Scroll down for an excerpt from Inked Hearts, releasing this fall!
I adjust my sunglasses on my head, a few flyaway strands of hair sticking to my hot-pink lip gloss and making me wish I opted for plain lips. But a girl changing her life… well, it felt like a pink lip gloss kind of day this morning.
I drive on, Keith Urban’s songs and Henry’s snoring my only company besides my warped memories and anxiety-ridden thoughts. The sun beats down, a few clouds wispy in the bright sky. It’s a gorgeous day, a day screaming of redemption, of resurrection. With nothing but time to think for the last two hours of my drive, my mind wanders to another dark place—the place beyond the bedroom escapades of my ex-husband. It travels to the place of doubt, the place so many family members and friends have played on in the past few weeks. ​ Pre-order for 50% off AND get an invite to our VIP Pre-Order Facebook Party, where you can win!
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A Review of Lauren K. Denton's The Hideaway
The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars "I was a new woman--risky and adventurous. It felt foreign and perfect at the same time." The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton is a sweet, summer read about secrets, family, identity, and love. The southern vibe to the novel is palpable not just through the setting, but the languid style of the writing. I adored the characters and the overall atmosphere created in this novel. The story is told from the perspective of Sara Jenkins after her grandmother passes away. She moves back to Sweet Bay to take over the bed and breakfast her grandmother owned. However, as the summer unfolds, Sara learns secrets about her family, her grandmother, and herself. Through these secrets, she comes to learn what she really wants in life. The story is also told from Sara's grandmother's perspective using flashbacks. These flashbacks help the reader get a full understanding of the setting, the characters, and the message of the work. Overall, this book is a super sweet read about friendship and family. I adored the connections in the book and the overall sense of love at The Hideaway. It made me want to pick up and move to Sweet Bay. There wasn't a lot of suspense or mystery in the novel--it was more of an introspective kind of novel, which was perfect for summer. I wish Sara had more flaws, perhaps, because at times she almost seemed too perfect. I would've liked to have seen a little bit more dimension to her character. Nonetheless, the book was still expertly crafted and a perfect read that reminded me of a Debbie Macomber book. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet read about family. View all my reviews Changing Our Minds: It's Our PrerogativeSometimes it seems like society tells women we have to have every single aspect of ourselves 100% together. We must be decisive and focused when it comes to our goals. We must have a set plan for our lives and not veer from it. We must be steadfast go-getters who have their eyes locked solely on the prize. As I approach thirty, though, there's something I've come to learn: This idea is garbage. To live is to inherently accept that we never quite know what's happening. Life is a jumbled, crazy journey filled with twisting and veering paths. Some paths intersect. Some loop back on themselves. Some bring us to crossroads filled with choices. No one can be certain of every step. Plus, there's the fact that we must allot for change. We are dynamic beings. We grow and learn. We develop and change our vantage point. We do not stay the same. As women, we are complex being with choices, regrets, confusions, and questions. We don't have everything figured out, no matter how old or wise we are. We change our minds. We get lost sometimes. We lose sight of who we are or what we want to be. Life isn't always filled with simple, two-answer questions. Life is murky and confusing. We get misled sometimes, and sometimes we simply have trouble listening to our gut. The thing I've come to realize, though, is that literature for women should reflect this in order to give us permission to be okay with this. Literature Reflecting LifeToo many times, I've seen the ridiculous standard held for women in real life held for fictional characters. Female characters, especially in romance, are expected to have all the answers, to make the "right" decisions, and to play by the rules all the time.
Just like in real life, I don't agree with this. When I set out to write romance, I knew I wanted to write for the real, modern woman. I wanted to write for the woman who changes her mind, her heart, and even herself. I wanted to write for the woman who doesn't have every answer and who doesn't know exactly how many steps and turns she'll take in her life. I wanted to showcase women who were courageous enough to not only chase happiness at all costs but who also weren't afraid to make mistakes. I wanted to write about perfectly imperfect women who got confused, got down, got lost, and got broken. I wanted to write about women who were far from perfect...but perfectly fine with that. The women in my books change their minds. They get confused about their hearts, and they get confused about themselves. Just like us, they make choices only to regret them. They make choices they are sure of only to go back and change their minds. Like in real life, the women in my books are just trying to survive this crazy, turning path called life with a sense of purpose and a sense of joy. The women in my books aren't perfect, and that may bother some people. To me, though, as a perfectly imperfect woman, I wouldn't have it any other way. To learn more about my perfectly imperfect female characters, click the Books link above. S.Valentine – THE BLACK DOOR TRILOGY – available in a box-set! Amz US: http://amzn.to/2tRK3m3 Amz UK: http://amzn.to/2styPTC Author page: http://www.facebook.com/SophiaValentineAuthor HIS CONFESSION – BOOK #1 When Gabriella Woods finds matches from a gentlemen’s club in her fiancé’s pocket, her suspicions require a search for answers… At the club, she realizes it’s not her fiancé’s fidelity that can’t be trusted. It’s her own. Darion Milano is daring, intriguing, and unpredictable… Unable to get him out of her head—and against Darion’s explicit warning— Gabi begins a torrid affair. No longer fighting the urge to enter the depth of his dark and mysterious lifestyle, she indulges in his most intimate desires. They become the most exciting, wild, infatuated couple everybody knows. Until his confession changes everything… Her heart is telling her to stay. Her instinct is telling her to run. She can never match his outrageous ex-wife and become the fun, fearless woman he craves… HER CONFESSION – BOOK #2 Gabriella Woods is adapting to Darion Milano’s daring world… As Gabi tries to break down Darion’s defenses and help him move on from his damaged past, she hopes he can offer her the love and security she desperately requires. Darion likes that Gabi is pushing her boundaries, but he has his own dilemmas… With his outrageous ex-wife in the picture, a constant threat, Gabi finds herself agreeing to Darion’s open-minded adventurous fantasies. The bond they share appears stronger than ever. Until her confession changes everything. Is Darion pushing Gabi to her limits—and further away from him? Or is Gabi in too deep to give Darion up, regardless of her identity that he’s slowly stripping away? THEIR CONFESSION – BOOK #3 Gabriella Woods eventually wants it all—love, passion, marriage, a family. With the sale of the club, she feels closer to Darion Milano, and believes his dark sexual desires are behind him. A reunion at The Black Door to celebrate the opening awakens the past. Gabi and Darion remember where and how they fell in love. Gabi is pleased to see Darion in touch with his old friends, in particular Gina. Until their confession changes everything. The news shatters Gabi’s world. Can she and Darion get through it? Will the link to his past sway him from a life he now leads, to a life he once led? #Romance #Erotica #EroticaRomance #KU #KindleUnlimited Amz US: http://amzn.to/2tRK3m3 Amz UK: http://amzn.to/2styPTC Author page: http://www.facebook.com/SophiaValentineAuthor Website: www.s-valentine.wix.com/books Twitter: www.twitter.com/SophiaVAuthor Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/SophiaVWrites Instagram: www.instagram.com/sophiavalentineauthor Hot Tree Publishing is kicking off a brand-new Rescue Me Collection with Lindsay Detwiler's brilliant "All of You," a sweet and sassy contemporary romance.
TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35527988-all-of-you A sexy doctor who’s restricted by expectations. A quirky poet who’s defined by her dark past. All it takes is Alex Evans saving Marley Jade one fateful night for their futures to be realigned. And when a passion sparks between them, they must decide if they can piece each other back together and make love work.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars "He knew very well that some people thought he was nothing but a grumpy old sod without any faith in people. But, to put it bluntly, that was because people had never given him reason to see it another way. Because a time comes in every man's life when he decides what sort of man he's going to be: the kind who lets other people walk all over him, or not." I cannot even begin to put into words how much I loved this book. To be honest, it seemed like such an odd premise that it took me a while to actually read this one. Now, it is definitely one of my all-time favorite books. The story follows a man named Ove, who lives in a little community where he is one of the last standing from the older generation. Surrounded by younger couples of the new generation, Ove feels angry. He feels like the new generation is lazy, confused, and lacks respect for important, practical skills. Ove is your typical cranky old man. However, as the story carries on, he slowly learns to find a place in his community and find connections he never thought possible. This book covers deep issues...but is hilarious. Laugh-out-loud hilarious. The cantankerous Ove has such a funny perspective of people and has such great lines in the book, especially at the beginning. I loved seeing the world through his eyes. I also loved the incorporation of the cat into the book--Ove hates cats. I also enjoyed the message of this book, which is that you truly can't judge others. At the beginning, everyone sees Ove as this grumpy old man, including the reader. As the story unfolds, though, you learn so much about Ove's life and why he is the way that he is. Backman did an amazing job at incorporating so many details to explain every quirk on Ove's personality. Most of all, as you learn about Ove, you realize that behind the hard exterior is a huge heart, something the neighbors come to learn over time. This book is also about the fact that so few of us take time to know those who live around us. It shows us what so many of us are missing by not getting to know our neighbors and those in our community. The beautiful thing about this book is that a community of individualistic families ends up coming together through the most unlikely source--a grumpy man called Ove. Besides Ove, I adored the character of Parvaneh. She complements Ove's personality but in a softer, more loving way. I liked how she looked out for Ove and also leaned on Ove. Their friendship was very unlikely, but very touching. This book will change the way you see others and make you realize that you can't know someone's whole story just by looking at them. It will make you stop and think before assuming you know someone. Most of all, it shows you that everyone needs to find a purpose and a connection to others in this world in order to find meaning. Read this book. Tell all of your friends about it. It is not only an entertaining read, but an important reminder about life and the people around us. I will definitely be picking up more books by Backman. View all my reviews
180 Seconds by Jessica Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars "I am brave. I am brave. I am brave. But I cannot stop the tears. 'I don't want to live this like,' I say out loud over and over through my sobbing. I cry for who I have been, who I am, and who I could be. However, I also cry with an iota o relief, because a change is about to happen." 180 Seconds follows the story of Allison, who is very broken at the beginning. Having lived in foster-care pretty much her entire childhood, she learned to not get close to people and to not trust. Recently adopted by her adoptive father, Simon, she's still holding back. The only person she is close to is her best friend Steffi, who also grew up in foster care. On campus, though, she comes across a boy named Esben Baylor. She doesn't realize he is a YouTube sensation. When he challenges her to a social experiment in which they spend a mere 180 seconds together in silence, she agrees just to get out of the situation. What she doesn't expect, however, is that the 180 seconds will change everything for her and threaten to break down her carefully constructed walls. As Esben and Allison explore something she never expected, she comes to learn that everyone has so much underneath the surface and that trusting another person can be safe. I'll be honest--at first, I wasn't crazy about this book. I found the whole premise to be a little bit cheesy; could two people really fall for each other in 180 seconds? I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. I expected some superficial college romance to happen. And then this book completely, utterly won me over. As Allison's walls come down with Esben, they also come down for the reader. As she finds herself, you discover so much about her that you like. By the end, I realized what masterful writing it takes to pull this off. It really puts you in the book, in the situation, and in the story. This book is also about so, so much more than a college romance. It has so many twists and turns in the plot that I don't want to spoil, but trust me, by the end, you will be emotionally exhausted but satisfied. This book has so much packed into its pages. By the end, I adored Esben and Allison. I especially loved Allison's dad, Simon. This book is heavy and fun. It's light and it's deep. It's this perfect concoction of the best of so many emotions. I definitely see why this book has become so popular. I would definitely read a sequel if the author wrote one. So do yourself a favor this summer and pick up 180 seconds. Get ready for a roller coaster of emotion. Just, whatever you do, don't judge the book by the first few chapters. As the book teaches you, there's so much more underneath the surface if you're patient and brave enough to look. View all my reviews
The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars I read The Beach House years ago and fell in love with Jane Green's writing charm and witty humor. I loved how she delved into deep issues fearlessly but with a sense of lightheartedness that made for great reading. Jane Green's The Sunshine Sisters did not disappoint. It had that same feel as The Beach House, which was a great thing. The story follows the Sunshine family through the decades. In many ways, it is a family saga, but it is also about how the past can impact our identities. Ronni Sunshine was a famous actress. However, she was never quite at the top of the Hollywood circuit. She was always just on the cusp of true, undeniable, life-altering fame. Because of this, she spent most of her life chasing that fame, resulting in a loss of connection with her three daughters. Through the years, the three daughters, Lizzy, Nell, and Meredith, are impacted by their mom's attitude and character. The book is set at the end of Ronni's life, when she realizes how many mistakes she's made. She comes to regret the fact she hasn't been there for her daughters and that her daughters aren't close anymore. Deciding she still has time to make things right, she sets out on an impossible task: she wants to bring her family back together. The book tells the family's story through the decades, giving us glimpses into their dynamic through the years. I love how each sister is very different and finds her own path in life. Each sister has her own successes and her own challenges. The three sisters have complex lives that are far from perfect, which made the book exciting to read. I love how there were so many different viewpoints and stories happening within the story. I also love the deep themes that run through the book. Jane Green touches upon identity, family, loyalty, regret, and so many other human emotions in this book. I think every woman can relate to several pieces of this family's puzzle, which makes it a truly unique novel. It captures so much of the modern woman's struggle in a way that isn't in-your-face. It doesn't feel like a lecture; Jane Green's writing allows the reader to come to their own conclusion about the theme and about life itself. I love the lighthearted moments that break up the novel. Lizzy was my favorite character by far. I found her to be the most human and the most exciting. I love the entire premise for the novel and found it to be very addicting. I also felt like I left the novel with many thinks to think about. This is definitely a book you could read several times because there are just so many themes running through it. The only thing I disliked was the tense. The book is told in third person, and I found during the earlier segments of the book, the present tense felt awkward. I'm not sure if this was just me or because I've read a lot of books in past tense. I just found myself being thrown from the story. However, when the story got to present day, it made more sense. Overall, Jane Green's newest book is a must read for the summer and really for anytime. I like that the cover captures the feeling and main plot of the story perfectly. Above all, I love that Jane Green managed to make me feel something for the Sunshine sisters. Even though I'm an only child, I felt like I could understand the bond of sisterhood, the loyalty of family, and the way it all shapes the women we become. View all my reviews Video Review of Jane Green's The Sunshine SistersCheck out my video review on Youtube and see what I'm reading next.99 Cent Romance for a Limited Time!
Happy summer!
To Say Goodbye, my fifth novel, is on SALE for only $0.99 for a LIMITED TIME. Order my emotional drama now...it's perfect for your summer reading list. Starting Thursday, you can also enter the 99 cent Book Fair contest to win a $75 Amazon card! Happy reading, Lindsay Detwiler Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon AU Amazon CA iTunes Nook Feisty Sophia never shies away from life. Playful, romantic, connected—her marriage was the thing of fairy tales. But when tragedy strikes, Sophia is left to pick up the pieces of her life. After leaving the army, Jackson is ready to start afresh. But when he returns home, his life spirals out of control.As Sophia and Jackson find themselves in each other, they start to see redemption is possible. Trying to piece together a new life, they must answer the question: Should they forge a life together and say goodbye to their pasts completely, or should they loyally go their separate ways to avoid heartache? books2read.com/tosaygoodbye
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars I picked up The Woman In Cabin 10 after finishing Paula Hawkins' Into the Water. I'm not much of a suspense/thriller/mystery type reader, but Ruth Ware's bestselling novel is truly a read for anyone. The depth of the story, the excitement of the plot, the setting, and the main character make this a quality book in all ways. The book starts with a terrible robbery leaving Lo Blacklock on edge. Nonetheless, she leaves for a business trip aboard a luxury cruise ship. As a journalist, she's hoping the trip will help her move up the ladder. Nonetheless, when a horrific mystery taints the trip early on, Lo finds herself in a terrifying position--stuck aboard a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean with certainty that no one can be trusted. Lo begins digging for answers but soon finds herself in harms way with no one to turn to. Trapped in the middle of the ocean without anyone to help her, she's faced with a harrowing situation of survival and morality. This book kept me engaged from page one. Lo is a very imperfect character. She is flawed and suffers from many ailments, making the reader constantly question the narrator's reliability. I adore books that can pull this feat off convincingly and make me question what's actually happening. The plot was also exciting and kept me engaged the entire time. I loved the format of the book because we get to see correspondence back home between Lo's loved ones as the trip unfolds. I found the ending to be satisfying. I like that this book focused on the plot and not heavily on deep, introspective reads. This is a super fast read but an exciting one. Ruth Ware is a master at weaving together a thrilling plot with characters we grow to love. I will definitely be checking out her next book. View all my reviews |
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