Monday, October 29, 2012

Book Review: No Holly For Christmas By Julie N Ford


 I loved No Holly For Christmas, that I had to re post my review and share it with you once more. Julie N Ford is an amazing writer!And now is the perfect time to get it with the holiday season coming fast. Here is my review once more!

No Holly For Christmas By Julie N Ford was a fast paced suspense romance that captured me on the first page. Attorney Brian McAlister steps into a high profile case when his father becomes seriously ill. As he is nursing a broken heart from a long time love he tries to move on, with little hope of it ever mending. But with the demands of the case he's been assigned there isn't much time to think about the past, especially when Holly Winter a social worker who helped a suspect on the case before his release from the hospital steps on the scene.
In no time, Brian persuades beautiful Holly to help him in his case to lure an escaped con back to the hospital where Holly counseled him through his wound. Before he knows it he is neck deep in protecting Holly and her 2 children and working against the clock to unravel the many disjointed pieces of the case against a high powered wealthy man bent on using any means available to pressure Brian into dropping the case.
 
Never did Brian expect in the process that he would lose his heart, nor that he would find that what he once believed as black and white truth maybe had some gray tinges to them.
 
Holly meanwhile is trying to piece her life back together after the unexpected death of her husband less than a year ago which forced the drastic changes to the type of wealthy, organized and orderly life she was accustomed to living. In the process she too finds herself changing her ideas of what is really important in life and with Brian stepping into her life she discovers some changes and bending can be rather nice. Even if it means losing your heart.
 
I really loved reading this book. I found the characters grew so much and I really liked them and hurt with them. From main to side characters, Julie creates a full and rich world that grabs and holds you tight.
 
I felt a connection with Holly and could understand that life throws you a curve ball or a hundred and it demands you to look at things in a different way. I liked watching her discover that she could survive and be strong and be more and not have to yield to the dictates of her high class upbringing all the time. She was strong, and confident, but at the same time vulnerable and in some times unsure. It was nice to see the contrasts in her.
 
I also enjoyed Brian and his take on things. That when all the control in his life slips through his fingers, he learns that maybe that is OK, and that maybe the things he never thought he wanted were exactly what he needed all along. Forcing him to look inside himself at what really matters.
 
I could not put this book down. I was drawn in by the plot twists and the desire to know who would win, the good guys or the bad guys. I felt the clock ticking down as the climax built until I was on pins and needles wondering how it would all end up. I loved the sub plots and all the build up of the relationship between Holly and Brian.
 
No Holly For Christmas by Julie N Ford, is a clean read. There is lots of intense sensuality and hinting but it doesn't go beyond that. I was impressed with how well Julie was able to build the romantic steamy tension between Brian and Holly with out going any farther, and I commend Julie on her writing skill. I look forward to reading more from Julie N Ford.
 
To get your own copy of No Holly For Christmas just in time for the Christmas holiday click here. You can learn more about Julie N Ford by checking out her website here.
 
If you can get your hands on any of Julie N Ford's books I would highly recommend it. I love all of her books, they keep you turning the pages and are some of my favorites. She is at the top of my list of favorite authors! I know you will love all of her works as much as I do. I really look forward to the next book out from Julie N Fort. Now, hurry and  get to reading No Holly For Christmas, so you can see what I am talking about!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Book Review: Open Fire By Scott M Hurst





Open Fire: J. Golden Kimball Takes on the South by Scott M Hurst is a wonderful easy to read adventurous account of J. Golden Kimball. J. Golden Kimball had big shoes to fill. His dad's. President Heber C. Kimball. His dad was proud of him and Golden loved his father, but when his dad died things shifted a bit for Golden and he had to find his way to becoming the leader he was. This book is about that journey with all its fun and spiritual moments.It starts right off with a bang and keeps you turning pages with laughter and fun.

Scott did a marvelous job showing us who J Golden Kimball is and in reading we get to know him better. It is a book I would recommend to everyone, especially if you like rascally fun characters in Church History and J. Golden is one of the most talked about general authority pinned to many larger than life stories. Some of which are found in this book.

It is the perfect book for those who love missionary work, want to be a missionary or want to serve the Lord. You will catch the fire of Golden and feel the flames of his faith as it grows throughout the mishaps and mayhem that followed him through out his life.


Read Open Fire: J. Golden Kimball Takes on the South and enjoy it and find out a little more about the man who made everyone laugh with a cuss word or two, and how he became a general authority. You will be glad you did!~

Book Blurb:

Open Fire: J. Golden Kimball Takes on the South is Scott Hurst’s 1st book. In Open Fire, Scott Hurst fulfills the promise of his father and more, bringing the story of J. Golden Kimball to life in a wonderful and entertaining way. This loving exploration—celebration, really—of the life of J. Golden Kimball is a must-read for anyone who is going to serve or has served a mission or even anyone who just knows a missionary. It is a story of faith and doubt, hope and redemption. It is a tale of love and loss, trial and tribulation, and ultimately conquering our own fears.

In short, it is a story for all of us (from the Foreword of Open Fire).In this fast paced story filled with holy hi-jinx and missionary mayhem, Golden squares off with his characteristic cowboy sense of humor against everything from spiteful preachers to the threat of death at the hands of the terrible Ku Klux Klan. Join Golden as he takes on the South with these unbelievable, true stories.


Get your copy of Open Fire here.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Book Review:The Guy Next Door by Kate Palmer


The Guy Next Door by Kate Palmer is a clean romantic suspense novel. It is also a clean read. It kept me turning pages and wondering what would happen next. Eva goes through some extreme circumstances that require her to make very difficult decisions which will effect the rest of her life no matter which way she decides. And one moment in time changes everything.  It is a story of mystery and intrigue and romance. I would recommend this story for anyone who wants a clean, fast read.

Giveaway:
As part of the tour, Kate is generously offering a grand prize giveaway of a copy of The Guy Next Door plus Junior Mints (Eva’s favorite candy), and a copy Eva’s lemon chicken recipe.
To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form provided. (Each tour stop will have the same Rafflecopter form)
  • Open from October 2 to November 2.
  • Must be 13+ years of age to enter
  • US mailing addresses only
Earn entries by doing any/all of the following:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

About the Book
Author: Kate Palmer
Release Date: September 2012
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Genre: Mystery/Romantic Suspense
Book Description:
On the surface, Eva Black’s life seems practically perfect. The small-town kindergarten teacher is set to wed ambitious lawyer Sean Langley, and their plans for a dream wedding are well underway. Eva accepts that she will soon live life in the spotlight as a member of the prestigious Langley family, but can she overlook her fiancĂ©’s tendency to dominate the details of her life and push the limits of her standards?
Mere weeks before the wedding, Eva is thrown into a traumatic, life-changing event that changes her view of family commitment and creates a sharp contrast between her ideals and Sean’s. With her engagement to Sean in jeopardy, Eva finds herself relying on the support and encouragement of Peter, her kind and attentive next-door neighbor. Faced with a choice between her penitent fiancĂ© and the increasingly mysterious Peter, Eva is unprepared for the consequences—and peril—that come with her decision.
Author Bio:
Kate began her career as an elementary school teacher, but was soon promoted to full time mom. She is the mother of six living in the country. Her husband is trying to teach her to be a farm girl. She can’t saddle a horse, but she knows how to butcher a chicken. After a day of chasing children, cooking meals, and folding laundry, she likes to escape into a good book.
Social Networking Links:
Purchase Links:

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A glimpse into my work in progress

 
I am doing a really fun thing with a few other writers where we post a little bit about our  work in progress to share what we are creating during all those hours spent on our laptops. So here are some questions I will answer and then at the end I am going to tag five other writers who will also share what they are working on with these same questions. So sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy a sneak peak to the inside of my mind.
 
What is the working title of your book?  "Abby Leigh", although it will not be the final title, this is the one I am using to write my first draft. But I think it will end up being "Stalker's Rules".
Where did the idea come from for the book? I don't know really, I brain stormed with my writing partners and they took my idea and made it fantastic. The idea for Abby Leigh just popped into my head and I needed to write it. I just liked the idea of a girl running and trying to escape her past but being forced to confront it head on.
What genre does your book fall under? I would say it falls under romantic suspense.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Oh wow, I need to think about that one a bit.  I never imagined them as anyone but themselves. I don't think at this stage I want to put a different name or face on them than who they already are in my imagination. They are very solid in my mind and I don't want to change that by using actors. So as for now, I don't want to name names on this one just yet.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? When Abby came home from work, the last thing she expected was her ex to try and kill her, she's been running ever since.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I don't know. I think ether way would be great. I just want to be published period. If that means making a go at self-publishing then I will.  If it get an agent and get to be published that way, then yippee! I think both scenarios could be a win.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? I started the first draft of "Abby Leigh"  about 8 months ago in between being a mom to 7 great kids, teaching fitness classes and pretending to keep up on my house and I am  still a few scenes shy of finishing my first draft.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?  Some authors I think are great at manufacturing suspense are Christina Dodd, Rachael Gibson, Susan Anderson, and Teresa Medieros. They know how to sprinkle in the humor and keep you biting your nails at the same time.  I hope that is how others see my work.
Who or What inspired you to write this book? The love of writing and sitting on the edge of your seat made me want to try a suspense and see if I could keep the reader guessing to the end. I think this story has always tried to come to life and was waiting for me to realize it as it waited to be  freed by pen and paper.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? There are all kind of funny situations to make things exciting, as the characters try to figure things out. They will get you laughing, sitting on the edge of your seat and wondering how it all ends. And lots of tension and chemistry.


That is a little peek into one of the books I am working to be published. Here are some of my writer friends who you can also see and follow how their work in progress is coming along. Just click on the links below and you will get to see some amazing authors and get a glimpse into their creative minds. I know you will love them as much as I do!
 I tagged some of my author friends. Click on the links below to see what they have up their sleeves. If they aren't up yet, give them a few days to answer the questions I just sent them.

Karen Hooverhttp://www.karen-hoover.blogspot.com
Lani Woodlandhttp://laniwoodland.blogspot.com/
Nichole Gileswww.nicholegiles.blogspot.com
Gary Jonas www.garyjonas.blogspot.com
Rashelle Workman http://www.rashelleworkman.com/