BookSpark

Review: The Gingerbread House by Nell Carson

2013-06-30T01:00:00.000-04:00

Publisher: Avalon Books
Publishing Date: April 6, 2012
Series: No
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Received: Free from author for an honest review

Goodreads Summary: After a tumultuous past, Greta Kendall has focused mainly on her bridal shop, located on the first floor of her beloved Queen Anne Victorian near Aspen. For two years she’s fought to save her house from Stephanie Harwood of Harwood Development, who is intent on razing her home to build a new mall. But now Greta’s running out of time. The town council is about to approve the final plans for the mall.

When Gray Daniels walks into her shop, Greta is immediately attracted to his rugged good looks and midnight blue eyes, until she learns he’s Stephanie Harwood’s fiancé. She’s furious to find they’ve tricked her into a publicity stunt aimed at garnering support for the mall. So now her little war has a new front: Gray Daniels. If only she could also fight her growing attraction to him.

A knock on the door brings a return of old danger, and Greta must now put aside her anguish over the house to discover if she’s at last capable of looking the past in the eye and overcoming it—and if she’s finally free to love again.

Rachel's Rating:

Review

This was a very sweet book. It was a romance novel but has no sex and a little kissing.

The main character, Greta is a very well written character. Her strength in character shows through in every word and action. She believes in a fair fight and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Gray Daniels was also a very well written addition to this story. He believes the best of people and was a little blind when it came to his fiancée but in the end it all works out for the best.

The romance was a slow build up. The attraction was there right away and slowly built from there. The town that is described in the story sounds very quaint and it sounds like a great place to visit. I would love to see this wedding dress in person.

The mystery that was also in this story is who is helping Greta to try and keep her home and shop with anonymous tips. When it is revealed I was surprised it was not who I expected. Then there is also the danger that Greta finds herself in towards the end of the book. It was well written addition to the story.

This book is a great read for you to read on breaks and lunches or just a rainy day. If you like a sweet romance I recommend this one for you.

Like my review on Goodreads here.

Review: Escapement by Ciara Knight

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Publishing Date: February 25, 2013
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy
Series: The Neumarian Chronicles #1
Publisher: Self
Received: Free from author for an honest review

Goodreads Synopsis: Ten years after the great war of 2185 the queen's reign is threatened by uprisings and fear. In celebration of my sixteenth birthday it is my duty as princess to sacrifice a slave to be initiated into the ruling council, solidifying her mother's empire. When her own erratic powers surface I'm captured and tried for treason. Slaves hate me, my mother wants me executed, and my only chance of survival rests in the hands of a young man, Ryder Arteres, whose sister I sentenced to death.

Rachel's Rating:

Review:

I really, really love this series. I read this book as fast as I could because I couldn’t wait to see what happens. Unfortunately things like work and sleep got in the way. Now that I am finished all I have to say is how much longer do I have to wait for the next book?

First I am going to start with the cover of this book. I love the cover! It is awesome and like the prequel it goes so well with the story. The cover alone makes me want to read this story. Again the clock is on the front and this time Princess Semara is on the cover whereas with Weighted the cover featured Raeth. Do I dare hope that Ryder may be on one of the covers?

The characters in this book are written wonderfully. I feel like I know them after reading this story. This story takes place 4 years after the prequel. This story is written from Princess Semara’s point of view. There is some romance in this story also. It is not insta-love nor is it fated. It just slowly builds. I thought that the romance was very well written and it is to be continued in the next book.

The ending had some definite things left open to be answered in the next books. The author really knows how to write an ending that leaves you waiting to find out what happens next and clear up some of the mystery without leaving you feeling like the book just cut off.

I can’t wait for the next in this series. I know I already said that but I really can’t wait. I hope it comes soon because waiting for this story to come out was long enough. If it wasn’t for some other issues I would have had this book read and reviewed last month. All I want to do now is go back and re-read it again! Trust me this is a great series to get in to.

Like Rachel's review on Goodreads.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Escapement

2013-02-25T02:00:00.000-05:00

We need your help! Thanks to our spy, Ciara Knight, we are able to communicate with you today via blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

The Neumarian uprising has begun. We are fighting for freedom and equality for all, but we need your help. Ciara informed us that you might want to know more about the uprising and why we ask you to risk your lives for our cause. To answer these questions I’ve agreed to let Ciara tell my sister’s, Raeth’s, story about her captivity. It will be free for you on a site called Amazon until March 1, 2013.

Our spies have told us this will help spread the word and find more recruits for our rebellion against the tyrannical queen. You can help by simply downloading a free copy of Weighted, a prequel to the Neumarian Chronicles. If you are intrigued and wish to follow our uprising, Escapement, book I of The Neumarian Chronicles, will be available for only $2.99 until March 1, 2013.

Escapement by Ciara Knight

Publishing Date: February 25, 2013
Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy
Series: The Neumarian Chronicles #1
Publisher: Self

Escapement is told by Princess Semara. Don’t hold the fact Semara is a princess against her like I did, there is more to her than you can possibly imagine.

Here is a brief explanation of her telling of our uprising:

If you are now ready to join our fight, please add Escapement to your TBR shelf on Goodreads here. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17376403-escapementShout out on all your social media sites, and tell everyone you know to stand up and fight.

Be Bold.

Be Brave.

Be Free.

In the name of the rebellion,
Ryder Arteres

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Escapement can be found at Amazon.