my on my toes and awake way past my bedtime. I just HAD to see how it ended! I would love to see this made into a series!

If I can have one little quibble it would be the ending! Ugh! Why?! Why would you do that to me?! That's supposed to be somewhere in the middle of the book... not the end! I would've loved to see that put into the mix of things. If you've read the book then you know what I'm talking about! ;) Haha.  

All my bookworm friends have been raving about Sheralyn Pratt's books so I thought it was about time I checked them out. This is my first book of hers and I was not disappointed. I will definitely be checking more out by her! :)

As for my casting... not going to lie... this one was tough! But I think these two fit the best for me... ;) Hehe.  

Undeniably Chosen by Shelly Crane

Synopsis:

Ava has watched her parents, Caleb and Maggie, live the perfect fairy tale, the perfect love story, played out in front of her eyes her entire life. Her family is love, life, and happiness. The Jacobsons are everything a family should be and Ava is loved and well taken care of. But the one thing that’s missing from her life is the one thing she’s waited for every day, the one thing her kind knows will make them complete, the one thing they thought was gone and lost forever.

Her significant.

Seth has lived with the Watsons his entire life. They’re the only family he knows, but he knows that there are things they keep from him. He knows that they lie and they do unspeakable evil, things from when he was a child that he can barely remember that cling to the edges of his memory. He barely remembers his real mother and all he knows is what he’s told. He doesn’t know what to trust. He wants to believe that the Watsons love and care for him, have his best interest at heart, but isn’t so sure of that anymore when he finally—after a lifetime of waiting for her—meets his soulmate, and the Watson’s first act is to try to take her away from him.

The Virtuoso worlds collide, hearts are exposed, humans are endangered, and the lives of Seth and Ava are changed forever. They’ll have to love without judgment or reservation, they’ll have to be wise and accepting beyond their years, they’ll have to forgive for things before they’ve even happened, they’ll have to trust without seeing, have faith without knowing, and they’ll have to light their own way in the dark when everyone else is blind to show them the way. And more than anything else…

they’ll fight like hell to keep each other.

My Review: 5+ Stars

March 2018:

I. Love. This. Series! It's SO good! I thought I would reread Undeniably Chosen again because I'm secretly hoping Undeniably Fated will be released soon! I can't WAIT to continue on with the Significance series!

March 2017:

*dreamy sigh* I LOVED it just as much the 2nd time around! I cannot WAIT for the next book to be released! Eeeeeeek!

April 2015:

Holy macaroni grill Batman!! I absolutely LOVED Undeniably Chosen!! I seriously could NOT put it down!! I got so mad that work and sleep got in the way of my precious Ava and Seth time!! I stayed up late and woke up early just to finish this AMAZING book!! I have loved the entire Significance series but I have to admit that this book is my absolute FAVORITE out of the whole series so far!! I have been DYING for this to come out and just KNEW that it would be well worth the wait and I was NOT wrong!!

Ava has been waiting her whole life to find her significant. She has dreamed about how it would it be... how she would feel... how happy she would be... and then she imprinted with a Watson. Her first response?! Run... and run she did! Life as she knew it was over... or so she thought... ;)

Seth hasn't had the best life. Even though he has been put through the ringer more times then I could count, he still wanted to see the best in everyone. He was constantly being accused of various things and doubted and just wronged... but that man... he is a SAINT!! He still pushed forward and even defended the Jacobsons who kept accusing him of doing things he did not do! He would always tell Ava... it's okay... they're your family... they're just trying to protect you... I would do the same thing... I understand. Saint I tell ya! He never ONCE gave up!

I loved watching Seth do everything he could to get to know Ava and make her happy. He wanted to show her how much he loved her and how special she was to him. And I loved watching Ava realize that Watson or not Seth is her significant and she would do everything she could to get to know him and make him happy... make him feel loved for the first time in his life!

The first little while after you find your significant is supposed to be special... you're supposed to be happy and enjoy getting to know each other. But in true Shelly style... that just did not happen for Seth and Ava. Once the Jacobsons were finally on board with all things Seth they had to deal with the Watsons. Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire Batman! Evil... plain and simple... they are evil!! And they have someone in their pocket helping them to try and destroy the Jacobsons. *sigh* Can't these poor Jacobsons get a break?!

There were lots of twists and turns that I did not see coming!! And I loved every minute of it!! This was definitely a book worth losing sleep over!! I cannot WAIT to see where Shelly takes us next!! I am totally looking forward to Undeniably Fated!! It's going to be AMAZING!! :)

And are you guys ready for my casting?! Oh my heck!! I just LOVE it!! Aren't they just gorgeous?!?! ;)

 

*Content: Mild language throughout the book. 

Statistically Improbable by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

According to Binary Search’s matchmaking service, Meg Dawson’s and Zander Grainger’s odds of ever having a successful relationship are statistically improbable. Meg has run the numbers and knows the probability, but for some reason she can’t quit thinking about her coworker, and self-proclaimed eternal bachelor, Zander.

To make matters more interesting, Zander approaches her with an unusual proposition. He’s in need of a pretend girlfriend. Meg thinks this could be the answer to get him out of her system; and maybe knock the arrogant man down a few notches in the process. But what she doesn’t realize is, there is more to this man, something he carefully hides behind his arrogant exterior. And when her feelings begin to be anything but pretend, she knows the odds of getting hurt are more than probable.

Will they let the odds overcome them, or will they find that all the reasons they are wrong for each other are exactly what make them a perfect fit?

My Review: 5 Stars

March 2018:

*dreamy sigh* I love Meg and Zander! These two are amazing together! The feels are definitely real. I had a hard time putting Statistically Improbable down again. It is SO good and my favorite in this series so far!

March 2017:

Statistically Improbable. That's what the Binary Search says. But against all the scientific evidence, Meg still finds herself drawn to Zander. She doesn't know what it is but she just can't resist his pull. Maybe it's his charm or his gorgeous face or just him. But whatever it is has her going to goo whenever he's around. 

So when Zander asks Meg to be his fake girlfriend to keep the unwanted women away, she has to stop herself from instantly saying yes! Guys like him don't fall for girls like her. She has to keep her heart safe. But this is a chance to prove science wrong. It's also the perfect chance to bring the King of Arrogance down a notch or two. Zander won't know what hit him... ;) 

On the outside Zander is the eternal bachelor, the center of attention, the best friend.. pretty much anything anyone needs him to be. He's got to be in order to keep his secrets locked up tight. He's always been good at hiding the real him. There have been very few people who have ever been able to see past his facade. So when the feisty, sassy, beautiful Meg adds herself to that list, it scares the crap out of him and he does his best to keep her at bay. 

But with all the chemistry and fireworks between these two, it proves statistically improbable to fight against the inevitable. These two bring out the worst and the best in each other. This is all new territory for the both of them. Zander is bound to make mistakes and say the wrong things, but he will not waste a second to make things right between them. It may take some time, but Meg will prove to Zander that if anyone deserves a happily ever after, it's them. 

*dreamy sigh* I absolutely LOVED this book! I have wondered about Zander ever since we first saw him in His Personal Relationship Manager. Some people loved him, other people didn't. But if you really paid attention to him, you would have realized that there was more than meets the eye. What he was on the outside, was not who he is on the inside. He's a diamond in the rough. And it took just the right woman to make him shine. And Meg was that woman. These two were absolutely perfect for each other! <3

I know I say this all the time but I swear Ms. Peel's book just keep getting better and better! Just when I think I have found my favorite, she releases a new book and I end up changing my mind. I think I have finally come to the conclusion that I will never have just one favorite book of hers. It's impossible! I seriously cannot choose! Do NOT make me choose! Haha. 

And this casting! *dreamy sigh* I don't care what anyone thinks... these two are perfect in my opinion! ;)

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

His Personally Relationship Manager by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

Kenadie Marshall has suffered the most public of humiliations, being left at the altar. Instead of wallowing in her misery, she makes it her mission to help others find true and lasting love, all while swearing off relationships for good. Between the software application she developed and a team of relationship managers, her brainchild, Binary Search, has an uncanny knack for choosing the perfect match almost every time.

Attractive and loveable Jason Hadley is taken with Kenadie Marshall from their first meeting. Determined to win her over, he does anything and everything he can think of, even if it means using her firm’s service and dating other women to stay close to her.

Will Kenadie realize she’s met her match before it’s too late? Or will Jason’s ploy go too far? Find out in His Personal Relationship Manager, a romantic comedy with an epic battle of wills.

My Review: 5 Stars!!

March 2018:

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to hear that I still absolutely love His Personal Relationship Manager! It's been a couple of years since I have read it so it was kinda like reading it for the first time all over again! I got sucked in all over again! I can't wait to reread Zander's book!

January 2016:

Kenadie has suffered the worst of humiliations... being left at the alter. If that wasn't bad enough her controlling ex-fiance called her names and said some awful things to her in front of everyone! Crushed and heartbroken, she locks her heart up tight and refuses to let anyone enter in ever again. She has her mom, her brothers, her niece and her best friend, Zander. She doesn't need anyone else. She throws herself into her business, Binary Search. She is determined to do whatever she can to make it so no one has to go through what she went through. Everyday she is just going through the motions... she is not living her life... she is just existing. . 

Jason has been jilted by his ex-fiance as well. He moves to Georgia for a fresh start. From the first moment he met Kenadie, he felt a connection. He had never met anyone like her before. The more time he spent with her the more he wanted to pursue this beautiful, intriguing, complicated woman. He definitely has his work cut out for him and will need to have the patience of Job if he ever wants to snag this beauty that has no clue he is falling in love with her!

Watching Kenadie and Jason get to know each other and watching their friendship grow into something more was sweet and beautiful and yes, at times, frustrating! I wanted to shake Kenadie and say "Hello!! Wake up!! It's you!! It's always been you!!" Lol. But as mentioned before Jason has the patience of Job. He was NOT going to give up on them! *dreamy sigh* I absolutely LOVE Jason! He is my new favorite hero! <3  

There were just so many things I loved about this book! The one liners... the old biddies... Hawaii Five-O... Gibbs slaps that Kenadie would give Zander.

And speaking of Zander... I absolutely LOVED him! Even when he was acting like a punk! But I get where he was coming from... I really do! We all need a best friend like Zander! I wonder if Ms. Peel will ever think of giving him his own book?!?! That would be the icing on the cake for me!! ;) Hehe.

This was another home run by Jennifer Peel!! There is a reason she quickly jumped to the top of my favorite authors list... she is AMAZING!! I have seriously LOVED all of her books!! They just keep getting better and better!! This is definitely my new favorite of hers!! I can't WAIT to see what she has in store for us next!!  

And of course I just cannot forget my casting choices!! This one was actually a no brainer for me... these two were just PERFECT in my opinion!! ;) 

Swoony Award Shout Out!

Hey party people! We, as hosts, have been noticing that A LOT of books are being added to the list that are NOT actually eligible. We have been doing a lot of researching and deleting.

So, to minimize this, I thought I would do a shout out each month as a reminder of what the Swoony Awards are, the eligibility requirements and also to share which books I have read so far that have been nominated.

So please, please, PLEASE read through the below BEFORE you nominate and vote! It will definitely make our lives easier! And if you happen to see a book on the list that you know is not eligible, feel free to email me or any of the other hosts and let us know! We'd be very appreciative!

What are the Swoony Awards?

The Swoony Awards are a reader’s choice award recognizing excellence in clean romance fiction. We wanted a way to show our appreciation to these awesome authors who write the kind of books that we love. It’s also a great way to find new books and a good go-to when looking for something fun to read.

What books are eligible for a Swoony Award?

-ONLY books PUBLISHED December 1, 2017 – November 30, 2018 are eligible. Please DOUBLE CHECK publication dates before nominating books!
-Books must be published OR have arc reviews before nomination. Since the award is based on readers having actually read and enjoyed the book(s) they are voting for, the book has to have been published or arcs read in order to receive votes.
-Intimacy: No sex, no/low closed door/fade-to-black, no/low innuendo, nothing crude or crass.
-Language: None/mild (No F words or other explicit language) nothing overly crude.
-Violence: Mild/low.
-Page Count: Novellas or Novels only, 100 pages or higher, no short stories this year.

-Age: Only Young Adult, New Adult and Adult, NO children’s or middle grade.
-Religious: No Christian fiction, some *very mild* religious elements may be allowed.

Where do you vote for the Swoony Awards? 

On Goodreads! If you don't have an account it is really easy to sign up for one! And it's an AMAZING place to keep track of which books you have read, which books you want to read and of course see all kinds of reviews on books!

For those of you who are not on Goodreads, we have created a Google form for you to fill out! Click here to go directly to the form!

**PLEASE NOTE** You can vote for up to 5 books at a time. There is NO limit as to how many times you can fill out the form. BUT you can only vote ONCE per book! Double votes WILL be removed!

**PLEASE NOTE** You can ONLY vote ONE way! If you prefer Goodreads, please vote there. If you prefer the form, please vote there. Double votes WILL be removed! 

What books have I read so far this year that are eligible? 

I am SO glad you asked! I would LOVE to share them with you! ;) Hehe. 

The Sidelined Wife by Jennifer Peel
#Starstruck by Sariah Wilson
Jailbird by Taylor Dean
Hothouse Flower by Taylor Dean
Bargaining with the Boss by Jennifer Shirk
Finding Beauty in the Beast by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee
Lightning Struck  by Nichole Van
Illegally Wedded by Jennifer Griffith
Once Hitched Twice Shy

It's still early so I haven't read many. But that WILL change! Haha. We are SO excited for this year's Swoony Awards! You can click here and go straight to our list! Head on over, check out the list and if there are any books on there that you have read and LOVED then make sure you VOTE! If you have read a book that is eligible but has not been added yet then make sure you VOTE to add it to the list for everyone to see! But make sure you check the entire list before voting. Again, please make sure to DOUBLE check the eligibility before voting! 

One last thing...

Note to Authors:

If you’ve written a book that matches the above criteria fill free to NOMINATE it for a Swoony. Help bring awareness to your nomination. We are doing some promoting, but sometimes a newsletter, Facebook, Twitter or blog post directly from the author is the best way to let your fan base know your book has been nominated and help it get all the votes it can get.

Note to Voters:

This is a great way to let authors know you appreciate all their hard work. On Goodreads you can vote for up to 100 books on the list. On the Google form, there is no limit on how many you can vote for. BUT please refer to the above mentioned requirements on voting! We’ve also learned that the order you rank the books you vote on does affect the overall score of the book. So take a minute and make sure you have your books in the order you want them. Invite your friends to vote! Voting ends December 31, 2018.

So what are you waiting for?! Let's show all these AMAZING authors how much we love them AND their books! Ready?! GO VOTE!

Hawaiian Masquerade by Rachelle J. Christensen

Synopsis:

When Lexi Burke escaped the remnants of a cold winter in Chicago for the beaches of Kauai, it wasn’t a random vacation. She left the hectic pace of Burke Enterprises behind with enough money to retire at age thirty-two, intent on settling into the idyllic existence of island life. Until she met local photographer Derek Mitchell—a talented man with a grudge against rich tourists.

From art night to snorkeling lessons, hiking, and chopping coconuts, Lexi can’t talk herself out of spending time with the handsome, hardworking man who knows the value of every dollar. She also can’t find a way to tell him the truth about herself. But then Derek is selected to help in a benefit at a masquerade ball as one of the eligible bachelors up for auction. Lexi must decide whether to wear a mask or unveil her true self and risk losing Derek’s trust and a chance at love.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

March 2018:

Second time reading this book and I still enjoyed it! I also still really want to go to Hawaii! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Kind of hoping we get a little of Lexi and Derek.. I still want more of them! ;)

July 2016:

Lexi is an overworked, stressed out business executive and life is passing her by. After doing some soul searching she realizes that what she needs is a fresh start. Making the biggest and scariest decision of her life, she chooses to leave her job and her home in Chicago to begin a new journey on the beautiful island of Kauai. With a clean slate, she can do anything she wants, be who she wants to be, discover who she really is outside of her business world.

Derek has struggled all his life financially. He is unable to make ends meet on the income from his photography business alone. In order to pay all the bills and keep his business going, he must help is friend, Pika, by chopping coconuts on the side. As a photographer on the island of Kauai, he has seen lots and lots of tourists. The ones he does his best to stay away from are the wealthy ones. All the encounters with them growing up has left him with very strong feelings of resentment towards them. He thinks they are all the same and has no qualms about expressing his opinion of them.

When Lexi and Derek meet for the first time, there is an instant connection. Neither one of them were looking for any kind of relationship but fate had something else in store for them. But before they can move forward, Lexi must come clean about her wealth and Derek must overcome his issues with money and realize that not all billionaires are the same.

Watching Lexi and Derek become friends, going on adventures together, seeing who they were and what made them tick had me falling in love right along with them. They were both amazing characters with huge hearts! They both know that this life is not about money and how much you have. It's about the journey, the little things, family, friends, living life to the fullest and just being grateful for all the blessings and beauty in our lives. *le sigh*

Can I just say how much I fell in love with Hawaii just from this book?! The descriptions were amazing and I felt like I was right there with Lexi and Derek. Hawaii has definitely been added to my bucket list!

While I really enjoyed this book I would have loved just a little bit more! Like seeing more of Lexi and Derek's relationship after he discovered she was a billionaire. We all know how much I love my epilogues! ;) Hehe. The ending just seemed a bit rushed to me. And Eliza... what really happened with her?! She's plotting evilness, it's discovered and BAM! No one knows why nor does anything happen to her? Did I miss something while I was reading? Hmmmm.... 

So... I just have to say... this is my first book by Rachelle J. Christensen and I am proud to announce that it will not be my last! I am seriously loving this series and all the new authors I am adding to my list! So much fun! :) 

And this casting! It was definitely tough! Trying to find the perfect match had me wanting to pull my hair out! Haha. But I'm pretty happy with these two... ;) What do you think?!

Change of Heart by Jennifer Moore

Synopsis:

This summer, Nathaniel Cavanaugh vacations in Lobster Cove to spend quality time with his kids after his estranged wife’s tragic death. Successful and well-connected, he is on the fast-track to the highest legal positions in the country, but his family life suffers. After an accident throws Val nearly into his lap and costs her a job opportunity, Nathaniel surprises himself by overlooking her outlandish appearance and lack of qualifications to offer her a job as his nanny for the summer.

Valdosta McKinley wishes for an internship at a Paris Art Institute to use her newly acquired art-history skills. She knows Nathaniel could never develop feelings for a girl from a trailer in a rural West Virginia holler—a lesson she learned the hard way years earlier.

Will pursuit of their professional goals require Nathaniel and Val to give up the dream of being a family?

My Review: 5 Stars

March 2018:

*dreamy sigh* I still totally love Change of Heart! It is super cute!

May 2016:

Val has left her home in West Virginia and heads to Lobster Cove, Maine to pursue her life's dream of landing an internship in Paris. But before she can apply, she needs some hands on experience in an Art Gallery. On her way to an extremely important interview, fate throws her into the path of Nathaniel and his two adorable children. But with Val and Nathaniel coming from two very different walks of life, she tells herself she needs to get far away from this little family before it's too late. She doesn't see how someone like Nathaniel would ever want someone like her in his life. But the more they get to know each other, the closer they become. Now Val must decide if she's going to stay on the path that she has been dreaming of all her life or if she should take a new path and make a new dream.

Nathaniel heads to Lobster Cove, Maine with his little ones, Ruby and Finn, for a much needed family vacation. While out enjoying the summer weather, fate throws Val into their path. When he learns that he has cost Val the job opportunity that she desperately needs, he offers her an opportunity that she can't resist. Be his nanny for the summer and he will get her a job at an Art Gallery in Boston.

But what happens when the summer comes to an end? Will he choose the professional path that he's been working towards for years? Or will he realize that what he's been longing for is home and home is wherever Val is.

I absolutely loved Change of Heart! It was the perfect read for me! From the picturesque setting, to little Ruby and Finn, to Val and Nathaniel's journey, I was sucked in from the very beginning and could not put it down! I have a feeling I am going to LOVE this series! Can't wait for the next book to be released. I am hoping it's Seth and Melanie's... ;)

And the casting... *sigh* I love these two as Val and Nathaniel!

First Crush by Heather Tullis

Synopsis:

Third-grade teacher Maddie McCormick was thrilled when the greenhouse classroom actually came to fruition—but she hadn’t counted on angering the local street thugs, or their threats.

Police officer Ben Belliston hadn’t planned on fatherhood—ever—but gaining custody of his orphaned niece had him rearranging all of his priorities. She and Maddie, her new teacher, bonded right away, so he was happy to provide a little off-duty security in the greenhouse—it was more than a fair exchange for the way Maddie helped his niece from her shell. He hadn’t expected to begin seeing his best friend’s little sister in a new light, or the way it would make him question all of his future plans.

My Review: 5 Stars

March 2018:

Second time reading this book and I think I loved it more this time around! Ben and Maddie are perfect for each other and little Felicia is adorable! It's definitely a fun series and I can't wait to read book 3!

March 2016:

Maddie McCormick and her friends have been working on getting the greenhouse up and running not only for her students but for the community as well. When the local gang wants to take back what they think was their's, Maddie has no choice but to turn to her long time crush, Officer Ben Belliston, for help. She has been beyond frustrated with him because he can't seem to see her as anyone other than his best friend's little sister.

Ben Belliston did not have a great childhood. His father was an abusive alcoholic and his mother was the punching bag. She refused to leave his father and Ben had no choice but to deal with the abuse. With role models like his parents, he refuses to ever get married or have a family. He will not take a chance of ever turning out like his father. Little did he know that one phone call would change his life forever. When his niece, Felicia, comes to live with him after her mother's death, he has no choice but to turn to Maddie for help.

Will these two ever realize how perfect they are together? Or will the past and their pride ruin what could be the best thing to ever happen to all of them?

First Crush was a fun addition to the In the Garden series! I loved seeing all the characters from Hello Again! And the addition of little Felicia was perfect! I have actually been on a single parent finding love kick lately and this book did not disappoint! There is just something about little kids pulling at the heart strings of big alpha males that just melts my heart! I love it!

Heather Tullis has become an auto-buy author for me! She has a way of sucking me into her books and not letting me go until the end! I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series! If you haven't read anything by her yet then you are missing out! I highly recommend this series as well as the DiCarlo Bride series. So fun! :)

And of course I can't forget my casting! I think these two are perfect! ;) Hehe.

Hello Again by Heather Tullis

Synopsis:

Piper Daniels has one wish—to keep her little brother out of trouble—but her work schedule and a lack of activities for teens in her neighborhood complicate that mission. When she latches onto the idea of starting a community garden, it seems to answer all of her requirements. Until she realizes who owns the property she wants to use.

Reece Stone was the love of her life ten years earlier, until he left with only a phone call goodbye and no explanation. Now he’s the head of Stone Enterprises, and he’s thrilled at the chance to make amends and spend time with the woman he’s never been able to forget. He knows they can find love again, if he can melt her anger enough to give him a chance.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

March 2018:

It's been awhile since I have read this series and I thought that since the 3rd book was recently released that I would give myself a refresher course before reading it. I am still totally in love with Reece! He's pretty amazing! *dreamy sigh* I can't wait to reread book 2 and then move on to book 3! :)

May 2015:

I've been on a lost love kick lately and I love it! I am definitely a sucker for these types of stories. I love seeing the couple overcome past hurts and move forward to their happily ever after!

Piper and Reece dated for part of a summer and they clicked instantly. Things were going great until one day Piper receives a phone call from Reece breaking things off and then he takes off. Piper is heart broken and depressed. She thought that they really had something special and just didn't understand why things went down hill so fast.

Fast forward years later and she is now working full time and taking care of her autistic brother while her mom works swing shifts. Her brother seems to be getting into more trouble lately and Piper has to decide what to do with him. There is nothing in their neighborhood that will keep him and the other kids occupied and out of trouble. Then Piper has the brilliant idea of doing a community garden. She and her friends, Adelyn and Maddie, do some research and start putting her plan into action. The only problem is the lot that would be perfect for her project is owned by the one and only Reece Stone.

Reece has always regretted breaking things off with Piper. However, he really didn't have a choice in the matter. He had to or else the consequences of him staying with her would ruin his life. But he never stopped thinking about her. When the proposal for the community garden comes across his desk he almost lets it pass by until he sees who the proposal is from. The wheels in his head start turning and he believes that this is his second chance with the one and only woman he has ever loved. The only problem?! Convincing Piper that he really does love her and wants her in his life.

*dreamy sigh* Reece is absolutely amazing!! I LOVE him!! He really did have his work cut out for him when it comes to winning Piper back. But with a little honestly... lots of patience... and fighting to make her dreams come true he is able to show her just how much she really means to him and how he never stopped loving her. And I just have to say I LOVED his relationship with Spencer! While some people had trouble connecting him him and not wanting him around... Reece made him feel apart of various things and never left him out. Seriously... this man rocked!!

I do have to say I did not like their mom. She really was a piece of work and I really, really wanted to knock her upside the head! Ugh! What kind of person does those types of things?! She is the mom for crying out loud and she needs to act like one! I know towards the end she started trying but the book ended before she really got a chance to make things right in my opinion. Not sure if I ended up liking her or not. I guess time and other books in the series will tell.

All in all it was a really good book and I really enjoyed it!! I only wish that it would have been just a little bit longer... maybe like a chapter. I would have LOVED to see Spencer's reaction to what happened at the end... it would have been priceless!! But instead... it just ended. :( And as you all know... I hate that! Lol. But I guess it'll all work out since there are going to be other books in the series. :) I am definitely looking forward to Adelyn and Maddie's stories!

And of course no review of mine would be complete without casting! ;) Hehe. So... here is my Piper and Reece...

 

Author's Corner #15

Welcome to Author's Corner hosted by KJ's Book Nook, Katie's Clean Book Collection and Bookworm Nation! Once a month we will feature either a favorite author or new to us author. We will share the author's bio, one of our favorite books of theirs and a review. Each of us will be featuring a different author each month so there will also be links to each of our posts.

For this month's Author's Corner I am going to choose...

Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and driving boys to lacrosse practice, she gets the chance to write fiction. 

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, hiking, biking, running, and water-skiing. 

A portion of the proceeds from Cami's books will be donated to Humanitarian Aid. 100% of Humanitarian Aid goes to help those in need throughout the world.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I can't tell you how I first discovered Cami Checketts but I'm sure glad I did! Her books are always amazing and I find myself getting lost in them every single time! I have to tell you that it's really hard to pick just one favorite! I have loved so many of her books! But I'll share the one that stands out most in my mind... ;) If you haven't read any of her books then I would highly recommend you grab some and read them!

Every stage actress wants fans, but what happens when one goes too far?

Emmy has the perfect life— a house on the beach, a successful career headlining the local theater, and love. But when a brutal murder brings unimaginable grief, Emmy’s world comes crashing down. As she tries to pick up the pieces, she can’t seem to avoid Josh, the new fireman in town. 

Emmy does her best to fight the sizzle in her chest when Josh is near. But with the stalker still out there, terrorizing her and those she cares about, she can’t fall for anyone—especially Josh, a suspect in the murder investigation. 

If Emmy allows a man to get close, it’s not just her heart she puts at risk, it’s her life.

You can check out my review here.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

And don't for get to check out Katie's post here and Kathy's post here! 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Do you have a blog and want to join us for Author's Corner? Then grab the picture and post with us! We will be posting the 2nd Saturday of each month. Make sure you share your link with us so we can check out your favorite authors as well! 

Happy reading my fellow bookworms!

Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined by Rachael Anderson

Synopsis:

For Noah Mackie, life is finally back on track. He has a great support system, a promised promotion is on its way, and he's finally getting the hang of this single father thing. But when the job falls through and his neighbor's matchmaking efforts become more aggressive, Noah is in for yet another unwanted detour. With his career and two spirited daughters to worry about, he doesn't have time for dating—especially not someone like Cassie Ellis, his girls' beautiful and sophisticated dance instructor, who is about as open and approachable as a brick wall.

Rough around the Edges Meets Refined is about two people who think they know exactly what they want but who have no idea what they really need. It's about learning that people aren't always what they seem and that sometimes life’s detours take you exactly where you need to go.

My Review: 5 Stars

Cassie is a recent widow. But she's not like any other widow. She does not miss her husband at all. He was a horrible person who was very controlling and wouldn't let Cassie do anything that she wanted to do. Now that she is free from him she is on a journey of self discovery. She knows that she can never be the person that she used to be but she also doesn't want to be the person her husband had turned her into. She doesn't know who she is. But she does know that she never, ever wants to be controlled by a man again. So when her friend, Becky, tries to set her up with a single father, she wants nothing at all to do with it.

Noah is a single father of two beautiful, active girls. He's on the verge of a promotion and life just couldn't get any better! Until the promotion doesn't come through. he loses his job and his well meaning but meddling neighbor, Becky, decides she has the perfect woman to set him up with. He really doesn't want to have anything to do with any woman and tries his best to dodge any kind of setups. When Becky tells him that all he has to do is find out what Cassie's favorite ice cream is and she'll leave him alone and never set him up again, Noah agrees and sets out to find out what it is so he can get back to living his life. Little did he know that one simple question would set him on the path that he never knew he wanted to go down. Now... all he has to do is to show Cassie that that path isn't all that scary and going down it together is just what they both need.

I really enjoyed seeing Noah and Cassie get to know each other and grow closer together. Noah was extremely patient with what Cassie went through with her husband and had to remind her several times that he wasn't him and didn't want to control her. But I do understand that it can be very scary to start any kind of relationship after everything she had to go through. I felt at times she was too cautious. Noah had to prove himself over and over and over again! And I really didn't think it was very fair to him. When she left to "figure things out" I was thinking she had better do something spectacular to win Noah back!

Most of you know that one of my biggest pet peeves is when a book just ends! No conclusion... no nothing! Just ends! I hate that! But another one of my pet peeves is when the heroine does something to hurt the hero and then the hero has to go crawling back to her. Seriously?! She broke it! Let her fix it! I know... I know... I am probably one of the very few who think this way. But alas... I do! And thank goodness there are some authors who think the way I do! ;) That is all I have to say on this subject. Hehe.

All in all this was a really, really good book! I loved it! Rachael Anderson does it again! She is another auto-buy author for me! I seriously can't wait for Sam's story... Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity. I have already pre-ordered it and I can't WAIT to read it!! ;)

And of course I can't forget the casting! Can I tell you how much I love finding new people to cast for all these amazing books?! Seriously... I love it! :) Hehe. So... what do you think?!

2018 Rereading Madness!

Can you believe it's March already?! Where is this year going?! It's crazy!

Last year I had SO much fun doing Rereading Madness and thought, why not do it again this year?! Especially because I have MORE favorites that I want to reread! Haha.

For those of you who are new to my blog, I had been in the mood to reread a bunch of my favorites but wanted to come up with a catchy name. Since March is March Madness for basketball and I wanted to cram as many books in as possible during the month, I thought Rereading Madness would be perfect!

And now... without further adieu... I give you my list!

1. Stone Silence by Taylor Dean
2. Jailbird by Taylor Dean
3. Hothouse Flower by Taylor Dean
4. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen
5. His Personal Relationship Manager by Jennifer Peel
6. Statistically Improbable by Jennifer Peel
7. Undeniably Chosen by Shelly Crane
8. Change of Heart by Jennifer Moore
9. Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt
10. Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined by Rachael Anderson
11. Hawaiian Masquerade by Rachelle Christensen
12. Hello Again by Heather Tullis
13. First Crush by Heather Tullis

Ambitious? Yes! Crossing my fingers that I can read them all!

If you want to join me in the Rereading Madness then grab the picture, make your list and then come share your post! If you don't have a blog, comment below with your list! Can't wait to see which books you'll be rereading!