Review: All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears

Though it means giving up the chef's job at her uncle's small town Italian restaurant in Washington, Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt with a new business venture: transforming an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. The icing on the cake is that Leo Parker, Tia's crush from a long-ago sailing camp, has been hired as the yacht's captain. The only problem is that he's engaged to someone else.

Tia hides her feelings and rolls up her sleeves as she sets out to make her aunt's dream a reality. But as the tide turns on Leo's relationship, does Tia dare hope he might set a course for her heart?
All the romance of a summer in San Francisco is captured in this delightful story from an author who has made a career of tugging our heartstrings.

Movie Review: Old Fashioned by Pure Flix

 

 Old Fashioned by PureFlix

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Former frat boy, Clay Walsh (Rik Swartzwelder), has given up his reckless carousing and now runs an antique shop in a small Midwestern town. There, he has become notorious for his theories on love and romance as well as his devout beliefs. When Amber Hewson (Elizabeth Ann Roberts), a free-spirited young woman with a restless soul rents the apartment above his shop, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his strong faith and noble ideas. Together, they attempt the impossible: an old fashioned courtship in contemporary America.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this gently paced Christian movie about a diverse couple who meet and fall in love.  I thought it was sweetly romantic the way the attraction and romance built between Clay and Amber.  Clay was reckless and immoral during his frat days in college and consequently hurt people he loved.  When he comes to the realization that he needs to become a better man, he sets strict guidelines for himself in regards to being around and dating (or not dating) women.  I admired that he was determined to keep his life clean despite the ridicule he got from those around him.  Amber has been through several relationships and keeps her bags packed , so to speak, and ready to hit the road again.  But she becomes fascinated with Clay's viewpoint and is drawn to his gentle humor and careful consideration of her.  When he makes it clear he won't date her, she starts "breaking" things in her apartment to get him to come around.  It was funny.  :)

Although I agree with some of what Clay believed in regards to relationships, he definitely took it above and beyond.  The whole marriage counseling thing when they weren't even engaged was strange & unnecessary  but it did make for some laughable conversations.  And there were some thematic elements that definitely gave the film it's PG-13 rating.  Things like Clay's memories of his immoral frat days and the stripper that comes to his friend's bachelor party.  As well as some topics of conversation between both his and her non-Christian friends.  Other than that, the film might be a little strange to some but, like I mentioned above, I think it was sweetly romantic.

*Thanks to FishFlix for a complimentary copy of this movie for review purposes.  I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

Buy it here: Old Fashioned DVD!  You can get this and hundreds of other Christian Movies at FishFlix.com

FISHFLIX.COM

Summer Read: Come Vote for your Fave!

Welcome to summer!

Scroll through these FIVE new reads and vote below 

for which you'd pick up first to take to the poolside.

It'll be a tough choice! But somebody's gotta do it. May as well be you!

Finders Keepers by Sarah Monzon



Summer Arnet will go anywhere to capture the perfect shot that will get her marine photography noticed by the prestigious nature magazine, Our World—even diving in waters haunted by great white sharks. When a treasure hunter with a ladies’-man reputation approaches her about a sunken ship at one of her dive locations, it may be the chance she’s been looking for to launch her career…if his charming smile doesn’t derail her first.

~~~~~~ 

Resilience by L.R. Burkard



In this spell-binding sequel to the post-apocalyptic thriller PULSE, L.R.Burkard takes readers into a landscape where teens shoulder rifles instead of school books, and where survival might mean becoming your own worst enemy.

~~~~~~

A Matter of Courage by Wendy Holley



Abused by her famous husband, Irene Brennan is forced to flee to a small town in Montana, leaving everything behind. Trent is used to protecting wild animals from careless hunters, but can he protect Irene from her crazy husband?

~~~~~~

Astray (Ariboslia Book 1) by J. F. Rogers



Troubled-teen, Fallon finds hope and family through an unwanted prophecy. In her travels, she learns about the One True God and how desperately she needs Him. Perhaps, with His help, she’ll find the way to fulfill her destiny.

~~~~~~

Her One and Only by Becky Wade



When NFL super star Gray Fowler is threatened by a stalker, his team hires a professional bodyguard to ensure his safety. But when Gray's "protection" turns out to be a woman half his size, he's indignant. Will Dru Porter--a former Marine and expert markswoman--prove herself worthy of the job? And meanwhile, who's going to guard Gray's heart?

~~~~~~

VOTE HERE!

If you have trouble viewing the entire survey, click here to load a dedicated page to the survey.

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: An Informal Introduction by Heather Gray

~Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY below!~

Series: Informal Romance Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Romance Publisher: Ladybug Lit Publication date: May 2, 2016 Number of pages: 229 ​Lily Ziminski is an ICU nurse near the nation's capital where politics are a regular part of hospital policy. Assigned a series of high-profile patients, she finds herself an unwilling focus of the media. Lily would much rather do without all the attention... except where one cowboy-hat-wearing state trooper is concerned. Caleb Graham runs into the same captivating nurse twice in one day, and he's not a man who believes in coincidence. When problems at a local impound lot force him into the middle of a bizarre case that threatens Lily, Caleb will stop at nothing to protect her.

​From a stranger in a parking garage to Secret Service agents, surprise chases Lily around every corner. In the midst of the chaos, she has two constants - her longtime faith in God and her growing attraction for a silver-eyed trooper.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

The Books in the Series

Review: Lone Star Brides series

The Bluebonnet Bride by Pamela Tracy

The Bull Rider's Bride by Vickie McDonough

The Butterfly Bride by Lacy Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Bluebonnet Bride by Pamela Tracy

Amy has never had a home. Will she find one in the arms of a cowboy?

This is Daniel Starr's year. He's moving up the rankings on the bull-riding circuit and is determined to catch his twin brother. Nothing is going to stop him. Well, almost nothing. When his beloved grandmother falls and needs a caretaker, Daniel finds himself on the road back to Pecan, Texas, rather than making the next rodeo. Why did this happen now? And why, when he's jeopardizing his career to come home, does Miss Bossypants Amy Benjamin think he's not doing enough?

Amy knows all about the swashbuckling Starr Brothers, but anyone who turns his back on her beloved Pecan--and on his own grandmother--doesn't deserve admiration. If Amy had been lucky enough to have family like Grandma Starr, her life would have been so different! Well, she's going to make sure Daniel does his duty. But the longer he stays in Pecan, the harder it'll be to see him go…

The Bull Rider’s Bride by Vickie McDonough

ECPA bestselling author Vickie McDonough continues the Lone Star Brides series with this heart-warming story of lost love.

Dusty Starr is unstoppable in the rodeo arena, but when it comes to love? He was bucked off long ago. Now he has a second chance at love, but will he have what it takes to win?

Champion bull rider Dusty Starr is at the top of his game—until a bull throws him and stomps on his leg. He goes home to heal and watch after his grandma until he can rejoin the circuit. While there are no guarantees that bull riding is in his future, his past is alive and well in the form of Gramma's beautiful physical therapist—a woman he never expected to see again.

Physical therapist Lindsey Lang once loved Dusty, but then tragedy struck because of his younger brother's recklessness, and Dusty did something she never thought he'd do. He abandoned her, leaving her to mourn alone. Being assigned to Grandma Starr is hard enough, but with Dusty there, Lindsey's sure her heart won't survive.

Against all expectations, friendship renews, and Dusty dares to hope Lindsey will forgive him. She's the only girl he's ever loved and he aims to get her back. But friendship is one thing. A second chance at love? That will take more gumption than riding a rank bull—and then some

The Butterfly Bride by Lacy Williams

USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams delivers the final installment in the Lone Star Brides series…

The prodigal son is back. Ever since the terrible mistake he made in high school—a mistake that cost his best friend his life—bullfighter Luke Starr has stayed far away from Pecan, Texas, and his family. But with his twin brothers gone on their respective honeymoons, Luke is forced to come back to town to watch over Gramma and the family ranch. And he can’t wait to leave again. Because being home hurts more than being stomped on by a bull—and it’s only a matter of time until he messes up all over again.

Special ed teacher Jess Sadler will do anything for her students—even abandon her comfort zone to convince a reluctant rodeo cowboy to give “horse lessons” to a student she can’t reach. But when feelings for Luke blindside Jess, she knows she’s in trouble. The man is counting down the minutes until he can leave Pecan. Will he take her heart with him when he goes?

Then a little boy goes missing on the family ranch, and Luke must confront the ghosts of his past or lose the future he never dreamed was possible.

Book Blast & $100 Giveaway: Fresh Starts by Kimberly Krey

~$100 Book Blast GIVEAWAY below!!~

Fresh Starts by Kimberly Krey

Bree has had her fair share of difficulties. The loss of her parents, a not-so-recent divorce, and the disruption of her life caused by a stalker now who’s serving jail time. When the determined criminal finishes his sentence, Bree is sent into hiding. And while she’s doing all she can to steer clear of this frightening piece of her past, an old acquaintance enters the scene, determined to be part of her future.

Praise for Fresh Starts:
"Fascinating characters, heartwarming and steamy romance, and chilling suspense make for one incredible read!” Reviewer, Ruth Josse

“…all that you hope for in a gentle tug and pull of fearing the past and daring to hope for a better future. Kimberly Krey is masterful at helping us feel Bree's experience... Fresh Starts will keep you reading page after page until the heart stopping culmination.” Author Christene Houston

“...believable and intriguing. And as always...steamy and clean!” Jamie Lynn

Join Denise Hunter for ‘The Convenient Groom’ Pre-Premiere Facebook Party

 

Exciting news for fans of Denise Hunter's stories: Her book The Convenient Groom is making its silver screen premiere as a Hallmark Channel Original Movie! Join Denise and other readers on Facebook on June 16th for a fun author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that's 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)! Denise will be chatting about the book, answering your questions about the book-to-movie process, and of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways too: a $100 Amazon gift card and 25 signed copies of Denise's newest book, The Goodbye Bride!

The movie releases two days after the author chat party on Saturday, June 18th, 9 EDT/8 CDT. Click here for details and to find out more about the movie.

Get your copy of The Convenient Groom so you're ready for a fun book discussion. You can order your copy and find out more about the book here.

Hope to see you on June 16 for Denise's The Convenient Groom Pre-Premiere Facebook Party!

Blog Tour Review: Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dawn at Emberwilde (Thomas Nelson, May 2016)

Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father's death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel's small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family's invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore---along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it---in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1URtylY

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Social Media Strategies by T.H. Meyer

~Don't forget to enter the TWO GIVEAWAYS below!~

To purchase your copy click here.

About the Book

 In our current digital world, the internet puts every entrepreneur and creative artist smack dab in the middle of social media and marketing. With an online tsunami of informational how-to’s, deciding which methods work best challenges the best of us. In Social Media Strategies: Discover Powerful Tools of the Trade without Losing Your Soul, uncovers the most relevant techniques, skipping unnecessary fluff by going straight to up-to-date tactics and tips used by experts.

Inside these pages, a wealth of simple, savvy tricks aids understanding of things like SEO, Facebook algorithms, top performing platforms, and key ingredients for engagement. You’ll also have a treasure trove of links, templates, time saving applications, and what’s projected to change in cyberspace so you can stay ahead of the curve. However, your worth is not the sum of hard numbers. No longer do you have to feel depersonalized by ranks and formulas. T.H. Meyer combines trending social media content followed by encouraging words that redirect your soul to God. In the right hands, social media is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs and small businesses or any person with a message to share.

Guest Post from T.H. Meyer

Often times, we write (or live life) with two voices in our head.

One voice belongs to the Critic. This voice says,

“Your friends or peers may not like your work? Worse, you know So-n-So will hate it!”

“Who do you think you are?”

“You could fail!”

“You’re putting yourself out there, why risk it?”

“You’re sloppy and lack analytical, time management skills.”

“Apologize ahead of time to those one-star readers you know are telepathically hating your words right now!”

The other voice belongs to the Encourager. This voice pushes you out of your comfort zones because you have that one reader in mind you want to help. This voice says,

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Carpenter's Daughter by Jennifer Rodewald

~Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY below!!~

Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Fiction Publisher: Rooted Publishing Publication date: April 15, 2016 Number of pages: 349 Sarah Sharpe has grown up as a carpenter’s daughter, knowing only the rough and work-heavy world of her father’s blue-collar profession. Abandoned by her mother as a baby, she’s lived twenty-one years content to drive nails at her dad’s side. Following her father into the world of construction was a natural path, and she took it without a second thought. But a harsh comment about her “butch” appearance sends her on a search for identity. Enter handsome and easygoing Jesse Chapman, the roofer she meets on her first foray into volunteer work

for Homes For Hope. In every way, the quirky man is her opposite—confident, a people kind of guy, and most importantly, happy. His likable qualities continue to draw her in, and for some reason he keeps coming back to her. But they can’t be more than friends—he’s made that crystal clear. Except for a handful of times…and the confusion is driving her crazy.​

Sarah’s quest for self-definition becomes more tangled than she ever imagined, and she discovers that the journey will take her deeper than clothes and makeup. Filling the void in her heart becomes an obsession she cannot escape. How far is she willing to go to discover who she really is?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.

Born in Colorado, she experienced both the seclusion of rugged mountain living and the busy streets of a Denver suburb during her growing up years. Somewhere in the middle of college, she married a Husker and found her way back to the quiet lifestyle of a rural area, which suits just fine.

Blessed with a robust curiosity, Jen loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new. Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit, and excellence.

Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life.

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

 

​a Rafflecopter giveaway

June 6--Singing Librarian Books
June 7--Just Commonly | Katie's Clean Book Collection
June 8--Bookworm Lisa
June 9--Reading Is My SuperPower | Smiling Book Reviews
June 10--Book by Book | Red Headed Book Lady
June 11--Getting Your Read On

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Medical Judgment by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Medical Judgment by Richard L. Mabry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dr. Sarah Gordon lost her husband and daughter. Now she's about to lose her life.

After losing the two people she loved the most, Sarah Gordon doesn't think life could get worse. But, after a fire in her garage is ruled an arson, she begins to realize someone is after her---and that person wants to see her dead. But first, they want to see her suffer.

Her late husband's best friend, Kyle Andrews, and a recovering alcoholic detective, Bill Larson, are trying to solve the mystery before it's too late, and they're both trying to win her heart, too. Not only does Sarah feel torn between two men, she also feels as though she cannot trust anyone.

With creepy threats that become more and more sinister, Sarah finds herself in constant fear, but even the best home alarm technology won't protect her. Who is doing this, and why are they after her?

Swagbucks Father's Day

What does dad want for Father's Day? Well, fun facts, of course! Check out these cool facts from a survey of moms and dads, and then swing by Swagbucks to pick out your gift from his favorite stores!

Still need help shopping for dad? Now through Father's Day, you can earn Double Cash Back or more at the following stores:

• Walmart - 7 SB per $1
• Macy’s - 6 SB per $1
• Score Big - 8 SB per $1
• GNC - 6 SB per $1
• Under Armour - 4 SB per $1
• Living Social - 4 SB per $1

And many, many more!

New to Swagbucks? Great! It’s a site where you earn free gift cards for the things you already do online. You get points (called SB) and redeem them for PayPal or Visa cash and gift cards from Amazon, Walmart, Target and other great retailers. Here’s some options to earn your 300 SB in an hour:

1. Sign up for free through this link .
2. Watch a few short clips from Top Sports Headlines, World New Headlines, cooking shows, and the Latest from TMZ and earn 26 SB
3. Take a 5 minute survey for 60 SB and a 13 minute survey for 100 SB. Even if you get DQ’d, you get paid up to five times for a total of 5 SB.
4. Print a $1 Off Flintstone’s Vitamin Coupon and earn 25 SB
5. Enter an AARP Sweepstakes and earn 40 SB
6. Click through entertainment-focused web content with NCrave for 20 minutes and earn 20 SB.
7. Install the Hulu App on your phone and earn 24 SB.

That’s it! You’ve just earned 300 SB (worth $3 on its own)!

For more information on Swagbucks see my previous posts.

Swagbucks really works!  

I earned $40 in Amazon cards last month!  It's perfect for my e-book habit. :D