Chasing Stars by L. Duarte @LDuarte77 #review


 

Hope sprouts from the recognition that the person with real flaws and qualities dormant inside me is capable of love.

 

 

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I KNOW when I read something within a few pages if I like or love. This BLOWS me away. I have almost 30 quotes. What I loved was the deep story and the ultimate foundation for the entire story was FAITH, God, love, family and hope.  

“Though we had all the money most people can only think of, we were the rejects of the plastic city of LA, where artificial is the norm and the normal is outdated” 

As very wealthy family begins a life, here is Portia. She is perfect and soon to be a star herself. Her Mom and Dad divorced and she immersed herself with her best friends Tarry and Niki. All three come from wealthy family backgrounds. Portia McGee and her friends created a list “Things to do before we die” yeah I know I wanted to kick Niki myself for naming it that. Anyways they make the list and start checking things off. The base of their childhood is friends. They have Estela who is Portia’s nanny. There is a story about how she learns Spanish from going to Guadalajara and saying she is a relative so that the kids will play with her. The only real Motherly love Portia gets is from Estela her Nanny. As the three go on to their lives, they get together and make it fun whenever they can. 

Portia has to get a temporary tattoo for a big role. Enter Will, the artist. He is not a traditional tattoo artist, but a recent grad of the Columbia school. WOW a smart, talented artist who can tattoo.

  

What I LOVED was the meeting of Will and then his family. His life was so tough and I won’t elaborate and spoil that part, it is to be read and savored. When he introduces Portia to Dan, his Pastor Dad and Maritza, his Mom along with the overly outspoken and protective sister Melody (Mel). I loved Mel for the way she protected Wil. She was one of those “I hate her” characters, but that is the author’s beauty of storytelling. When you think you can’t stand someone, but you do totally get the dialogue and where they are coming from. Mel is also very forgiving, very pregnant and very loving. The fact that she is on leave from being a police officer is exceptional character placement to me. Her partner Lucas is a sub-plot character, that only adds more depth, showing why she is a fierce protector. Her Husband Tim is in Afghanistan and again the message is family, Dan and Maritza really support her during this trying time. Then there was Rick, the co-owner of the tattoo shop. Now he adds certain messaging to the story, which relates well to Will’s growing up.

 

 

 It doesn’t take long for Portia to understand what Dan’s valued have done to Will. He has taken this kid, made him into a better person and shown him the Lord. Will has accepted it and leads a life based on faith and giving back. 

 

So as you know, when I believe in something I sell it big. THIS is big. I hope and pray that the message is received and just maybe touches a few people. I want everyone to read this and take a new and different meaning from the many lessons that are here. Don’t just know something, but feel it, live it, grow from it, and experience it.  

“The point being, no matter how much we try, sometimes it is impossible to like certain things or people” 

It is both well written and a wealth of story telling genius. I always say if you read something and it leaves an impression, share it, pass it on, shout the title and get others to read it. I will make sure others read this. I am so thankful the author found me and let me experience her writing. Bravo!!

 AUTHOR’S NOTE: Chasing Stars is intended for mature readers, containing sexual content and strong language.

 

 

To Catch a Falling Star by L. Duarte @LDuarte77 #spotlight


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It’s been five years, but Melody still mourns the death of Tim, her soul mate and beloved husband who never had a chance to hold their daughter. Mel and her daughter have the love and support of Mel’s brother Will and sister-in-law Portia, the famous Oscar-winning actress-turned-mother. Mel works three jobs and mothers Ella, but she spends her mornings facing the demons of her grief. Her faith and her father, the pastor, helps Mel grapple with her grief.

Portia opens her home to her childhood friend Tarry Francis, a successful, womanizing rock star. He’s trying to beat his addictions. Again. He’s going through the motions, but needs his drugs and rowdy lifestyle to keep his childhood pain in check. Tarry’s privileged upbringing contrasted with his cruel parents, who starved him of affection. Who can fix that?

Mel is forced to counsel Tarry, but he’s so damaged and unwilling to try that she’s not sure anyone can help fix him. She gives him a special coin. Could this open their hearts to each other and fuel their love? Is this a step forward that will free them to catch the falling stars? Or will Mel remain faithful to her first love?

Rich in meaning, To Catch a Falling Star is about two lovers whose hearts struggle to open to find the magic of the journey of love. It’s a joyful and passionate story about overcoming challenges to lead us to love and the fulfillment of our dreams.

To Catch a Falling Star is the stunning follow-up novel to L. Duarte’s debut Chasing Stars about Portia and Will’s romance. A spiritual and playful read, L. Duarte has provided readers the chance to believe in healing a broken heart.

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Book 1 Amazon           Facebook          Goodreads       Goodreads author     Twitter @LDuarte77

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I have found that there is only one thing better than reading, and that is writing. I am always torn between the two. I am also frequently torn between chocolate and coffee. However, I emphatically do not like the month of February, lies, and flies. For me, bravery is defined by the courage to do what we fear the most. This conviction is reflected in my debut work of romantic fiction, Chasing Stars. I live in Connecticut with my husband and two children. Drop a few lines. I would love to hear from you.

Always You by Missy Johnson @MissycJohnson @GiveMeBooksBlog #review


I was in deep deep like with this book. I am bouncing in between love and like. Why? well I do like student/teacher relationships and that aspect of this book I liked. Wrenn and her situation was really the appeal for me. There wasn’t as big an age difference as I would have liked. If Dalton (love the name) was older like 30+ I would have fallen deeper for him.

Wrenn is living with her Aunt the head mistress of this elite private all girls school. That gave it more of an edge. Dalton being thrown into teaching hormonal teenage girls was another like for me. The girls were of course bad, evil, and in need of a good smack.

What was the big draw for me? Kass! Wrenn’s best friend in school. She deserved much more of a spotlight, in my opinion. She was a senior in an all girls school who was gay. I applaud the author for thinking up Kass and I really wish she had more of a role in the book. There was one conversation about being with a boy over a girl. That was meaningful for me! There is somewhat heavy subject matter with the loss of her parents, so this helped to lighten it a little.

There was a girl who harassed Kass and Wrenn. Her name was Paige and she was stirring up trouble when she could. Of course Miss Paige was part of a nasty clique. I would have loved to see Paige following them or maybe secretly crushing on Kass and that could have been her source of anger. I guess I hate mean girls and think there has to be a reason. Can someone just be that mean? I guess so.

There is an issue that Dalton had hanging over his head. That reveal was pretty good. The messages are there, some more subtle than others. It is told with Wrenn and Dalton’s POV. Enjoy!

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Always You by Missy Johnson @MissycJohnson @GiveMeBooksBlog #spotlight


I was thrilled when I was offered a graduate teaching position at the prestigious Tennerson Girls Academy. At twenty-three, this would be my first ‘real’ teaching assignment. Working at the elite boarding school, home to the daughters of some of the wealthiest people in the world, was a great opportunity that I would’ve been stupid to pass up.
One week into my new job, and I suddenly had no idea why I chose high school…I was a seventeen year old boy once, I knew how teenage girls behaved.
You can’t even imagine the hell of trying to teach thirty, hormonal driven seventeen year olds who have been cooped up, away from any male contact.
I could handle the whispers every time I entered the room. I could even handle the obvious attempts at gaining my attention. What I couldn’t handle was her…
Rich bitches and way too many rules. Was it any wonder that I hated school?
Add to that the lack of male contact, and I was going insane. Like literally. I wasn’t used to this. A year ago I was normal. I had a boyfriend, friends and a loving family. There is nothing normal about me anymore, and nobody here lets me forget that.
My name is Wrenn, and I’m only here because my aunt took me in after what happened, but my aunt also happens to be the headmistress of this academy…Can you see my problem?
I’m hated for my lack of money, and I’m hated for who my Aunt is.
Then he arrived. Dalton Reed. My new history teacher.
Slowly, he helped me see that even in the worst situations, there is always hope.

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Coming Home (Wakefield Romance, #2) by Theresa Marguerite Hewitt @TMarguerite #review


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Bravo another wonderfully written book.Better than book 1? YES As a fan of books with military men, this did not disappoint. More for Rhea and Chad- count me in. I loved this plot mostly because it was loaded with angst.

It is the journey of coming clean for Rhea and Chad. Both finally admit the love they feel now, as well as the love they felt since being teenagers. What was realistic for me was Rhea not leading a reclusive life. She was dating sporadically, hanging with friends, and healing from the loss of her brother Randy and her Mom.

I think the author did a super job with the sub characters.. I loved Kendall and Rosa. She describes friendships that we all know are necessary in the grieving process. Showing how friends can just be there without asking for anything in return is like a cold drink on a hot summer day.

There is a lot to love about this series, characters, and most of all the author. Give it up for the Seals!!

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Theresa Marguerite Hewitt is a very laid back person; enjoying the simpler things in life more than most sometimes. She grew up in a very, VERY small town in Central New York and she will always be a Redneck Woman.
She loves reading, writing, taking long pointless drives and long dusk time walks. Fall and winter are her favorite times of year and she spends more time outside then than in the summer. She loves hearing from fans and is not above fan-girling on those that show her tons of support.
She donates the profits from the Amazon sales of her military series, The Wakefield Romance Series, to various military charities including; Wounded Warrior Project, Red Circle Foundation, Boot Campaign and others.
She is addicted to the cheap-Harlequin romances you can pick up in most drug stores and cannot go in and out of a store without picking up at least one. She resides in Buffalo, NY with her boyfriend, two dogs and two cats.
 
  Twitter | Facebook | GR | Website

Room For More (Cranberry Inn #2) by Beth Ehemann @bethehemann @TheBookAvenue #cover #reveal


 

 
 

 
 
 
Four years ago, my dreams were shattered in an instant. 
Three months ago, I found something I haven’t had in years.
Hope.
That hope came in the form of a sexy, carefree hockey player named Brody Murphy. He swooped in and won me over with his big heart and the way he cared for me…and my girls. When they look at him, they see the father they’ve never had. 
Now, my past and present are colliding and the outcome might just be too much for me to bear. Can I make the right decision when I’ve spent my whole life making the wrong ones? 
Release date February 20th 2014 
 
 
My running shoes echoed as they clicked against the cold, tile floor while I walked quickly through the hallway connecting the main building to the emergency room wing. I was so lost in my thoughts about timing and the irony of my life that I didn’t notice the big, wooden door to my right swing open until Zach had grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.
    “Get the hell off me!” I snapped, jerking my arm free.
    He pushed me into the janitorial closet and closed the door behind him, blocking it so I couldn’t leave.
    “Was that them?” His face was hard as his piercing blue eyes drilled into mine.
    “Was that who?” I responded, irritation dripping from my words.
    “Them…the girls…our daughters.”
    My eyes widened as I fought the urge to lunge forward and strangle him with my bare hands. “They’re my daughters, not yours.” I spat at him through clenched teeth.
    “That was them, wasn’t it?” His voice was gentle.
    “No, genius, I was having lunch with some other random 6 year old twins. Get out of my way.”
    He crossed his arms across his chest and stood firm. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
    “Why?!?” I yelled incredulously. “I can think of five years worth of reasons, now get out of my way!”
    “Kacie, please. I have so much to explain.” He took a step toward me causing me to back up against the shelves of cleaning supplies behind me. “Can we meet up after work today? Just to talk? I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”
    “Coffee? You abandoned us for five years and you want to buy me fucking coffee?” My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might die of a heart attack right there. I grabbed onto the hem at the bottom of my scrubs so that I didn’t instinctively reach out and punch him in his damn mouth.
    “I just want to talk to you. Please?” He begged with sad, pathetic eyes.
    “Sure, we can talk… in five years!” I rushed past him and pushed the door open. “Eye for an eye, asshole!” I called back before the door closed.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Beth Ehemann lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her 4 children and her husband, who is really just a big kid himself most of the time. She loves reading, writing, photography, martinis and all things Chicago Cubs.
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Happy Reading,
The Book Avenue Road Crew
“where every avenue has a story.”
 
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Two Weeks With a SEAL (The Wakefield Romance Series) by Theresa Marguerite Hewitt @TMarguerite #review


Make a donation to support one of the USA’s many armed forces! I loved the story. Rhea was totally amazing. By the time I was 1/4 way through I was thinking she has endured so much pain, yet she moves on with life. I dont know if there is a woman alive who wouldnt be touched by her story. Her Mom, well she was always hanging on. Her brother Randy was a HERO. Her Dad was a loser. Chad who was Randi’s best friend couldn’t be any finer.

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It tells the story of an family and great group of friends whop were touched, hurt, torn apart, and broken by military service. I really enjoyed the way the author depicts the effects war and service have on the loved ones. I thought her writing was great! I see some reviews that are confusing. Sometimes there are edits, my book was perfect without anything noticeable glaring off the page. The message is there so if you love angst and military type dramas then YES it is for you. Moving to book 2!

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Bravo another wonderfully written book.There is a lot to love about this series, characters, and most of all the author. Give it up for the Seals!!

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Theresa Marguerite Hewitt is a very laid back person; enjoying the simpler things in life more than most sometimes. She grew up in a very, VERY small town in Central New York and she will always be a Redneck Woman.
She loves reading, writing, taking long pointless drives and long dusk time walks. Fall and winter are her favorite times of year and she spends more time outside then than in the summer. She loves hearing from fans and is not above fan-girling on those that show her tons of support.
She donates the profits from the Amazon sales of her military series, The Wakefield Romance Series, to various military charities including; Wounded Warrior Project, Red Circle Foundation, Boot Campaign and others.
She is addicted to the cheap-Harlequin romances you can pick up in most drug stores and cannot go in and out of a store without picking up at least one. She resides in Buffalo, NY with her boyfriend, two dogs and two cats.
 
  Twitter | Facebook | GR | Website

Embracing Love by Delisa Lynn @wrnmk_ @Delisa Lynn #playlist


 

Synopsis
Lila was nineteen and going off to college, she hated to
leave her family and friends behind. She had the perfect life; she had two best
friends whom meant the world to her. She had a great boyfriend, she cared a lot
for him and was worried about what would happen once she left for NYC and left
him behind.
Although Lila and her boyfriend had been friends for years
before dating, she suspected he was unfaithful. It hurt her more than she
thought it would when she catches him in the act and found out it had been
going on for months. The one person she thought, would never be there for her
was now her rock. This man she never thought she would feel anything for was
now whom she admired, and wanted in her life. What was going to happen once she
left?
 
Lila was excited when
she seen a familiar face in NYC and had met new ones. It couldn’t get any
better, she had met great friends and stayed in contact with the man she had
fallen for. Things change when tragedy leaves Lila feeling broken and not
knowing where to turn, when she has lost two of the most important people in
her life. What is she to do now that all her dreams where fading. Could she
move on and be happy, or should she just give up hope.
 
Purchase Link:

Playlist

I love music! I have used some of
these songs in Embracing Love
. I have listened to all of
them while writing, some of them over and over. I would open the playlist and
get lost in the music while writing. Each song has lyrics that fit with the
characters, and their story. There are a couple songs that mean more than
others. When I say I had them on repeat, they were on repeat for hours! My
husband is thankful for my ear buds.
•
Broken by Lifehouse
•
What Hurts The Most by Rascal Flatts
•
I Won’t Let Go by Rascal Flatts
•
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
•
Poison And Wine by The Civil Wars
•
I’ll Be by Edwin McCain
•
It Will Rain by Bruno Mars
•
Marry Me by Train
•
Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts
•
Not Over You by Gavin Degraw
•
Far Away by Nickelback
•
Make You Feel My Love by Adele
•
God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton
•
Naughty Girl by Beyonce
•
I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz
•
If I Were Your Man by Bruno Mars
•
God Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
•
You’re the Inspiration by Chicago
•
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
•
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bete Midler
•
Remember Me by Sarah McLachlan
 
About The Author

 

Delisa Lynn grew up in Columbus Ohio and loves Buckeye
football. After working in retail photography for sixteen years, she wanted to
take a different path and attended college where she received a diploma in
Medical Assisting. She married her high school sweetheart, and moved to the
Midwest, missing the east coast they decided to move back and are now residing
in Western New York with their fur daughter Sophie. Delisa has always had a
passion for reading, and has wanted to write her own novel. Delisa loves the
outdoors, traveling, shopping and family time. When not writing, you can find
her snuggling up with her fur daughter and reading a good book or watching a
good movie. Delisa is currently writing Borrowed, a Novella from Evan Martin’s
POV. Also look for Embracing Us and Embracing Hearts, all releasing early 2014.

www.facebook.com/authordelisalynn

www.delisalynn.blogspot.com

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Ending A Torn Past by Melissa L. Delgado #Cover #Reveal



Ending A Torn Past
Melissa L. Delgado
Cover Reveal
Release Date: TBD
 


 
 
 
Blurb:
A present life worth moving on for. A past best left to memories tucked away.
Jaxon Dean has reached a point in his life where everything is as it should be. He has the personality, the looks, and the charm, to basically get whoever he desires—except Cassandra Tyce. She’s immune to his playboy ways, quick wit, and over indulgence of himself. There is only one time he can recall having to work as hard to snag the one he had his sights set on…
 
At a much simpler time in life, all he had to worry about was passing classes, hitching a ride to places, and collecting phone numbers. Although on his first day of high school, Jaxon found not every girl was susceptible to his charms. Could one person truly change his overzealous ways? 
 
An unexpected turn of events can leave even the toughest ones lost without hope… Hope of ever recovering, of ever wanting to see tomorrow, of ever feeling true happiness again.
 
 
With the help of Cassandra Tyce, Jaxon will learn that sometimes, lying to oneself can be the sole reason a person stays torn.
 
 
Cover Model: Dan Tillery
 
Photographer: Lindee Robinson
 
 
Author Bio:

 

I love anything and everything pertaining to make up or beauty. I love to write and shop. I love going to the movies and spending time with my friends and family.I love to dance. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I’m inspired by dance, music, poetry, and photography. I feel there is beauty in everything. I believe to get respect you have to give respect and to treat others how you want to be treated. I love everything and anything vintage. I love Jesus and believe in having faith in the unseen and unheard. I love to have fun and make new memories. But mostly, I love life. Enjoying the road I’m on and making the most of it.


 
 
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