The Royal Delivery (Another MUST read)

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Don't miss the heartwarming, laugh-out-loud conclusion of The Crown Jewels Romantic Comedy Trilogy for fans of both Bridget Jones and The Shopaholic…

After one year of marriage, Crown Prince Arthur and his lovely, albeit accident-prone wife, Princess Tessa, are preparing to bring an heir to the tiny kingdom of Avonia. With all eyes on Tessa, she's determined to be one of those fabulously fit pregnant women. She could do it too if it weren't for all the freshly-baked scones. Soon dubbed the Cowntess of Camembert, Tessa wants to go into hiding until after the baby is born, but royal life won't wait, and she needs to figure out how to make the best of a desperate situation and win the people over once and for all.

Prince Arthur never thought he'd find himself involved in horribly awkward conversations about the first day of his wife's last period, but that's precisely what happens after that plus sign shows up on the pregnancy test. With a baby on the way, Arthur’s overprotective streak comes out in spades, and he finds himself attributing ill-intentions to everyone he meets, from the vagina-fixated obstetricians to the potential pedos everywhere. 

Will Arthur calm down in time to welcome the baby? Will Tessa manage to figure out how to be mother to the kingdom’s next heir? And most importantly, will the happy couple still be happy when the baby arrives?

Get your copy today and be part of the feel-good fairy tale! 

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely love this series. The Royal Treatment, The Royal Wedding and now The Royal Delivery are too funny and my review will not do the book justice. In The Royal Delivery, Tessa is pregnant (duh) with twins! Having birthed twins myself, I have to say Melanie nailed it: all the emotions, hormones, fear, crazy fights, more crazy thoughts, and worry. Of course she delivered it with humor (not the case when I was pregnant).  All the characters in previous books are present and make the book even that much better (if that is possible). Love every single one of them. The entire Crown Jewels Romance is a must read series and you will not be disappointed. LOVED IT! 

In one scene Tessa keeps dreaming they lose the baby (didn't know it was twins) in the palace.  I kept having dreams of leaving my twins underneath tables at restaurants.  The emotional rollercoaster and flowing tears are all too real as well, especially when hit with the news you are expecting twins.  I remember crying for at least a month after finding out (and I found very early). In fact, one embarrassing time, I was sitting in the middle (smack dab middle) of a small restaurant with my boss.  He simply asked how is everything going and I burst into tears right there stating very loudly, I am pregnant.....with twins.  Of course everyone in the restaurant was looking at us with very speculatively expressions on their faces.  He was so good at defusing the situation and I apologized to his wife, a lot!  So Tessa and Arthur.....I get it!

I think Melanie Summers is cross between Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella with a little bit of Janet Evanovich (Plum series, craziness). I swear I don't know where Melanie comes up with her writing ideas but they are laugh our loud (no matter where you are and how many people look at you like you are crazy). I simply can't enough and hope beyond hope there is a book 4.  If not Tessa and Arthur, maybe Nikki and Xavier??? 

Seriously, pick up the entire series, you will not be disappointed.  In  fact, you will have wished you read them sooner. 

#Can'tGetEnough:CrownJewelsRomance.

Oh I have a brilliant idea. The Crown Jewels Romance HAS to be made into a movie.  For heaven sakes, it would be excellent!  

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: No doubt about it....YES!  Check out my reviews on The Royal Treatment (where I first fell in love with Tessa and Arthur) and The Royal Wedding.

Melanie Summers currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, with her husband, three young children, and their goofy dog. When she's not writing romance novels, she loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. Melanie also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken ‘from above’. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something. More like just staying until they turn the lights off. Melanie is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as the International Women's Writing Guild. Melanie would love to hear from you! She does her best to respond to all inquiries and emails personally. If you would like her to attend a book club meeting via Skype please contact her to book a date. Contact her at mjsummersbooks@gmail.com or visit www.mjsummersbooks.com.

Melanie - please, please be writing book 4.  It is a must have for all of us who LOVE the Crown Jewel series (The Royal Treatment, The Royal Wedding and The Royal Delivery).

Amazon 

Live Your Life: 14 Days to the Best You

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut? Overwhelmed by stress? Struggling to generate the momentum needed to improve your circumstances? Discover a 14-day program to kickstart a new and improved you. 

Psychotherapist Dr. Ann LeFevre has dedicated her life to helping clients break through boundaries and embrace their full potential. And now, she's here to help you do the same!

  

Live Your Life: 14 Days to the Best You is a transformative resource for exposing your mental blocks and building a bridge to success. Through daily lessons and easy-to-follow action items, Dr. LeFevre will guide you along the path of self-discovery, growth, and acceptance. 

In Live Your Life, you'll discover: 

• How to pinpoint your sources of dissatisfaction and enact meaningful change 
• How to acquire new skills in the pursuit of your goals 
• How to reframe your story through the lens of compassion 
• How to manage stressors and reduce the risk of stress-induced health issues 
• How to create a strategy for taking your life to the next level, and more! 

Dr. LeFevre's inspiring resource is your guide for taking back control of your life. If you like daily actionable steps, self-exploration, and time-tested tips, then you'll love this motivating book. 

As a bonus, readers are invited to download a free Companion Workbook, and to view brief, informative videos from Dr. LeFevre's website to augment learning. To view Dr. LeFervre's website visit restorebodyandsoul.com.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Live Your Life is a very easy read.  Each chapter is labeled so you have a pretty good idea of theme for the day.  This makes it easy if you need to go back and work on topic.  Also, at the end of each chapter are thinking points and action items to help you conquer the topic.  


I did really good days 1 - 3 and fell apart day 4.  The good news, you can jump right back in and there is no need to beat yourself up (what's the point?).  This is when I download the Companion Workbook (it is free) to help me through my rut.  I highly recommend using the workbook.

Live Your Life is a book that I will have to go back to as I am not very good at stick to everything.  I may have to modify the book to be 14 weeks instead of 14 days or Dr. LeFevre can come live with me for 14 days and keep me focused! 

I think my favorite chapter/task was Chapter 9, Do It Anyway. I realized that when my kids say, I don't feel like doing xxx now and I reply with something like, I don't care what you feel like doing, I said do it.  So why is okay that when I don't feel like doing something.....I don't?  Chapter 9 is helping me get it done!

Ann LeFevre is the creator and owner of Restore Body and Soul, launched in 2017 with the goal of meeting the therapeutic needs of the whole person using research-backed Western and time-tested Eastern techniques. Dr. LeFevre released her first book, Live Your Life: 14 Days to the Best You in January 2018. Dr. LeFevre has been a social worker for nearly 20 years, and has her bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in social work. She's been a practicing psychotherapist since 2002. She also became a massage therapist in 2016, and a certified acupressurist in 2017. Dr. LeFevre made the decision to combine social work and massage therapy after noticing that even though her psychotherapy clients reported feeling better as the result of addressing unresolved or longstanding issues, they were still tense, had poor posture and chronic health problems, and they still weren't sleeping very well. She recommended that her clients receive therapeutic massage, attend mindfulness and other wellness classes, and seek out holistic treatments, but they rarely did. It took a great amount of time and effort to find a reputable massage therapist who understood their concerns, and classes and holistic treatments that fit their specific needs at the right time. So, she decided to eliminate those barriers and provide a broad range of services in one location with the same provider... and Restore Body and Soul was born. Dr. LeFevre decided to publish her first book as a way to summarize lessons and tips she's taught her psychotherapy clients over the past 15 years, and also included some newer lessons she's learned through doing massage therapy. Dr. LeFevre resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, and she continues to see private psychotherapy clients and massage clients, while also offering small classes for insomnia treatment, and workshops on self-acupressure and other health and wellness topics.

Amazon 

Beyond Forever

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Just as their life is seemingly back on track, Finn McDaniel’s gets news that sends him into a tail-spin. He is faced with the prospect of losing Olivia Henry forever. He immediately turns to Dan, Olivia’s deceased best friend, who is her loyal and constant guardian angel from the beyond, imploring him for his help. In the midst of all of the chaos a special package is delivered that changes their lives forever. 

While Finn is determined to grow his restaurant to new heights by chasing after the coveted Michelin Star, it is Olivia who finally sees her dream come to fruition in a way never thought possible. Finn is determined to support Olivia through her shocking breakthrough and even has a very special surprise up his sleeve that she never sees coming. Just as their plan is set in to motion and they settle in to their new normal, they have an earth shattering encounter. In that moment it is revealed that they have much more than just a spiritual relationship with the beyond. 

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  My friends are back!  Seriously, that is the way I feel about all the characters in the Beyond series!  Beyond Forever didn't let me down, if fact it left me wanting book 4!  After Beyond Believing and Beyond Love, it only seems fitting that Olivia and Finn start a family.  There continues to be a connection from the beyond with Danny (Olivia's best friend) and Christine (Finn's first wife) with Olivia, Finna and Dani (the baby).  

There are also big events that occur in Beyond Forever.  Olivia's book is being turned into a movie, Finn and Tex are opening a new restaurant, Mac and Julia are dealing with her brother's illness, Olivia's sister and parents moving to Austin keeps the book moving along.  I love the surprises through out the book and how it all comes together in the end.  

Another well done by D.D. Marx!  I really can't wait for more in this series.  I would love to see something with Mac and Julia, maybe Tex and his wife, and of course more on Olivia and Finn!

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: I have read the first two books in The Beyond Series (Beyond Believing and Beyond Love) and loved them.

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always has a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Amazon 

Walk with Me, plus Giveaway

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis: 

Whenever I'm asked "which is the best camera?" I pretty much respond: "the one you have on you." In fact, most of the images in this book were taken with my cell phone simply because I always have it with me.

This is not only a book about street photography but a visual diary, or collection of quirky, unusual and sometimes just plain weird photos I've taken over the course of the last decade.
​
As a street photographer, I need to be an assiduous walker. My sneakers often take me to little known, hidden corners, seaweed strewn (and sometimes stinky) beaches and really cool back alleys of my rather small island city of Victoria, BC.

I've also included images of curiosities I've seen throughout my travels.
​​
Everyone sees the world differently and this is my collection of the quirkiness that I call life.

Book Title: Walk with Me by Debra Schoenberger
Category: Adult non-fiction / Photography - 104 pages
Genre: Documentary / Street Photography / Travel
Publisher: Blurb
Release date: December 26, 2017
Tour dates: March 5 to 23, 2018

Content Rating: G

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  I love photos - taking them, looking at them, sharing them, everything about them! I was excited when I was given the opportunity to review Walk with Me.  Debra, girl with camera, has put together a wonderful collection of photos.  

Debra captures life all around her.  Everything from flowers, to people, to nick-nacks, to food to scenery, to life.  I would have loved to have wondered the world with Debra as she captured everything all around her.  She sees the details that we all seem to overlook.

Some of my favorite pictures are: 

• the flowers (page 13)
• need a hand (page 14)
• the door and steps (page 34)
• the barber shop (page 50)
• the reflection of the building in the puddle on the sidewalk (page 72)
• the seal (page 82)

I used to keep an instant camera in my camera and I would take pictures of my journeys and all the interesting things I saw along the way.  I taped them in a notebook along with quotes, jokes and thoughts. I am not sure why I ever stopped, but I think it was they stopped selling the film for the camera!

I enjoyed Walk with Me and the journey Debra took me on through her camera lens.  Walk with Me would make a great gift!

What Others Are Saying:   To read reviews, please visit Debra Schoenberger's page on iRead Book Tours.

Debra Schoenberger aka #girlwithcamera

"My dad always carried a camera under the seat of his car and was constantly taking pictures. I think that his example, together with pouring over National Geographic magazines as a child fuelled my curiosity for the world around me.

I am a documentary photographer and street photography is my passion. Some of my images have been chosen by National Geographic as editor's favourites and are on display in the National Geographic museum in Washington, DC. I also have an off-kilter sense of humour so I'm always looking for the unusual.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

Buy the book: 

Amazon ~ iTunes ~ Blurb

Add to Goodreads

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends March 31, 2018

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The Broken Girls

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it's located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears... 

Vermont, 2014. As much as she's tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister's death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister's boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can't shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won't be silenced...

One (or more) Sentence Summary: What an amazing book.  There were so many twists to The Broken Girls, it left me guessing every time I ended a chapter.  I couldn't wait to read more.  I love stories that go back and forth between the past and current. The two stories were woven together flawlessly.  I could clear see Idlewild, the girls, Fiona and James and even Mary Hand (so spooky).  What I didn't see clearly or figure out was what happened to Sonia, the twist with the renovations of Idlewild and who was behind it, the police chief and his role, the pieces that Fiona was able to piece together, who was Mary Hand, and what happened to the other girls, including Deb.  So many stories, past and present, interwoven into one amazing story.  I am trying so hard not to given anything way, but know this....I loved it.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author:  I would LOVE to read another book by Simon St. John.  This was my first and I want more.  I can't decided which to read first, The Other Side of Midnight or Lost Among the Living (or another one of her books).

Simone St. James is the award-winning author of Lost Among the Living and The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada, among other novels. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time.

Amazon 

For 100 Nights

Synopsis (from Amazon): Avery Ross is living a dream. After struggling all of her life to make ends meet, a chance meeting with a powerful, darkly handsome man has catapulted her into a dazzling new world of penthouse luxury, elegant parties, and a wild, consuming passion with her billionaire lover, Dominic Baine. 

Nothing is out of his reach in business or in pleasure, yet the only woman he wants is her. Nick sweeps her to sensual heights she has never dared explore, commanding her body the same way he commands her heart. Yet Avery knows the fantasy she's living cannot last. 

With dark secrets and a dangerous enemy haunting her past, Avery must find a way to trust Nick with the truth before it destroys everything they share. But Nick is harboring secrets of his own as well. And when they come to light, Avery will be forced to decide if the love she feels for Nick is strong enough to endure a betrayal she may never be able to forgive. Contains mature themes.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: For 100 Nights is the second book in the series.  I enjoyed For 100 Nights as much as I did For 100 Days.  Avery became even more strong, which I thought she was very strong in For 100 Days.  Again, great read: good story line, characters continue to develop, steamy scenes, and easy to read.  I am so happy there is a 3rd book as I can't wait to start reading For 100 Reasons.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, I will be starting For 100 Reasons soon and have read For 100 Days. 

LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books have been named among Amazon’s Top Ten Romances of the Year, and have also been nominated by readers multiple times as finalists for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), “strikingly original” (Booklist), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).

Writing as TINA ST. JOHN, her historical romances have won numerous awards including the National Readers Choice; Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice; Booksellers Best; and many others. She was twice named a Finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, for Best Historical Romance (White Lion’s Lady) and Best Paranormal Romance (Heart of the Hunter). More recently, the German translation of Heart of the Hunter debuted on Der Spiegel bestseller list.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, the author lives with her husband in New England, where she is working on her next novel. Visit Lara’s website and sign up for new release announcements at http://bit.ly/LaraAdrianNews

Amazon 

Beyond Love

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): After trusting in her beloved friend Dan’s guidance from above, Olivia is finally on the path to realizing her destiny.  Staring at a blank canvas after ditching her raucous corporate life and meeting the love of her life, Finn McDaniels, a hot, widowed, celebrity chef, she is ready to begin anew. When she arrives back home to tie up the loose ends in Chicago, she receives more frightening news further delaying her journey with Finn. Unable to control the outcome, she begins questioning her trust and faith in Dan once again. She distracts herself the only way she knows how, by diving head first into a new project.   What seemed like a time killer may actually be the thing that saves her and catapults her into a world she never dreamed of.

When Olivia and Finn finally reunite, a deep dark secret is uncovered threatening to ruin the relationship she has waited for her entire life.  Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever.  Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I couldn't wait to get started on Beyond Love after finishing Beyond Believing.  Beyond Love didn't let me down.  I very much enjoyed Olivia and Finn's journey.  I could not believe how the story connected their pasts to the present of each of their lives.  So many intersections and yet they never connected in the past.  

I was always cheering for Olivia to get exactly what she wanted to be happy and successful.  I just fell in love with Finn since he was so perfect and could cook! You can't help but love them both as they follow their hearts and beliefs.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: I have read the first book in the Beyond series (Beyond Believing) and getting ready to start the third book Beyond Forever.

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always has a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Amazon