Blog Ahead 2018


BLOG AHEAD is hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup.
Find out more and sign up here.

I love joining this every year because it gives me that extra push to get things scheduled ahead for the holidays. I'll keep track of the number of posts I schedule here and update it as I can.

STATUS:
35 / 30 posts. 116% done.

Week 1 (October 1 - 8) = 11 posts
M=0  TU=0  W= 0  TH=0  F=0 S=0  SU=0 M=11

Week 2 (October 9 - 16) = 0 posts
TU=0  W= 0  TH=0  F=0 S=0  SU=0  M=0  TU=0

Week 3 (October 17 - 24) = 0 posts
W= 0  TH=0  F=0 S=0  SU=0  M=0  TU=0  W= 0

Week 4 (October 25 - 31) = 24 posts
TH=0  F=1 S=4  SU=7  M=2  TU=10  W= 0

Are you joining in?

#Win a #NewRelease from September through December from my TBR for this October's #giveaway!


It's a new month, which means, new releases! This month (and the following two months) for my giveaway, one winner gets to pick any book (pre-orders are allowed) from my list on Amazon here (click on Fall through Winter 2018 Anticipated Releases to find the full list). Here's a look at some of the books to choose from (I'll be adding to the list as well):

Open to eligible US addresses through Amazon, or if winner lives outside the US, through Book Depository. Must be at least 13 years old to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Void where prohibited by law. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.


Literary Book Gifts + Coupon Code! #bookgifts #SALE


Today I'm sharing about a bookish site where you can purchase shirts and tote bags for book lovers. Literary Book Gifts has some fun designs, mostly in classic literature. You can check out the store owner's and my favorite items below (I had a tough time picking and had to narrow down my list).

***Coupon Code***

Special to my followers, use this promo code for 20% off anything in the store. No minimum.
WISHFULENDINGS20

Top Ten Favorite Products

Melissa from Literary Book Gifts has picked her top five favorite items and then I've picked mine. Check them all out below (in no particular order):

Melissa's Top Five

1. J. M. Barrie Peter Pan Tote Bag│Grab it HERE
2. Edgar Allan Poe T-Shirt (Women's)│Grab it HERE
3. Moby Dick T-Shirt (Men's)│Grab it HERE
4. Pride and Prejudice T-Shirt (Women's)│Grab it HERE
5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes T-Shirt (Men's)│Grab it HERE

Tressa's Top Five


1. Emily Dickinson Tote Bag│Grab it HERE
2. Jane Eyre T-Shirt (Women's)│Grab it HERE
3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea T-Shirt (Men's)Grab it HERE
4. Typewriter Tote Bag│Grab it HERE
5. Dracula T-Shirt (Women's)│Grab it HERE

About Literary Book Gifts

High quality gifts for book lovers! All design work is done in house. Each product is printed professionally with care.


What did you like the most?

Weekly Update #284, in which I survived...


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 to Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Reading Reality.

Last week was crazy. Really. It might have been close to the busiest I've ever been. I started of the week with three things at the same time for our kids on Monday. There are only two of us adults. We had to drop one child off and then drop off another and then go back and get the first while the other parent was at a soccer game for the third kid and while also taking the youngest with... Then Tuesday was my oldest daughter's first choir concert (after picking up another kid from swim practice) and it just went on from there, including parent/teacher conferences for my two youngest squeezed in. We had multiple things each night and had my parents come into town Wednesday and stay with us through Saturday on top of it. We even hosted a dinner with the rest of my siblings Friday night while they were here (it was easier than us being really late to someone else's house). I read one book, but has to stay up super late to finish to get my review up and only got 3.5 hours of sleep. But I did not miss or post late! I also wrapped up my annual read-a-thon, and drew and awarded winners.


It makes me tired just thinking about listing everything that I had going on and I'm not even going to give a detailed list. I was quite proud of not missing anything. We made all the events and I was mostly on top of things (although I was super late sending tour materials out and am behind over at Prism). Then I totally failed Saturday night... My son completely missed his swim team pictures and the bus. I was an hour and a half off of when he was supposed to be there. An hour and a half! We still got him to the meet before it started, but obviously late. Then I realized I'd signed up to bring some snacks and spaced that too. 0.0 Oops. So yes, I survived. 

And through all that, there were wonderful moments. Hugs exchanged with my kids. Cheers as they competed. Finding sweet teaching moments. Sharing experiences with them and my parents. Seeing my sisters and their kids after not seeing them for a couple of months. A clean house, which makes me happy (because my house must be clean if we have family staying with us). Having my mom help me in the kitchen and even my dad at one point. It's these moments that make it worth it.

And this week will be crazy too, but not quite so crazy. I'm looking forward to catching up on some things and getting more than one book read. There are quite a few YA books coming up and a few adult reads as well.

This Week


Giveaways

Here are the giveaways running right now - both end this month with a new monthly giveaway going up Monday:

Other Things of Note

If you haven't signed up for this, you should. I'll be hosing a challenge as well.

Last Week

An emotional sweet romance... The Ornament Keeper by Eva Marie Everson (Review)

The Ornament Keeper
By Eva Marie Everson
Christian Contemporary Romance, Novella, Christmas
Paperback & ebook, 144 Pages
September 24th 2018 by New Hope Publishers (AL)

Summary

Award-winning author Eva Marie Everson wraps up a Christmas story of hope, love, and forgiveness just in time for the holidays.

The Ornament Keeper, a contemporary Christmas novella, features Felicia and Jackson Morgan who are spending their first Christmas apart after twenty years of marriage. But a lifetime of gifted ornaments helps Felicia piece together the story of their marriage and the one mistake of unforgiveness she made before they said, “I do.”

Can these memory-filled ornaments reunite this family before Christmas? Only time will tell. 

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

THE ORNAMENT KEEPER is so much more than a sweet historical romance. It's a heartfelt story of lost dreams, second chances and redemption. It's the story of learning to accept imperfections and past mistakes in order to begin healing. Between the Christmas small-town setting, the strong family dynamic, and sweet romance, readers are sure to fall in love with this story.

I was expecting this to be a short and sweet story, especially at novella length, but what I found was a deeply emotional story of this couple's history and current situation where they find themselves separated. I loved the genuine characters from the start, although I would have loved to get a better view of Jackson. Felicia is a strong character who is lost and has let something that happened years ago blind her to what she has in her marriage and with Jackson. I appreciated that no one spelled it out for her. She had to figure things out on her own. It's heartbreaking and emotional, bringing me to tears in a few places. I could see how both her and Jackson had created issues in their marriage until they were no longer partners. I loved how she finally figured out what her issues were and faced them. I did want more from Jackson's end as he played his own role in the fallout and I felt that was somewhat unresolved, but otherwise it was a satisfying, and perfectly sweet, ending.

In the end, was it what I wished for? A thoroughly enjoyable story of heartbreak, love, and forgiveness that inspirational romance readers will love. I certainly did.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from JustReadTours, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Have you read this one or another book by this author?

Political Parties by Rachel Magee (Grand Finale & #Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Political Parties
By Rachel Magee

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Hello and welcome! I’m so excited you decided to stop by the blog tour for Political Parties. This book is so much fun, and I can’t wait to bring it to you. There are swanky parties, midnight flights on private planes, hot air balloon festivals and a feisty heroine you are going to love. Sound exciting? That’s only the beginning...

underneath the covers - Guest Post

Party Planning 101: Five Tips from the Pros

Who doesn’t love a great party, right? Just the word conjures up thoughts of friends, laughter, good food and possibly distant memories of pin the tail on the donkey. My new book, Political Parties, is all about planning an epic party. The heroine, event planner Reece Ryan, has to work with hotshot lawyer Griffith Brighton to pull off a career changing event that is out of both of their leagues. It’s a fun story full of laughter, love and plenty of party-planning drama...

Remembrancy - Review

"While parts of the book were a little predictable, especially near the end, those same things are what made this read completely worth the investment. Political Parties is thoroughly enjoyable if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with some heart and depth."

Colorimetry - Guest Post

Party Planning 101: Quiz – What kind of partier are you?

Everyone loves a good party, but what kind of shindig is your favorite? Take this fun quiz to find out what kind of partier you are!...


The important thing was to stay calm. Although at this exact moment, Reece Ryan felt anything but calm. So what if this was a minor—okay, major problem? Every problem had a solution. Even major ones.

“We can fix it,” Reece said, her eyes glued to the bridal bouquet in her hand.

“Fix it?” Bella glared wide-eyed at the offending flowers as if Reece were holding roadkill.


"...This opposites-attract story really exuded a strong chemistry, which stemmed from dislike, but quickly escalated into something tangible and sweet.

...This sweet, clean romance delivers an impactful story that made me self-reflect on what is really important in life and what I do to accomplish my goals."


Party Planning 101: Easy Fall Entertaining

I love fall. I love the crispness in the air, the beauty of the changing leaves and the thrill of football season. It’s a season to gather together which means it’s time to plan a party.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Brushing off her skirt, she looked up. “I’m so sorr…” When she looked at his face, she stopped. “You?”

She propped her fists on her hips and flipped her head so the brown curls swung over her shoulder. “Twice in one night? Friend, you need to watch where you’re going.”

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review & Excerpt

"This is a great story. I love a good romance and this story has one, with a lot of other things happening."

“I’m sorry. Do we know each other?” Griffith said.

She let out an exasperated sigh, which was probably meant to display her irritation but only highlighted her cute sweetheart mouth. “You tripped me before the wedding.”

Her tone hinted at the absurdity that he could forget her. At least they could agree on that. She had a certain unforgettable quality, and for a moment, he stood mesmerized by her.

Heidi Reads... - Guest Post

Party Planning 101: DIY Photo Booth

My newest book, Political Parties, is about planning a couple big, flashy events. The first party, the one the cover is based on, is over the top in almost every aspect. Crystal chandeliers hanging from oak trees, a five course menu prepared by an award winning chef, live music. Of course, it has an over-the-top price tag to go along with it...


"Rachel Magee’s writing style was entertaining and bubbly- her attention to building lovable characters made the story flow perfectly. A clean, funny romance while snuggled in a fuzzy blanket is exactly what this girl needed after a long day at work, and let’s face it, sometimes a movie just doesn’t do it the same way an adorable novel like this does. I fell in love with all the exciting twists and turns in this delightful book; this is a love story I’ll be sure to recommend."

Rainy Day Reviews - Review & Excerpt

"This was such a fun and in-depth read, different from my typical reading choice. The book as a whole was enjoyable but there were moments that I specifically enjoyed..."

“Riiiight.” Bella’s eyes were wide. “And we think we can do this because…”

Reece brightened her smile. “Because we’re us. And this is what we do.”

Except this wasn’t what they did. When Lester offered to let her handle the next couple of corporate events, she assumed they would be more along the lines of a company Christmas party or fundraising gala. She was not expecting something this big. Or this quick. Reece should have been nervous, but there wasn’t time for that.

Oh Hey Books - Guest Post

Party Planning 101: Taking your Party to the Outdoor Festival

One of my favorite parts of my new book Political Parties is when Griffith and Reece head to the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the hot air balloons and the crisp fall air, things between them really start to heat up...


“Ms. Ryan, I presume,” the strong voice called from behind her.

Reece scrambled to her feet to greet the owner of the voice. As she turned, her eyes met his and she stopped short.

The man standing behind her was not what she was expecting. He wasn’t silver-haired with a stout frame. This guy was young, maybe thirty, with the kind of naturally perfect hair and build that could pass for a model. All he was missing was a smile.

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"I enjoyed the moments in this book. It takes place in a short period of time, but the characters are able to get to know each other. The romance didn't feel rushed to me. Not everything works out perfectly, but I loved how the characters were able to resolve their trials."

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...


Political Parties
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
Paperback & ebook, 246 pages
September 25th 2018 by Clean Reads

Planning one amazing party is more complicated than it sounds.

Reece Ryan is known as the best wedding planner in town, but it’s time to take her company to the next level. Getting the contract from a prestigious law firm to plan their upcoming political related events is just the break she needs to prove that she can put together more than just the perfect nuptials. Sure, these events which will receive national coverage might be slightly out of her league, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. Managing the hotshot lawyer the firm has tasked as their liaison for the project is a whole other story.

Griffith Brighton always thought the start of his political career would come from hard work and his brilliant legal mind, not throwing some fancy party. But when the firm’s managing partner asks him to work with the event coordinator to organize a fundraiser dinner for the presidential candidate, he knows it’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for to get in front of some major political players. After years of goal setting and career planning, his future finally seems to be coming together …until two weeks of working with Reece make him reconsider everything he thought to be true about life and falling in love.


About the Author


Rachel wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.

Tour Giveaway


Prize Party Pack (US residents only):
Everything you need to throw your own party and gather your people:
· Pillow with "gather"
· Decorative Fall Scented Candle
· Brownie Truffle Baking Mix
· English Butter Fudge

$25 Amazon e-gift card (US and International residents)

Giveaway ends October 3rd

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for September 24th - September 30th #BookSale


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Tears, Laughter, and Love... The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan (Review & #Giveaway)


If you enjoy women's fiction or romance and haven't read a book by
Sarah Morgan, this is a great place to start and perfect for the upcoming
holiday season. Read my full review and enter the giveaway below...

The Christmas Sisters
By Sarah Morgan
Adult Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 416 Pages
September 25th 2018 by HQN Books

Summary

In the snowy Highlands of Scotland, Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high…

Workaholic Hannah knows she can’t avoid spending the holidays with her family two years in a row. But it’s not the weight of their expectations that’s panicking her—it’s the life-changing secret she’s hiding. Stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis. All she wants for Christmas is time to decide if she’s ready to return to work—seeing everyone was supposed to help her stress levels, not increase them! Posy isn’t sure she’s living her best life, but with her parents depending on her, making a change seems risky. But not as risky as falling for gorgeous new neighbor Luke…

As Suzanne’s dreams of the perfect McBride Christmas unravel, she must rely on the magic of the season to bring her daughters together. But will this new togetherness teach the sisters that their close-knit bond is strong enough to withstand anything—including a family Christmas?

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

THE CHRISTMAS SISTERS is a story full of heart and home. Readers will enjoy the small Scottish town setting at Christmastime among a complex family, four different romances at different stages, and three estranged sisters who find that they need each other more than they know. A truly charming story and delightful read for the holidays, or any time you're looking for a fabulous mix of family, laughs, tears, and romance.

"You couldn't have everything you wanted, but if you were lucky you had the things that mattered."

This is my first book by Sarah Morgan. I've been meaning to try one of her books for some time. This one snagged my interest with the cover (maybe a little shallow, but covers do matter!) and then by the synopsis. I always enjoy stories that evolve around family and this one definitely does that with not only these three sisters, but also their adoptive parents. At first I felt there were too many storylines. There's the parents and then all three sisters with four point of views. It was a little distracting at first trying to follow them all and still be engaged. However, by about a fourth of the way through, I was sunk into this story and fully invested in what would happen with this family. I was definitely rewarded with a story that is full of so much heart as each of these four women try to work through the past in order to find their future.

I loved these sisters! Seriously. They were each so very different, and reminded me of my own children who are vastly different in the personalities and interests. They each dealt with their past in very different ways, as well as their adoptive mom. I loved the bond they sharee even when they're annoyed with each other or were fighting. They could be upset with each other, but when someone else came along that my threaten the happiness of one of their sisters and they became fiercely protective.

"It occurred to her that the only thing that really mattered was having people you loved in your life."

I also loved these four men in these women's lives! Talk about working through some complex situations. I loved the imperfect perfectness of the relationships and these characters and how the story addressed that so well. I also loved the chemistry, but that most of the romance were made up of these sweet, heartfelt moments. This one gets all the feels!

In the end, was it what I wished for? This story was emotional, fun, and romantic. I loved the small-town and family dynamics, as well as the characters. Definitely a story worth picking up!

Content: Innuendo, a handful of swear words (including a couple f-words), one detailed and some closed-door love scenes.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through a publicist, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes hot, happy, contemporary romance and women’s fiction, and her trademark humor and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. Described as “a magician with words” by RT Book Reviews, she has sold more than eleven million copies of her books. She was nominated three years in succession for the prestigious RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America and won the award three times: once in 2012 for Doukakis’s Apprentice, in 2013 for A Night of No Return and in 2017 for Miracle on 5th Avenue. She also won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their Top Pick slot. As a child, Sarah dreamed of being a writer, and although she took a few interesting detours along the way, she is now living that dream. Sarah lives near London, England, with her husband and children, and when she isn’t reading or writing, she loves being outdoors, preferably on vacation so she can forget the house needs tidying.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have you read any of Sarah's other books? How about any other books about sisters?

Love Unscripted by Tiffany Odekirk (Review & #Giveaway)


I ended my review of the first book I read by this author, Love on Pointe, with the wish
to read Evie's story... this is it. Read my thoughts and enter the tour giveaway below...

Love Unscripted
By Tiffany Odekirk
LDS Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 333 Pages
September 1st 2018 by Covenant Communications

Summary

Evie Jennings doesn't believe in happily ever after—it's been a year since moving home to Los Angeles to gather the pieces of her broken heart after her divorce, but she is only going through the motions. That is, until a chance encounter on her college campus brings about an unexpected turn of events: Evie finds herself face-to-face with the heartthrob whose poster decorated the wall of her teenage bedroom. And he's desperate for her help.

Hollywood sensation Ridge Dashly is facing a career crisis—a bad review threatens his A-list status. Desperate to win back the favor of the media and his fans, Ridge reluctantly agrees to enroll in college, never dreaming he'll meet someone who can see past his fame to his true self.

As their paths continue to cross, Evie's seeming disinterest intrigues Ridge, and the pair form a tentative friendship that slowly grows into something more. But when confronted with the unrelenting paparazzi and the nagging shadows of their pasts, will they follow everyone else's script or fight for their own happy ending?

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

LOVE UNSCRIPTED is a story about learning to forgive yourself and taking a chance on love. The characters are fun and genuine, making them easy to relate to. The romance is sweet with some romantic tension and a relationship that was formed in friendship before moving to more. There is a wonderful family dynamic that made the story more enjoyable. An overall enjoyable LDS romance!

I loved the book about Evie's twin sister, Emmy, that I read last year so I had high expectations going in for this one. It was fun to have some cameos and texts from Emmy, but those who haven't read that story won't feel lost in this one. They can be read completely on their own.

I really liked Evie from the start and particularly loved when she first runs into Bridger or "Ridge" in the bathroom. It was super cute and also quite humorous. I loved all the different relationships in the story and the little things that connected these characters. Bridger's bodyguard, Sean, was a fabulous character and loved how just a few words or a look carried so much meaning. Then there's Evie and her entire family. Some of her siblings you don't get a whole lot on, but then others are fairly strongly depicted. I also love Bridger's mom and agent. In other words... I loved these characters and all the relationships this story portrays.

I also really, really liked how Evie and Bridger are somewhat curious or infatuated with each other, but they form a friendship first. I thought it was fun that they were also doing a test run or probationary period. They both fight their growing feelings because they don't think they'll work out. There's a scene when Evie asks about a kiss on screan... *sigh* So fun! The ending was also really, really sweet.

I did have a few issues... I thought Evie's self-torment was a little much or maybe I was just really frustrated with her. She was trying to fix something that didn't need fixing that could have ruined her entire life and I just didn't get that completely. I also didn't love the inspirational moments. Not that I didn't love this having an inspirational element, but maybe I wanted that worked in a little differently and stretched out a little more. I also wanted a little more discussion about some things, like Jason's issues, in maybe just a talk between him and Evie.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I really enjoyed these characters and romance! I'm hoping for another book or two based on this family, maybe on each of the brothers.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

About the Author


Tiffany Odekirk believes cooking should take less than thirty minutes, frosting is better than ice cream, and all books should end with happily ever after. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, Tiffany completed an internship with LDS Family Services in adoption and then went on to work with homeless women and children in the non-profit sector. Married to a Broadway star, Tiffany’s days are filled with music, and her nights are spent writing the types of characters she hopes her children will one day marry.


Tour Schedule






Tour-Wide Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you like stories where the leading man or lady is a movie star or other celebrity? Any thoughts on this one?

Political Parties by Rachel Magee (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

I'm sharing an excerpt today for this sweet romance, so check that and the giveaway out below...

Political Parties
Rachel Magee
Adult Contemporary Sweet Romance
Paperback & ebook, 246 pages
September 25th 2018 by Clean Reads

Summary

Planning one amazing party is more complicated than it sounds.

Reece Ryan is known as the best wedding planner in town, but it’s time to take her company to the next level. Getting the contract from a prestigious law firm to plan their upcoming political related events is just the break she needs to prove that she can put together more than just the perfect nuptials. Sure, these events which will receive national coverage might be slightly out of her league, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. Managing the hotshot lawyer the firm has tasked as their liaison for the project is a whole other story.

Griffith Brighton always thought the start of his political career would come from hard work and his brilliant legal mind, not throwing some fancy party. But when the firm’s managing partner asks him to work with the event coordinator to organize a fundraiser dinner for the presidential candidate, he knows it’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for to get in front of some major political players. After years of goal setting and career planning, his future finally seems to be coming together …until two weeks of working with Reece make him reconsider everything he thought to be true about life and falling in love.

(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt

Griffith plucked the two glasses of wine from the bar and headed toward his date to deliver them. His mind was consumed by the combination of replaying his last conversation and scanning the crowd for his next career building opportunity. He didn’t see the girl cross in front of him until he was almost on top of her.
He managed to stop before he bumped into her, but the sudden momentum change caused at least half the wine to splash out of both glasses. Some of the chardonnay landed on his new Italian wool suit. But most of it landed on the petite brunette standing two inches in front of him.
 “Whoops.” Her sing-song voice was more cheerful than Griffith would have expected for someone wearing the equivalent of a glass of wine. Expensive wine, but still.
She reached up with cat-like reflexes to steady the glasses and survey how much landed on him before glancing at her own dress. Griffith’s actions went in the reverse order.
Brushing off her skirt, she looked up. “I’m so sorr…” When she looked at his face, she stopped. “You?” 
She propped her fists on her hips and flipped her head so the brown curls swung over her shoulder. “Twice in one night? Friend, you need to watch where you’re going.”

About the Author


Rachel wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.

Tour Schedule

Tour-Wide Giveaway


Prize Party Pack (US residents only):
Everything you need to throw your own party and gather your people:
· Pillow with "gather"
· Decorative Fall Scented Candle
· Brownie Truffle Baking Mix
· English Butter Fudge

$25 Amazon e-gift card (US and International residents)

Giveaway ends October 3rd

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!




I Can't Wait for... The Cold Is in Her Bones by Peternelle van Arsdale (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

This one pretty much grabbed be from the unique cover to the first paragraph of the synopsis. A Medusa retelling? I'm there! It's my pick this week...

The Cold Is in Her Bones
by Peternelle van Arsdale
YA Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mythology, Retelling
Hardcover & ebook, 258 Pages
January 22nd 2019 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Summary

One girl must uncover secrets of the past to save her friend from a terrible curse in this dark and mesmerizing story of love, revenge, and redemption inspired by the myth of Medusa.

Milla knows two things to be true: Demons are real, and fear will keep her safe.

Milla’s whole world is her family’s farm. She is never allowed to travel to the village and her only friend is her beloved older brother, Niklas. When a bright-eyed girl named Iris comes to stay, Milla hopes her loneliness might finally be coming to an end. But Iris has a secret she’s forbidden to share: The village is cursed by a demon who possesses girls at random, and the townspeople live in terror of who it will come for next.

Now, it seems, the demon has come for Iris. When Iris is captured and imprisoned with other possessed girls, Milla leaves home to rescue her and break the curse forever. Her only company on the journey is a terrible new secret of her own: Milla is changing, too, and may soon be a demon herself.

Suspenseful and vividly imagined, The Cold Is in Her Bones is a novel about the dark, reverberating power of pain, the yearning to be seen and understood, and the fragile optimism of love.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

Check out this coming-of-age story... When Elephants Fly by Nancy Richardson Fischer (Interview & #Giveaway)


Welcome to my tour stop! You can find the full schedule here. This book sounds fabulously good, you guys! Particularly after reading the author's answers to my interview questions. So go check the interview out and enter the tour giveaway below...

When Elephants Fly
By Nancy Richardson Fischer
YA Contemporary
Hardcover & ebook, 400 Pages
September 4th 2018 by Harlequin Teen

Summary

There are some battles worth fighting even if it means losing yourself.

T. Lily Decker is a high school senior with a twelve-year plan: avoid stress, drugs, alcohol and boyfriends, and take regular psych quizzes administered by her best friend, Sawyer, to make sure she's not developing schizophrenia. Genetics are not on Lily's side.

When she was seven, her mother, who had paranoid schizophrenia, tried to kill her. And a secret has revealed that Lily's odds are even worse than she thought. Still, there's a chance to avoid triggering the mental health condition, if Lily can live a careful life from ages eighteen to thirty, when schizophrenia most commonly manifests.

But when a newspaper internship results in Lily witnessing a mother elephant try to kill her three-week-old calf, Swifty, Lily can't abandon the story or the calf. With Swifty in danger of dying from grief, Lily must choose whether to risk everything, including her sanity and a first love, on a desperate road trip to save the calf's life, perhaps finding her own version of freedom along the way.

Praise for WHEN ELEPHANTS FLY

"Nancy Richardson Fischer has managed to combine so many important topics-family, mental illness, extinction, animal welfare, and adolescence-into an accessible, moving and extraordinary story." ―Ellen C. O'Connell, Executive Vice President, Global, Space for Giants

"This book was an absolute pleasure to read. I encourage everyone to read this inspirational book and discuss mental illness and tolerance and the need to improve wildlife protection." ―Katie Rowe, Pritzker Genius Award nominee, Co-founder Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

"This moving coming-of-age adventure story is a captivating page-turner that crescendos to a valiant and surprisingly delightful conclusion filled with hope for both humans and elephants." ―Patricia Sims, Filmmaker, When Elephants Were Young. Founder, World Elephant Day

"When Elephants Fly is a compelling read, beautifully threading the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, mental illness and elephants." ―National Book Award finalist Carrie Arcos

"Not only does this book show the reader the perils of keeping elephants in zoos and having them perform in circuses, it does it with heart, grace, and imagination." ―Nina Berry, author of The Notorious Pagan Jones and the Otherkinseries

"Unlike anything I've read before in YA, When Elephants Fly is both a fascinating adventure and a stirring coming-of-age novel. There are few clear heroes or villains, and no easy answers for Lily as she moves into an uncertain future. The bond between elephant and girl is deftly wrought-reminiscent of Alec and the Black in Walter Farley's classic, The Black Stallion, but for an older, contemporary audience." ―Sara Zarr, author of Gem & Dixie

(Affiliate links included.)

Interview

What inspired WHEN ELEPHANTS FLY?

I have a good friend, Bea, whose mom has a mental health condition. Bea’s stories about growing up with her mom’s erratic behavior, the cruel things people said, and the times when her mother was placed in hospitals to change medications were heart-breaking.

Bea grew up afraid that she, too, would experience some of her mother’s issues. There’s approximately a 10% chance if a parent has a mental health condition that their child will experience some sort of a mental health issue, too. That number is small when tipping a waitress but huge when it’s your life, so Bea’s fears could have come to fruition. Despite her worries, Bea chose to live in the moment, pursue college, a career, marriage and motherhood.

Bea’s experiences made me wonder about all people who couldn’t overcome their fears—the kids who were frozen, afraid to take chances, who overheard conversations that led them to believe that they, too, would have compromised lives, or who gleaned all their information from the Internet instead of from trusted people who could educate and allay fears. The questions that arose, and my desire to create a universal story about the challenges and fears, big and small, real or imagined that freeze or derail lives, led to the creation of Lily, my protagonist.

Elephants were the second inspiration for my novel. My first job out of college was as a traveling writer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Seeing wild animals, and especially elephants, in captivity was incredibly sad. When I quit that job, I promised myself that beyond donating to elephant conservation organizations, I’d do something to shine a light on the plight of elephants. Creating Swifty, a three-week-old elephant calf, allowed me to educate readers in a way I hope inspires love, empathy and action!

Would you tell us a little more about the characters?

When we meet T. Lily Decker she’s just turned 18 and entered the danger zone for young women with a family history of schizophrenia (approximately age 18-30). She’s determined to live a careful life—no boyfriends, alcohol, challenging jobs, or stress—until she’s thirty. But she’s not living at all. It’s only when Lily’s path crosses with Swifty, a three-week-old elephant calf violently attacked by her mother (just as Lily was once attacked by her own mother) that things change. Lily is drawn into the present and must decide whether to risk everything, including her freedom and sanity, on a desperate road trip to save Swifty’s life, perhaps finding her own version of freedom along the way.

Otis Walker is the young publicist for Wild Walker’s Circus, his family’s traveling show. While he has refused to be an animal trainer, his work supports the circus and gets the show out of hot water with animal rights activists. When everything Otis has supported is challenged, he has to face his past and decide who he wants to be in the present. That decision may cost his freedom and family.

Swift Jones, nicknamed Swifty, is only three-weeks-old when her mother, Raki, rejects her in a violent attack. Abandoned, Swifty’s grief threatens her life. Only Lily’s love and devotion can rescue her. But will Lily risk her sanity to save the calf, and ultimately can Swifty’s unconditional love in turn save Lily?

Did you find anything interesting while researching the story?

I learned that no two mental health conditions are the same and there’s no one answer for concerns. Treatment is as personalized as the experiences of those with challenges. The only commonality is that individuals struggling to live with their conditions are all incredibly brave.

*If you think you might have a mental health issue, please do talk to your family, a teacher, good friends, a coach, spiritual advisor or mentor. You do not have to face your problems alone. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you smart and helps you control your own destiny.

While researching, I also learned a lot about elephants! Each elephant family is led by the matriarch and consists of mothers, sisters, and female daughters (the males leave the herd around age 13 when puberty begins). The family protects each other, can communicate from several miles away through low-frequency stomach rumblings, and returns year after year to the place where a loved one has died to mourn, and even cry. Elephants are incredibly intelligent with brains similar to humans in connectivity and number of neurons. They’re keystone species, which means that they play a vital role in the health of the ecosystems humans depend on for survival.

Due to poaching and habitat loss, elephants in the wild will become extinct in the next twenty years if nothing is done to save them. I support Space for Giants (https://spaceforgiants.org) and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (https://retetielephants.org). Both organizations are working tirelessly to save the majestic, intelligent, kind and loving elephant from likely extinction. Please check out their websites and donate if you’re inspired to be part of the solution!

What is your favorite part of the story?

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’m just going to say that I love when some characters realize that living in the moment, fighting for something bigger than them, and choosing what’s right over what’s easy is the only choice worth making.

What books are you currently reading or looking forward to?

Right now I’m reading The Fall of Innocence by Jenny Torres Sanchez, Still Lives by Maria Hummel, The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest and Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa.

What are you working on next?

Thanks for asking!! I’m super excited about my next novel. It’s tentatively titled, The Gravity of Falling Objects (HarperCollins/Inkyard Press October, 2019)

Here’s the synopsis:

There are four reasons Danny barely knows her dad. First, her mom hates the guy. Second, her dad is Cougar Warren, famous TV survivalist. Third, Cougar wanted a son, hence her name. Fourth, Danny is an embarrassment. Her dad is athletic, charismatic, and handsome. Danny stinks at sports, has only one friend, and bears the nickname Pigeon for the way she moved her head as a kid after losing one eye.

For her 16th birthday, Cougar finally invites Danny to be part of a TV episode featuring Gus Price, a teen movie star. Danny’s mom forbids it, but an unearthed secret leads Danny to defy her. She joins Cougar for what she hopes will be the start of a real father-daughter relationship.

When their small plane crashes in the jungles of Peru leaving most of the film crew dead, Danny, Cougar, and Gus must work together to survive their injuries and the jungle’s perils. Their ordeal shatters Danny’s perception of her parents, illuminates her unique skills, and teaches her that falling for Gus requires its own kind of bravery.

About the Author

I was born on the east coast and went to Cornell University. After college I worked as a writer for Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus. It was a fun first job and I learned how to write quickly, and also that when elephants sneeze on you it's very (VERY) messy. After a year in the circus, I moved out west. I lived in Aspen, Colorado where I skied as much as possible and worked as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant. Great experience but I learned that waitressing is hard (HARD) and I'm not very good at it.

After Aspen, I moved to San Francisco, California where I worked as a writer for University of California, San Francisco and wrote freelance for LucasFilm. At UCSF I learned that sitting in a cubicle under fluorescent lights dulls my soul. LucasFilm taught me that writing freelance, especially fiction, is fun (FUN). So I headed to graduate school in Boulder, Colorado to further hone my skills.

For the first part of my freelance writing career I wrote sport autobiographies. I'd visit and travel with an athlete like Monica Seles, Bela Karolyi, Nadia Comaneci or Apolo Ohno and then write their book. It was a terrific job, but after ten years and tons of incredible experiences I got tired of writing other peoples' stories and not my own.

Today I live in the Pacific Northwest with my amazing husband, Henry, and our mostly loveable (but sometimes vorpal) Vizsla, Boone. When I'm not conjuring a story, I love to kite-board, bike, ski or plan adventures with Boone and Henry, who both make me laugh for different reasons and who are the best partners in fun a gal could ever imagine.

PHOTO CONTENT FROM NANCY RICHARDSON FISCHER


Tour-Wide Giveaway


- 3 Winners will receive a Copy of WHEN ELEPHANTS FLY by Nancy Ricgardson Fischer
- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Ends October 8, 2018

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Have you read this? Will you be?