Blooming with Books

1.06.2022

High-Wire Heartbreak ~ Takeover Tour with Review and Giveaway

Hard-Wire Heartbreak JustRead Takeover Tour

Welcome to the Takeover Tour for

High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt,

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

High-Wire Heartbreak
Doors to the Past
By Anna Schmidt

Chloe Whitfield is combining work with pleasure as she researches her upcoming book. She plans to create a historical mystery set at Ca'd'Zan John Ringling's Sarasota, Florida home. It's just an added bonus that her long-lost great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy happened to be a performer in Ringling's circus as a trapeze artist.

Little is known of Lucinda "Lucy" Conroy other than the fact of her occupation and that she did not raise her own daughter. Why did Lucy abandon her parental rights and duties to her daughter. Chloe is determined to unearth the truth. But some secrets the past is loath to give up.

High-Wire Heartbreak takes the reader to 1936 and the present-day as two women attempt to find what they want from what life has given them. Love, marriage, a family - the choices and situations they both currently face will determine what their tomorrows hold.

This book is part of the Doors to the Past series in which each book is written by a different author and is complete in and of itself. These books can be read in any order and are not dependent on reading the others.

I have to say I love split-time books there is just something about the back-and-forth between the past and the present that appeals to me. I love how the two storylines slowly unfold and then come together as the truth that time has hidden come to light. This excellent reading and should not be missed.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations - all thoughts expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: High-Wire Heartbreak

Series: Doors to the Past

Author: Anna Schmidt

Publisher: Barbour Fiction

Release Date: January 1, 2022

Genre: Fiction / Christian / Romance

In 1936--A party at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery--and possibly death.

A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.

Chloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?

PURCHASE LINKS*:

**Also available in the Doors to the Past series**

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna Schmidt is the author of over twenty works of fiction. Among her many honors, Anna is the recipient of Romantic Times’ Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the RITA award for romantic fiction. She enjoys gardening and collecting seashells at her winter home in Florida.

CONNECT WITH ANNA: Website | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of High-Wire Heartbreak and a $15 Amazon gift card!

High-Wire Heartbreak JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 5, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on January 12, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

1.05.2022

Never Leave Me ~ Review

Never Leave Me
Waters of Time #2
By Jody Hedlund

Ellen Creighton is dying. Each day finds Ellen slowly succumbing to the disease that killed her mother and obsessed her father. Harrison Burlington is determined to save her and he is putting all his vast resources into his search. He needs to find more flasks of holy water - the ultimate cure that Arthur Creighton gave his life to locate. But Harrison isn't the only one seeking these ampullae and the competition will do anything for it.

Ellen doesn't believe the ampullae or the holy water has any curative properties, rather she blames them for the death of both her father and her sister Marian. But Harrison uses compelling means to get her to take what she fears is a death sentence and not hope.

But curing her disease may put her in ever greater danger as the forces intent on stealing the holy water from Marian and Harrison have been watching. When she is forced to do the biding of Lionel, Inc. in the past, Ellen is more than a little unprepared for the world she is about to awaken in. Can she outsmart those who will surely see her die for their financial and criminal endeavors? Or will she die in the past?

Harrison is desperate to save Ellen's life and when her cure places her in danger he will do everything in his power to find her and bring her home. But how do save someone from the past when you are separated by centuries?

Never Leave Me is the conclusion to the Waters of Time duology and it is a must read! Come Back to Me introduced us to Creighton sisters Marian and Ellen and the Harrison and this book continues on as Ellen and Harrison deal with Arthur and Marian's deaths. But as we know Marian isn't dead in the past and Arthur's fate in the past was unknown. As this book progresses me get answers to some of our questions.

One really feels for Harrison as the book opens and Ellen's health is declining - He's lost his chance with the woman he has secretly loved. Ellen doesn't see how Harrison feels about her and doesn't understand his need for her to live - to beat back her disease and the cancer consuming her. So it is interesting when an incident occurs that reverses the position that both Ellen and Harrison find themselves in.

This book also addresses what do you do when you have a limited supply of a miracle cure-all. Do you use it until you run out? Who do you give it to? The highest bidder? Those you are closest to? A random person? This is the ethical dilemma that is soon facing Ellen and Harrison. How do you choose who is worth saving? Not a position I would ever want to be in.

Overall I loved this book and would highly recommend it. But you have to read these books in order, it is an absolute must. If haven't read Come Back to Me do so now before picking up Never Leave Me. This is the perfect series to start of your New Year as it offers new beginnings and second chances.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.

1.04.2022

Her Darling Mr. Day ~ Review

Her Darling Mr. Day

American Royalty #2

By Grace Hitchcock

In My Dear Miss Dupré, Theodore "Theo" Day was jilted at the announcement of his engagement. An engagement that was the media event of the season and had captured the attention of New York society's elite. Hoping to distance himself from the utter embarrassment Theo returns to New Orleans and his family's home to delve into the family business.

Unfortunately, Theo's fame has followed him home making him Lousianna's most sought-after bachelor. Unable to leave his home without being swarmed by the adoring socialites hoping to be Mrs. Theodore Day, Theo is more than a little relieved when Flora Wingfield and her family arrive for the summer. Flora has been one of his closest friends for years and is always ready to offer him encouragement and an understanding ear to listen.

After two failed romances, Theo has no desire for romance at present which is too bad for him as engaging Theo's attention has been Flora's desire for years and she finally sees that her chance has come. But New Orleans society has decided that Flora and her sisters are a threat to them and all the eligible local bachelors.

As Flora tries to show Theo just how much he needs her she finds herself in a whole passel of trouble as a danger from New York has followed them down South. But as the danger draws near and Flora's plans seem to go awry she has to make one final push to get what her heart desires.

Her Darling Mr. Day has it all danger, romance, betrayal, a competition, and family. There are some intense moments as danger draws ever nearer. There are also a few humorous incidents scattered throughout. I love how Theo helps Flora achieve a dream - one that has been ignored and even ridiculed by her father. I also love how Flora's happily ever after is in doubt as outside forces conspire against her. As much as I enjoyed My Dear Miss Dupré I found this book to be an even more enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book if you love American historical fiction. If you haven't read the first book in the series it won't detract from your enjoyment of this book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

New Orleans' most eligible bachelor insists he's not on the market . . .

but he couldn't be more wrong.

Jilted in front of all New York, Theodore Day decides to lose himself in his family's luxury riverboat business in New Orleans and compete against his brother to become the next company head. The brother with the most sales by summer's end will win the position. Thanks to Theodore's fame as a suitor in a socialite's outlandish competition to find a husband, he has become a very desirable royalty in Southern society and thus has an advantage.

It took Flora Wingfield's best work to convince her family to summer in New Orleans, but with Teddy Day a bachelor once again, she's leaving nothing to chance. Desperate to stand out from all the clamoring belles, Flora attempts a bold move that goes completely awry, only to find it's her interior design skills that finally catch his notice.

But when Flora's father's matchmaking schemes come in the way of her plans, Teddy will have to decide where his happiness truly lies and what he is willing to sacrifice for it.

1.03.2022

To Treasure An Heiress~ Review

To Treasure an Heiress

The Secrets of the Isles #2

By Roseanna M. White

In The Nature of a Lady (TNOAL), Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair is mistaken for Elizabeth "Beth" Tremayne when Beth disappears. Beth's disappearance was planned when her treasure hunting on the Isles of Scilly attracted unwanted attention and danger. But though she has returned home, Beth isn't about to give up her search for the pirate John Mucknell's buried treasure, a treasure that the Pirate Prince, the original owner of Beth's stolen trinket box, had a part in hiding.

Lord Theodore Howe, Marquess of Sheridan, has taken up residence in the Tremayne home, much to Beth's utter annoyance. Sheridan is more than a little pleased to be so close to the treasure hunt and to Beth, who has utterly captured his attention. The self-contained dialogue Sheridan keeps up in his head regarding his feelings for Beth is priceless. I absolutely LOVE Sheridan and his valet servant Ainsley; they are perfect together and obviously great friends. I also think their interactions go a long way to changing Beth's very negative opinion of Sheridan.

The danger that was in TNOAL has only increased and is still lurking as Beth is about to discover. And it is focused on the very treasure that Beth has been researching and seeking. But to outwit the competition, Beth is going to have to do the one thing she doesn't want to do; share what she has discovered and get help from those around her, including the dastardly, villainous Lord Sheridan, who just might be not as bad as she has painted him.

This book is the second in The Secrets of the Isles series and is a wonderful addition to the series. Some new characters are introduced, and their addition adds some interesting additional story threads to the whole. I know some people don't like prologues, but I always love trying to figure out where it will come into play in the story, and this one plays an essential role in the story. The ending is perfect and leaves you wanting book three but without the torture of a cliffhanger.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations, but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Beth Tremayne has always been drawn to adventure. During her childhood, she fed that desire by exploring every inch of the Isles of Scilly. As an adolescent, she dreamed of love in London's ballrooms. Now, stumbling across an old map on her family's property, she's found more adventure than she ever craved in the hunt for pirate treasure. Unfortunately, Beth can't escape the attentions of her family's guest, Lord Sheridan.

Sheridan has spent years pursuing whatever archaeological interests caught his imagination. And when he discovers that Beth's search connects with one of his favorite pirates of history, he can't help getting involved. Plus, he finds her irresistible, even though she insists he stole a prized possession of hers.

As they work together following different clues and drawing closer to danger, they start to piece together a story of tragic love and piratical adventure. But the true surprise is the treasure they discover in each other.

His Road to Redemption ~ Review with Giveaway

His Road to Redemption JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for His Road to Redemption by Lisa Jordan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!