EmpowerMoms

“Diamond in the Rough” (American Heiresses Book #2) by Jen Turano

From chapter one until the end I was laughing at Poppy’s antics and unfortunate mishaps. This story was set in the late 1880s and the author did a fantastic job of describing that era with their dress, mannerisms, and the importance of money and society to some people.

Loved the characters, setting and story line. Lots of laughs, witty, clean romance, and drama.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan that has unexpectedly come due. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, doomed to suffer a grand societal failure instead of being deemed the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs for her to become.

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, has been forced to travel to America to help his cousin, Charles Wynn, Earl of Lonsdale, find an American heiress to wed in order to shore up his family estate that is in desperate need of funds. Reginald himself has no interest in finding an heiress to marry, but when Poppy’s grandmother asks him to give etiquette lessons to Poppy, he swiftly discovers he may be in for much more than he bargained for.

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About the Author
Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

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“Love Sidelined” by Tiffany Odekirk
I absolutely LOVED this book! I loved the realness of the characters and their struggles… I even loved the story line even though I’m not into football and sports. Although the characters are early to mid 20’s, I felt like they were mature for their age and had real life experiences and decisions to make about their future-not petty, young adult drama. The chapters alternated between Jason and Allie’s experiences and points of view which I really enjoyed.

This story mentions “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” christian beliefs and church experiences throughout, but readers not belonging to that church will have no problems following and enjoying the story line.

This story is a clean, christian, romance drama. Lots of laughs, even some tears… I absolutly loved it!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Jason Jennings made a tough call two years ago when he left behind his status as a hard-partying star quarterback in order to serve the Lord. Recently returned from a mission now, he’s ready to get back on the football field at UCAL. But despite turning his life around, his bad-boy reputation is proving hard to shake.
Allie Hollis is everything a cheerleader should be—beautiful, outgoing, and smart—but her brilliant smile hides a devastating secret. So when Jason begins to show interest in her, there’s no question: her answer is no.

Yet, in the face of Allie’s chilly response, Jason’s gentle persistence pays off, and a tentative friendship grows. Their chemistry is obvious, but Allie’s determination to steer clear of a relationship with Jason goes deeper than he realizes. When the truth of her painful history comes to light, the couple must decide whether they will remain on the sidelines or jump back into the game of love.

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Biography
Tiffany Odekirk believes cooking should take less than thirty minutes, frosting is better than ice cream, and all books should end with happily ever after. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, Tiffany completed an internship with LDS Family Services in adoption and then went on to work with homeless women and children in the non-profit sector. Married to a Broadway star, Tiffany’s days are filled with music, and her nights are spent writing the types of characters she hopes her children will one day marry.

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“Ford” (The Montana Marshalls #3) by Susan May Warren

I have read Knox (book 1) and Tate (book 2) from this series and LOVED them so I was really excited to read about another Marshall brother-Ford! Although this is a series, the books can be read as stand alone books. I prefer to read them in order though for character development.

This story mostly focuses on Ford and his sister Ruby Jane (RJ). Other characters from the previous books are also mentioned throughout since they are family members. Ford travels to Russia with his friend Scarlett to find his missing twin sister RJ after he’s convinced she’s gone missing from a secret covert operation gone bad.

I loved getting to know SEAL member Ford and his determination to protect his loved ones at all costs. Scarlett was a great character as well, who despite her horrible upbringing and lack of parenting, made sacrifices to make a better life for herself. She didn’t use her past to excuse and dictate her future which I loved! They worked really well together as a team.

I also really liked getting to know RJ and York as they traveled around Russia to escape the different organizations that were after them. Throughout the story they were trying to figure out who was trying to frame her for the General’s attempt on his life and who was their friend or enemy. It was a little complicated but I still enjoyed it.

Lots of action, twists and turns. Great characters, dramatic story line, with clean romance and christian themes like forgiveness and grace. I read this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down-I loved it so much!

I can’t wait to read Wyatt and Coco’s story next! I highly recommend this book and series!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Family…country…or the woman he loves…

Navy Seal Ford Marshall isn’t the kind to stand by and let a woman get hurt—especially when it involves his twin sister, RJ. So, when she makes the news, accused of sparking an international incident, he doesn’t care what it takes—he’s going to find her and bring her home.

But he might need a little help, so he calls on the woman who has had his back during the last three years—Petty Officer Scarlett Hathaway, former communications expert-turned Rescue Swimmer candidate. She’ll help him get into the country, watch his back, and…well, they might be able to have one last mission together before she leaves for a new life, a life he very much wants to be a part of now that she is off his team. Maybe he can convince her to give them a chance to kindle the spark that’s simmered between them for years.

Scarlett Hathaway isn’t sure what future she wants—not when she suddenly has to care for her little brother. Maybe she should quit the Navy and start a life with the man she can’t seem to get out of her heart. So yes, she’ll help Ford find his sister. And maybe, along the way, figure out if they have a future.

But finding RJ somewhere in the vastness of Russia with the FSB chasing them will push Scarlett beyond even her courage and make her question everything she thought she wanted…including Ford. What will it cost her to love a man who saves the world?

And when Ford is asked to choose between saving his sister, saving the world from a war, and rescuing the woman he loves…can he live with his decision?

The third book in the Montana Marshalls series will leave you breathless!

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Biography
Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I’m a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I’m an adventurer — having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that’s why my characters can’t sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another — they’re too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories.