KJ's Book Nook: January 2020

Monday, January 27, 2020

A Convenient Fiction by Mimi Matthews

Synopsis:

She Needed a Husband...

It’s been three years since Laura Hayes’s father died, leaving her and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family’s failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might be the opposite.

He Wanted a Fortune..

Alex has no tolerance for sentiment. He’s returned to England for one reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And it’s all the fault of Laura Hayes—a lady as unsuitable as she is enchanting.

From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure of easy riches once again outweigh the demands of his heart?

My Review: 5 Stars

I have been curious about Alex's story from the first book in this series. From the moment I picked up A Convenient Fiction, I knew I was going to have the hardest time putting it down. And I was right!

Alex Archer has come to Surrey for one reason and one reason only. To wed a rich country heiress. However, their marriage will be one of convenience only. Alex doesn't do emotional entanglements. He's spent years building a wall around his heart. He can't afford for anyone to knock it down.

But from the moment he first laid eyes on Laura, he knew he was in trouble. There was something about her that called to him, that drew him in. Try as he might, he just couldn't get her out of his mind.

For the last three years, Laura Hayes has done everything in her power to keep her family's household running. She's been the one to shoulder all the problems and see that their measly income from their failing perfume business is enough to get them by.

When circumstances beyond her control threatens to take everything away, she'll have to admit that she can no longer do it alone. She needs someone by her side who can help shoulder all the burdens. She needs a husband.

Thrown together on several occasions, Alex and Laura do their best to fight their growing attraction. But it was getting harder and harder each time they saw each other. When scandal threatens to ruin Laura, Alex will have to decide. Should he run away and start fresh somewhere else, again? Or should he stay and see if love is what he's been searching for all along?

*dreamy sigh*

You. Guys! I absolutely adored this book! I instantly fell in love with Alex and Laura. Watching them become friends and then something more had this book dragons heart melting into all kinds of goo. I could not get enough of these two! I stayed up way too late and woke up way too early just so I could finish this book.

I also loved seeing the characters from previous books. The emotion in those reunions had me all teary eyed and falling in love with all of them even more. I absolutely love this series! I can't wait to read Neville's book next!

If I hadn't been a fan of Ms. Matthews already, this book would have sealed the deal for me. I am officially bumping her other books to the top of my TBR list. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting, I absolutely love these two! What do you think?!

Sunday, January 26, 2020

The Story of Us by Teri Wilson

Synopsis:

A box of love letters from the past... may hold the key to the future…

Jamie always adored True Love Bookstore and Café, and now she’s the owner. But businesses are struggling in her small town, and her beloved store is threatened by a new retail development scheme.

Sawyer, Jamie’s former high school sweetheart, startles her when he comes to town for the first time in fifteen years. She soon learns he’s the architect of the proposed development and he’s there to sell local business owners on his plan. Sawyer had no idea that Jamie had bought the bookstore and poured everything she had into it. If he takes it over, he’ll break her heart a second time.

Jamie’s discovery of a box of old love letters and valentines might hold the key to saving her shop. And after all this time, could love be in the cards for Jamie and Sawyer, too?

My Review: 5 Stars

Jamie and Sawyer were high school sweethearts. 15 years ago, Sawyer broke off their relationship before he left for college. To say Jamie was heartbroken would be an understatement. She held onto the hope that he would return home after college, but it never happened.

Now here they are, face to face, after all these years. They both had longed for and dreaded this moment. Everything was going fine until Jamie discovers that Sawyer works for the very company who's trying to buy out all the shop owners in the business district so they can tear everything down and replace it with a monstrosity of a building.

But Jamie refuses to go down without a fight. She will do everything in her power to not only help the shop owners to see that Waterford is rich in history that shouldn't be destroyed, but help Sawyer to see that this new building is not what their small town needs. Help him to remember all the things he loved about their small town and to see where he's belonged all along.

When I woke up this morning and looked outside, I thought spending the day reading would be absolutely perfect. So, I curled up in my comfy chair, grabbed my kindle, and was transported to the small town of Waterford, OR.

I instantly fell in love with the small, quaint town and it's characters. The descriptions of everything and everyone had me feeling like I was right there, living and breathing in the story. I got a front row seat to the magic of love.

I absolutely adored Jamie and Sawyer! I'm a sucker for second chance romance, so I was rooting for them from the very beginning. This book was just what I needed today. 😊

Confession. I have not watched The Story of Us. In all honesty, I have not even seen the advertisements for it (as you can probably guess by my casting 😂). I'm one of those people who enjoy the book more than the movie. Why? Because I have the opportunity to be inside the characters' heads. To know their thoughts, their ideas, their struggles, their fears, their feelings. It's not something a movie can easily portray. Having said that, I know that after reading this book, I'm going to be able to enjoy the movie so much more.

My first book by Ms. Wilson was a hit. I'm looking forward to checking out more of her books.

And of course we can't forget my casting. I know... I know... these are not the actors in the movie, but it's who I saw the entire time I was reading. Haha.

*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Saturday, January 25, 2020

A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews

Synopsis:

He Needed Peace...

Solicitor Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure...

Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…

My Review: 4 Stars

Thomas Finchley's life has to be in order. Everything has to be planned out down to the very last detail. He's a creature of habit and finds solace in the monotony. Nothing in his life could have ever prepared him for the likes of Jenny Holloway.

Jenny Holloway's life has never been her own. She's always had to do the bidding of her father and brothers. When she finally frees herself from their clutches, she swears she'll never let another person have that kind of hold on her again.

When Jenny approaches Tom informing him of her plans to travel to India, Tom does the unthinkable. On a whim, he plants himself in the middle of Jenny's adventure. He tries to justify it as him protecting and helping her through her travels. But the truth is, he's never met anyone like Jenny before. He's drawn to her and that scares him.

Throughout their journey, Tom and Jenny do everything they can to fight the growing attraction between them. But it proves to be stronger than either of them imagined. They will need to decide if they're going to continue living their lives as they always have or if they're going to take a leap of faith to see if there's a HEA is in store for them.

A Modest Independence was slow going for me. I really wanted to love it as much as The Matrimonial Advertisement, but it fell a tad short for me. I absolutely adored Tom. He was the shining star in the book for me and the reason I liked it as much as I did. He had so much patience and understanding for Jenny. She's definitely stubborn and set in her ways. I found myself wanting to shake her and tell her to wake up.

All in all, I did enjoy this book. I loved seeing Justin, Helena and Neville again. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. I'm extremely curious about Alex's story.

I'm so glad that my bookish friends recommended Ms. Matthews to me. I've loved all the books I've read so far. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

And of course I can't forget my casting. What do you think of these two?

*Note* Books must be read in order.

Weekend Ramblings

Hey party people! Are you ready for another Weekend Ramblings a la KJ?!

Well then... let's get ready to raaaaammmmmbbbbbllllleeeee!!!!!

This week's rambling topic is...

** Quality vs. Quantity **

I've noticed that I'm getting extremely picky in my old age when it comes to the books I read. My vote would definitely be for quality.

A couple years ago, I refused to purchase books over $5.99. I thought anything more than that was just too expensive for an ebook, especially at times when the paperback was cheaper. My thoughts on that have actually changed. While talking to a fellow Book Dragon, I realized that I have purchased more ebooks over $8.99 in the last couple of months than I have the entire time I've been reading.

Why you may ask? In my opinion, the quality is better. I'm starting to gravitate more towards the authors that release 1-4 books a year. I actually find little to no mistakes in their books. They also have all the aspects that I'm looking for in a good romance book.

For some of the authors that release 6+ books a year, I've noticed a lot of mistakes in their books and it's very distracting. I find myself focusing more on the mistakes and wondering how the editors and beta readers have missed so many of them. The quality isn't nearly as good as the authors who take their time writing books.

I guess it all comes down to I crave that quality over quantity. I love the unique twists that the authors put in their stories rather than the same old thing over and over again.

What about you? Are you a quality over quantity kind of reader? Or do you love getting as many books by your favorite authors as you can? Do you notice mistakes and does it take away from your enjoyment of the book?

Inquiring minds want to know! ;)

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Ten Seconds to Dead by L.A. Clayton

Synopsis:

Ten seconds may be all she has left ...

Kate Edison witnesses her father’s death and, in order to keep his memory alive, decides to follow in his footsteps by joining the CIA. She molds herself into becoming exactly what the CIA is looking for---and captures their interest, both personally and professionally. But before she can finish the CIA process, Kate is offered a position as an espionage agent in another highly secretive government agency, which she accepts.

While completing her agency training, Kate is catapulted into a shadowy world where wealth and power are the ultimate goal, and those in charge will stop at nothing to get it. While on the job, Kate uncovers secrets that, if revealed, would cost her life, but if kept, could bring down a nation. Isolated and unsure of who to trust, she brings in a fellow agent, but pulling him into the web of conspiracy and lies puts a target on both their backs - and it will take every skill they’ve ever learned as agents to stay alive long enough to stop the enemy no one else can see.

My Review: 4 Stars

Holy. Crow! I’m going to preface this by saying I have never read a thriller before and had no clue what to expect. This book was definitely outside my comfort zone. But one of my goals this year is to branch out and find new authors.

Kate had watched her father die at the age of sixteen. From that moment on, she knew she was destined to follow in his footsteps and join the CIA.

Several years later she finds herself interviewing with the CIA. Once the week-long interview process was complete, she receives a letter to join a secret branch of the government that no one knows about.

It wasn’t long before she noticed that things were not adding up. But there wasn’t anyone inside the organization that she could turn to. She does the unthinkable and reaches out to the one and only person on the outside that she knew she could trust.

Together they make plans to uncover all the secrets that the organization had been keeping. They both knew it would be dangerous and, if discovered, Kate could lose her life. But that was a small price to pay if her death could save thousands of lives.

I’m not going to lie, I had an extremely hard time getting into this book. I liked the very beginning of the book, but when Kate went to the training facility, I kind of lost interest. There’s a lot of information in the first half that I didn’t feel was necessary. I was a little over halfway when the book started picking back up and had me at the edge of my seat. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming at all. My advice would be to not try to figure anything out. Just go with it.

The romance in this book is very minimal, which is why it’s out of my comfort zone. I’m not used to reading books where the romance is put way on the back burner. I did want a little more of it so it could combat the intensity of this book.

I did enjoy this book and I’m curious enough to read the next book in this series. But now I have my eyes open and know what to expect. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Clayton.

And of course we can't forget my casting. Not going to lie.. this one was kinda hard. Haha. What do you think?

Content: Attempted rape, mild-moderate violence (depending on the reader), mild romance.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen

Synopsis:

She shouldn't get involved with the cowboy next door...

Laid off from her teaching job in the city, Jemma Monroe takes a job teaching in a tiny town and rents a house on the outskirts. A visitor soon shows up at her door—a horse. His owner, a handsome neighbor in boots and a cowboy hat, comes by to collect him.

When single dad Wyatt Langford meets Jemma, it’s the first time he feels interest in a woman since his wife left. But she’s his daughter’s new teacher, so they both know they should keep their distance.

Nonetheless, Wyatt keeps finding excuses to spend time with Jemma, and Wyatt’s daughter becomes more and more attached to her. With them, Jemma discovers the good things about country life, from starry skies to s’mores cooked over a fire. But she still misses her past life in the city. Is there any reason for them to dream of a future together?

My Review: 5 Stars

Jemma Monroe heads to the small town of Haven Lake to take a temporary teaching position after she was laid off. She didn't quite know what to expect from the small town but she was up for the adventure. And boy did she get one! Where else would you answer the knock at the door to see a horse standing there? Or be in the middle of teaching and have a slithery, forked tongued vistor make an unforgettable entrance? Or meet a handsome, yet grumpy, cowboy that gives you butterflies?

Wyatt Langford has sworn off women ever since his wife left him and their daughter, Bailey Rae. He never wants to experience that kind of heartache again. Nor does he ever want to pick up the pieces of his precious daughter's heart after someone leaves them yet again. But he can't deny the pull that Jemma has on him. He'll just have to do his best to stay as far away from her as possible because his heart isn't the only one on the line.

Staying away proves to be a problem, especially in a small town. The more Jemma and Wyatt get to know each other, the more time they want to spend together. Throw the adorable Bailey Rae into the mix and they all start feeling like they're a family.

But Wyatt can't forget that Jemma's time in Haven Lake is only temporary. He'll have to decide if he should push her away once and for all or take a leap of faith to see if maybe, just maybe, they can become the family they all have been longing for.

*dreamy sigh*

For those of you that don't know, I'm a sucker for small town and single parent tropes. And when you put the two of them together in the same book, I'm instantly hooked and can't wait to read it!

I'm happy to say that Country Hearts did not disappoint! I instantly fell in love with Jemma, Wyatt and Bailey Rae and couldn't wait for their story to unfold. I could not get enough of the banter back and forth between Jemma and Wyatt. I found myself busting out laughing and enjoying every minute of it. Add the little matchmaker, Bailey Rae, into the mix and there's no way you aren't going to love this book.

And I absolutely adored Haven Lake! I felt like I was transported there and I didn't want to leave. I wanted to curl up in Havenly Brew and watch life unfold around me while I'm nibbling on all the yummy treats and trying the new, fun drinks. This was the perfect book to curl up with on a quiet weekend.

This is my first book by Ms. Madsen and I'll definitely be looking into reading more of her books.

And of course I can't forget my casting! I pretty much saw these two from the very beginning. What do you think?!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Weekend Ramblings

Hey party people! It has been forever since I've done a Weekend Ramblings post. I decided that 2020 is the year to get back on track with my bookish ramblings.

What exactly is Weekend Ramblings? I'll post a topic and then share my thoughts on said topic. If you want to join in on the ramblings all you gotta do is start commenting! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Right?!

So... are you ready?! Yes?! Well then... let's get ready to raaaaammmmmbbbbbllllleeeee! Hehe.

** Fluff. To read or not to read, that is the question. **

Confession. For those that don't already know, I was not one of those kids that loved reading. In fact, I avoided it unless I absolutely had to read a book for school. It wasn't until after I graduated high school that I actually started reading for fun. And when I started reading, it was literally only ONE author. I refused to read anything else.

After reading for a few years, I slowly started branching out to new authors. One of the authors that I started reading was pretty much just fluff. At the time, I didn't know any different. I loved those books and couldn't get enough of them. But the more I branched out, the more I realized that there was something missing in the books I had been reading. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't even read books by the few authors I originally started reading.

It wasn't until recently that I figured out the reason I have such a hard time with a lot of the popular books. The answer? Fluff! To me, it feels like the same story over and over because there really isn't anything to the stories. They lack conflict, they lack a believable and engaging plot, they lack real emotion. Again, this is how I feel.

I absolutely love books with substance. I want to feel everything the characters are feeling. I want to be transported to wherever the characters are. I want to be invested in the couple's journey to their happily ever after. That is what has me letting out little dreamy sighs throughout the entire book. I love when that happens!

Now don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with fluff books. I still read them every now and again. But given the choice between a book with substance and a book with fluff, 90% of the time I'll chose the book with substance. There's just something about the realism that has me coming back for more.

What about you? What are your likes and dislikes about fluff books? What are your likes and dislikes about books with substance? Which one do you lean more towards and why? Inquiring minds want to know! ;)

Friday, January 10, 2020

Promised by Leah Garriott

Synopsis:

Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart.

Warwickshire, England, 1812

Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.

There’s only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match—to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage—to Lord Williams.

Under no condition will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the type of man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt. When paths diverge and her time with Lord Williams ends, Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.

My Review: 5 Stars

Margaret has been hurt by love in the past and has sworn that a marriage of convenience is the only way to protect her heart from being hurt again.

While attending a matchmaking party, she meets Mr. Northam and decides he’s the perfect gentleman for her marriage plan. But she soon discovers that Lord Gregory Williams is against the match. He sets his own plan in motion to protect Margaret.

However, Margaret is done being “protected”. She wants what she wants, and no one will stop her from getting it. But the more time she spends with Gregory, the more she starts second guessing what she truly wants in a marriage.

Can things be different with Gregory? Will she be happy in a loveless and lonely marriage? Or should she follow her heart and marry for love?

*dreamy sigh*

You know that saying, never judge a book by its cover? Confession. I totally judge them! The cover is what draws me to a book in the first place. If you have a beautiful cover, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be clicking on your book to see if it’s something I would enjoy. Well that’s exactly what happened with Promised. Isn’t this cover gorgeous?! After reading the synopsis, I was hooked. I just HAD to read this book!

And I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint! Even though Margaret was beyond stubborn at times, it did not stop me from falling in love with her and Gregory. From their first meeting, the chemistry was off the charts. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was Ms. Garriott’s first book. For me, it did not read like a first book. I was captured from the first chapter and had a really hard time putting the book down. I was not happy when I had to put the book down and adult. I’m definitely looking forward to more books by her.

And of course, I can’t forget my casting. I absolutely LOVE these two! What do you think?

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Hidden Gems - January 2020

Welcome to Hidden Gems hosted by KJ's Book Nook! Once a month I'll feature a new to me author that I've discovered and fell in love with their books. I'll share the author's bio, one of my favorite books of theirs and a review.

For this month's Hidden Gems I am going to choose...

Mimi Matthews

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.

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I discovered Mimi Matthews when I had 3 different bookish friends recommend her books to me when I was in one of those dreaded reading ruts. I hadn't even finished the first chapter in The Matrimonial Advertisement before I found myself heading straight over to Amazon and purchasing the rest of her books. Ms. Matthews quickly became one of those auto buy authors for me. 😊

I decided The Matrimonial Advertisement would be the perfect book for me to feature since it's the one that hooked me on her books.

She Wanted Sanctuary...

Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar's Abbey isn't the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill--though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome--is anything but a romantic hero.

He Needed Redemption...

Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household--and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.

Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena's past threatens, will Justin's burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?

You can check out my review here.

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

Friday, January 3, 2020

First Line Friday's

Ok party people! It's that time again! First Line Friday's hosted by my amazing friend Kathy over at Bookworm Nation! Are you ready?!

This week's First Line Friday is:

Pride and Butterflies by Franky A. Brown

Caralyn Sharp has a demanding job and a love life that just walked out the door. She barely has time to be her best friend’s Maid of Honor. Right when she thinks things can’t get any worse, she brakes hard to avoid a turtle and is rear-ended by Alex Garrison. He’s a military officer with an attitude and the owner of the most amazing pair of blue eyes she’s ever encountered. As they continue to cross paths, she can’t decide what she wants more: to scream at him or stare into his dreamy eyes.

FIRST LINE

"Here I am in my car, sitting at a red light. My favorite song is on the radio and my windows are rolled down so I can smell the cool salty sea breeze. I'm taking deep breaths and trying to feel better."

I have set a personal goal this year to find as many new to me authors as I can. I literally spent hours reading synopsis's and downloading samples of books, hoping I can find at least one or two new authors to add to my list. When I came across this book, the cover grabbed my attention. I read the synopsis and instead of downloading a sample, I downloaded the book via Kindle Unlimited. Y'all, I'm hooked after just the first page! I'm crossing my fingers this one will be a winner because there are two more books in this series that sound super cute. You guys will be the first to know if we have a winner! 😉

Do you want to participate in First Line? Yes?! Then tell us what your First Line is! Are you going to do a blog post? Then don't forget to link your post back to Bookworm Nation! Post your link in the comments. Don't have a blog? No worries! Just leave a comment with the title, author name and first line.

Ready?! And GO!

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2019 Swoony Award Winners

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 Swoony Awards! The Swoony Awards were created to recognize excellence in clean fiction. We wanted a reference for all those out there looking for a swoony romance without the steam. We also wanted to recognize and show our appreciation to all these great authors who write the kinds of books we love. We couldn't be more pleased with all the participation and great book nominations we received. We have found a lot of great books this year and even found some new authors to try!

So, without further ado, here are the winners...