Waiting on Wednesday #193: You're the One That I Want

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:

You're the One That I Want by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House-February 1, 2016

About the Book

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.
Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.
But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

Why I Want It

I love this author's books and I absolutely adore this series!

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016

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


#1. Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

#2. You're the One That I Want by Susan May Warren

#3. Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

#4. Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

#5. Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

#6. Her One and Only by Becky Wade

#7. The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

#8. No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer 

#9. Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund

#10. Playing the Part by Jen Turano

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

About the Book
Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.
Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.
Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.
But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.

My Thoughts 
This story was born from the author developing a slight (okay major) crush on the cover model for her upcoming release. I can honestly say I have never been more grateful for a crush in my entire life! This story was absolutely everything I hoped it would be and I loved Maren and Drew so much! I read this all in almost one sitting and from start to finish it was absolutely amazing. Melissa did a fantastic job of packing so much content into a small page count and while (as I always do with her books) I wished it was longer the story was not lacking in anything. It was really great to return to Maple Valley and to visit some of the characters I loved from From the Start. This town is truly one of my favorite fictional places and I desperately wish it was real so I could go visit! I'm going to stop my gushing here in order to avoid any spoilers but I highly recommend that you check out this novella and all of this author's other books, you won't be sorry!

Meet the Author
Melissa Tagg is a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl. She writes romantic comedies in the banter-filled style of her favorite 1930s and 40s classic films. When she's not writing she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

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

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #204

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished the past two weeks:

Loved all of these!

What I am currently reading:

Almost done with The Wedding Chapel and I'm enjoying it! I've only read Julie's novella from the collection but it was amazing!

What I hope to read this week:

Looking forward to all of these!

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 12/18

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Which format do you use? Blogger, Word Press, or an independent format? Any reason for your choice? 

My Answer:

 I use Blogger. It's what my sister started the blog with and what I know!

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."

Behind the massive marble building where even in May the crisp sea air never chased away the odors ground into the cobblestones, the newsboys and shoe-shiners gathered, waiting on her. They didn't have much time. 
At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings

My Thoughts
I like the imaging of this beginning!

At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings

About the Book
After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she's accidentally sold a powerful family's prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the furious family, her grandfather tracks it to the Missouri Ozarks and makes an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house if they promise not to sell anything until he arrives.
Upon their arrival, however, they discover their new business doesn't deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its manager, ruggedly handsome Wyatt Ballentine, is frustrated to discover his fussy new bosses don't know a thing about the business he's single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more cattle than they can count--but no mysterious painting--Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and salvage a bad situation getting worse.

My Thoughts
I absolutely loved this book! Due to some forgetfulness on my part I had a very short window in which to read this book but I probably would have finished it just as quickly without a deadline! Miranda and Wyatt were both fabulous characters. I loved how they both cared deeply for everyone they came across, whether it was sneaking treats to feed the boys on the street or buying an old lady's inedible pie on a regular basis to spare her feelings. They were both great examples of being the hands and feet of Jesus. Their romance was cute, starting with a not so great first meeting and through all the ups and downs that came along, till they finally admitted their love! The secondary characters were all well written too, from the eccentric Elmer to the precocious Betsy and everyone in between. Pine Gap certainly had it's share of entertaining people! I also like how the town was in Hart County since that's my last name (it's the little things!). In short this book was fabulous from the very beginning until the very end and I hated to stop reading!


Meet the Author
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.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.

After a cross-country trip to track down a sold painting that could ruin her family's business forever, Miranda Wimplegate forms an unlikely but charged partnership with livestock auctioneer Wyatt Ballentine in Regina Jennings' At Love's Bidding. Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count–but no mysterious painting–Miranda and Wyatt must try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse.

Join Regina in celebrating the release of At Love's Bidding by entering to win her Cozy Winter Night giveaway and RSVPing to her January 5th author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive everything you need for a cozy winter night:

• One copy of At Love's Bidding
• A coloring book for adults
• A pie dish
• Gourmet hot chocolate
• A fuzzy throw blanket
• Warm slippers
• Wintery coasters

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 1/5. The winner will be announced at the At Love's Bidding Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Regina and other readers, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!

Waiting on Wednesday #192: A Daring Sacrifice

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 Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund
Zondervan-March 3, 2016

About the Book

In a reverse twist on the Robin Hood story, a young medieval maiden stands up for the rights of the mistreated, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. All the while, she fights against her cruel uncle who has taken over the land that is rightfully hers. Forced to live in the woods and hide with the poor people she's grown to love, she works to save and protect them, but she never anticipates falling in love with the wealthy knight who represents all she's come to despise.

Why I Want It

I love this author's books and the first book in this series was awesome!

Top Ten Books I've Read Since June 2015

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

In June I did a post about the best books I'd read in the first half of the year and so instead of doing this about the whole year (which is impossible FYI) I decided just to share my ten favs that I've read since my last post! (If you missed it you can find my Jan-June 2015 Top Ten List HERE)

#1. Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman

#2. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

#3. Can't Let You Go by Jenny B. Jones

#4. A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

#5. Chivalrous by Dina L. Sleiman

#6. Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

#7. The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

#8. The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M White

#9. In Good Company by Jen Turano

#10. Vendetta by Lisa Harris

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #203

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Loved loved loved! 

What I am currently reading:

Still loving this!

What I hope to read this week:

Can't wait for this!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Top Ten
Waiting on Wednesday #
Friday Memes

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 Meme 12/11

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Are you a blogger that only has reviews on your blog or do you feature giveaways and attention-attracting posts such as personal and bookish posts? 

My Answer:

I typically just have memes and reviews but every so often I do other types of post!

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."

Once upon a time-specifically, last December-author Maren Grant had what she thought might be the most perfect night of her life.
Actually, the word she used was "enchanted"-because she's a writer and writers tend to get dramatic like that. She also might've said something to her best friend Remy about "being able to die happy now."
One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

My Thoughts
I've already finished this but I loved this beginning and had to share! This is typical Melissa and it's absolutely perfect!

Waiting on Wednesday #191: Flirtation Walk

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:

Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell
Bethany House-March 1, 2016

About the Book

Trying to escape the shambles her con-man father has made of their reputation, Lucinda Curtis arrives in West Point, New York, determined to land a husband from the military academy. Campbell Conklin is first in his class and preparing to embark upon a storied career in the U.S. Army. Lucinda thinks Campbell will make the perfect husband . . . as long as he does not find out about her father.
Seth Westcott also has taken a liking to Lucinda. He's kind, smart . . . and working extremely hard to graduate last. Tradition states that the worst cadets are assigned to the cavalry out west. And west is where Seth must head to track the swindler who stole all of Seth's mother's money. Seth is smart enough to vie for the top spot, but life isn't fair and this is his chance to catch the man who ruined his family. It's too bad Campbell is all shine and no substance, but Lucinda will surely see through all of that, won't she?

Why I Want It

I have enjoyed many of this author's novels and I love how she finds unique parts of history to showcase!

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors in 2015

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

New to Me Fiction Authors

Kristi Ann Hunter
Dina L. Sleiman
Christine Johnson
Rick Barry

New to Me Non-Fiction Authors

Kyle & Kelsey Kupecky
Jamin Goggin & Kyle Strobel
Tim Hawkins

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #202

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

A cute fun read.

What I am currently reading:

Beautiful so far but I'm only a couple chapters in!

What I hope to read this week:

Looking forward to this one!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #201
Top Ten 2016 Debut/Sophomore Novels I'm Looking Forward To
Waiting on Wednesday #190: Playing the Part
The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson
Friday Memes 12/4

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!