Smiling Book Reviews: Power of The Matchmaker series

Showing posts with label Power of The Matchmaker series. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Review: Power of the Matchmaker Series -Books 10 & 12

From the Power of the Matchmaker series***

Books #10 & #12

To Move the World by Regina Sirois
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eve Brannon never had to bother planning out her future. In the Yorkshire dales where life is harder, it is also simpler. Next in line to inherit her family's farm, she will raise another generation of children and sheep high in the uplands of England. Waiting until next year when she is 19 to marry her father's handsome hired hand, Alan, is the detail she added herself.

But in 1939 even the most stalwart corners of the world are vibrating with the tremors of change. Eve's long-anticipated proposal comes on the wings of losing Alan to the Royal Army and at the brink of the farm's profitable war years the sheep herd is decimated by a mysterious illness. With her steady future suddenly in the clutches of a capricious fate, Eve is introduced to Jonathon Doran, a land manager anxious to prove himself in a crisis, and she discovers that the solid earth beneath her feet is moving after all.

The Reformer by Jaima Fixsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mary Buchanan has bigger worries than the radical journalist moving in next door who’s spoiling her father’s digestion: unrequited love for a footman, a fractious aunt, patiently awaiting her destiny…

Already she’s nearly eighteen. No sign of destiny yet, but Mary’s certain he’ll be handsome.

Then she meets the reformer, this Mr. Samuel Brown. Destiny is closer at hand than Mary has supposed—if she can just get Mr. Brown to realize it.

These are the last two books I will review in the Power of the Matchmaker series. For the most part, these are clean reads with only a few with content that I didn't agree with. I didn't get a chance to review the 11th book so I don't know about it. You can find my other reviews here: Power of the Matchmaker series.

Review: Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes

Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the Power of the Matchmaker series ***:

Cassandra Webb’s every waking minute is devoted to being a great mother and wife. She takes five-year-old Noah to the library each week, volunteers in his kindergarten class, and even coaches his soccer team. She makes sure her husband’s uniforms are always laundered—even though he hasn’t worn them the last six years—always has his game day snacks on hand, and meets him for date night every Friday—which consists of one sided conversations at his bedside and watching his favorite take out remain untouched.

Pearl, a mysterious visitor at the care center, suggests that it is only Cassie’s love still tying Devon to Earth when he has been ready to move onto Heaven for quite some time. If Cassie will but open her eyes and heart, she will discover the path she should travel, one that will bring relief to Devon and much joy to her own life. But Cassie vowed never to give up on him. She never has and she can’t now, even after meeting hapless, single soccer-dad Matt.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—Pearl, the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

Review: King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt

*Content warning: This book is not in the Christian genre and has some content issues, in my opinion. I agreed to review it without knowing this about the book and because it was part of the Power of the Matchmaker series.*

King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt

My rating: 3 1/2 of 5 stars

From the Power of the Matchmaker series ***:

Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem. The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.

Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.

The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.

When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.

They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.

Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?

Note to Reader: This book is a "clean" read with mainstream values and minor language.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—Pearl, the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

Review: Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean

Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the Power of the Matchmaker series:

My sisters think I’m crazy.

But, I’ve never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love.
She told me to search far and wide for him.
I haven’t stopped looking ever since.

When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I’m intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it’s not a coincidence.

It’s destiny.

My sisters say I’m chasing a dream.

Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp. Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?

My sisters tell me it’s a fool’s errand.

Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.
The memory silences them.
The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable—and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.

I will find Paul . . . I will.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—Pearl, the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

Review: O'er The River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth

O'er The River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the Power of the Matchmaker series:

Irish heiress Caroline Fulton knows this house party, ostensibly celebrating the victory of Waterloo, is really an audition: will she make a suitable wife? Her host, an English lord, has already won over her father, who’s determined to buy a title with Caroline’s dowry. She is far from taken with the baron, however, especially once she meets Niall Doherty, the impoverished, perceptive tutor to her host’s younger brothers. He shares her love of Irish fairy tales and seems to guard a troubled past…but neither quality will earn Caroline’s father’s approval.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—Pearl, the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

MY REVIEW

Review: Four Chambers by Julie Wright

Four Chambers by Julie Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the Power of the Matchmaker series:

Every time Andra Stone crosses paths with Everett Covington, trouble follows. First she loses her scholarship. Then she loses the apartment she’d wanted more than anything. But tragedy hits hardest when she loses her grandmother—the best friend Andra has ever known. She determines that Everett is a talisman of ill fortune. When Everett comes to work in her hospital and is applying for the same position she’d been working toward since residency, Andra believes him to be her personal poltergeist.

The human heart has four chambers—four chances to get it right. Andra has only one chance left.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—Pearl, the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

MY REVIEW

Review: Love is Come by Heather B. Moore

Love is Come by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

“I have to remind myself to breathe—almost to remind my heart to beat.” —Wuthering Heights

From the Power of the Matchmaker series:

Nelle Thompson lives a life of privilege during the turn of the century New York City. When her parents are killed in a terrible accident, she’s forced to live with her aunt’s family in a small town in Connecticut, and treated as a poor relation with no financial independence. Brokenhearted and riddled with insomnia, Nelle’s health begins a downward spiral. When a locked part of her heart blossoms around her cousin’s fiancé Mathew Janson, Nelle doesn’t know if she can endure one more heartbreak. Miss Pearl, owner of the local apothecary shop, becomes a mother figure to Nelle, but a fateful summer day has Nelle questioning everything she's ever believed and wondering if she’ll ever love again.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—Pearl, the matchmaker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this addition to the Power of the Matchmaker series. It's a clean sweet romance and a quick satisfying read.

When Nelle's life is torn apart by the death of her parents, she finds herself dependent on an aunt who treats her shamefully. Her only comfort is her new friend, Miss Pearl, from town and her cousin's almost fiancé, Matthew Janson, who is drawn to this brokenhearted newcomer.

I love the fact that although Nelle is devastated by her parents death, and despite the way she is treated at her aunt's, she finds a way to be kind to others. Her music is a big comfort to her and also to those around her. I also liked Matthew's character. He's kind to Nelle from the start and is a hardworking industrious man and a good son to his widowed mother.

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

View all my reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen historical novels and thrillers, written under the pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women’s fiction, romance and inspirational nonfiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah.

Connect with Heather:
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | BLOG

Power of the Matchmaker series info:

Series: Power of the Matchmaker (No specific reading order necessary)

Authors involved: Karey White, Rachael Anderson, Kelly Oram, Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, Heidi Ashworth, Taylor Dean, Michele Paige Holmes, Janette Rallison, Regina Sirois, Sheralyn Pratt, and Jaima Fixsen

Series Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/161683-power-of-the-matchmaker

Series Summary:

The Power Of the Matchmaker is multi-author project consisting of 12 stand alone novels from 12 different bestselling authors in 12 months. All books are separate from each other except they feature one reoccurring character, a magical matchmaker named Pearl. Since Pearl is magical, she lives for hundreds of years and roams the entire world helping people find their perfect matches. The books in this series are twelve of Pearl's matchmaking stories. They will vary in genre, but they will all have one thing in common: Pearl will be doing whatever it takes to make two people fall in love.

Books in the Series already Available:

Prequel Novella: Power of the Matchmaker http://amzn.to/1TiC0oI

January: Broken Things to Mend by Karey White http://amzn.to/1MSRnxs

February: Not Always Happenstance by Rachel Anderson http://amzn.to/1Y0IHea

March: If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram http://amzn.to/25wsvHf

April: (available for preorder) Love is Come by Heather B. Moore http://amzn.to/1UUzSEJ
May: (available May 1st, 2016) Four Chambers by Julie Wright

June: (available for preorder) O'er The River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth http://amzn.to/1UUzt5h

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Blog Tour Review: If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram

If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK
Music meets Movies in this sweet college romance from the bestselling author of Cinder & Ella.

NYU freshman Nate Anderson is a triplet who is desperate to escape his wild and crazy brothers. After they screw things up for him one too many times, Nate flees his housing situation and takes the first available room for rent as far from his brothers as he can get.

Enter his new roommate Jordan--a quirky LA girl who believes that everything in life has already been done in the movies. In this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and family, Nate learns how to deal with his new adult life using Hollywood films as a guide.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

MY REVIEW
My three star rating of this book stems entirely from some of the content (which I will get into later).

That being said, the book was very well written and for someone who doesn't mind the content, it is a very engaging story. A musical genius (who has a girlfriend) is going to the college of his dreams and ends up becoming roommates with a female (much to the distress of his girlfriend). This female understands him WAY better than his girlfriend and he has so much fun with her that he begins to question his relationship with said girlfriend (who is a very negative Nancy and way too controlling). I love the fact that he is a triplet (so cool!!!) even though the way their relationship is written would make me wary of ever having triplets of my own...LOL! I loved Jordan's fun, quirky, sensitive personality. And the way Nate and Jordan hit it off and have so much fun together will definitely make you smile. I thought the fact that the story is told from a guy's perspective was very cool. And the whole music vs movie vibe was also really fun. Like, I said, if it weren't for some of the content, I would be very happy to give this book 4 1/2 stars.

However, I can in no way rate this book as a clean read from a Christian standpoint. And a Christian standpoint is how I read and review. I have read several of the books in this series and, although not from the Christian genre, they have been clean so I had no idea this one wouldn't be. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing explicit, it's just that there are several things in the book that are not my definition of a clean read. And this is all just MY opinion and everyone else can make their own minds up.

And now for the content for those that care. Nate and his brothers are college boys and his brothers take full advantage by drinking, partying, and womanizing. Nate's new roommate comes with a co-worker friend who is gay and totally checks out and hits on Nate the first time he sees him. He continues to play a major part in the story. Although the only thing that's ever described in the book is kissing, there is an indication that there has been unmarried intimate relations. There is also some swearing.

*Thanks to eBooksForReview for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own*

View all my reviews

What readers just like you are saying about If We Were a Movie:

"WOW! This book is great! The concept is so inventive, and the writing is brilliant."

"I thought Cinder & Ella jerked with my emotions too much but this one might have it beat."

"I finished reading If We Were a Movie yesterday. I loved it! I fell hard for Nate. Jordan was amazing! And Pearl's timing was perfect! "

"Amazing concept with movies as chapters, and fantastic storyline."

"I loved this story and was humming along to the songs from the book whilst reading. I can see this book becoming the movie it was written to be."

"If We Were a Movie made me want to binge watch movies, listen to old playlists and re-read it all at once."

TEASER:
“So this is what a Pearl-approved guy looks like.” She shook her head once and cracked a smile. “She’s got good taste, I’ll give her that. You’re an odd mix of sexy and adorable. Don’t see that often.”

I was a little taken aback by the compliment, if that’s even what it was. She may have just been stating what she considered to be fact. She laughed at my surprise and held out her hand to me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jordan Kramer.”

I’d been afraid of that. “You’re a girl.”

Jordan laughed. “That’s what it says on my birth certificate, but I’m really glad you were able to figure it out without needing to read it.”

Nope. I definitely didn’t need that.

Author Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen--a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat, Mr. Darcy.

Blog Tour Schedule

March 7th
I Am A Reader – Spotlight
Getting Your Read On – Review
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review
Wishful Endings – Review
A Dream Within A Dream – Spotlight
A Writer’s Dream – Spotlight
Wall-to-wall books – Spotlight

March 8th
Books Are Sanity!!! – Review
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
Coffee Books & Art – Spotlight
FLY HIGH! – Spotlight
Here We Go Again Ready – Spotlight
Laurisa White Reyes, Author – Spotlight
Mythical Books – Spotlight

March 9th
A Tattered Copy – Review
Girl of 1000 Wonders – Review
Tifferz and Her Sisterz Book Reviewz – Review
BookHounds – Spotlight
Cassandra M’s Place – Spotlight
Min Reads and Reviews – Spotlight

March 10th
Book Geek Reviews – Review
Joy in the Moments – Review
Julie Coulter Bellon – Review
Maureen’s Musings – Review
Romance With A Book – Review
Clean Romance Reviews – Spotlight
Hearts & Scribbles – Spotlight
Lori’s Reading Corner – Spotlight

March 11th
Bows & Bullets Reviews – Review
Mylissa’s Reviews and Book Thoughts – Review
Sassy Book Lovers – Review
Stacy Claflin, Author – Review
Rockin’ Book Reviews – Spotlight

March 14th
Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
Mel’s Shelves – Review
Mom with a Reading Problem – Review
My Book a Day – Review
SWAMPBRAT – Review
Zili in the Sky – Review
Curling Up With A Good Book – Spotlight
Cuzinlogic – Spotlight
EskieMama Reads – Spotlight
Me, My Shelf and I – Spotlight

March 15th
Bonnie Gets A Say – Review
From the TBR Pile – Review
Shelf Full of Books – Review
Smiling Book Reviews – Review
Walking on Bookshelves – Review
What’s Beyond Forks? – Review
deal sharing aunt – Spotlight

March 16th
Diana’s Book Reviews – Review
Fascinating Quest… – Review
Kindle and Me – Review
My Crafty Zoo – Review
My Creatively Random Life – Review
These Words Tell a Story… – Review

March 17th
Bookworm Lisa – Review
Brooklyn Berry Designs – Review
Heidi Reads… – Review
Karen’s Book Light – Review
Margay Leah Justice – Review
Queen Of All She Reads – Review
Why Not? Because I Said So! – Spotlight
LeahSay’s Views – Spotlight
Mary’s Cup of Tea – Spotlight
Reader Girls – Spotlight

Power of the Matchmaker series info:

Series: Power of the Matchmaker (No specific reading order necessary)

Series Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/161683-power-of-the-matchmaker

Series Summary:

Books in the Series already Available:

Prequel Novella: Power of the Matchmaker http://amzn.com/B013FIOAE0

January: Broken Things to Mend by Karey White http://amzn.com/B0178WF1YM

February: Not Always Happenstance by Rachel Anderson http://amzn.com/B017LIKMOC

March: If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram http://amzn.com/B018W79WO2

April: (available for preorder) Love is Come by Heather B. Moore http://amzn.com/B01A3TUTSK

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: If We Were A Movie by Kelly Oram

If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram

(Power of the Matchmaker #3)

Music meets Movies in this sweet college romance from the bestselling author of Cinder & Ella.

NYU freshman Nate Anderson is a triplet who is desperate to escape his wild and crazy brothers. After they screw things up for him one too many times, Nate flees his housing situation and takes the first available room for rent as far from his brothers as he can get.

Enter his new roommate Jordan--a quirky LA girl who believes that everything in life has already been done in the movies. In this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and family, Nate learns how to deal with his new adult life using Hollywood films as a guide.

***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

If We Were A Movie Book/Series/Author Info & links:

Title: If We Were A Movie

Series: Power of the Matchmaker

Author: Kelly Oram

Publisher: Bluefields Publishing

Genre(s): New Adult, Contemporary, Sweet Romance, Clean

Book buy links: Amazon ~ iBooks ~ Nook ~ Kobo

What readers just like you are saying about If We Were a Movie:

"WOW! This book is great! The concept is so inventive, and the writing is brilliant."

"I thought Cinder & Ella jerked with my emotions too much but this one might have it beat."

"I finished reading If We Were a Movie yesterday. I loved it! I fell hard for Nate. Jordan was amazing! And Pearl's timing was perfect! "

I’d been afraid of that. “You’re a girl.”

Jordan laughed. “That’s what it says on my birth certificate, but I’m really glad you were able to figure it out without needing to read it.”

Nope. I definitely didn’t need that.

Author Kelly Oram

Author Kelly Oram Guest Post:

The music and movies behind the story (Kelly's If We Were a Movie playlist)!

As I’ve said many times before, I’m one of those authors who needs peace and quiet to write. I’m a music junkie at heart, and if there is music playing, I will sing (and most likely dance) along. Fun times, but as you can imagine, not the most productive writing environment. So while I’m working, I turn the music off. But I still always have a playlist for each book. It’s usually a group of songs that remind me of a scene, or a certain character, or just have the tone that I’m going for. And while I’m working on the book, I will wear the playlist out. (Just not during writing hours.)

If We Were a Movie, despite its title, is almost more about music than it is about movies. My main character, Nate, is a talented musician on scholarship at NYU. Music is an intrical part of the plot, and hits home for me personally as I was a music major in college too. (For a while anyway…) The playlist I have for this book is closer to an actual movie soundtrack than just a random list of songs this time. (Very fitting.) Most of these songs are referenced in the book as well as that they simply remind me of the story. As you read, feel free to listen along.

The book also has a movie playlist and you can watch along as well. As much as Nate is a music junkie like me, his love interest, Jordan, is a movie fanatic. (Like my Hollywood screenwriter/editor/motion graphics artist husband!) The book is all about comparing life to the movies, and is a play on all the classic romantic comedy tropes that we all love so much. There are dozens of movie references throughout the book. In fact, each chapter is titled after a different movie that has something to do with that chapter. I guarantee after the first couple of chapters you will be trying to guess what’s going to happen next based on the chapter headings! I’m not going to give you that list of movies right now, because it may spoil some of the surprises, but I promise it’s a fun list.

So, are you ready to listen to If We Were a Movie? Here it is in my personal playlist order: (Warning, this is my most eclectic playlist yet!)