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, June 29, 2018

My Fair Lacey & A Perfect Fit By Janette Rallison: Blog Tour Review, Giveaway, and Excerpt





Lacey has dreamed of opening a restaurant for years - but first, she needs a loan. When Garrett Halifax, her roommate's Harvard-educated brother, offers to help her clean up her appearance and manner to impress the bank manager, she jumps at the chance. She makes mistake after mistake, and perhaps the biggest mistake is falling for sexy Garret.

This modern retelling of My Fair Lady offers all the humor of the original movie with a splash of romance thrown in.


Jojo Halifax, Lacey's roommate, believes that winning Echo Ridge's float competition is just what her fledgling art career needs. And if that means giving her ex-boyfriend, Anthony, a second chance so she can be a designer on his team, well, she's willing to make the sacrifice. But when a lost bet leads to a blind date with her brother's friend, Wyatt, she begins to have second thoughts about second chances. Wyatt is handsome and charming and just might have been paid to make her forget about Anthony. Is falling for his charm worth the risk or should she take Anthony back again?


Romantic comedy lovers will eat these two novellas up!







Janette Rallison is old. Don’t ask how old, because it isn’t polite. Let’s just say she’s older than she’d like to be and leave it at that.

Janette lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as “an eccentric cat lady.” She did not do this on purpose. (The cats, that is; she had the children on purpose.) Every single one of the felines showed up on its own and refuses to leave. Not even the family’s fearless little Westie dog can drive them off.

Since Janette has five children and deadlines to write books, she doesn’t have much time left over for hobbies. But since this is the internet and you can’t actually check up to see if anything on this site is true, let’s just say she enjoys dancing, scuba diving, horse back riding and long talks with Orlando Bloom. (Well, I never said he answers back.)




I have to admit, I've read a lot from Author Janette Rallison and I really love anything she writes. These two novellas have the same characters in them, but different couples are highlighted in each novella. 

The first one is called. "My Fair Lacey" and is patterned after the musical, My Fair Lady. This story is just so fun and cute. It had the same humor of someone that doesn't know how to speak properly and her "mentor" who is trying to teach her how to speak properly and wear proper clothes. Lacey is trying to get a business loan for a restaurant she wants to open. Her roommate's wealthy brother jumps in to educate her. There is a bet going on to see if Garrett can teach her what she needs to learn before she goes back to get her loan. This leads to many funny things happening. I loved the chemistry between Lacey and Garrett. It felt very natural how they came together as a couple. 

The second novella is "A Perfect Fit". In this story Garrett's sister, Jojo, and his old university friend, Wyatt, go on a date that was the outcome of the bet that was made in the first novella. Garrett hates Jojo's boyfriend and will do anything to get her away from Anthony so he sets her up with Wyatt. As in the first story, Jojo and Wyatt are put into some funny situations. I truly loved the banter between these two characters. Wyatt is "Perfect" and I loved everything about him. Jojo on the other hand has a hard time knowing what to do. Does she give up on her current, manipulative boyfriend Anthony, or does she fall for the charismatic Wyatt? I especially liked the epilogue at the end of the two novellas. I don't want to give anything away, but just know it also is one of the most perfect epilogues you'll ever read. Don't miss out on reading these great novellas that are found in one book. 

I'm adding this book to my list of Summer Reading suggestions.Now add it to your list!



Excerpt  – From My Fair Lacey
She pressed her lips together and tried again. “Couldn’t you find some authors who write more entertainingly?”
He didn’t answer because he was typing instructions into his laptop. He had a list of grammar rules that he kept adding to when she made a mistake. She was supposed to go over his list every day.
She glared at his bent head. Why did he always have to act like a teacher? Had he even given her parted lips the briefest of thoughts?
He turned his attention back to her. “Do you want a romance?”
Her breath hitched in her lungs. Was he really asking her this question so casually, and right after he’d written down a grammar rule for her? He wasn’t looking at her with any sort of passion, just bland interest.
She shifted in her chair. “Um. Maybe. I’m not sure.” She took a deep breath, and tried to think of a better way to phrase her feelings.
He didn’t wait for her to say more. His gaze dropped to the notebook in front of him. “All right, I’ll give you a few Jane Austen novels to read. A lot of women are partial to her works.”
Oh. He had asked her if she wanted to read a romance, not have a romance with him. A stab of disappointment went through her. One that was unexpectedly strong. She bit her lip, swallowed and hoped she wasn’t blushing. No use. She was definitely blushing. Heat rose in her neck and cheeks. She just had to hope he didn’t notice.
He tapped his pencil against the table absently. “I know classics aren’t as easy to read as modern novels, but you’re not only listening to these books because of their complex sentence structure and higher vocabulary; you also need to have a basic cultural understanding. When someone mentions Homer’s Odyssey at a dinner party, you need to know that they’re talking about an ancient Greek story, not a rock group. Do you see my point?”
“Yeah. Your point is that you go to a lot of boring dinner parties.”

Excerpt - From A Perfect Fit
They were nearing their floor. “Anyway, whatever price Garrett paid for your services, it was worth it.”
He smiled. “Glad to know you’re satisfied.”
His answer shouldn’t have bothered her, but it did. She’d made the comment tongue-in-cheek and had expected him to deny that Garrett was paying him anything. Instead, he’d confirmed it. What was Garrett paying him with? A favor called in? Cash? She hoped it wasn’t that. How much did make-my-sister-forget-her-boyfriend dates run? Hundreds? The more Garrett paid, the more pathetic it meant she was.
The elevator slowed to a stop and the door opened. Wyatt stepped into the hallway and paused, checking the numbers on the wall to see which way to go. Jojo followed him, rolling her overnight bag behind her.
“This way,” he said, heading to the left. His room was 2312; hers was 2310.
She kept pace beside him. “So you’re saying that Garrett actually paid you to take me out?”
“I didn’t say that. I just said I was glad you were satisfied.”
“Then he didn’t pay you?”
“I didn’t say that either.”
“Well, which is it?”
He gestured to the rooms on his right, completely unperturbed by her questioning. “Here are our rooms.”
“You’re not going to answer me?”
He paused in the hallway, seemed surprised by her insistence. “What are you really asking? Do you want me to tell you that you’re pretty enough and interesting enough to get a date without your brother’s help? You absolutely are. But I suspect you already know that. Girls who are as pretty as you are quite aware of it.”
The compliment washed over her, made her tingle. She was pretty and interesting. “Ah, thanks. You’re so sweet.” And then the next moment her doubts returned. “Wait, is my brother paying you to say things like that to me?”
Wyatt laughed, then unlocked his door. “I’ll be ready to go in five minutes. See you then.” He winked and disappeared inside, shutting the door.
That wink. Jojo would look stupid if she tried it, but Wyatt made the gesture flirtatious and intimate, like she’d gained entrance to his inner circle. A place she suddenly wanted to be.
As she walked into her room, she made a new goal for the evening. She would not do impulsive, foolish things, like throw herself at Wyatt in an attempt to get over Anthony. She would not flirt with him and try to get him to kiss her. Nothing good could come of that. Except, of course, the kissing part. With a guy like Wyatt, that was bound to be good.
Nope. She wouldn’t find out.
But then again, maybe she would.




To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 






Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Unforgettable Love: A Clean Romance Event & $25 Giveaway- Post for author Elizabeth Johns: Moon and Stars (A Descendants Book 4)

 


  Moon and Stars by Elizabeth Johns 
Lady Charlotte Stanton was officially on the shelf. Her first offer to be a chaperone had sealed her fate at the advanced age of eight-and-twenty. Yet, one magical evening a mysterious gentleman took pity on her and danced with her clandestinely under the stars. He refused to tell her who he was—other than unsuitable. It has ruined her peaceful existence as an aging spinster. Sir David Douglas, known to many as Captain Deuce the infamous smuggler, regardless of having changed his ways and made his fortune away in the Indies. His past was destined to follow him forever. Despite helping bring down a high level smuggling ring, the King wants him to do more to earn his pardon. Reluctantly, he is forced back into the dark trade of smuggling once again. As Sir David struggles to gain his freedom, Lady Charlotte tries to unravel his mystery and help him. But will she find her happily ever after or will she be caught up in the sins of his past?  
 
 “Sometimes I think I have more in common with the moon and the stars than Polite Society,” a deep, baritone voice said from behind her, as if the man had heard her thoughts. Charlotte managed not to flinch. She was unused to anyone seeking her company in dark places. “Yes, I was brought up amongst the ton, yet it is not often comfortable,” she replied, still looking at the night sky. “That is the last word I would use for it,” he said as he came to stand next to her. He was so close she felt warmth radiating from him and smelt his scent of spice and pine. She was afraid to turn and look. She did not wish to ruin the moment with reality, yet the arm of his coat appeared to be well made, and his hands appeared to be strong. They stood there in silent kinship, listening to the sounds of laughter and dancing coming from the ballroom. “Would you care to dance?” Charlotte did not answer. This man must be someone new in Town, someone who knew not who she was, or could not see her clearly in the moonlight. What did it matter? It was only a dance. One dance would change nothing. She held her hand out to him and finally allowed herself to look up. “Have we been introduced?” she asked, annoyed at her inanity. She had never before seen this man, of that she was certain. His light grey eyes twinkled in the moonlight, and they were looking at her—her!—flirtatiously. Crinkles formed at the edges of his eyes, indicating an experience and maturity that made him more handsome when he smiled. It was devilish cruel that men became more striking with age. “You know very well we have not,” he answered. He pulled her close—too close—and began to twirl her around. The moment was too intimate for mere words. Charlotte felt light and dainty for the first time ever as this man spun her in his arms. She must be dreaming. It was a heady, delicious feeling as her pulse raced and her insides quivered. When the music ceased, they stood there still, retaining the position of the dance as their breathing slowed. Charlotte grew self-conscious as the man studied her. “Am I to know your name?” she whispered. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, sending shivers through her. “Some things are better left unspoken, my lady.” “I loved everything about this story. Every woman needs to meet a man who wants her just the way she is. Despite the struggles and self doubt, despite the familial opposition, despite the outside forces and ever present danger from sinister forces - our dear couple finally triumphs.” “Elizabeth Johns writes lovely, intricate Regency tales filled with angst, longing, tragedy and triumph. She does not pander with superfluous and gratuitous sex scenes. Yet her stories are romantic and satisfying. I highly recommend this series and all of Johns' books if you want to be transported and escape this time period to the land of happily ever after. I cannot wait for the next one!” Author Elizabeth Johns
National bestselling author Elizabeth Johns was first an avid reader, though she was a reluctant convert. It was Jane Austen's clever wit and unique turn of phrase that hooked Johns when she was "forced" to read Pride and Prejudice for a school assignment. She began writing when she ran out of her favorite author's books and decided to try her hand at crafting a Regency romance novel. Her journey into publishing began with the release of Surrender the Past, book one of the Loring-Abbott Series. Johns makes no pretensions to Austen's wit but hopes readers will perhaps laugh and find some enjoyment in her writing. Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a retired English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.
 
Through the FireMelting the IceWith the WindOut of the DarknessRay of Light: Traditional Regency Romance After the RainSurrender the PastSeasons of ChangeSeeking RedemptionShadows of Doubt
 
  Giveaway Details 
Ends 7/15/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. 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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, June 25, 2018

A Change of Plans (Safe Harbors #1 Kindle Edition) By Donna K. Weaver: FREE today!

I loved this book and you can download a free copy...today only!!! 
"Ms. Weaver pens an outstanding, epic tale of life, loss, and love! ... There are truly no words to describe how solid and endearing Lyn and Brandon are ... Their love grips the reader and doesn't let go for a second ...Ms. Weaver has created magic!" - Mimi Smith, InD'Tale Magazine

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old Colorado high school teacher wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a vacation diversion; what fate provides is Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and its temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. But Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. However, paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped. Lyn’s fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.
Amazon - FREE