Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

Seagrass Pier

(Hope Beach #3)
by Colleen Coble

Christian Romantic Suspense
Paperback, 336 Pages
July 1st 2014 by Thomas Nelson Publishers     

Summary

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger’s memories . . . before they cost her everything.

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.

But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks—and vivid dreams of being strangled—she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor’s murder.

Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked—by a man she’s only met in her nightmares.

The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin’s daughter.

Of course, he doesn’t know about that. Yet.

Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there’s no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her—before she remembers too much.

    

The Regency Tour Launch: A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.

We're launching THE REGENCY TOUR for
A Perfect Secret
by Donna Hatch

Weekly Update #69

Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week. I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Here's what to expect this week:

Blog Tour Grand Finale: The Valley of Decision by Shannon McDermott

To post this Grand Finale and add your Social Media to the Rafflecopter, 

email us at PrismBookTours(at)gmail.com with "Valley of Decision" in the subject line.

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.

It's the Grand Finale for
The Valley of Decision
by Shannon McDermott

“A solid fantasy that wears its spirituality lightly yet effectively.” 

~Kirkus Reviews (read the entire review here)

We hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about the characters and the story-book world of The Valley of Decision. Did you miss any of the stops? You can check them out below:

Friday Favorites: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Friday Favorites is a weekly meme hosted here, that spotlights a favorite author, book, series, publisher, cover, blog, etc. Basically whatever bookish thing that you love, recommend, and want to tell others about. Just pick one and link up to my post each Friday to share. You can use the graphic I used above, the other one here, or your own.

I've been dying to post this review since I finished Ruin and Rising last week! This series started off well and got even better in Siege and Storm, but this one, this one blew me away! It definitely deserves its place as a Friday Favorite.

Review: Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson

Worth the Wait

(Waltham Academy #1)
by Laura Jackson

Christian YA Contemporary
Kindle Edition, 221 Pages
February 2nd 2014 by HopeSprings Books    

Summary

Ellie Lansing has a picture-perfect life with a close-knit family and the perfect boyfriend. But her world is suddenly knocked off center when her drool-worthy boyfriend cheats, and her always-has-it-together mother is diagnosed with cancer. Ellie doesn't get it. She always does the right thing - doesn't God owe her a happy life? Through her heartache, Ellie learns that sometimes what seems like the end is really just the beginning and that what God has for us is always worth the wait.

   

My Review

I was pleasantly surprised by Worth the Wait, especially being this author's debut novel. It was sweet, heartfelt, romantic, and inspiring.

Ellie pretty much has a charmed life. She's popular, a cheerleader, has a hot football-playing boyfriend who she loves and believes she will marry, has a supportive and loving family, and believes her life is all mapped out and ready to go. Then she finds out that not everything is as it seems and her life turns devastating. 

I really loved Ellie. I did want her to see through her boyfriend sooner and not be so easy on him, or maybe not care so much about him, but I also understood that they had been together for years. I also loved her group of friends, including Josh who seemed to always be there for Ellie. There was a good group of characters and I felt they were each individuals and distinctive. I also liked how active a role Ellie's family and other families played in this story. It's something you don't see a lot in YA literature.

There was a little bit of a love triangle in the story, which I normally don't care for, but it worked for me here. There was also some drama and peevishness from some of the other high school students, but especially one specific cheerleader. It made for a fairly realistic high school setting, but didn't have so much drama that it turned me off from the story. I also enjoyed the inspirational moments, specifically those with Ellie's youth ministers. The take on writing down their sins or those of others that they were holding on to and then burning them in the fire to let them go and forgive was really great.

Overall this was an enjoyable read. I liked that Ellie was challenged to find out who she was without her long-standing boyfriend. I liked that the story felt realistic and that the romance didn't take over. There were some great and sweet moments. If you enjoy inspirational YA, then I would definitely give Worth the Wait a try. I'm looking forward to finding out whose story will be told in the next book in the series.

Content: Clean (There are a few references to sex as the MC's boyfriend is pressuring her in that way, but I would definitely consider this clean.)
Source: From the author, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

I love books.Back in third grade, my cousins teased me because I was reading a very thick book about the battle of New Orleans. I don't remember anything about that battle now, but I remember wondering why they didn't want to read it.

After graduating with a BA in English and history (where I didn't learn anything about that battle of New Orleans), I taught 7th grade language arts for eight years. That's where I fell in love with YA books.

Wanting to share my passion for books with more kids, I earned a Master of Library Science degree and switched to an elementary school. I loved sharing great books with kids, but I missed writing with my students.

So, I started writing on my own. My first book was a flop, and I didn't even finish it. Then, Ellie kept popping up in my head, and I had to write her story. Worth the Wait was released on 2-4-14.

Blog - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Waiting on Wednesday: Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's my WOW pick this week:

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book Cover Likes/Dislikes

It's a little late in the day, but I just couldn't resist...
I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday today, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Here's today's topic: 
Top Ten Book Cover Likes/Dislikes

I didn't have time for a fun graphic this time, but I will still give some examples. I'm going to start with five dislikes and then I'm going to do five likes. Here goes...

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Four Weddings and a Kiss Novella Collection

Four Weddings and a Kiss

by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher

Christian Historical Romance, Novellas
Paperback, 378 Pages
June 10th 2014 by Thomas Nelson

Summary

In 1885 five western preachers sit around a campfire talking about unlikely couples they've seen God bring together.

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maisy MacGregor’s reckless ways injured rancher Rylan Carstens, endangering his livelihood. So she signs on as his caregiver – but just until he’s well enough to run his ranch. Maisy’s tender care soon has Ryan falling hard and fast. Can these two willfull souls give up their solitary ways to embrace love?

A Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton writes the most popular features in her town’s newspaper. When newcomer Jack Ludgrove is named the new editor, Molly is flabbergasted. She wants the position for herself and will do what it takes to get it. But Jack is not easily intimidated. He’s determined to change Molly’s mind about him – and win her heart too.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl must rebuild her ranch after the tornado, but she can’t do it on her own. Treb Rayburn is a cowboy with a serious case of wanderlust. He signs on to help Katie so he can afford a new horse. But once Treb gets to know Katie, will his desire to stay drown out the call of the open road?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is a young widow in a heap of trouble. When her son asks attorney Brock Daniels to take on her case, Brock wants to say no, but then he meets the lovely Grace. As Brock and the boy work to free Grace, Brock discovers that her arrest may be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

     

Trailer Reveal: Bound by Blood by Scott Springer

Welcome to the TRAILER REVEAL for an inspirational romantic suspense novel coming September 23 from Anaiah Press!

Bound by Blood

by Scott Springer

September 23rd 2014 by Anaiah Press

Summary

Julia has accepted the Lord and is busy returning her life to order. She is not ready for love, especially when the new site foreman at work stirs up forgotten feelings. She knows a playboy when she sees one, but to Rick Mercado the attraction between them is surprisingly real. Other girls no longer interest him, and if she wants to play hard to get that's fine with him. Let the games begin!

What he doesn't realize is that her dangerous secret is not a game.

Julia's brother has returned from the street, strung out and in trouble with rival gangs. Loyalty to her brother draws Julia deeper into a world of drug deals and thugs. Rick doesn't understand why Julia won't simply go to the cops, especially once the bullets start flying. As Julia slips further into a world of violence, Rick realizes how easily his heart can be broken. His brain says to run, but his heart isn't listening. It may already be too late.

BOUND BY BLOOD. Love and suspense, heartfelt moments and guns a blazing.

What a killer combination!

Weekly Update #68

Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week. I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

This week is a little more relaxed than it has been, which I'm happy about because I'm planning on getting some good reading in and spontaneous posting some reviews. Here's what to expect:

Kindle Fire Giveaway for June

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!

The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7″ Giveaway

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

This giveaway hop is hosted by Kathy @ I Am A Reader.

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman

Boneseeker

by Brynn Chapman

NA Historical Suspense
Paperback, 266 Pages
June 17th 2014 by Month9Books, LLC.                 

Summary

Arabella Holmes was born different and raised different. After it became apparent she wouldn’t fit the role of a proper 1900′s lady, her father, Sherlock, called in some lingering favors, and landed her a position at the Mutter Museum. The museum was Arabella’s dream; she was to become a purveyor of abnormal science. What her father called a BoneSeeker.

Henry Watson arrives at the Mutter Museum with a double assignment–to become a finder of abnormal antiquities and to watch over and keep Arabella Holmes. An easy task, if he could only get her to speak to him instead of throwing knives in his general direction.

But this is no time for child’s play. The two teens are assigned to a most secret exploration, when the hand of a Nephilim is unearthed in upstate New York. Soon, Arabella and Henry are caught in a fight for their lives as scientific debate swirls around them. Are the bones from a Neanderthal … or are they living proof of fallen angels, who supposedly mated with humans according to ancient scrolls?

Sent to recover the skeleton, they discover they are the second team to have been deployed and the entire first team is dead. And now they must trust their instincts and rely on one another in order to survive and uncover the truth.

    

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Lifer by Beck Nicholas

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Lifer 

by Beck Nicholas

December 16th 2014 by Month9Books, LLC.

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites is a weekly meme hosted here, that spotlights a favorite author, book, series, publisher, cover, blog, etc. Basically whatever bookish thing that you love, recommend, and want to tell others about. Just pick one and link up to my post each Friday to share. You can use the graphic I used above, the other one here, or your own.

I have seriously been too busy. The kids are out of school and we have been having so much fun, so it's a very rewarding and happy busy. It also means that I haven't found extra time to do these things beyond the tours and other memes I'm doing, which is such a bummer. I will have a favorite next week, if I can wait that long to share it... Oh, the mystery. ;) Do you have a favorite to share this week?