A Stroke of Good Fortune by Jennie Goutet

A Stroke of Good Fortune by Jennie Goutet is the second in The Daughters of the Gentry series, and still a stand alone novel. Arabella is a widow with a child. She is under the thumb of her brother-in-law who limits her comings and goings. Theo works his father’s mill and is enchanted with Arabella, but is not welcomed by the brother-in-law.. How can they ever be together?

Arabella and Theo are a charming couple. They demonstrated self-sacrifice, devotion, and deep love for the other. #theoandarabellaforeever It was fun to check in with characters from the first book and see their friendships grow. The suspense and mystery added to the story and drew me in. I love it when a book surprises me.

I enjoyed this story filled with mystery, romance, and found family. Such an enjoyable Regency clean read. I highly recommend A Stroke of Good Fortune.  It is also on KU

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Jennie Goutet is an American-born Anglophile, who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her Clavering Chronicles and Memorable Proposals series are set. Jennie is author of the award-winning memoir, Stars Upside Down, and the modern romances, A Sweetheart in Paris and A Noble Affair. A Christian, a cook, and an inveterate klutz, Jennie writes about faith, food, and life—even the clumsy moments—on her blog, A Lady in France.

Are We There Yet by Savannah Scott

Are We There Yet by Savannah Scott is the first book in her brand new series. Riley, Maddie, Ben and Cameron take a road trip from Ohio to California to get to their new jobs and to start school. Riley has liked her best friend Maddie’s brother, Cameron Reeves, forever. Just ask her journal. Will he ever notice her?

Road tripping is always fun, but especially in a VW van, driving Route 66, and with great places to stop along the way. I I enjoyed getting to know Riley and Cameron. Their chemistry was great, they have a wonderful friendship, and are very endearing characters. The author did a nice job with their back story, developing their romance, and the dual POV.

Are We There Yet is all a rom-com should be with characters that are fun and endearing, a delightful road trip setting, and swoony romance. I highly recommend and can not wait for the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

I’m Savannah Scott – the girl behind the Getting Shipped! series, otherwise known as the founder of the town of Bordeaux, Ohio.

I’ve been married to my surfer husband for over 25 years. He has a heart of gold. In our relationship, I’m like the kite, and he’s the steady hand holding the string.

I’ve spent many years as the “den mom” in my own private Boy Scout troop … mom to two boys, one no longer living at home, and a whole slew of boys in our neighborhood too.

We also have a labradoodle puppy named Bella … she likes to eat shoes, tug the dishtowel off the stove, and chase squeaky balls. Sometimes she chills out and then we call her Bella-Snugarella because she flops against you like a living teddy bear. That’s my favorite.

Encouraging other moms is my jam. I’ve written several non-fiction books for women (under Patty H Scott), and I have a website dedicated to pouring out into mama hearts at slowdownmama.com.

When I’m not writing, I’m either reading, dancing zumba, or going on a walk or out to coffee with friends. I love road trips, especially when there’s adventure in the mix.
MY DREAM

I love love love writing.

In April 2020 I took a big leap and started writing fiction.

I didn’t know if I could, but some writer friends encouraged me. Turns out, I’m not half bad at this gig, and I LOVE IT! (so so so much!)

I started writing sweet romance and have nine books under my name (Patty H Scott).

In Dec 2021 I started writing closed-door romcom as Savannah Scott, with Friend(shipped) being the first book in my Getting Shipped series.

Jane Austen's Little Book of Wisdom Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf

 

Do you have a favorite book, author, or movie that you like to quote? I love to quote Jane Austen, and so does my husband on occasion. It seems like Jane always has something to say that is pertinent to a situation in our life. Some of my favorites are below.

 
You can imagine how thrilled I was to be part Austen Prose's book tour for Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom Words on Love, Lie, Society and Literature compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf and published by Red Wheel Books. This beautifully written book is filled with quotes from her literary works, letters, poems, and personal prayers. The book is divided into seven different themes each with quotes from her various works.

I have found myself sneaking away to read the quotes that were both familiar to me and many that I was just discovering! The format of one quote per page made it easy to read and reflect on. It is simply delightful!

This is the perfect book for anyone who is a Jane Austen fan, loves quotes, or enjoys great literature. The small and friendly size of the book makes it perfect to put in a cozy place to enjoy. I have mine on an end table next to my favorite chair. I highly recommend Jane Austen’s Little Book Of Wisdom.

I was given the book by the publisher and not required to write a positive review

💙Love & Longing
Perhaps it is our imperfections that make us so perfect for one another. Emma

 
💙Friendship
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love. Northanger Abby

💙Society
For what do we live, but to make a sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn? Pride and Prejudice.

 
💙Female Strength
Every Neighborhood should have a great lady. Sanditon

💙Life & Death
Life seems, but a quick succession of busy nothings. Mansfield Park

💙Faith
Money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Sense and Sensibility

💙Art & Literature
Let us never underestimate the power of a well written letter. Persuasion

Author Bios: Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.

Andrea Kirk Assaf is an editor, journalist, and translator who divides her time between Rome and Michigan.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

Fire and Ice by Carolyn Miller

Fire and Ice by Carolyn Miller is the first book in her new Northwest Ice Division Series, and is a stand alone novel. Main character, Hannah Wade, has become one of the first female sports analyst in Calgary. Her first live interview is with Franklin James an old friend who does not seem to remember her. Hannah wonders if they will have a chance to connect again?

Fire and Ice had all the feels!. The character were very endearing and I enjoyed walking through their life with them. I was extremely invested and felt like I made new friends. It was fun to revisit with characters from the Original Six Hockey series who were also in the story.

I enjoyed learning about the hockey world, Calgary, Canada, and learning more about the discrimination women face in sports reporting. The author has the gift of telling a faith based story that has romance, depth, and delves into real life issues.

I loved this this fast paced book and was so sad when it ended. The story had great banter, good romance, relevant social issues, and faith elements. I absolutely adored it. I highly recommend Fire and Ice.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review.

Carolyn Miller is an Australian author of inspirational historical romance, particularly that of the Regency era, and loves creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love

The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauk follows four young women the summer after they graduated from high school. The Four Season: Summer, Snow, Autumn and Spring, wanted to have the best summer of their lives. After a mishap they ended up in Tumbleweed, OK at a camp and that summer changed everything!

This was a beautifully written redemptive story, and there is nothing I like better than a redemptive story. It was told seamlessly from each character’s perspective in 1977 and 1997. The author did an amazing job with coming of age issues and how they were carried into each character’s adult lives. I was invested in the story and each character. The story shares of how “The Preacher” gently woos us and walks with us through the hard times. The story was not preachy, but shared the heart of the Father. The ending was amazing and so well done.

The Best Summer of Our Lives is a thoughtful, enduring, and a timeless story. The author is an incredible story teller and I am so glad it was a part of my summer reading. I highly recommend.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to give a positive review.

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie. Her novel, The Wedding Dress, has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and sits on the Executive Board of American Christian Fiction Writers..

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

 

“There was something just so reassuring about books. They had beginning and middle and ends, and if you didn't like a part you could skip to the next chapter.”

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston is fabulous! Clementine, a book publicist, has inherits her grandmother’s apartment after her passing. The apartment has a tendency to go forward or backwards in time according to her grandmother. She comes home one day to find it has gone backwards in time seven years and she meets Iwan. He is a funny, good looking, and kind man who wants to be chef. But, what is he like in the present day?

WOW! I enjoyed this story so much. The characters were so vivid to me, had incredible depth, and were very likable. The time travel was so well executed and added to the story. I enjoyed wondering how Clementine and Iwan would meet in the future, if they would recognize each other, and if they would they be able to connect again like they did in the apartment. I was very invested and loved reading their story.

“There is was never grief without love or love without grief.”

What surprised me in a good way was how the author wrote about grief in such an insightful way. There were so many quotes and thoughts that I found comforting and insightful. I found myself reading them to my family. The author spoke straight to my heart with this story. I highly recommend the Seven Year Slip.

“Because the things that mattered most never really left.

The love stays.

The love always stays, and so do we.”

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review.

TW:  Suicide; Grief 

Ashley Poston is theUSA TodayandNew York Timesbest-selling author of romantic stories forboth teens and adults. She studied English at the University of South Carolina, and now liveswith her bossy cat and a mountain of books in her hometown. You can find her on Twitter at@ashposton and Instagram at @heyashposton