Top Ten Books That Were Hard for Me to Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson-I loved her previous books and was ecstatic when she came back to writing, but this book was nowhere near as good as her others and was really hard for me to get through!

#2. Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo-I couldn't stand the heroine of this story and there were other things that drove me nuts and I had to force myself to finish it.

#3. Rescuing Hope by Susan Norris-This one was hard because of the subject matter of sex slavery, it's hard to read about the horrors that happen but it was a real eye-opener.

#4. Widow of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green-I love this book but as a person with an extremely weak stomach it was hard to read the medical scenes especially the amputation!

#5. Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay-This one confused me since there is a unique twist to the story and I read it rather disjointedly.

#6. The Merciful Scar by Rebecca St. James & Nancy Rue-This one dealt with cutting, which with my aforementioned weak stomach...

#7. Blade Sliver by Melody Carlson-Another cutting book.

#8. The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas-It's big and not all that exciting, but I did make it through!

#9. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien-Same as the above mentioned reason!

#10. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo-I am currently reading this one but it is a bit of a struggle!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #141

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

This week I slowed down a bit on the reading and instead spent most of my time catching up on some shows (plus watching new season premieres) while crocheting for our annual bazaar to raise money for a well in Asia. I loved this book though and had a blast buddy reading it with a blogging friend of mine!

What I am currently reading:

Didn't really make any progress in these three for the above mentioned reason!

What I hope to read this week:

I really doubt I will get to all of these and any might be pushing it! It is less than two weeks till my sisters wedding and it's getting crazy here! These are my next two review reads and one for Book Scattagories.

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #140
Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz
Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz
Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List
Waiting on Wednesday #131: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
Revolutionary by Krista McGee

Friday Memes 9/26

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 9/26

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

How will be reading in 100 year's time? Will there be any printed books left? How about ereaders? What might they look like?

My Answer:

I tend to not enjoy making assumptions about what the future holds so this question is really not in my wheelhouse. I think printed books will always be around but I can definitely see ereaders being more and more common.

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

A stranger was coming up her driveway.
Decorative tube of icing poised over the cake, Kate Marshall froze as the crunch of gravel outside the open windows at the front of the house stopped by the porch.
Deceived by Irene Hannon

My Thoughts
Intriguing beginning. Not much of a mystery to me based on what I already knew about the book but it definitely draws you in!

Revolutionary by Krista McGee

About the Book
Back in the hands of the State, Thalli is caught in a horrible game of power—with consequences reaching further than she ever imagined.
After several months aboveground, Thalli had almost forgotten what living in the State was like. Programmed to be without emotions or curiosity, she was always an anomaly there. Too emotional. Too curious. Citizens of the State should behave exactly the way the Scientists designed them to behave: work in their assigned fields, maintain productivity.
Thalli’s entire genetically engineered generation has been eradicated by a scientocracy that believes human life is expendable. Now a pawn in a mad game of manipulation, held hostage, and tortured in the name of the State, Thalli can barely summon the strength to hope that the future of humanity could be any better.
She clings to her new faith in the Designer. But when she discovers that even the few villages aboveground are in danger of State domination, that fragile faith begins to crumble.
As Thalli, Berk, and Alex make plans to overthrow the evil Dr. Loudin, a chilling secret explains why they have been left alive at all . . . a personal secret that will haunt Thalli forever. And as she struggles with this new truth, she also struggles with decisions of the heart.
Can the State’s expansion be stopped? Or will humanity—above and below the surface—be irreparably damaged? Thalli is faced with a purpose both overwhelming and undeniable: to assume the role of a Revolutionary.

My Thoughts
Finally! The conclusion to this fantastic series! After loving Anomaly and Luminary I could hardly wait to read this book and thankfully it lived up to my expectations!
What a ride this was! I never knew what to expect or what was around the next corner! The villain, Dr. Loudin, was amazingly well-written! I could never fully grasp what he was capable of, just when it seemed he'd reached his peak there was always more evil that he had planned!
Thalli, Berk, Alex, Rehn, Dallas, and the others were once again fantastic! I loved the fact that even though there was a bit of a love triangle it wasn't your typical obnoxious one where you want to smack all those involved. Instead the author did a fantastic job making everything believable and un-annoying!

There were so many things that happened in this book, many of which were completely unexpected, that I can't say much more without spoiling things. So I will leave you with this bit of advice, if you haven't read this series yet you definitely should, as soon as possible!

Meet the Author
When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of Anomaly, First Date, Starring Me, and Right Where I Belong. Twitter: @KristaMcGeeYA Facebook: krista.a.mcgee

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday #131: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
Thomas Nelson-October 7, 2014

About the Book

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?

Why I Want It

I enjoyed the first two books in this series and while I'm not sure how it connects it looks good and I can't wait to read it!

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman

#2. Rebels by Jill Williamson

#3. Deceived by Irene Hannon

#4. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

#5. Where Treetops Glisten by Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, & Tricia Goyer

#6. Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun

#7. A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

#8. A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

#9. The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

#10. A Matter of Heart by Tracie Peterson

Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

About the Book
Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Rowena feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?
With her signature attention to historical detail, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty. Fans will cheer for this final installment of the Ballatyne saga.

My Thoughts
After loving the previous two books in this series I could hardly wait to dive into this novel! I loved it from start to finish! Wren and James were fantastic main characters. I could totally understand Wren's discomfort as she was thrust into society and I was very impressed by how well she handled it. I don't think I could have done the same! She had such a sweet personality and I loved watching her interact with all the characters we've come to know and love. As for James, I loved his courage to do right even with the great risks involved and his love for and devotion to those close to him. Their romance was fun to watch, it wasn't the fast and passionate kind but the slower, friendship turning into love kind and I loved it! I also enjoyed the secondary romance of Izannah and Malachi though we got more of her side than his!
It was great fun to have all of the characters from the previous books and see how much they and their families had changed over the years!
There wasn't a whole lot of action in this book but there were several instances where I just couldn't stop turning pages because I had to know what was going to happen! Laura Frantz definitely knows how to keep me hooked on a story!
I was sad to see this series end but I loved every minute of it!

Meet the Author
Award-winning author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Her family resides in Kentucky and Virginia.
Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz

About the Book
Ellie Ballantyne, youngest child of Silas and Eden, has left finishing school. But back at her family home in Pittsburgh, Ellie finds that her parents are away on a long trip and her siblings don't seem to want her to stay. When she opens a day school for young ladies, she begins tutoring the incorrigible daughter of the enemy Turlock clan. The Turlocks are slaveholders and whiskey magnates, envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly tangled with the Turlocks, she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future--and Jack Turlock, a young man striving to free himself from his family's violent legacy. How can she betray her family and side with the enemy? And will Jack ever allow her into his world?
Masterful storyteller Laura Frantz continues to unfold the stirring saga of the Ballantyne family in this majestic tale of love, loyalty, and the makings of a legacy. With rich descriptions of the people who settled and civilized a wild landscape, Frantz weaves a tapestry of characters and places that stick with the reader long after they turn the last page.

My Thoughts
I always seem to forget just how amazing Laura Frantz's writing is until I pick up one of her books. This one was no different and I was swept away from beginning to end!
I loved both Ellie and Jack's characters. Ellie was sweet and a little naïve but she didn't hesitate to jump in and do whatever needed doing. It was cool to watch Jack's character grow from the typical reckless and brash Turlock to a responsible man not afraid to stand up for what was right.
Chloe was such a fun girl and her scheming to get Jack and Ellie together was rather amusing. I loved how much she matured under Ellie's tutelage.
It was also great to see how Silas and Eden's relationship had weathered the years and Ellie's siblings were an interesting group.
This book made me laugh and cry and I loved every minute! I cannot wait to read book three now!

Meet the Author
Award-winning author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Her family resides in Kentucky and Virginia.
Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #140

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

I finished the Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon with a bang and got a ton of reading done this week! Circle of Spies was my favorite!

What I am currently reading:

Deceived is amazing so far! I got about a hundred pages in this afternoon while waiting for my parents to come out of a meeting and I am loving it! Still doing my daily devo though I'm thinking of making it a one in the morning, one in the evening kinda thing! And I got a chunk of Les Mis done and am currently about 250 pages in!

What I hope to read this week:

I'm planning on buddy reading Redeeming Love this week and the other two are my next review books that I'm hoping to get to this week!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #139
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 7 Update
Top Ten Authors I've Only Read One Book From and Need to Read More
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 8 Update
Nowhere to Turn by Lynette Eason
Waiting on Wednesday #130: The Daughter of Highland Hall 
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 9 Update & Day 10 Challenge
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 10 Update & Day 11 Challenge
Friday Memes 9/19
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 11 Update
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant
Tried & True by Mary Connealy
Before Amen by Max Lucado
Storm Siren by Mary Weber
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 12 Update & Day 13 Challenge
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 13 Update
Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Wrap-Up

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Wrap-Up

My Thoughts on the Read-A-Thon
I had such a great time with this read-a-thon! It happened to take place at the perfect time for me when I was finally ahead of my review schedule so I was able to read my non-review books that have been sitting on my shelves for months! I had some fantastic reading days, some average, and some not so great but I still got tons of books read and participated in all the challenges! I read so many great books and all but two of them got 4 or 5 star ratings! And in addition to the books I finished I also made some progress on my daily devo book and Les Miserables. All in all it was a hugely successful read-a-thon!

Total Books Finished: 15

Total Pages Read: 5,217

The Books

Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 13 Update

Books I Read Today:
The Death Cure by James Dashner (244 pages)
The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell (226 pages)
The Giver by Lois Lowry (179 pages)
Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings (33 pages)
What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days by Holley Gerth (64 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 
The Death Cure by James Dashner
The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings

Pages Read Today: 746

My Thoughts on Today
I had my second best day of this read-a-thon today! I wasn't sure how much time I'd have since a chunk of my day was taken up by helping to reseed part of our field for my sister's wedding and making broccoli cheese soup for dinner. But I managed to find a lot of free time and got tons of reading in!

Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon: Day 12 Update & Day 13 Challenge

Books I Read Today:
The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell (114 pages)
Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings (100 pages)
The Death Cure by James Dashner (80 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 0

Pages Read Today: 294

Total Books Finished: 11

Total Pages Read: 4,471

My Thoughts on Today
Another day that didn't go as planned reading wise! I was hoping to try to make up for yesterday but it was not to be. I watched my almost two month old niece all morning and managed to read a little while she took cat naps. Then I switched to watching my four-year-old niece. Add to that a nap (due to lack of sleep), chores, and watching Captain America: The Winter Soldier (I couldn't resist even though I'd already seen it!) with my fam and it made for a smaller reading day. I am hoping to finish these three books before the read-a-thon is over though!

Dream Character Challenge
Hosted by: Wishful Endings

Instructions:
1. Pick your favorite character from a book.
2. List the name, the book he/she is from, and why that was your choice.
3. Pick a celebrity or picture of who you would dream cast for that character.
4. Post or link that picture (or leave the name of the celebrity) with the character's info.

For this challenge I decided to pick Margaretha from The Princess Spy which was the first book I read for this read-a-thon! Part of the reason I chose her was the fact that I am rather horrible at casting characters (my mind just doesn't work that way) and the model on the front looks a lot like an actress on a show I watch so it was a bit of a no brainer! I've only seen this actress in this one show but she does really well and I think she could play Margaretha brilliantly. Margaretha has a bit of a naivete about her but she can be tough when the situation calls for it and so I think Brina Palencia would be the perfect actress to play her!

Storm Siren by Mary Weber

About the Book
"I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don't want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you."
In a world at war, a slave girl's lethal curse could become one kingdom's weapon of salvation. If the curse - and the girl - can be controlled.
As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn't merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth - meaning, she shouldn't even exist.
Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed.
Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she's being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.
But what if she doesn't want to be the weapon they've all been waiting for?

Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.

My Thoughts
I tend to shy away from fantasy books because I just haven't found many that I've actually enjoyed. Storm Siren was the rare exception! As soon as I saw the cover and description for this book I knew I had to take a chance on it and I am so very glad that I did!
It's hard to put this book into words! It was beautiful, action-packed, and just plain awesome! The fantasy world was brilliantly written and felt almost real. I loved all the different characters and their unique abilities especially Nym, Eogan, Colin, and Breck! The story was constantly moving and I was never quite sure what was going to happen next.

This is a brilliant debut author and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Meet the Author
Mary Weber is a ridiculously uncoordinated girl plotting to take over make-believe worlds through books, handstands, and imaginary throwing knives. In her spare time, she feeds unicorns, sings 80’s hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California, which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Joss Whedon, and the ocean. Twitter: @mchristineweber Facebook: marychristineweber

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Before Amen by Max Lucado

About the Book
We all pray . . . some.
We pray to stay sober, centered, or solvent. When the lump is deemed malignant. When the money runs out before the month does. When the marriage is falling apart. We pray.
But wouldn’t we like to pray more? Better? Stronger? With more fire, faith, and fervency?
Yet we have kids to feed, bills to pay, deadlines to meet. The calendar pounces on our good intentions like a tiger on a rabbit. And what about our checkered history with prayer? Uncertain words. Unmet expectations. Unanswered requests.
We aren’t the first to struggle with prayer. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance too. In fact, prayer is the only tutorial they ever requested.
And Jesus gave them a prayer. Not a lecture on prayer. Not the doctrine of prayer. He gave them a quotable, repeatable, portable prayer. Couldn’t we use the same?

In Before Amen best-selling author Max Lucado joins readers on a journey to the very heart of biblical prayer, offering hope for doubts and confidence even for prayer wimps. Distilling prayers in the Bible down to one pocket-sized prayer, Max reminds readers that prayer is not a privilege for the pious nor the art of a chosen few. Prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child. Let the conversation begin.

My Thoughts 
This was a shorter book but that didn't diminish the power of the message at all. As someone who has grown up in the church prayer has always been a part of my life but to be honest I struggle with it a lot. I know all the facts but this book made them hit home a little more and has helped me a lot. If prayer is something that has always seemed a little out there to you or if you worry about what to say, or you have any other hang ups when it comes to prayer then I would highly recommend this book. Max Lucado does a fantastic job of sharing God's truths that we sometimes miss!

Meet the Author
More than 120 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

I received an ARC of this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Tried & True by Mary Connealy

About the Book
Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!
Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister--and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk--they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"--but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.
Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

My Thoughts
As is always the case with Mary Connealy, I absolutely loved this book! I have been excited to meet the Wilde sisters for awhile now and I am happy to announce that they lived up to my expectations! I loved how very different they all were and they reminded me a bit of the McClellan sisters from Mary's Sophie's Daughters series.
Kylie was such fun. I loved how determined she was to dress and act like a woman after fighting as a man in the war. She was a great mix of strong, able to handle almost anything, and feminine that made her a fantastic heroine.
Adam was also was great. I absolutely loved his reactions to discovering that Kylie and her sisters were masquerading as men and his complete disbelief that they had managed to deceive their fellow soldiers for several years.
Bailey and Shannon were entertaining and I can't wait to read their stories since I have an idea of who they'll end up with and I know their relationships are going to be hysterical!
I wanted to smack the girls' father since he was a disgrace to the title, making them dress as men, fight, and homestead all because he lost his only son. He didn't even show affection for them!
This was another fantastic book by one of my favorite authors and I am now anxiously awaiting the next two books!


Meet the Author
Mary Connealy is an award-winning, bestselling author known for her fun and lively historical romantic comedies. An author, teacher, and journalist, Mary lives on an eastern Nebraska ranch with her husband and enjoys spending time with her four daughters and two grandchildren. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Don't miss the first book in Mary Connealy's Wild at Heart series. In Tried & True, Mary is back with her signature humor and heartfelt story-telling.

Mary's celebrating by connecting with readers during a live webcast event and giving away a Kindle HDX.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 23rd. Winner will be announced at the Tried & True LIVE webcast event on September 23rd. Connect with Mary for an evening of swoon-worthy book chat, fun trivia, laughter, a sneak peek at the next book in the Wild at Heart series, and more! Mary will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Tried & True and join Mary and friends on the evening of September 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

About the Book
Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.
Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.
But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.
As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.
The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

My Thoughts
After reading a novella by this author I was excited for the chance to read one of her novels. Thankfully her writing continued to be great and this was a very sweet story.
Kat and Lucas were both great characters. And even though I occasionally wanted to smack them and make them aware of their feelings for each other I totally understood them not wanting to risk so many years of friendship. I thought is was so cute how they always seemed to know what the other was thinking, feeling, or needing.
The cupcake contest was a fun background for the story and it was fun to hear all the different cupcakes they created. Though I will warn you that you will crave cupcakes!
All in all this was a great read that I recommend if you enjoy a light, entertaining read!

Meet the Author
Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing. Visit her website at www.betsystamant.com Facebook: BetsySt.Amant Twitter: @betsystamant

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Extra

This book included a recipe for cupcakes in the back and it sounded relatively easy so I gave it a shot! They were pretty good though not as pretty as I hoped!

Don't miss Betsy St. Amant's latest fiction release, All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes. A "sweet" tale of two best friends and the choices they make between dreams and a possible "sure thing," St. Amant's novel is sure to satisfy your romantic-fiction craving.

Betsy is celebrating with a fun Kindle giveaway and a Love & Cupcakes Facebook party! One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle
• All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Love & Cupcakes" Author Chat Party on 9/18. Betsy will be hosting a "sweet" book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at her next book project!

So grab your copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes and join Betsy on the evening of September 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!