Rubbish. That's me.

 At one point, I determined that THIS would be the year that I blogged consistently. Yeah, nope. This year has been HARD. There have been times where I wasn't sure I was going to continue doing anything, really. I've been exhausted, burned out, and still struggling with some pretty big health issues since my surgery last November. (Did I tell you that I had surgery? I can't remember. I had surgery in November and I'm STILL NOT WELL. Enough already.) Sometimes, we want to do way more than we're able, and that's where I'm at. I'd love to review all the books. I'd love to promote all the authors. I just can't right now because I'm hanging on by a very skinny thread that feels like it's going to break at any moment. So I guess I'm saying goodbye for now. I have hopes of reviving this at a later date, but no promises.

2022 Reading Challenge

I saw a fun reading challenge over on Instagram, so I decided to play along too. This challenge is hosted by KJ’s Book Nook.

I haven’t worked out which books I’ll be reading for each prompt, but stay tuned! My goal will be to review each book I read for this challenge. I’ll tag them as 2022 Reading Challenge. Feel free to visit KJ’s Book Nook to join in! 

Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY! Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball

I'm so excited to help promote this amazing book! Heidi Kimball has done it again and produced one of my favorite books of 2021!  Heart in the Highlands is an absolutely stunning tale of love and forgiveness. I was swept up in this story and loved every bit. I loved how the Katie and Callum grew as it progressed and how they became stronger and better. Their joy was as real so me as their pain. They were the kind of characters who jump off the pages and fill the room with their big personalities. There was clearly a great deal of research that went into the setting. I felt like I was there. I've never been to Scotland, but I want to, and this was a lovely taste of what it would be like. It was so alive and real to me. Just gorgeous. Be ready to laugh, cry, scream, throw things, pick those things back up and apologize for throwing them, swoon, sigh, ugly cry, etc, etc. So many feelings happening in this book. It's a must-read! This is the kind of book that I want to start again the second I finish. Definitely a winner for me! I’m hoping for more books from Heidi soon! I’ll read anything she writes. You can too, if you enter the giveaway for a paperback copy (US addresses only)! Don't hesitate on this. Jump on the Rafflecopter and enter now! It's worth it. As for me, I'm buying a paperback copy for myself, even though I have my electronic review copy. This is one of those books that deserves multiple formats. I loved it that much! Rafflecopter Giveaway This book is available now from your favorite retailer! Mine happens to be Amazon. Click HERE to visit and purchase! *I received a review copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required.*

Book Review: An Unlikely Pair by Traci Hunter Abramson

Goodreads synopsis: “After a family tragedy, aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater, she finds a glimmer of hope.

After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the US national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink.

Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. But competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve their dreams.”

This was my first book by Traci Hunter Abramson, but it certainly won’t be my last! I was a little hesitant at first, because semi-historical fiction really isn’t my thing. However, once I got a few chapters in, I was HOOKED. I loved the slow burn between Tyler and Amaliya, and I loved their friendship. 

Photo from Goodreads

I enjoyed the chapters with Amaliya’s parents too. I need to read the prequel novella (Dancing to Freedom) for more on them. Their story sounds very sweet! I remember hearing about Russian people defecting back in the 80s, so this story sounds intriguing.

I think my favorite part, though, was the skating. I never miss figure skating when the Olympics are on and this really brought that thrill with it! It had tension, anticipation, and exhilaration. Really a great book. I’m definitely invested in this series! The next book can’t come out soon enough for me.

This is a sweet romance with no objectionable content. The book releases on June 7.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Proper Scoundrel - Blog Tour, Book Review and Giveaway!

I’m super excited to share this fantastic book with you on this blog tour. I hope you’ll stick around for awhile. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post. The publisher has generously provided a paperback copy of A Proper Scoundrel for one lucky reader!

I’ve read and loved the previous books in Esther Hatch’s Scandals series. I was super excited to finally get Lord Bryant’s story. It didn’t disappoint! I loved every bit of it. Plus, THAT COVER. 🔥🔥🔥

Let’s start with the synopsis of A Proper Scoundrel from Goodreads: “As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.”

In previous books, Lord Bryant was not someone you’d really want to associate with, but there was a certain something about him that made me (and many other readers) think there was more to him than a scoundrel. I loved getting his story and learning that we were all right! He was SO MUCH more than the first impression. I don’t want to spoil anything, but trust me on this: if you’ve read the other two books, you’ll be delighted with his character growth here. (If you haven’t read them, what are you waiting for?)

I really liked getting to know Diana as well. She was strong and independent, but not hard. I feel like she’s someone I’d be friends with in real life. She just seemed like a great person. I love that she was determined to succeed on her own terms and not stuff herself into society’s tiny “fit for women” box. She just went for it. 

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Some of my favorite interactions between Diana and Everton include noses, tiger lilies, and cravats. Want to know why? You’ll have to read A Proper Scoundrel to find out! You won’t regret it. I do suggest reading A Proper Scandal and A Proper Charade, as there are tie-ins throughout the series. Plus, MORE BOOKS TO READ. 

This is one book that I knew I needed to own, so I bought a signed (yay!) copy even though I had an electronic review copy. I NEEDED this. I really think y’all need it too...lucky for one of you, Covenant is giving a copy away! Enter below!

About the Author

 Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school, she alternated living in Russia to teach children English and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week. 

Esther Hatch is a fantastic storyteller, and I’ll read anything she writes. You can find her online on Goodreads, her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

**I received a review copy of A Proper Scoundrel from the author as part of the launch team. My opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by the ARC**

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