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Showing posts with label Bewitching Blog Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bewitching Blog Tour. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Book Review, Spotlight and Giveaway: Cursed by Lynn Ricci

A quick read with a mixed Gothic and fairy tale bent.
Cursed
Lynn Ricci

  • File Size: 444 KB
  • Print Length: 258 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00AQO2ISW
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
When Sarah Carter moves to Boston to escape her past she realizes there's more than meets the eye with the landlord and her mysterious new best friend. What happened to the owner of this brownstone and what secrets lie within its walls and continue to torment? Witchcraft, curses and timeless love are not what Sarah expected to find, but as she learns more, she wonders is she actually running back to her past instead of from it?


Review:
Sarah has moved to Boston after a romance gone bad. She has gotten a good job offer and found an apartment in a lovely old brownstone. Her new landlord is apparently disfigured and very reclusive but he is very gentlemanly and helpful.

Sarah settles in at the office with other staff and occasionally joins some of the ladies for lunch. One morning getting bagels an attractive woman, Zoe, befriends her and becomes quite chummy. Zoe encourages Sarah to go out but Zoe is the one who attracts all the men wherever she goes and she isn’t particularly kind to Sarah’s other friends.

Strange things begin to occur at her apartment and Sarah starts to have more contact with her landlord, seeing Mason as a man beyond his disfigurements. As black cats hiss at windows and other spooky things happen Mason finally discloses his story and his suspicions to Sarah. It is a remarkable tale of witchcraft, jealousy and curses.

The story is interesting and engaging although a bit different. There is quite a bit of ‘telling’ instead of showing as the past history unfolds as Mason shares it with Sarah. It works okay as it is like a storyteller in front of a campfire or in a dark room and you want to know what happened! I liked Sarah as a down to earth and kind heroine. The villain is a fabulously wicked character - and you really do suspect it fairly early.  It is interesting that the story has a bit of fairy tale leanings such as The Beauty and The Beast and Sleeping Beauty.

The story reads easily and quickly and there is excitement as the secrets are revealed and danger must be met. If you enjoy Gothic romance with a hint of fairy tale curses you should enjoy this story. 

I received the eBook for an honest review to post as part of Bewitching Blog Tour.
Set in Boston, Massachusetts for my 2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge; Ms. Ricci is a New Author for me.


Excerpt Chapter 1

Staring out of the small dormered window, he could just see the corner of the street. Leaves on the trees lining the sidewalk were moving past their prime of orange and red and turning brown as autumn made its way through Boston. The ones still clinging to the trees blocked part of his view. Absentmindedly he pulled his pocket watch out of his pants and checked the time although he instinctively knew it was still early. Purposely, he had chosen this spot to watch the street for a sign. He didn’t want to miss a thing.
Mrs. Casey was nearly three stories below waiting on the sidewalk next to her white BMW. He gazed down at the plump woman in her camel jacket and brown plaid scarf. She had just arrived and was on her mobile phone, trusty bag over her shoulder. As he watched from above, he wondered if he might keep her for a while. She had proven to be discreet and respectful in their dealings thus far –always keeping her eyes conveniently averted. That was a big plus in his book.

The sky had been bright blue and clear all morning but now the sunlight dimmed and small gusts of wind kicked up from time to time, stirring up the brittle leaves, scratching at the sidewalk and causing drifts against the wrought iron fence. He would go out and clean up the two small patches of grass in front of the building later, when it got dark. After all these years, he was comfortable working outside after nightfall.

A flicker of yellow caught his eye as a taxi turned from Columbus Avenue onto Dunhill – a small side street in Boston’s South End, lined with fashionable brownstones. He straightened his bent frame as best he could and intently watched the cab's approach, completely absorbed in his surroundings and on high alert. Below, Mrs. Casey tucked her phone away and pulled her coat closed. Is it getting colder, he thought, touching the glass pane in front of him, the chill spreading through his fingertips.

The yellow checker taxi glided to a stop in front of the building and a young woman with ash blonde hair stepped out but held the door and leaned back in. His heart clenched as if it had been submerged in cold water and he grasped the windowsill to steady himself. From his vantage point, he could see the cabbie handing her some bills. She closed the car door and turned to Mrs. Casey, shaking hands. He wished he could hear the conversation, but knew that it would be pleasantries and then the expected basics.

Both women squinted up towards the window and he faded back as quickly as possible. He was sure he was a moment too late, but what did it really matter? He snuck another quick look and relaxed, realizing Mrs. Casey was pointing out items on the ground level – most likely the security system, or flower boxes. But as he continued to watch he finally saw it: the sign he had been waiting for.

Small gusts that had been making the crunchy, dry leaves rise and dance with their still colorful counterparts whipped up again a few buildings further along the street and came towards the women like a mounting wave. The leaves blew up waist high, swirling and twirling onto themselves until the force reached the women and spun around them in a leaf tornado. Mrs. Casey stepped back towards her BMW parked at the curb to get out of the maelstrom and the leaves continued, picking up energy and speed; surrounding the flaxen-haired woman, lifting and tossing her long hair like a Medusa at the center of the funnel. In reaction to the onslaught, the young woman covered her head with her arms and ran up the front walk toward the building to get out of its path. The wind disappeared and the leaves fell to the ground on the sidewalk as quickly as it had started. Overhead the sky was once again blue.

She’s here, he thought.

The leaves settled gently on the sidewalk. Sarah laughed, removing a few dry leaves that had snagged on her scarf and sweater.

“My goodness! It’s getting blustery!” Mrs. Casey exclaimed as she hurried across the brick sidewalk to the open gate that Sarah ran through, moments before. “Are you ok, dear?”

“I’m fine, really.” Sarah said almost to herself while smoothing her hair. “Just a little wind.”

“Well, dear, if it was any more wind it would have swept you away to Oz.” Sarah heard the deep Boston accent in the woman’s voice and felt immediately comfortable with the realtor. The cadence was almost like she was listening to her maternal grandmother, Rose. Growing up in Connecticut, her grandmother's Boston accent was fodder for jokes, but she always associated the distinctive pronunciations with happy childhood memories. Sarah waited as Mrs. Casey reached into her oversized bag and easily pulled out a business card.

“Thank you, Mrs. Casey,” Sarah said as she examined the card. “I’m so glad you were able to meet me on short notice.” Sarah stood on the bottom step and waited as Mrs. Casey dug paperwork out of her briefcase. Glancing around the small front enclosure she wasn’t sure was big enough to qualify as a yard, she noticed the black wrought iron flower boxes mounted below the bay windows, full of deep russet, red, and burnt orange mums. Mrs. Casey finished pulling out the listing sheet and noticed where Sarah was looking.

“The flowers are lovely, aren’t they? You should see this place in the summer! I don’t know how he does it. No one ever sees him working in the garden but it’s always immaculate.” She leaned over and pointed to the side of the building indicating she actually meant around the corner. “Over there are the rose bushes. This is actually one of the few brownstones that has a little side yard since the alley cuts through there.”

Sarah looked at the old-world cobblestone alley. Mrs. Casey continued her garden tour, “Not big enough to do much with, but he keeps pink roses in the summer all along those wooden trellises.”

“It’s very nice. You can tell the property is well kept; it’s wonderful that he cares so much for the landscaping.”

“Everything is kept well. This was a grand house in her day.” Mrs. Casey stressed the last sentence as she looked lovingly up to the front door. The realtor continued with a tone of letting Sarah in on a fact already well known in certain social circles, “This is one of the prime rental properties in the South End, dear.”

Mrs. Casey started to climb the front steps slowly. Sarah wondered if it was her age that slowed her down but this seemed different, almost hesitant. As if on cue, the woman turned and looked down at Sarah, two steps below. She put one hand on the railing to steady herself before speaking.

“Before we go in, I must tell you something. We will be meeting with the owner in a few minutes. He’s very particular about his renters since he lives on the first floor.”

Sarah started to say she would make a good impression but the woman laid her gloved hand on her arm to quiet her.

“There’s more.” Mrs. Casey looked down at her feet in discomfort with what she was about to say. “He had an accident . . . of some sort. I am not sure exactly what happened but he is disfigured and very, very self-conscious.” Her eyes darted back to Sarah’s and locked. “Don’t act like you pity him. Don’t ask any questions about it. And, whatever you do, don’t look straight at him.”

“Is it that bad?”

“I really don’t know the extent of it. He tries to cover as much he can and I pretend like nothing is wrong. But it’s bad. I always keep myself busy and interested in looking at something else.”

“I will avoid looking at him. Promise.”

“I’ve lost some good tenants by them being too interested in him. He’s a proud man. He has done a lot of beautiful work; everything in this home has been lovingly maintained. The whole building possesses a charm you just don’t see anymore.”

Mrs. Casey searched Sarah’s face, making sure all this had settled in.

“Ready, dear?”

“Ready.”


About the Author:

Lynn Ricci was born and raised in the Boston area. Her professional background is in financial communications and she pursues her artistic endeavors of writing and painting while enjoying an active family life with her two children and dog, Fenway. In the summer, she enjoys relaxing in Chatham on Cape Cod.

A writer of several published short stories including Daydreams which was picked up for an anthology collection through Outskirts Press, The Dating Intervention is her debut novel and Cursed, a paranormal romance, is her most recent novel released December 2012.

More information on novels available and underway can be found at www.lynnricci.com

Website: http://www.lynnricci.com/
Blog: Lynn Ricci's Musings
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lynn.Ricci.Author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lynnricci


Tour Wide Giveaway
2 Kindle copies Cursed
2 Print copies Cursed


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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Book Review: Jabin & the Space Pirates by Bev Allen

This is a surprising story that is thoroughly engaging and rich in character.
Jabin and the Space Pirates
by Bev Allen

  • File Size: 508 KB
  • Print Length: 295 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477578919
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Taylor Street Publishing (May 31, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0087UYNI0
Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating 5.0 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: May 31, 2012
In the space colony of New Wales, the pirate attacks are both relentless and merciless.

Having lost both his parents, Jabin has been adopted by his austere and spiteful uncle and aunt who live in the space colony of New Wales which is riven with religious and political rivalry, and prey to the vicious maraudings of pirates whose cruelty and greed are beyond all imagination.

When Jabin volunteers to surrender himself to a pirate raiding party to save a friend, he does so believing that nothing can be worse than his current suffering.

However, he is soon to discover that things can always get worse when the stakes are high, the rewards are vast and slave labour is there for the taking.

When the King of New Wales is assassinated, the colony threatens to collapse into total anarchy, leaving the pirates free reign to mutilate, kill and profit as they will, but the forces of law and order sent out from Earth are getting ready to fight back, and Jabin could have a vital part to play in the ensuing war if he can only stay alive.


Review:
I was drawn to read this book although I can’t say why. I like sci fi and space opera but the cover made me a little uncertain what to suspect. I got much more than I would have guessed!

The story follows the life struggles of young Jabin, an orphaned boy who feels rejected by everyone. He lives with a stingy, excessively pious Aunt who barely allows him one small meal a day. He can only hope to be sheltered and not go hungry but otherwise he accepts the drudgery of life.

When raiding space pirates come to his village, Jabin volunteers to take the place of a younger boy.  Jabin feels he doesn’t belong anywhere so one place won’t be much different than another. He becomes the personal server for the leader of the pirates and gets to eat leftovers on the days he pleases his master. He becomes friends with the man’s mistress, Antonia, who was sold into slavery by her first love and is also trapped with no hope of escape.

One day a chance for escape does come and Jabin gets Antonia to sneak away while the pirates pack to flee before the Earth forces attack. When Antonia is shot Jabin slips back to his duties in despair. But Jabin sees enemies meeting with the pirate and he has an important role to play in protecting other endangered children.

While following Jabin's struggles on one line, another line of the story follows the political upheaval of the space colony. The country is torn between factions of traditional Church and Chapel believers.  There is much unrest and it isn’t clear which is the greater danger: the pirate raiders or civil war. 

Earth forces are brought in to handle the space pirates. Colonel Mike Eveson is a wise, tough commander, who has learned when and how to discipline. Eveson is close friends with one of the Royal Princes, General Gethin.  The king has been assassinated and there are rivals who pose a danger to the new child King. Eveson and Gethin are called in and have to determine who can be trusted in the royal household. Ultimately Eveson and Jabin’s paths meet and a fragile relationship develops.

I was really surprised by the depth of thought provoking themes shared by Ms. Allen in this remarkable story. The plight of Jabin is touching as you ache for him as a lost child.  There are engaging political and ecumenical intrigues. There are interesting comments on many topics such as soldiers and parenting, abandoned children, officers who gain their position through prestige and have to learn and earn respect, self-worth and much more.

The characters have wonderful depth that drew me into their emotions. Eveson is a wonderful character with great relationships with his men and a beautiful protective attitude toward the brutalized Jabin. He recognizes the bravery in young Jabin who chooses to do the right things even through his fears.

I highly recommend this story for the wealth of character and life-lessons that are woven into engaging entertainment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eveson explains to a young officer that if the army took control of the government it would lead to military dictatorship.
“If you want to rule civilians, resign and become a politician. If you want to defend them, stay a soldier.”  Location 1905.
Jabin hated the heavy ID tag in his ear but when it is removed he feels a loss:
...but it marked him for what he was, what he had become. Without it he was nothing, no-one’s slave, no-one’s child, and he had no place in anyone’s life. Location 4307.
I received this for review as part of Bewitching Blog Tour.

For author interviews and guest posts, visit the hosts found at
CymLowell

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Blog Tour Blitz with Giveaway: Double Helix Series by Jade Kerrion

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Book Review: Perfection Unleashed by Jade Kerrion

This is an intense and engaging science fiction.
  • File Size: 893 KB
  • Print Length: 213 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1469980355
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 23, 2012
What would you do if you came face-to-face with perfection, and it looked just like you?

Two men, one face. One man seeks to embrace destiny, the other to escape it.

Danyael Sabre spent sixteen years clawing out of the ruins of his childhood and finally has everything he wanted--a career, a home, and a trusted friend. To hold on to them, he keeps his head down and plays by the rules. An alpha empath, he is powerful in a world transformed by the Genetic Revolution, yet his experience has taught him to avoid attention.

When the perfect human being, Galahad, escapes from Pioneer Laboratories, the illusory peace between humans and their derivatives--the in vitros, clones, and mutants--collapses into social upheaval. The abominations, deformed and distorted mirrors of humanity, created unintentionally in Pioneer Lab's search for perfection, descend upon Washington D.C. The first era of the Genetic Revolution was peaceful. The second is headed for open war.

Although the genetic future of the human race pivots on Galahad, Danyael does not feel compelled to get involved and risk his cover of anonymity, until he finds out that the perfect human being looks just like him.


Review:
This is full of a variety of characters and human derivatives – clones, mutants, in vitros and a genetically created ‘perfect human’, Galahad.  Zara is a human who has teamed up with Xin (a clone) to get DNA from Galahad. But when Zara breaks into Pioneer Lab she becomes attracted to Galahad and decides to rescue him from the lab-prison where he has been raised for the past 25 years. As Zara modifies her objectives, a pro-life mob headed by a bitter and zealous Jason Rakehell, the son of Roland Rakehell, one of the founders of Pioneer Lab, attacks the lab.

Zara and Galahad escape with injuries to Galahad. In their zeal the mob releases five other specimens--monster abominations--who tear through all the humans attacking the lab and break out.

Zara and Xin take Galahad to the estate of Lucien, an in vitro, who is extremely wealthy and influential. He calls in a life long friend, Danyael, who is a mutant alpha empath and healer. Danyael was abused as a child and had to be trained to compartmentalize his feelings with shields or his thoughts will cause those around him to commit suicide.  He has always tried to work in a public medical system and to avoid attention.  Everyone is shocked when they realize that Danyael and Galahad look like twins!

Fighting breaks out between humans and mutants in Washington, D.C. as a result of the Pro-human attack and hostilities. Meanwhile the abominations are seeking their ‘brother’ creature, Galahad, and killing anyone who gets in their way. The Mutant Counsel sends Miriya, a telepath, to help protect Danyael who is sought after by several rival forces because of his extensive powers. Now the group is trying to protect Galahad and Danyael as the government, opposing forces and the Rackhells, son and father, try to track them down.

This book reminded me a bit of X-Men with all the rivals and bitter hostilities. There are conflicting interests, intense emotions and overt and subtle betrayals. Galahad’s treatment and Danyael’s sufferings evoke sympathy for their characters. The writing is clean and the pacing good. Zara isn't my favorite character because of her dislike and misconceptions regarding Danyael.  I am rooting for the whole team although it is clear that there are more obstacles to face and more pain for Danyael in the next book. I am anxious to see what happens next.  If you like mutant characters with powers and a story with lots of emotion and actions, I highly recommend this book.

My word thoughts noted: action, emotion, compelling, betrayal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Danyael’s strengths are continually taxed:
He needed to relax for a few minutes,.... He did not have the time for that, not with so much at stake, and so many questions that demanded answers he did not have. I can resst in a few hours. I can do this....Location 939.
Galahad is grateful to Zara:
“You’ve always been free, and it’s hard to express how much what you did–even if on a whim–means to someone who has never been free.  Location 2175.
I received this title for an honest review as part of a Bewitching Blog Tour. 
This is set in Washington, D.C. I will also add it to my New Author Challenge lists.

 See the additional post for more Blitz info and Giveaway. I will also be hosting an Author Guest Post on January 7.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Book Review and Feature: The Old Man & The Monkey by George Polley

This is a delightful read!
The Old Man and the Monkey
by George Polley  

  • Paperback: 60 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 25, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1451543778
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451543773
Genre: Adventure, Inspirational, Legend
My Rating: 5.0


The Old Man and The Monkey is about a village elder in Japan and the large monkey who became his friend over the last five years of his life. Since the villagers don't like monkeys, none of them approve of the friendship between the old man Genjiro Yamada and Yukitaro ("snow monkey" in Japanese).
But Genjiro refuses to give up the friendship, even when his wife objects to it. After all, monkeys are nuisances and thieves. But over time, both Genjiro’s wife and the villagers come to grudgingly accept him, especially when, on several occasions, they receive a special blessing from him.

'The Old Man & The Monkey' is a stunningly beautiful story of a relationship which develops between an old man and a creature which is regarded as a dangerous pest in Japan, a snow monkey, in George Polley's moving allegory of dignity in the face of prejudice and racism.


Review:
This is such a lovely little story. It is so short that it reads in one sitting. It is sweet, peaceful and charming.  The development of the friendship is the focus of the story. The writing is gentle and I was quickly wrapped into the beauty of the friendship. I like how the tender feelings ripple out beyond the old man when they spread to his wife and children. I also like how the relationship breaks down some of the bigotry and antipathy of the community. The example of the quiet acceptance shows others that they can overcome their fears of those they don’t really know or trust. I recommend this for a quick, sweet read to help remind you how beautiful friendship and companionship can be; how it enriches our lives, at any age.

SEE GIVEAWAY BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WINA COPY - Print and Ebook!

About the Author:
George Polley was born in Santa Barbara, California and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has lived in California (Berkeley and Stockton), Illinois (Cooks Mills  and Villa Grove), Minnesota (Luverne, Marshal and Minneapolis), and from 1984 until early in 2008, in Seattle, when he and his wife moved to Sapporo, Japan so that she could fulfill her dream of returning to the land of her birth.

His work has appeared in the South Dakota Review, Crow's Nest, Expanding Horizons, The Enchanted Self, Community Mental Health Journal, Maturing, The Lyon County (Minnesota) Review  Wine Rings, North Country Anvil, North American Mentor Magazine, the McLean County (Illinois) Poetry Review, River Bottom, Tower Talks and Foundations.

He has also authored several booklets in the mental health field, two of them co-authored with Ana Dvoredsky, M.D. in 2007.

George's e-book 'The Old Man & The Monkey' poses one of the most elegant and powerful arguments against racism of all time, and his 'Grandfather & The Raven' argues equally compellingly against violence in all its forms.
web  blog   twitter amazon.com

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5 paperbacks no shipping restrictions and 5 Ebooks
(Ends 12/24)

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Blog Tour Interview with Author Lisa Mondello

Please help me give a nice Holiday Welcome to Lisa Mondello author of All I Want for Christmas is You.
Book Available at:
(Free at Amazon, iTunes and Smashwords; $.99 at B&N!)

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing with Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Q1. What inspired you to write this particular title?
LM:  I love Christmas stories.  Who doesn’t ?  Each year I would stock up on Christmas books and read them one after one during the holidays.  I was caring for an injured stray kitten who’d been hurt by a neighbor’s dog and I started singing All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey.  It was August, so yes, I was a little early for the holiday.  But from that moment, that stray kitten became a stray dog and a family of foster kids and a displaced single mom.
Q2. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
LM:  A teen?  I remember reading the book Always, a reincarnation romance story.  I loved it!  I must have read it five times when I was in high school.  I lost the original book when I went to college, but I managed to track down a used copy a few years ago.
Q3. What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?
LM:  Keep writing.  And writing.  Then finish it.  There are a lot of writers who have parts of books on their hard drive but nothing complete.  You can always revise a manuscript that needs work.  So even if it doesn’t feel like it’s great when you’re writing it, keep writing and finish it.
Q4. Is there any one thing you struggle with in your writing?
LM:  Confidence.  I’m never confident I’m going to pull the story together until about 80% of the way through the story.  This comes from the fact that I’m a puzzle writer and I write in pieces.  I’ve always wished I was more linear in my writing, but I’m not.  My brain doesn’t work that way.
Q5. Do you have any strange habits when you write?
LM:  Strange?  No.  I’m just a coffee fiend.  I have to have a cup of coffee on my desk even if I’m not drinking it.  Okay, so maybe that’s strange.
Q6.  Which authors have influenced you most how?
LM:  There are way too many to even list.  I’d say that the type of author who influences me is the kind who can make me forget that I’m a writer.  If I’m critiquing the story, either good or bad, as I’m reading a story, then I’m not fully engaged.  But if I can get so wrapped up in a story that I forget about the craft of writing, I love it. 
Q7. Please share your most rewarding experience since being published.
LM:  There are steps and I don’t think any one of them is any less important than the last one.  Getting your first contract is always a rush.  Finally in your first contest, another rush.  Winning, even nicer.  It brings validation because writers are such insecure creatures.  Getting reader mail is awesome!  Getting paid is always nice, too!  I don’t think any writer ever sits back and says, “I’ve made it.”  Made what?  There is always something more to strive for, either in her career or creatively.  I’m always reaching for that next thing, which is why I write all over the place.  I don’t stick to one type of writing.  That keeps me fresh and I hope the readers see that in the stories I create.
Having just enjoyed All I Want for Christmas... I'd say that that story is fresh and wonderfully enjoyable.

About the Author:

Lisa Mondello (a.k.a. LA Mondello) has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen.  Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You, was the winner of the Golden Quill contest for Best First Book and to date has had over 400,000 downloads worldwide.
She is currently the author of 14 novels under the name Lisa Mondello and LA Mondello. You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com
www.LisaMondello.blogspot.com  
@LisaMondello
http://www.facebook.com/lisa.mondello.1

VISIT THE FULL BLOG TOUR TO CHECK OUT OTHER FEATURES AND GIVEAWAYS.



 

Book Review: All I Want for Christmas is You by Lisa Mondello

A delightfully, warm read filled with Christmas Magic!
All I Want for Christmas is You
(Contemporary Holiday Romance)
(Fate with a Helping Hand)
by Lisa Mondello

  • File Size: 347 KB
  • Print Length: 200 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005KDG236
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
CURRENTLY FREE TO ENJOY ON KINDLE!

Book Description
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
BOOK 1 in Fate with a Helping Hand Series
Sometimes fate needs a little hand...
Santa Claus is going to have a rough season... Lauren Alexander is raising her daughter alone. Abandoned by her family for her decision to keep her daughter Kristen, she has done a pretty good job for the last six years. Or she thought she had. That's why she is crushed when little Kristen gives up her wish for a toy or goodie and instead asks Santa for a present for her mother. She wants Santa to bring a Daddy. Delivering Daddies isn't Santa's bag.
But this Santa has a plan...
Kyle Preston knows what it is like to be abandoned too. Luckily he found the support of loving adoptive parents and has turned himself into one of the most successful Real Estate developers in town.
Building a house is easy. Building someone's trust is a whole other story. But with a little helping hand, a little Christmas magic can make all the difference in the world.


Review:
Lauren has built a home for herself and her daughter, Kristen. She has had to make it on her own since the child’s father wanted nothing to do with them and even her own parents put her out when she refused to release her newborn for adoption.  Lauren has kept herself from involvement with men figuring that they aren’t trust worthy and her daughter doesn’t need the trauma of a man who might abandon them. It is with dismay that Lauren learns that her adorable daughter has asked Santa for a Daddy for Christmas. Not only is Lauren alarmed by Kristen’s request, but she had to learn it from a handsome man in the parking lot who turns out to be the store Santa.

Kyle is immediately drawn to the sweet child and to the beautiful mother. At first he only intends to help her when her car brakes down in the parking lot, but soon he wants to do more for mother and daughter. He invites them to Christmas with his parents and siblings and discovers that he wants to set up a family with Lauren and Kristen. What will it take to convince Lauren to trust him not to leave her like the other men in her past?

I really enjoyed this very warm story. The characters, including young Kirsten, are charming. Kyle's family is what love and family are all about and it is so good that he wants to share the emotions.  The story reads smoothly and quickly and actually made me choke up at one point. :-) This is a great story to read when you need a quick, little pick-me-up smile.  I am interested to read more from Ms. Mondello.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kyle tries to understand his attraction to Laura:
She’s just another woman, he told himself. A beautiful woman with eyes like the full moon and full lips made for stealing a sweet kiss.  Location 471.
Kyle wonders how a man could abandon Laura:
[how a]....man could live without the laughter just waiting to bubble up from the depths of her soul to fill his own. She was full of life just waiting to burst free. Location 692.
I received this for review from the Author through Bewitching Blog Tour.
This story is set in Brimfield, Massachusetts for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will add this to my New Author Challenge list too.
Fate with a Helping Hand Series includes:

Book 1 ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
Book 2 THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
Book 3 THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE'S BABY

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