EmpowerMoms

Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity (Meet Your Match #3)
by Rachael Anderson

Sam is home for the summer to spend time with her family before heading off to her new job in New York, thousands of miles away. She decides to make a bucket list of fun, spontaneous things to do while shes home-one of which is to learn how to ride a horse. Cute cowboy Colton offers to help her learn to ride, and they quickly become friends. At the end of the summer, Sam has to decide whether her new job in New York is more important than a new man in her life.

I loved both the characters! I loved their strong worth ethic and morals, and their strong personal connections to their families. Although the characters from this story were also mentioned in books 1 and 2, this story is a stand alone that can be read alone or out of order.

This was a wonderful, feel good, realistic, clean, romantic story that I thoroughly enjoyed! I have really enjoyed all three books from this author.

I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Home for the summer, Samantha Kinsey is ready to step into her role as pseudo-nanny for her two favorite charges. But when she realizes she’ll be playing chauffeur more than playmate, her summer outlook quickly turns from fun to bleak. That is, until she meets Colton McCoy–a genuine, hard-working cowboy, who’s as set in his ways as he is handsome. Although he claims he doesn’t need any spontaneity in his life, Sam’s determined to help him find it. But she’ll soon discover that cowboys are about as easy to change as wild mustangs.

Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity is about an adaptable girl and a not so adaptable guy. It’s about learning to accept people for who they are and realizing that sometimes who they are is exactly who they should be.

This book is a STANDALONE novel with characters introduced in Prejudice Meets Pride and Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined. It’s not a sequel, but a spin-off.

Biography
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating. You can read more about her and her books online at rachaelreneeanderson.com.

You can buy it here:

WHO IS UP FOR A WATER CHALLENGE??!!
Starts August 1st!

Click on the link below to see The No Excuse Mom, Maria’s, blog post from last years challenge which will answer any questions you have about what to do, what counts as your water intake, etc.

http://www.noexcusemom.com/one-gallon-water-challenge/

I have been reading Annette Lyon’s books and novellas for years, so I have read 5 out of the 6 books in this collection.

This collection contains 6 short stories (novellas). One story is brand new and the other 5 were originally published in previous collections. If you don’t have the other collections, this would be a great one to buy!

This collection contains 3 contemporary romance novellas and 3 historical romance novellas. I enjoy her writing style and like that all her stories are clean and engaging.

The first novella-Our Song-was a very cute story! Cassie becomes worried and disenchanted with her boyfriend after hearing her two girlfriends stories about their boyfriends and engagements. She starts to worry that they have no spark, no commitment and no future.

It’s so easy to compare ourselves with others and think their life is so much better, but we don’t know everyone’s whole story. This novella was a great example and reminder of that!

I liked that a couple of chapters were written from the boyfriend’s perspective, which made the story more real and engaging, instead of one-sided with just Cassie’s feelings.

I would highly recommend this 6 piece short story collection. Annette Lyon is a wonderful author!

I received a complimentary copy of this collection from the author, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

About this Collection:
The ANNETTE LYON COLLECTION contains brand new contemporary romance novella OUR SONG, as well as five hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Annette’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of three contemporary and three historical romance novellas.

In OUR SONG, a charming romance novella, Cassie and Matt have been dating in the Yellowstone area for two years, and things are, well, average. When Cassie meets up with two college friends who are visiting, their love lives like sound like fairy tales: rose petals, chocolates, candles on the beach… Cassie goes home feeling like she’s missing out. After all, repeatedly watching Old Faithful erupt and walking through sulfur-smelling gases at Fountain Paint Pot don’t exactly say “romance.” Maybe things with Matt aren’t going anywhere, and it’s time to move on. Then she discovers that perception and reality are completely different things. Now she can only hope it isn’t too late to show Matt how much she really cares.

In the sweet novella GOLDEN SUNRISE, Natalie takes time out of her crazy schedule to fly to Vegas for her best friend’s wedding. Sierra and Jason, high-school sweethearts, are finally getting married. Fortunately for Natalie, her old high-school flame, Adam, has a work commitment and can’t be there as best man. But when she arrives at the wedding rehearsal—late and ragged—Adam is there. When Adam makes a wild suggestion, Natalie just may take him up on it, even though she knows he’s moved on. A single choice may mean Natalie is taking a shot at reclaiming the past—or that she’s putting her heart in harm’s way a second time.

FIRSTS AND LASTS, an enchanting novella, begins with Dani’s last week in New York. She’s failed in her dreams to catch a break as an actress and is now ready to return home and dust herself off. As she visits the places on her final to-see list, she meets Mark, another New York City transplant with big dreams. Except Mark hasn’t given up on his. As they spend the day together, Dani realizes that even though she hasn’t hit the “big time” she might be living her dream after all. Only problem: she has a one-way ticket back home.

In the compelling novella WAR OF HEARTS, Anna, a journalist, is desperate to escape the magazine where Pete, her now-former boyfriend, also works. Heartbroken and still in love with him, Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland. She arrives at a snowy Finnish battlefront only to discover that Pete is already there—as her photographer. She’s determined to be professional about the situation until a battle breaks out in camp, putting her and Pete in harm’s way and putting their love to the test.

The captivating novella BETWEEN THE LINES follows Jane Martin, who is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship. The program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected, and unknown to Jane, one of the men in her city becomes her writing friend. Thomas Allred has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters written to his secret persona, opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. The only trouble is, Jane doesn’t know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.

In the charming novella A TASTE OF HOME, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of the past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She’s stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday, with William.

You can find the author here:

Annette’s website http://www.annettelyon.com/

Annette’s Twitter http://www.twitter.com/AnnetteLyon

Annette’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/annettelyon?fref=ts

Amazon Link http://www.amazon.com/Annette-Collection-Timeless-Romance-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0106WTIMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1435080786&sr=1-1&keywords=annette+lyon+collection

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25729345-a-timeless-romance-anthology

Annette’s Author Goodreads page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/899093.Annette_Lyon

In Good Company (A Class of Their Own #2)
by Jen Turano

I really liked Millie’s personality in this book! She was spunky and no-nonsense especially with taking care of kids. She reminded me of the Amelia Bedelia books I read as a child-Millie was a good person but misunderstood, like Amelia. She took her role as childcare nanny very seriously but often her acts of teaching the children were not looked upon favorably among the upper class.

Begrudgingly she starts watching Everett’s 3 godchildren, even though she and Everett have a strained relationship. I loved reading how their relationship changed through out the book-good and bad. I loved how Millie showed compassion and kindness to the children and was able to help them emotionally after the loss of their parents.

This story was funny, with some romance and drama. I haven’t always liked books by this author in the past, but I really enjoyed this book!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the Book
After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren’t always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

About the Author
Jen Turano, author of six books, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

You can buy the book here:

The Curiosity Keeper (A Treasures of Surrey Novel) by Sarah E. Ladd

Camille works at her dad’s “curiosity shop” (in todays world it would be know as an antique shop) taking care of the books and selling rare items and treasures. After a violent attack one night at the shop, she is rescued by a handsome stranger passing by named Jonathan. As Camille gets to know Jonathan and his family, she can’t help wonder who she can trust and why someone is after her. As family secrets and deceit come to light, Camille and Jonathan have to work together to solve the mystery of the missing ruby called the Bevoy, and why someone would want to kill for it.

This book was a little long and it took me a couple of chapter to get into the story line, but once I did, I found it very enjoyable and intriguing. Jonathan was a great, strong character who only wanted to protect Camille against harm, and to do the right thing. Even though they were from a different social status, he was very caring towards her. The family dynamics were very interesting with both families, but despite that, Jonathan and Camille start to have romantic feelings towards each other.

This story shows that love, and Faith in others and God, can triumph over greed and deceit. The truth will always come out!

This was a romantic, clean, Christian mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. It was well written and kept my interest. This story was set in England during the early 1800s.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the book:
“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

About the author:
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

You can purchase a copy of the book here:

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