Review: The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr

The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr

Publication Date: April 30th by MIRA

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audio copy

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible | Kobo

About the book:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers a poignant and powerful story about how one woman’s best intentions lead to the worst of situations and how the power of love helps her to heal and ultimately triumph.

From the outside looking in, Lauren Delaney has a life to envy—a successful career, a solid marriage to a prominent surgeon and two beautiful daughters who are off to good colleges. But on her twenty-fourth wedding anniversary Lauren makes a decision that will change everything.

Lauren won’t pretend things are perfect anymore. She defies the controlling husband who has privately mistreated her throughout their marriage and files for divorce. And as she starts her new life, she meets a kindred spirit—a man who is also struggling with the decision to end his unhappy marriage.

But Lauren’s husband wants his “perfect” life back and his actions are shocking. Facing an uncertain future, Lauren discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had as she fights for the love and happiness she deserves.

My Thoughts:

I LOVE Robyn Carr’s writing, so I’ve been looking forward to The View From Alameda Island, it was amazing and crazy!  I think this has been the craziest exes I’ve read from Ms. Carr, but the relationship between Lauren and Beau was steady and calming throughout any drama that came at them.  Their romance was slow and steady, felt real, but also had heat and chemistry! I loved it!

Let me just tell you I wanted to strangle both of their exes! Their pictures would be up by the words “narcissistic”, “megalomaniac”, and “delusional” in the dictionary!  Wow! I honestly can’t believe they both put up with so much, but I can somewhat understand because there were kids involved.  Each wanted to wait until their kids were out and mostly settled on their own path.  Beau get special props for being a stepfather and not bowing out because he split from the boy’s mom. They truly needed a stable force in their life since their mom was flighty, full of drama, and manipulative!

I was touched by the wonderful friends and family Beau and Lauren had, a testament to the kind of good people they were at heart, they definitely needed the support!  I loved how each ex had their own comeuppance at every turn, and never got away with things too long.  I’m so sad for anyone who goes through this kind of drama in their family.  At any rate, I loved how it all turned out. 

The setting of Alameda Island was lovely!  I’m in East Bay San Francisco just about every other weekend, but I haven’t got over to that neck of the woods yet, but now I want to! It sounds like a charming little town full of character!

I mostly listened to the audio version narrated by Therese Plummer, one of my all-time favorite performers!  She nails both the male and female characters, and I love her easy cadence.  She narrates most (if not all) of Ms. Carr’s books, as well as the Casey Duncan (Rockton) series by Kelley Armstrong. Another favorite author/series!  I’d be willing to give just about any author a go if Ms. Plummer is narrating the story!

4 Suns

Review & Giveaway: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang

Publication Date: May 7th 2019 by Berkley

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

About the book:

From the critically acclaimed author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart...

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions — like grief. And love. He thinks he's defective. His family knows better— that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can't turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn't go as planned. Esme's lessons in love seem to be working... but only on herself. She's hopelessly smitten with a man who's convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme's time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he's been wrong all along. And there's more than one way to love.

My Thoughts:

I LOVED The Kiss Quotient, couldn’t put it down, and so I’ve been looking forward to The Bride Test, albeit with a little reservation. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high just in case I didn’t like it as much. Looks like I didn’t need to worry, Helen Hoang beautiful, soul reaching writing comes through again in Khai and Esme’s story.

I enjoyed their slow journey getting to know each other, figuring each other out, and sorting out their feelings. Khai’s normal balance is upset with the addition of Esme and it was funny watching his frustrated confusion when she did things he didn’t understand. Irritated that this doesn’t stem his growing attraction to her.  He’s also sure that starting something with Esme wouldn’t be good long-term for anyone since he doesn’t feel capable of having an emotion like love.  Sure, he could become addicted to her to the point Esme’s absence would ruin any future peace.  But would getting involved with no prospect for love be fair to her? It was apparent to me that Khai loved by his actions both with Esme and his family, but the problem was this wasn’t how Khai interpreted his own emotions.

Esme wanted everything to work out with Khai, at first because of the opportunity for a better life for her and her family, but she was immediately attracted to him, too. Her feelings only intensify as the story goes on, and Esme worried she was headed for heartbreak.  Especially since every time she gets her hopes up that Khai’s falling too, something happens to crush her feelings.  Understandable when she doesn’t fully understand the issues with autism.

Both Khai and Esme were a little outside of the world they lived in, Khai because of his autism and Esme because of her culture, and I feel that commonality bonded them even more.  They get their signals mixed a bit at first, but they seem to get a better understanding of each other as the book goes on.   What I loved most is how invested I was in these fictional characters! Helen Hoang did a masterful job of bringing Khai and Esme feelings come to life so that I felt their pain, yearning and passion right along with them!  With The Bride Test Ms. Hoang proves her writing skills were no fluke, and I can’t wait for whatever she has in store next!

4 Suns

Berkley has kindly provided a Paperback Copy of The Bride Test to giveaway to one lucky reader! Simply fill in the rafflecopter below for a chance to win!  The giveaway is open to US Residents only.

Review & Giveaway: The Bluestocking by Christi Caldwell

I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for Christi Caldwell's (a new-to-me-author) newest in the Wicked Wallflower series, because I seriously enjoyed the story!  I'm so glad I gave The Bluestocking a try! As part of the tour I have my review and a cute little questionnaire below to determine if you might be a Bluestocking too. I think I qualify since 3 out of the 5 were affirmative. 

Also, I have a wonderful giveaway provided by the lovely people of Montlake Romance: $25 Amazon Gift Card and a digital copy of The Bluestocking! Awesome, right?! 

The Bluestocking (Wicked Wallflowers #4) by Christi Caldwell

Publication Date: May 7th 2019 by Montlake Romance

Pages: 348

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

Gertrude, the eldest Killoran sister, has spent a lifetime being underestimated—especially by her own family. She may seem as vulnerable as a kitten, but given the chance, she can be as fierce as a tiger. Her adopted brother, Stephen, has just been snatched back by his true father, and she’ll be damned if she relinquishes the boy to the man reviled throughout London as the Mad Marquess.

Still haunted by a deadly tragedy that left him publicly despised, Lord Edwin holds only hatred for the Killorans—the people he believes kidnapped his son. And not one of them will ever see the boy again. But when Gertrude forces her way into the household and stubbornly insists that she remain as Stephen’s governess, Edwin believes he may have found someone madder than himself.

With every moment he shares with the tenderhearted Gertrude, Edwin’s anger softens into admiration . . . and more. Is it possible that the woman he loathed may be the only person who can heal his broken soul?

My Thoughts:

Gertrude Killoran and Lord Edwin are thrust upon each other when Edwin exercises his right as father and takes back his kidnapped son, Stephan.  Unknown until recently, the Killorans thought they were rescuing Stephan from the streets of London, Stephan was kidnapped by Mac Diggory, Gertrude’s villainous father (now dead, thank goodness!).  The death of his wife and disappearance of his son has taken their toll on Lord Edwin, now nicknamed The Mad Marquess. Stephan is like a little brother to the Killoran’s most especially to Gertrude as she taught and took care of him, so she’s not willing to let the Mad Marquess take him without her supervision so she pushes her way in and won’t let him bully her out. 

Both Gertrude struggle with assumptions and misconceptions, each not trusting the other until they spend time together under the same roof.  A mutual respect forms as they begin to understand the trials they’ve each had to bear thanks to Gertrude’s horrible father.  There was always an attraction between them, albeit begrudgingly at first, so as they get to know each other they fall a little more in love every day. The slow turn from enemies into friends and then into more was a lovely, and at times sensuous journey!

This is my first experience reading Christi Caldwell’s writing, but it won’t be my last.  She made Gertrude and Edwin come alive through her writing.  Their feelings of mistrust, hurt, pain, joy, and love came across loud and clear, and I pleased they found each other!  They both deserved a HEA after all they went through!

4 Suns

You Might Be a Bluestocking If... with Author Christi Caldwell

In my newest novel, The Bluestocking, Gertrude, the eldest Killoran sister, has spent a lifetime being underestimated—especially by her own family. She may seem as vulnerable as a kitten, but given the chance she can be as fierce as a tiger. Her adopted brother Stephen has just been snatched back by his true father, and she’ll be damned if she relinquishes the boy to the man reviled throughout London as the Mad Marquess.

Still haunted by a deadly tragedy that left him publicly despised, Lord Edwin holds only hatred for the Killorans—the people he believes kidnapped his son. And not one of them will ever see the boy again. But when Gertrude forces her way into the household and stubbornly insists that she remain as Stephen’s governess, Edwin believes he may have found someone madder than himself. 

With every moment he shares with the tenderhearted Gertrude, Edwin’s anger softens into admiration . . . and more. It is possible that the woman he loathed may be the only person who can heal his broken soul?

Gertrude was such a wonderful character to write. She’s the eldest of her siblings and firmly on the shelf. She’s incredibly diverse in her strengths and in her interests and in the knowledge she possesses: it’s a knowledge that really is all-encompassing, spanning furniture-making to the care of animals to skills for surviving on the streets. In addition, she’s been responsible for educating the children in her family’s care, and what I found so fascinating is that she knows the value of education and what she’s been providing has been so important, and yet so many have failed to appreciate the power of her contributions.  

In honor of Gertrude, an intelligent, interesting, and ultimately irresistible heroine, I have written a short game of "You Might Be A Bluestocking If..." so you can test yourself to see what you have in common with Gertrude. 

• You might be a bluestocking if...you have more than one cat.

• You might be a bluestocking if...your hands are permanently ink stained from your writing.

• You might be a bluestocking if...you have an in-depth knowledge of ancient furniture design.

• You might be a bluestocking if…you prefer lectures to balls.

• You might be a bluestocking if…you would rather have a book in your hands than needlework.

About the author:

USA Today bestselling, RITA-nominated author Christi Caldwell blames authors Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love. She believes that the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing her couples before crafting them a well-deserved happily ever after.

The author of the Wicked Wallflowers series, which includes The Governess, The Hellion, and The Vixen, Christi lives in southern Connecticut, where she spends her time writing, chasing after her son, and taking care of her twin princesses-in-training. Fans who want to keep up with the latest news and information can sign up for Christi’s newsletter at www.ChristiCaldwell.com or follow her on Facebook (AuthorChristiCaldwell) or Twitter (@ChristiCaldwell).

 Connect with the author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Tightrope by Amanda Quick

Tightrope (Burning Cove #3) by Amanda Quick

Publication Date: May 7th 2019 by Berkley

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

An unconventional woman and a man shrouded in mystery walk a tightrope of desire as they race against a killer to find a top secret invention before it's too late.

Former trapeze artist Amalie Vaughn moved to Burning Cove to reinvent herself, but things are not going well. After spending her entire inheritance on a mansion with the intention of turning it into a bed-and-breakfast, she learns too late that the villa is said to be cursed. When the first guest, Dr. Norman Pickwell, is murdered by his robot invention during a sold-out demonstration, rumors circulate that the curse is real.

In the chaotic aftermath of the spectacle, Amalie watches as a stranger from the audience disappears behind the curtain. When Matthias Jones reappears, he is slipping a gun into a concealed holster. It looks like the gossip that is swirling around him is true--Matthias evidently does have connections to the criminal underworld.

Matthias is on the trail of a groundbreaking prototype cipher machine. He suspects that Pickwell stole the device and planned to sell it. But now Pickwell is dead and the machine has vanished. When Matthias's investigation leads him to Amalie's front door, the attraction between them is intense, but she knows it is also dangerous. Amalie and Matthias must decide if they can trust each other and the passion that binds them, because time is running out.

My Thoughts:

Amalie came from a family of flying trapeze artists but quit the profession when a crazed man almost took her life.  An exciting opening to a thrilling story!  Deranged murderers, spies, espionage, non-stop action and romance makes this tale difficult to put down!

Amalie now resides in Burning Cove after buying a beautiful mansion with the intension of using it as a glamourous inn to house the rich and famous who’d like to get away.  She got the mansion for a song, not before finding out about the rumors that it’s supposedly cursed.  Her first guest, a famed inventor, is murdered, fueling the speculation.  Enter Matthias Jones a man supposedly connected to the mob asking a lot of questions, and not giving a lot of answers.  Amalie is damned if the inventor’s murder is going to put her out of business and inserts herself into Matthias’ investigations. 

Amalie and Matthias dodge danger at every turn, and the intensity quickly bonds them making the attraction they’ve felt from the start ignite, turning into a fierce passion!  I loved their chemistry and was happy that almost none of the conflict or drama came from their developing romance.

Loved the setting of Burning Cove, a fictional California coastal town set in the 1930s. A picturesque getaway for the rich and famous.  The winding seaside cliffs overlooking the gorgeous Pacific Ocean reminds me of Big Sur, Monterey or Carmel, but with a bit more old-Hollywood glitz. This is the third installment in the Burning Cove series, but each can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.  While Amalie and Matthias’ romance wrapped up nicely there was a little discovery that hinted there’s more to come, but maybe focused on another couple?  I look forward to it!

4 Suns

Sunday Post #27

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

It's been a busy week and I'm back in Northern California, and posting a little late today. The weather has been gorgeous and warm.  We went to the park on Saturday.  Swings, slides, sand and fun! Also, very green (see below).  
I have six days left until I run my half-marathon this coming Saturday! I nervous and excited at the same time. 

The view behind the swings & slides

Read:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

Even though I liked The Kiss Quotient (5 star read) a little better The Bride Test was a delight!  Shoot to Thrill was another great installment of The Monkeewrench series. Loving that series! Saving the Mail Order Bride was fast-paced and entertaining! There's a giveaway HERE if you're interested.

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

(Click on title for Goodreads link)

The latest Monkeewrench installment! 

Watched:

Blake Lively is so pretty, and I love the setting and costume design of the film. The Age of Adaline was entertaining, but nothing that knocked my socks off.

Still binge watching episodes of The Big Bang Theory. So hilarious!

How was your week?

Review & Giveaway: Saving the Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday

Saving the Mail Order Bride (Outlaw Mail Order Brides #2) by Linda Broday

Publication Date: April 30th 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | B & N | Kobo | Indiebound | BAM | Apple

About the book:

When the West was wild
And man's law favored the few
These extraordinary women could be found...
...in the heart of an outlaw.He may be a wanted man, but all outlaw Jack Bowdre ever desired was a second chance. Now he's on his way to jail, completely unaware that his unexpected—and unexpectedly beautiful—traveling companion is none other than Nora Kane...his mail order bride.
It's too bad Nora doesn't know Jack is her groom-to-be. All she sees is a scoundrel. But when their stagecoach crashes and the truth comes spilling out, they're suddenly left to fend for themselves—and each other. The longer they're together, the stronger their feelings grow. Hounded by desperate men bent on doing them harm, Nora and Jack will do whatever it takes to find their happily ever after...but first, they'll have to shake the devil from their trail.

My Thoughts:

Jack and Nora meet under unusual circumstances, sharing the same coach with Jack being handcuffed to a Marshal on his way to jail. Jack doesn’t know the pretty woman sitting across from him is his intended mail order bride, and neither does Nora but that quickly changes when the carriage crashes and they’re left in the wild to make it on their own back to Hope’s Crossing.

Nora’s shocked to find out she’s engaged to an outlaw, but Jack isn’t doesn’t seem like your typical wanted man. This man is protective and has a heart, and she finally feels safe after so many years of living in fear.  Plus, Nora comes with her own secrets, so they settle in forced to get to know each other as the try to survive not only the elements, struggling to find food, water and shelter, but also to stay one step ahead of the men out to get them. 

Jack and Nora are immediately attracted physically, but they also form a close bond quickly with threats coming at them over and over, friendship, admiration and love building along the way.

Saving the Mail Order Bride was an exciting adventure, never a dull moment with danger at every turn, but also a sweet, drama free romance.  I didn’t read the first book, and that was fine, this works well as a standalone. However, I was curious about the previous couple, Clay and Tally since they were a part of this story as well, so I may go back and read their story. 

4 Suns

Excerpt:

What People Are Saying About Linda Broday:

"Fans of classic Western tales will delight in the rough-and-tumble world Broday creates..." —RT Book Reviews for To Love a Texas Ranger

"A shining example of the talent of one of the best historical western authors."—Fresh Fiction for Forever His Texas Bride

"Broday's Westerns always captivate with realistic settings, rugged cowboys and feisty heroines."—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for Forever His Texas Bride

Connect with Linda Broday:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Sourcebooks Casablanca is generously giving away 3 copies of Saving the Mail Order Bride! Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win!

Sunday Post #26

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

I'm down in Palm Springs right now for Stagecoach, a big country music festival and having a good time, but boy oh boy I'm tired this morning! We were out until midnight last night and I walked my legs off! I logged almost 20,000 steps on my Fitbit yesterday and that was without doing any run!  I'm going to lay out by the pool as soon as I finish this post, relax and read, because we do it all over again tonight!

Read:
(click on title for Goodreads link:)




Loved Devil's Daughter! The Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite historical romance series' out there. Hide and Seek was a fast-paced and addictive mystery! Dirty was a fun audiobook that I picked up on an Audible sale, and it was sexy fun! Serious Moonlight wasn't my favorite Jenn Bennett, but I still enjoyed it.  Loved The Matrimonial Advertisement!

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

I'm looking forward to every book in this haul. The first three are ARCs and Beard in Mind is audiobook library lend. 

Watched:

I didn't really have an interest in watching it, but my daughter put it on last week and it was really good!  I was pleasantly surprised. I thought Rami Malek's performance was wonderful!

How was your week?