2014 VA Trip - Part 4

I made it to the Coeburn Community Library with a downpour accompany as I drove to my destination. It's always a great feeling to speak with the librarians who watched my journey as a reader, and later as a writer, with pride and joy. This is why I love library visits, even if the turnout is not always huge.

Just being able to be surrounded by so many stories, creativity, facts and knowledge is enough to make me giddy. But I'm going off the path so time to get back.

Had a small turnout which was still nice. I got to talk about my novels, answer questions and enjoyed myself tremendously. I also got the chance to give back to the library that was crucial to my childhood/teen years as a reader. I donated all the titles to my books that they did not already have. I hope that others from my hometown will get a chance to enjoy my works and go on many adventures with my characters.

Have to pack the car for the return trip and worry about the snow that is inbound.

2014 VA Trip - Part 3

I arrived at Cavalier Comics with five minutes to spare. Today, it's dreary out and I'm afraid the weather will scare people away. It doesn't help, either, that a winter storm is headed this way. I tried to bring some  Florida warmth which we did have a little of on Thursday and Friday.

Left a little later than I planned as headed to the final stop of my tour. Did manage to give some of my books a good home. I hope the child receiving the book for a gift will enjoy it as well as the parent who bought a book as well.

Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2014: February & March part 3

This is part 3 of 3.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation from Netgalley, the author or publisher for this honest review. 

About the Book

A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed. Allie left the love of her life at the altar—to save him from a lifetime of heartbreak. When a Valentine’s Day wedding brings them back together, she struggles against her family’s destructive history. Can Allie ever realize that a marriage is so much more than a wedding dress? History repeats itself when Allie Andrews escapes the church on her wedding day—in the same dress passed down for generations and worn by all the women in her family—women with a long history of failed marriages. Allie loves Marcus, but fears she’s destined to repeat her family’s mistakes. She can’t bear to hurt Marcus worse. Marcus Hall never stopped loving Allie and can only think of one reason she left him at the altar—him. When the two are thrown together for his sister’s Valentine’s Day wedding, he discovers the truth and realizes their story might be far from over. Can Allie shuck expectation and discover who she is as a bride and in the Bride of Christ? And if she ever walks down the aisle, what dress will she wear?

Buy the Book

Buy the Book

Here's what I'm giving it:

Rating: 3 stars

Here's why:

***I received this book from Netgalley without compensation for an honest review.***

Good points: short read, characters were written well and the descriptions of places, things and people were great.

Downside: Allie's (main character) penchant for being overly dramatic about family curses, the dress and her general, almost teenage like angst when it comes to her love life. When I find myself getting annoyed at the main character's behavior because it reminds me of how kids sometimes act, then it makes me want to not finish.

I'm glad I did finish but the pacing of the story and Allie's pity party were almost too much for this reader.

Would I recommend this to others? Maybe.

2014 VA Trip - Part 2

For my March 26 stop, I went back to college. That's right I returned to the community college that gave me my first real view of society in action.

Traveling to Mountain Empire Community College was fairly easy thanks to the roads being cleared and a 2-hour snow delay which allowed me to get some rest before coming.  I met several unpublished and upcoming writers and illustrators during my visit. I can't wait to see their finished works.

Next on the tour stop is Cavalier Comics in Wise on Satuday afternoon at 1 pm and the Coeburn Community Library Saturday at 3:30 pm.

Then its back home to Florida on Sunday.

Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2014: February & March part 2

This is part 2 of 3.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation from Netgalley, the author or publisher for this honest review. 

About the Book

A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed. In A January Bride by Deborah Raney, what will happen when novelist Madeleine Houser’s “pen pal” friendship with a lonely widower takes an unexpected turn? Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper - but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner - a man who's likely many years her senior - and who she's never even met.

Buy the Book

Buy the Book

Here's what I'm giving it:

Rating: 4 stars

Here's why:

***I received this book from Netgalley without compensation for an honest review.***

This is the second novella in the A Year of Weddings series and I have to say that I really enjoyed this classy and sweet romance.

I found the main character, Maddie, to be very likeable and relateable (perhaps because she is an author). Art, the main male lead, was also well-written a character that you could easily understand. Watching the two of them and their relationship grow was fun and, at times, heart-tugging.

The secondary character of Ginny was enjoyable as well as she did her part to help the two lonely and scared couple find their footing.

This story does contain Christian and religious moments so, if you're not a fan of this style of writing, you might want to steer clear.

I would recommend this novel to others and I will continue to read the other novels in this series.