EmpowerMoms

“A Change of Fortune” by Traci Hunter Abramson

I have ready many, if not all, of this author’s published books because she is an amazing writer and this book didn’t disappoint. It was easy to read with great characters and engaging story line.

I liked Brooke’s business sense and how she managed her finances and made decisions, even when it threatened to jeopardize her new relationship. I read this book in one day because I had to know what would happen and if Brooke would ever get her “happily ever after”.

Clean contemporary romance-highly recommend! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Law student Brooke Sherman leads an enviable life, with an impressive education, a prestigious internship, and an ambitious boyfriend who any girl on campus would love to date. But one phone call shatters everything: her father, the optimistic man who insists on buying lottery tickets and dreaming big, has terminal cancer. Desperate to get home and predictably unable to rely on her boyfriend, Brooke finds an unlikely hero in the form of her classmate.
Jason Ramsey has had a crush on his study partner Brooke for months, but he’d never encroach on someone else’s girlfriend even if the guy doesn’t treat her the way she deserves. But when he learns of Brooke’s father’s diagnosis, Jason steps up to help however he can. In the weeks and months following, Jason is Brooke’s rock, and after Brooke’s breakup, Jason becomes much more than just a friend. But even as they plan for a future together, things get complicated: Brooke’s father had a dying wish, that his daughter buy one last lottery ticket. She never dreamed that fulfilling that wish would jeopardize a future with the man she loves.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE:
https://amzn.to/3dpLR8T

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) Safe House won Whitney Awards for both the mystery/suspense category as well as 2017 Adult Novel of the Year. She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and coaching high school swimming. Follow Traci on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/traci-hunter-abramson and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tracihabramson/

Rakes and Roses (Proper Romance Regency) by Josi S. Kilpack

Another win for the Mayfield Family Regency Romance series! I really liked the main character Lady Sabrina and her determination to make a better life for herself and to give and serve others. I liked her philosophy with helping others with rules and expectations, and not just giving out free handouts.

This story was easy to read with great characters. Very engaging story line with some drama, especially with Harry Stillman. He was very funny and caring once he got serious about life and was sober.

These books can be read as stand alone books, but previous characters are mentioned which makes it more engaging and fun if you read them in order. I can’t say enough good things about this series! I definitely recommend this funny, never stuffy “proper regency” book!

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Mayfield Family Romance – Vol. 3 in the standalone series

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.

Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an alley.

When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE:
https://amzn.to/2Yrt357

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance and Proper Romance Historical series and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton’s Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children.

“The Trustworthy One” (Walnut Creek Series #4) by Shelley Shepard Gray

I have read the other books in this series and really enjoyed them and getting to know “the 8”-a group of close knit friends from high school. Each book focuses on a couple of the kids from this group which includes flashbacks of high school, growing up and present day. Although this is a series, they can be read as stand along books.

This is not a light-hearted Amish read. This story deals with issues like addiction, neglect, severe abuse, depression, suicide and bullying. Despite all that, it was still enjoyable to read and realistic and emotional. The characters and town were great to read about and kept my interest from beginning to end.

I really liked the main character Kendra and her desire to improve her life and not let her past define her. I liked that although she let go of the anger and bitterness of the past, she didn’t just simply forgive and move on. In my opinion, that’s not realistic…especially with trauma and abuse victims. I believe a person can heal and move on without telling an abuser that they “forgive” them-Christian or not.

I liked Nate’s true remorse and persistence to make amends and help Kendra and her family. He was a great character and it was nice to see the maturity and responsibility.

I am sad to see this series end and I look forward to reading more books by this author. Her writing and books over the years has definitely changed my opinion of Amish Christian books.

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

About the Book:
Kendra Troyer always knew she would leave Walnut Creek the first chance she got. When she was accepted into design school, she tried her best not to look back at the four siblings she was abandoning, but ahead to Columbus, where she was determined to stay—far away from her abusive home and far away from Nate Miller, the boy she vowed to despise for the rest of her life.

Though she suffered through dark times in Columbus, Kendra found her faith in the Lord again, and years later, when she learned one of her good friends had died, she realized it was time to go home to those she left behind.

Back in Walnut Creek, Kendra has a life she never could have imagined: her own design shop, a pretty little house, and a tight-knit group of friends. After she settles down, though, unexpected visitors come knocking and dark memories begin to resurface. Complicating things even further is the ever-present Nate Miller, who now owns the hardware store two doors down and whose very presence stirs in Kendra a fierce need to turn away and hide from her past. But Nate is persistent in setting things right between them.

As Kendra tries to come to terms with the anger she holds from her childhood, will she be able to open her heart to forgiveness and find the comfort she has always longed for in Walnut Creek?

Purchase your copy here:
https://amzn.to/2Yqi5eQ

About the Author
A practicing Lutheran, Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than eighty novels, translated into multiple languages. In her years of researching the Amish community, she depends on her Amish friends for gossip, advice, and cinnamon rolls. She lives in Colorado with her family and writes full time.

MY REVIEW:

This was an easy book to read with good story line and characters. I loved Gia’s love for family and animals, and her trying to figure out where she belonged and her search for her biological father.

Clean romance without being graphic even though “love making” was eluded to towards the end of the book. I appreciated the clean romance aspect and that there was an actual plot to this story instead of just steamy kisses and love scenes. I don’t read alot of Harlequin Romance books for that reason.

This is book 2 in “The Bartolini Legacy” series but they can be read as stand alone books. I liked reading about Riccardo’s change of character during the book and him being more accepting and tolerable of others.

I enjoyed reading this book-it would be perfect for a summer road trip or beach read!

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

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The CEO, the Puppy and Me
(The Bartolini Legacy #2)
By Jennifer Faye
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages
June 1st 2020 by Harlequin Romance

Has the search for her past…

…guided her toward her future?

Gia Bartolini’s determinedly searching for her real father. First stop on the enchanting Italian island of Lapri? A mysterious abandoned mansion…where, rescuing a trapped puppy, she falls straight into the arms of alluring Riccardo Moretti! Her passion for the all-business CEO burns bright, leaving Gia with a question: In uncovering her true roots, has fate led her to true love?

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo | PRINT

Go to Jennifer’s Contact Page HERE and order your bookmark(s)!

Other Books in the Series

The Prince and the Wedding Planner
(The Bartolini Legacy #1)
By Jennifer Faye
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages
March 1st 2020 by Harlequin Romance

When different worlds collide…

…sparks fly!

With her family name on the line, wedding planner Bianca Bartolini needs this royal wedding to go perfectly—she can’t afford distractions. Too bad the bride’s dashing brother has other plans! Duty-bound Crown Prince Leo has mere weeks to announce his own engagement, but none of the candidates measure up to Bianca. They’re the most unlikely match, but might that just make them perfect for one another?

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo | PRINT

And coming in September…

The Italian’s Unexpected Heir
(The Bartolini Legacy #3)
By Jennifer Faye
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages
September 1st 2020 by Harlequin Romance

Her baby surprise proves…

…that one night will never be enough!

Reeling from the secrets that have torn his heritage apart, Enzo Bartolini is set on selling his family’s Tuscan vineyard and trying to forget the impulsive, dazzling night he and best friend Sylvie shared in Paris. While the sale moves forward, the thrilling awareness between him and Sylvie is harder to move past…especially when she upends Enzo’s world by revealing she’s carrying his baby!

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo | PRINT

About the Author

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of THE PRINCE AND THE WEDDING PLANNER, winner’s choice of print (US only) or ebook
Open internationally
Ends June 17, 2020

ENTER HERE

Justice Undercover (Love Inspired Suspense) by Connie Queen

I love “Love Inspired Suspense” books because they are “clean” and free from graphic romance scenes, graphic violence and bad language. But that doesn’t mean these books are boring-far from it!

This story was so captivating and easy to read! I read it in one afternoon because I didn’t want to stop reading and wanted to know if Kylie was going to get her happy ending with seeing her family again. I liked her love for family and trying to protect them and those around her whether it was her job or not. Her determination and drive for justice and truth was commendable.

I liked reading about Texas Ranger Luke and ended up googling what rangers do because I was enthralled with his line of work and duty. He had a hard time juggling work and being a single father, which is relatable, and I liked how his determination and persistence was portrayed.

Amazing story line and characters! Lots of action and an interesting, steady plot. This was my first time reading a book by this author, but it won’t be the last.

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

About the Book:
Keeping her true identity a secret

is the only way to stay alive.

Going undercover as a nanny brings presumed-dead ex-US Marshal Kylie Stone closer to catching the man who murdered the witness in her protection—and also killed Texas Ranger Luke Dryden’s sister. When someone tries to kidnap the twins in her care, Kylie must tell their uncle the truth…and convince Luke to help her. But will revealing her identity put all their lives at stake?

Purchase your copy here:
https://amzn.to/3dOlFGd

About the Author
Connie Queen spent her life in Texas where she met and married her high-school sweetheart. Together they’ve raised eight children and are enjoying their grandchildren. As a child, Connie remembers her mom and sisters reading, but she preferred to be outside. It wasn’t until later, she found the joy of being whisked away into another world. Today she resides in Nebraska with her husband, and Nash, her Great Dane, where she’s working on her next suspense.