Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Friday, May 30, 2014

Immersed (A Ripple Effect Romance) by Jennifer Griffith-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway





Immersed tour


Immersed NewProduct Details

  • Title: Immersed
  • Author: Jennifer Griffith
  • Series: Ripple Effect Romance
  • Paperback: 152 pages
  • Publisher: HEA Publishing (March 7, 2014)
  • Genre: Romance
  • ISBN-10: 1941363059
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.





Book Description:
  Lisette Pannebaker speaks five languages and has a brilliant business plan—personal language immersion. Clients can hire her to shadow them and speak all day in any language they need to learn for business or travel—whatever. But there’s a major hitch: she’s far too pretty. Clients with less than honorable intentions sign up just have Lisette at their side. Solution? A make-under. Way under.It works like a charm. None of her male clients show her the least bit of interest. Until… Erik. Erik Gunnarsson is charming, kind, and smart—everything she’s ever looked for. Even though he seems to have a secret and she swore she'd never date a client, Lisette is tempted to shed her disguise—even if it means jeopardizing her career.


Excerpt from Immersed :
“So…what?”

“Plain and simple: you’re too pretty for this job.”

Lisette rolled her eyes and picked up her brush again, going at the high spots on the wall with vigor. “You’ve been talking to my mom again. Did she finally rub off on you?” Great. Now no one believed in her. Not even Aunt Corky. Just a pretty face.

“No, not in that way. What I’m saying is that your business has merit. It can totally work. But just not with you, the way you are.”

Aunt Corky probably didn’t mean to make Lisette want to cry, but the tears welled in her eyes all the same. This dream had taken every waking hour of the last eighteen months. She’d poured her heart and soul into making it grow, not to mention all the money she’d buried in it—advertising, the office, everything. And her time. Day and night. How entrepreneurs lived past age forty mystified her. She barely had time to keep an eye on her elderly next door neighbors. And when a girl was too busy to serve other people, she was too busy.

Aunt Corky reached over and grabbed Lisette’s hand. “What I’m saying is you need a makeover.”

Lisette raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t raise that eyebrow at me, Z. I’m serious about this.” Aunt Corky folded her arms across her chest. “Not a makeover in the traditional sense. More like a make-under. You know, to make you look less…gorgeous.”

Here it went again, with the appearance factor. Didn’t all the studies say that people who were good-looking had a better chance at success than those who were below average?

“You’re not buying it, I can tell. But think with me. Dark circles under the eyes. A greasy wig. Lines at the mouth. And right about here,” she pointed at her nostril, “a big wart.”

“A wart!”

“Okay, maybe not a wart. That might be over the top. But something that will keep all the pawing maniacs at a distance.” Aunt Corky shrugged and leaned against a dry wall like she’d made her case and the prosecution rested. “Think about it, Z. I mean, you want Immerse to succeed, right? All the years of language skills and business acumen you’ve amassed, they’re going to waste.”

Lisette sighed. Even though she wouldn’t admit it aloud to Aunt Corky, unless something changed at Immerse, things could go south pretty fast. However, she wasn’t convinced it was reason enough to subjugate her dignity and go into daily disguise just to ward off pretenders.

Aunt Corky resumed painting. “Just think about it. Don’t decide now. But if you want to do it, I know somebody. Samantha. A genius with bad makeup. She could absolutely transform you. No one would even recognize you.”

This was crossing over from ridiculous into the absurd.

My Review:
Immersed is the last novella in the Ripple Effect Romance Series. This one was different from many of the others. It had a funny side to it and it's characters. Even though there were serious things happening in main character Lisette's life, there were naturally humorous things going on. You know how some people always have those weird and very quirky events that only happen to them? Well, Lisette is one of those people. You have to LOL as she deals with the strange and unusual in her life. I didn't connect with Lisette's mother, but truly liked her Aunt Corky. The main male protagonist, Erik, also adds to the humor in this story. The scene at McDonalds will stay on my mind for awhile. Yes, it was funny. 

The series is wrapped up nicely with Immersed. If you haven't read them yet, they would be great, short novellas to add to your summer reading list.


 Purchase at Amazon

unnamedFDRE9K6NMeet Author Jennifer Griffith
Jennifer Griffith studied French, German, Japanese, and a wee bit of Spanish in her school days. Her grandmother was Norwegian, and Jennifer grew up with lots of Scandinavian traditions floating around, including fabulous cardamom laced cookies called Krumkaker, made on a fancy waffle iron. However, she’d never dream of trying to teach someone any of those languages. And she might botch the cookies. Instead, she writes novels in English, drives her five kids a million places, and laughs with her husband, who came up with the plot for Immersed because he’s just a cool muse like that.
   


Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 

Ends 6/9/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, May 24, 2014

After Star (Book Three in the Curse of the Beast Series) By Ashley Lavering-Cover Reveal and Giveaway

After Star   Cover Reveal
A Choice was Made
The Curse was Broken
Yet the Wolf Remains


After Star book three in the Curse of the Beast Series by Ashley Lavering:

Tayla’s life changed forever the day she became a werewolf in James’ pack (aka Beast). Now they must flee their Wyoming home to escape the increasing wolf hunts caused by Kyle. With James, her alpha and intended mate, she finds refuge in the remote area of Crouch, Idaho. 

Now that she's settled in to her new home with the man of her dreams by her side, Tayla wonders if she’s finally found some peace, but it doesn't take long for enemies to find her. They taunt her with secrets from James’ past, and revenge stalks the pack at every turn. 

When James is severely wounded with an unknown poison, it is up to Tayla and her best friend, Chel, to solve the mystery of the poison’s origin and find a cure. Will they be strong enough to handle the truth they discover and defeat their enemies? Or will time run out and werewolves die?
(Young Adult Paranormal Romance. A clean romance with mild violence.)


What Happens after Happily Ever After?

Find out July 19, 2014!

Add After Star to your TBR list on Goodreads



Special Surprise!



Check out Ashley’s first two books in this compelling Young Adult paranormal romance series and retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a werewolf twist.


Book One 
Curse of the Beast  
     AmazonAmazon.ukNook 
   

Book Two 
Star Cursed
 Amazon~ Amazon.uk~ Nook

Giveaway:

Friday, May 23, 2014

What is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore-Blog Tour Review







Product Details

  • Title: What is Hidden
  • Author: Lauren Skidmore
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (May 13, 2014)
  • Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
  • ISBN-10: 1462114296
  • FTC, FYI: Received a review PDF in exchange for an honest review. 
  • Buy the BookAdd to Goodreads








Book Description:

In a land of masquerades and mystery, Evie is a mask maker in Venesia, where masks represent rank and identity. When a cryptic bandit strips away Evie’s mask and destroys her home, she goes into hiding at the palace to find both a new identity—and revenge. Fantasy lovers will be caught up by the mystique, romance, and magic of What Is Hidden.

Excerpt from What is Hidden:

Stripped of her mask, identity, and home, mask maker Evie finds herself alone and desperate. Already rejected by her neighboring doctor and fearing rejection from her best friend Aiden, she searches for a way to protect herself and wonders if the servant mask she received from her friend Iniga could be the start of her new life.
The ties were nearly torn clean off, and the lining was all but gone. Otherwise, it looked pretty good. I could work with that. The ribbons were still in good shape; they just needed to be resewn into the lining. Thankfully there was enough of that along the edges that I could rig it to work.
And while a palace servant would want the most comfortable mask available, I could not afford to be so picky, so the current lining would have to do.
After studying the mask for a long moment, I shoved it back in my bag. I would have to be crazy to even think of wearing the mask myself. I would be no better than the Chameleon.
And yet . . .
It wasn’t like I’d stolen it. Iniga gave it to me, and it had been given to her. She wouldn’t be in any trouble.
And I wasn’t stealing anyone’s identity in particular . . . just an anonymous scullery maid or laundress or something.
It could work.
It was insane, but it could work.
Finishing my scanty meal, I pulled myself to my feet, brushing off my skirts. I frowned—I would need better clothes if I were to pass as a palace servant.
Maybe if I could just get in there, I could grab some clothes as well.
A twinge of remorse pricked in my gut. It was so easy to fall back on theft when I had nothing else.
But I couldn’t ask anyone for help. Iniga would be risking her position if she snuck me in, and I didn’t want to rely on her charity when I could fend for myself.
As for Aiden, I had hoped to see him when I’d gone back to my home, but he was nowhere to be found, and I didn’t know where to look for him. Besides, he wouldn’t be able to do anything for me that I couldn’t do myself.
And it would kill me if he looked at me the way Dr. Vito did.
As the doctor’s face flashed across my memory, I made my decision.
I would hide, and I would fend for myself, and I would do it on my own.

My Review: 
I love the feeling of becoming lost in a new world. What is Hidden will pull you in from the first chapter. This wonderful world of Venesia, is similar to Venice, Italy. The author sketches with beautiful descriptions the city, the palace full of nobles and royalty, glamorous dresses worn at the balls, and the very fashionable masks. The masks are symbols of class and status in this land. Tragedy befalls main character Evie at the beginning taking away her father and their livelihood of mask making. This heroine doesn't stop to cower and feel sorry for herself. She picks up the pieces of her life and sets out to enact revenge on the man known as, The Chameleon, who destroyed her home, killed her father and marked her. 

My favorite parts of this novel are when Evie is with her best friend Aiden. He is a kind and chivalrous noble who has befriended Evie. Aiden is full of mystery, but I figured out early on his true identity. This didn't take away at all from the story. It just made me cheer him on and his plans for Evie. The witty and humorous dialogue between them adds spice and vitality to the novel.

 Though the cover says this is a "Cinderella Tale", I wouldn't classify it as a re-telling of the old fairytale. This story is so unique, that the faint parallels are only there in the background. Readers will be caught up in the storyline of Evie, Aiden and the Chameleon. I was also fascinated as Evie demonstrated her artisan skills of mask-making. Speaking of masks, the front cover of the elegant woman in a green mask, is just breathtaking! That alone will make you want to pick up this novel. 

This novel is clean, and a refreshing twist on a fairytale world of Princes, Castles and balls. The mystery may be solved easily by some, but the pull of Evie and Aiden working together and their changing feelings, will keep you reading quickly. I was so happy to find out that there is another book in this series to be coming soon. I recommend this 5-star book to teens and adults.



Meet Author Lauren Skidmore:

Lauren Skidmore grew up in Kansas, with stints in Ohio and New York, and currently lives in Utah. She attended Brigham Young University where she earned a BA in English Teaching with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language and Japanese. She then spent a year in Japan teaching and traveling. She hasn’t made it to Europe yet, but it’s on the list and has been to 30 states in the U.S. so far. When she’s not exploring new places, you can probably find her on the internet with fifteen windows open and looking at just one more thing before actually getting something done.




Friday, May 16, 2014

Second Chances 101 (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) by Donna Weaver-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway


Product Details

  • Title: Second Chances 101
  • Author:  Donna K. Weaver
  • Series: Ripple Effect Romance
  • Paperback: 132 pages
  • Publisher: HEA Publishing (March 7, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1941363040
  • FTC, FYI:  I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.




Book Description:
Thirty seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough. For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do. Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain


.


EXCERPT
The door burst open and a pretty girl with long strawberry blond hair stomped out. Her headlong rush drove her right at Francie, who squeezed against the wall, almost out of the way. Their shoulders hit, and they both stumbled. As Francie steadied herself, she could see tears in the girl’s heavily made up eyes. Staggering for a couple of paces, she managed to stay on her feet and then ran down the hallway.

“Come back here,” a man yelled from inside. He dashed out the door and halfway down the hall before it was obvious the student had made her escape.

Yelling at a student and chasing her down the hallway? That can't be my new boss.Francie couldn’t help staring at the compact but solidly built—almost buff—man who stood with his back to her. The angry energy came off him in waves, and she had to fight a primal instinct to run and hide. Giving a quick glance over her shoulder, Francie began to edge away. Maybe she could pretend she hadn’t seen. Suddenly the man swore and spun around, seeming to see Francie for the first time.

“What are you doing there?” he growled. “Eavesdropping?”
My Review: 
I was so happy to see a story in this series dealing with a couple that was a little older. I embraced the main character, Francie instantly. She is a recent widow who's only child has left home for college. I loved her sweet disposition and bravery to go back to college herself after many years. I also liked the male main character Alex. He is a divorced man who is STILL dealing with an ex-wife who makes his life miserable. He also has a college age daughter who is dealing with problems. This storyline is so good and the characters were terrific. I only wish that this story had been a full length novel. There was so much storyline to work with that I felt so sad when it ended. I wish Donna could go back and write the long story version of this wonderful couple. Donna truly knows how to write memorable characters that you grow attached to quickly. I just didn't want this story to end. I can't wait to read the next novel by this author. I recommend this book and series to those who love romance and great characters.



Meet Author Donna K. Weaver 
Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific five times. Wife-mother-grandmother-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd. 

You can learn more about Donna here...


 Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/26/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Moonless by Crystal Collier-Review

Product Description
Title: Moonless
Author: Crystal Collier
Series: Maiden of Time #1

Genre:YA Paranormal (rated PG)
323 pages
Publisher: Raybourne
Publication Date: November 2013  

Next Book: Soulless (expected Summer 2014)
FTC, FYI: I received a review Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review.













Book Description:
MOONLESS is Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

In the English society of 1768 where women are bred to marry, unattractive Alexia, just sixteen, believes she will end up alone. But on the county doorstep of a neighbor’s estate, she meets a man straight out of her nightmares, one whose blue eyes threaten to consume her whole world—especially later when she discovers him standing over her murdered host in the middle of the night. 

Among the many things to change for her that evening are: her physical appearance—from ghastly to breathtaking, an epidemic of night terrors predicting the future, and the blue-eyed man’s unexpected infusion into her life. Not only do his appearances precede tragedies, but they are echoed by the arrival of ravenous, black-robed wraiths on moonless nights.

Unable to decide whether he is one of these monsters or protecting her from them, she uncovers what her father has been concealing: truths about her own identity, about the blue-eyed man, and about love. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with the man of her dreams and risk becoming one of the Soulless.

Excerpt from Moonless:

Alexia was reasonably confident that exiting the carriage was the equivalent of stepping into Hell. She glanced out again at the grand Roman pillars of the finest country estate in Devonshire and shivered. Just let me be invisible.

Mother cleared her throat. Her golden tresses glowed in the lamplight leaking through the open door. Alexia straightened up. Her mouth curled into a forced smile as she smoothed the folds of her amber gown, the newest cut and height of fashion for 1768.

Mother rolled her eyes, took Father’s waiting hand, and descended to the drive.

Alexia scowled. A month ago she had turned sixteen. A month ago the expectation to be lady-like and presentable had begun. A month ago the nightmares had started. Her night terrors certainly resulted from Father’s talk of making her a match early—before anyone had a chance to glimpse the ghastly girl and advise the gentleman against it. Her too-thin frame and sunken jowls were enough to keep her own eyes away from reflective surfaces. How could she fault others for sharing that opinion?

Father extended a hand. “Alexia, come.”

She’d inherited his dark tresses, but that’s where her resemblance to this handsome man ended. He gave her a grim smile and assisted her down before taking his wife’s arm. Her parents pulled together, draping her in their shadow—though out of embarrassment or a need to shelter her, she couldn’t decide.

She glanced back over her shoulder as the carriage rattled away.

Goodbye, safety. Goodbye, anonymity. She turned to the brightened steps. Hello, Hell.

“Ah, the Dumonts! It’s been six years since I’ve had the pleasure.” Baron Galedrew bounced on the balls of his feet as they arrived at the top step. He had only recently returned from living in London, and Alexia didn’t remember quite so many wrinkles.
“Welcome, welcome! And who is this?” He pushed her parents apart. His creased brow doubled, lip drawing back in a grimace. He coughed. “This cannot be
Alexia, can it? What a . . . mature young woman you are becoming.” He bowed.

She curtsied, wishing she could douse the heat in her cheeks and hurtle back into the carriage. “You are too kind.”

He opened his mouth to speak.

Thunder pealed behind them. She turned, ready for a distraction, any distraction. A cloud of dust billowed up against the sky, masking the night. With a shimmering white mane, a speckled grey horse sped toward them, the forerunner of an approaching storm, a rider bent over its neck. The beast skidded to a halt at the foot of the steps, spraying dust.

Alexia froze, unable to move even to save her hem from the prevailing dirt. That horse, she knew that horse—but it could not be!

“Oh dear,” the Baron uttered.

A cloaked stranger leapt from the animal and approached through the filthy cloud, face masked in a menacing hood. Alexia stumbled back toward Father.

The newcomer stopped two steps below, head turned in her direction. Her knees shuddered. With a slower but still harried gait, he ascended.

“You will excuse me.” The baron shook hands with her father and hurried into the house. 

As the stranger rounded her parents, she glanced up to find him watching her. Though his face remained in shadow, the light caught his eyes, eyes that radiated the hue of deep still waters below wooded boughs—eyes that resonated with her soul.

She grabbed Father’s arm as the stranger disappeared after Galedrew. She forced herself to breathe. Surely she was mistaken—he could not be the same . . .

Alexia’s mind whirled, snatches of the dream racing through her memory:



Starlight streaked across the silvery hair of the man who lay on the entry’s floor, glassy-eyed. His open mouth was frozen in a gasp or silenced scream, a ladle protruding from the breast of his night-dress. Real, warm, oozing blood . . . It pooled across the estate’s open doorway and stained her fingers . . . A speckled gray stallion shrieked in the drive. She cringed into the shadows as the beast’s master, a cloaked stranger, snapped around. Blue eyes flashed.



Father growled, ripping her out of the memory. “Not fit to be seen in a nobleman’s home!”

“Father?” she whispered. “Who is he?”

He glanced at Mother, whose peachy skin had turned pearl-esque. “No one, Alexia.”
She blinked up at him. No one? Then why did Mother look as though she might faint? Why did his eyes hold a darkness and rage reserved for the greatest of miscreants? And most importantly, how had the stranger found a place in her nightmares?

My Review:
 Moonless, set in 1768, is a great combination of a Gothic mystery, romance, and paranormal. From the very first you are thrown into a world of intrigue that holds the "Passionate" and also the "Soulless". The heroine, Alexia, finds her whole world changed when she turns 16 and finds out that she is not a mere human. Her dreams are haunted by the deaths of others. She finds out that things around her are not what they seem. As you read you will have more questions then answers. Those readers who think they always figure out what is happening early on in stories, well think again. You will be as mystified as everyone else as Alexia will not know who to trust. 
 She also falls for the strange and handsome man, Kiren, with the piercing blue eyes that steals her heart. 

Honestly, this book is nothing like I have read before. This book is for older teens and adults (as there is some violence and major kissing going on...but nothing else.) The world is built slowly and it unfolds in a haunting and sometimes terrifying way. With great characters, intense scenes and a boatload of intrigue, you will be flying through the pages of Moonless like I was. It's a good thing that there will be more in this series to follow.

Purchase your copy of Moonless HERE! 



 Meet Author Crystal Collier:
Crystal, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.



Friday, May 2, 2014

Lost and Found(A Ripple Effect Romance book #4) by Karey White-Blog Tour and Giveaway



Product Details

  • Title: Lost and Found
  • Author: Karey White
  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: HEA Publishing (March 7, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1941363032
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review. 



Book Description: Lydia was supposed to have an adventurous and exciting summer. Instead she's done nothing more than read and eat takeout. Now it's time to go home, and what does she have to show for it? A big fat nothing. Unless, of course, her trip to the airport somehow turns into something more than just a flight home. Blake feels like he's been sent on a wild goose chase. While work is piling up back in Denver, he's on the other side of the country, hunting for some mysterious box that his grandfather left him. Well, no more. Nothing inside that box could possibly be more important than the opportunity to make it as the youngest partner at his firm. So he's going home, and that's that. But that's before he discovers his flight has been cancelled. When these two strangers meet at the airport, they make a split-second decision to search for the box together. Maybe with both of them on the hunt, Lydia can have her adventure and Blake can find the box. And maybe, if they’re lucky, they’ll even find some romance. 

Excerpt:

Blake and Lydia stayed in their seats as the area around them cleared and a line formed. Finally, Blake stood, picked up his duffel bag and briefcase, then waited while Lydia gathered her things. They took a spot at the back of the line. After a minute, Lydia spoke.

“Since you have to change your flight anyway, maybe you should stay another day or two and try to find the box.”

The corner of Blake’s mouth twitched. “Maybe you should stay a couple of days and have an adventure.”

“TouchĂ©. I guess if the plane had gone down, I’d have had an adventure to tell about. Or not tell about.”
The line moved slowly. “You know,” Blake said. “Maybe your adventure could be staying and helping me find my grandfather’s box.”
Lydia nearly choked on her last bite of brownie. Was he joking? They didn’t even know each other.
“I have to be back for teacher’s meetings. And I need to get my classroom ready for school to start. The desks are all stacked up in a corner of the room and I need to get them set up and organized and I’ve got to put up a couple of bulletin boards. And I have to get papers for the parents copied for back to school night and…” Blake’s smile widened as she spoke. “And I’m babbling, aren’t I?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry about it. I should get back to the office anyway. It was a crazy idea.”
“Yeah,” Lydia said, relieved. A few minutes passed, and they neared the front of the line. A voice in Lydia’s head wouldn’t be quiet. You’re a coward. You don’t really want an adventure. You’re all talk. You could kill two birds with one stone. Have an adventure and help this guy find the box from his grandfather. But you’re too big of a wimp. She wanted to tell the voice to mind its own business, but it wouldn’t shut up. Chicken. Scaredy cat. But this wasn’t about adventure. This was about good, common sense, right? It wouldn’t be smart to stay with this man she didn’t know. And yet her instincts told her this guy was safe, that she didn’t need to fear his intentions.
It seemed the only way to stop the nag in her head was to speak. “It wasn’t a crazy idea. It was an adventurous idea. And I came here for adventure. I need something to tell Cambri when I get home, right? And you need to find that box or you’ll miss out on something important. And I don’t technically have to be back until Wednesday morning, so...”
“Really? Are you just talking a big game?” Blake teased.
“You’re not a psychopathic killer, are you?”
“No. But I certainly wouldn’t tell you if I was.”
“That’s true. That would really up the whole adventure factor, though.”
“See, you’re braver than you thought.”

My Review: 
Lost and Found is the novella with the deepest storyline in The Ripple Effect Romance Series so far. I have loved all of the novellas, but this one seemed to have struck home and made me think more about my life. Once again the characters in the previous novella are mentioned or seen in this current one. I have absolutely loved how interconnected all of the novellas are! 
The story starts out with Blake and Lydia waiting in the airport for a flight back home to Denver. Once the flight is cancelled they end up planning an adventure together. Without giving too much of the story away, it is darling how they get together. The interaction between these two characters is one of the sweetest and most real I've read in awhile. Kary has struck gold with this novella, writing about two people, too busy or too afraid to live life and find love. Through the letters of long dead lovers, Blake and Lydia learn some much needed life-lessons.  This book will make you think more about taking chances and evaluating what is most important in your life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lost and Found and I know readers of great romance will not want to miss reading this one.
 Purchase at......
Karey   
Meet Author Karey White:
 Karey is a USA Today best-selling author. She grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, cook, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four wonderful children.   
Find more about Karey here...
  Updated Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors. "Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love." Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith

Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/12/14 a Rafflecopter giveaway