Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers

This is a solid romance story in small town setting.

Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)

by Rochelle Alers

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Forever (May 28, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1455501395
• ISBN-13: 978-1455501397

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Home is where the heart is.

Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she's offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn.

Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman . . . and stirs feelings Nate isn't sure he's ready for.

Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?

Review:
Morgan turned into a beautiful woman after suffering as a gangly child and teen. In college and while studying abroad she suffered betrayal in her relationships. She returned to Haven Creek where she has worked to build her reputation as an architect and interior designer. Now she has her mind set on furthering her career by succeeding with the project to restore Angel’s Landing to its pre Civil War glory. She has put personal relationships on a back burner and besides... she has declared she would never marry a man from Haven Creek.

Nate moved away from Haven Creek when he was 15 after his mother died and his father quickly married her best friend and nurse. Nate lived with a beloved Aunt in California where he worked his way to success as a contractor before the real estate market died. Not only did Nate distrust his stepmother but he had an unsuccessful marriage to a high-profile and unfaithful model. Now, more than 15 years later, he has returned home to help his ailing father manage his local carpentry business and help to manage his 22 year old step brother who was heading for trouble.

Morgan had a crush on Nate as a young girl but he was older than she was and then he left town. She still finds him attractive but she is focused on engaging his carpentry skills for her project... not engaging his personal attentions. Nate had no intentions of ever marrying again but he wouldn’t mind some personal time with Morgan.

They begin to develop a friendship that leads to a working agreement and then more. The attraction between them is strong but they keep giving each other mixed messages about what their goals are when it comes to a personal relationship and future involvement.

I enjoyed the easy flow of this story and the strong characters. Morgan has to overcome her insecurities and be flexible to make room in her live for marriage and family as well as a career. Nate is really quite the gentleman and he just has to overcome his bad experience in order to see that he could love Morgan. It is a fun read to see if and when the two will admit their feelings before they lose the opportunity to have a future together.

This is all romance conflict with some sultry passion. It is a good choice especially for readers who like an easy, small town style, second time around, romance story.

I received this ARC from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form. 

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 19, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 20, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audible Book Review: Maelstrom:Destroyermen, Book 3 by Taylor Anderson

This is the third installment in this fascinating adventure series.
Maelstrom: Destroyermen, Book 3
     by Taylor Anderson
    Narrated by William Dufris

    UNABRIDGED
          Series: Destroyermen, Book 3
    LENGTH      17 hrs and 45 mins
    RELEASE DATE      03-25-09
    PUBLISHER      Tantor Audio
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of the U.S.S. Walker, are once again at war. Having sided with the peaceful Lemurians against the savage, reptilian Grik, they now find themselves scrambling to prepare for the attack that is sure to come, searching for resources to support their forces - even as they look for allies to join their struggle.
Meanwhile, the Japanese juggernaut Amagi, also trapped in this strange world, is under Grik control---with her fanatical commander approaching madness. And soon they will have amassed a force that no amount of firepower and technology will be able to stop.As the raging conflict approaches, Reddy, his crew, his allies, and his loved ones face annihilation. But if there is one thing they have learned about their new world, it is that hope - and help - may be just over the horizon.
©2008 Taylor Anderson; (P)2009 Tantor

Review:
Don’t let the slow start in this episode dissuade you - it just builds a basis for getting to know the characters and made me feel like part of the crew!

Two American destroyer ships, the USS Walker and Mahan, and a Japanese battle cruiser, the Amagi, were caught up in a storm and found themselves in an alternate version of the South Seas. Here the Americans have met a peaceful population of creatures resembling a mix of Lemure and a cat, called Lemurians and sometimes referred to as “Cats.”

For many years the Lemurians lived peaceably in the trees or large Tree ships. Now they are being pursued by a terrible race, the lizard-like Grik. The Grik do not just kill their enemies; they consume them. The Japanese warship Amagi and its power crazed commander having allied with the Grik to seek destruction against the Americans and the Lemurians.

The first half of this book fills in the backgrounds of the characters and events to bring a new reader up to date. There is a lot of behind the scenes details, building characters, setting the locations, revealing society positioning and strategy for the upcoming battles. Though it’s not exciting, still I found it very interesting. I liked even the geographical descriptions as a comparison between the alternate world and the world that the Americans came from. This story also introduces a few new characters, including some pre-American Revolution British officers who choose to remain outside of the alliance.

I had already like Captain Matthew Reddy and many of the crew members from the prior books. By the time the battle begins in the second half of this book I felt like I knew the American crew personally. When this book jumps into the battle action there is excitement, fear, horror, loss and sorrow. A couple times I actually found myself holding my hands over my face as I dealt with the emotions during the battle.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does a grand job of narrating that captures the nuances of the characters– good guys and bad guys– and the excitement of the battle. I get wrapped into the narration which to me signifies both a good story and a delivery that keeps the reader focused on the characters and action with no negative distractions from the reading.

I will be listening to Book 4 soon!  I recommend this series to those who enjoy adventure with alternate world, alternate species and some heavy battle action.

This is from my own Audible library.

Mailbox Monday July 8, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For JULY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Tasha @ Book Obsessed.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received some review author titles, picked up titles from NetGalley, and received some free audio titles and author titles free at Amazon. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two ebook titles from an author.
(I was sent these in June but just downloaded them for the July schedule.)

Click: An Online Love Story
by Lisa Becker

AND

    Double Click 
by Lisa Becker

I picked up there titles from NetGalley:

The Companions, The Sundering, Book I
by R. A. Salvatore

The Godborn, The Sundering, Book II
by Paul S. Kemp

Windshift
by Joyce Faulkner

Won

I've haven't been entering any contests that I recall. :-)

Purchased

None

Free

From Authors:

Rock Point (Sharpe & Donovan)
by Carla Neggers

The Candidate
by Josie Brown

Audios:
I received a free audiobook from Downpour

 

The Good Earth 
by Pearl S. Buck







I downloaded this past week's free pair from SYNC YA July 4 – July 10, 2013:

Carter Finally Gets It

by Brent Crawford,
read by Nick Podehl (Brilliance Audio)

and

She Stoops to Conquer

by Oliver Goldsmith,

read by a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)

I didn't have time to download any free Kindle Titles this week; 
linked through Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle Review.

It's Monday What are You Reading? July 8, 2013

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This was another slowish reading week as I only finished two books although I am well into the next three.  I posted four reviews, two with Giveaways. I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.


Well - the week got away from me. I visited for Saturday Snapshot but didn't get any other visiting in.
I still hope to do more.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? July 1, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday July 1, 2013.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Paper Roses, by Amanda Cabot, Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25.  Ends July 12

• Book Review: The Bane by Keary Taylor, Post Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 5, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 7/11.

• Book Review and Giveaway: The Woman He Loved Before, by Dorothy Koomson, Mystery, Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 7/19.

• Saturday Snapshot July 6, 2013 P-Pop BD
  

• Book Review: Take Me Back: A Give and Take Novella by Kelli Maine, Contemporary Romance; my rating 3.75.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #107 Comment Giveaway 7/6/13. Open Worldwide. Ends 7/12.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 7, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:

1. Audible

Maelstrom: Destroyermen, Book 3
     by Taylor Anderson
    Narrated by William Dufris
       I really enjoy listening to this series.
I'll post a review this week.
Click on Title for full Book Description

2. Print

Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)
by Rochelle Alers
This is a pleasant romance.
I will post a review with copy giveaway this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

Line Edits/Releases:
Still working on details for two more titles for print release and two we are completing formats on for ebook release.

Currently reading:

1. Audible

The 5th Wave
    by Rick Yancey
    Narrated by Brandon Espinoza, Phoebe Stro
I started this while waiting 
for my next review audio.
It has an interesting apocalyptic premise.
Publisher's Summary
The Passage meets Ender's Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the first wave, only darkness remains. After the second, only the lucky escape. And after the third, only the unlucky survive. After the fourth wave, only one rule applies: Trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the fifth wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker.

Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother - or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
©2013 Rick Yancey (P)2013 Penguin Audio.

2. eBook/Kindle

Silent Warrior
by Lindsey Piper
This is charged with action and passion.
I am about midway so I expect to finish and post a review this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Quest for the Scorpion's Jewel
Amarias Adventures: Book 1 by Amy Green
This looked like fun and I am enjoying the adventure.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2011
The "Amarias Adventures™" begin when 15-year-old Jesse befriends a band of young warriors and risks his life to find a cure for the poisoned Parvel. Though Jesse has a crippled leg, he is asked to join the remaining warriors—part of an elite fighting force known as the Youth Guard—on their mission for the king. Facing danger at every turn, Jesse, Rae and Silas journey over treacherous mountains and across a scorching desert. To make matters worse, an unknown enemy seeks to end their quest before it has even begun. Where is Parvel’s God when they need Him most? And with so little information to guide them, how will they ever complete their mission and find the Scorpion’s Jewel? Will they even escape with their lives?

For more action-packed adventure, look for Book 2 in the "Amarias Adventures™: Escape from Riddler’s Pass."

I continue to listen to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.] I am studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year, hoping to read daily along with my DH.

Line Edits: Several more releases being prepared for the next few weeks. I am still doing more Smashword conversions in between print formatting.

I have several print books carrying over from June to July and new ones added. The new additions push the total beyond what I wanted so we'll see how things go week to week.

July Scheduled:

7/15 Book Blast Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel
7/19 Review Blood and Bone for Book Blast
7/22 Book Blast The Hero’s Lot by Patrick W. Carr
7/26 Review The Hero’s Lot for Book Blast

Sourcebooks
    (none scheduled unless I pick up at NetGalley)
Hachette - Forever
    Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Molly Cannon
    A House Divided by Kimberly Lawson Roby
    Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane
    Guilty as Sin by Jami Alden
    Revenge by Debra Webb

NetGalley:
     Quest for the Scorpion's Jewel by Amy Green (reading)
     West Palm 1 by Joss Cordero

AudioBook Jukebox
     Awaiting receipt of some newly requested titles.

Author Books received at March EPICon
     Convict Dad by P. Ryan Hembree

Author Review titles:
     Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker 
     Double Click by Lisa Becker

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 7, 2013

I didn’t have my tablet at church this morning but I still took written notes. Yet my thoughts took a tangent from the Sunday school teaching and Sermon.

Throughout both lessons and during worship I was reminded that I am a creation and a child through no power or doing of my own. I am nothing; I do not exist except by God’s powerful might: His hand and breath - the Father’s gift of creation. I do not think and reason but by His gifts to me. I may have applied myself in study but he gave me the ability.

I am a sinner. My human nature does things wrong and fails to do things that I should. I do not have hope for forgiveness without Jesus’ death on the cross which provided the blood sacrifice to cover my sin. I could never be good enough to earn my way into the presence of a Holy God. But God, with grace and mercy, provided the way for me to receive righteousness and inherit through Him.

I do not have hope to live a life of any worth or value without allowing the Spirit to work through me: to work through words, hands, finances and any other means available. I am compelled by an inner stirring to pass on and share of all the blessings I have been given. I was created for a purpose - to worship and serve my Creator. What other purpose would there be but selfish gain, then meaningless death?

I was searching for a song we sang in worship this morning but I couldn’t remember the name.
Instead the Spirit led me to this video which suits my spirit perfectly today!
Your Grace Still Amazes Me!


x

A Verse for Today:
John 6:63 NIV  (you may want to read on through verse 69.)
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

My words today may be a repeat from some earlier Sunday. I would apologize but I realize I would not be sorry for this. I cannot help that this is a recurring theme in my heart and spirit. Sometimes it bubbles out. I pray that God enfuses others, as He graciously does me, with the joy of His Creation, the assurance of His salvation and the peace of His Spirit.