She’s been hired to ghostwrite a CEO’s autobiography… Yep, that CEO. The one who broke her heart.
When Kate’s agent gets her the job of writing Trent’s autobiography, she almost balks. The charismatic founder of his own outdoor clothing company dumped her when they were in college. But she needs the money.
Trent’s been so busy lately, he completely forgot he was supposed to be writing a book, and the draft is due soon. He wants Kate as the ghostwriter: she’s experienced, and she was always smart and hard-working. They can keep things professional, right?
In funny and touching ways, the project gives them a fresh perspective on the past, even prompting a road trip to Trent’s hometown that uncovers forgotten feelings. But will they both have the courage to start a new chapter in life?
My Review of In Other Words, Love:
In Other Words, Love by Shirley Jump is such a sweet romance – both in terms of genre and just in general. The second-chance romance is everything you could ever want. Kate is terrified to let herself fall for Trent again. And Trent is just terrified in general.
While Kate and Trent didn’t have a massive, horrible, awful breakup, it did leave Kate devastated. I’m not entirely sure how it left Trent. Possibly regretful? I wish I could have gotten a little more into his head about that.
But now they need each other. Kate needs the paycheck from ghostwriting his book. And Trent needs her to ghostwrite the book or his company could be in trouble. So they agree to keep it professional – but we all know how that turns out.
Their path back to each other was scenic and beautiful. Their connection was evident on every page. Both characters had to grow and change. Life threw them both several curveballs, and it only made them seem more real. Sometimes they rolled with the punches, and sometimes they needed some help to get there.
The side characters really stood out in this one. The snarky and unsupportive friend from college. The families that only wanted what was best for both of them. Especially Kate’s grandma – she was amazing.
There was more than just a romance here. There was a finding of themselves. A reconnection to their dreams and who they really are. A very well-developed and captivating story.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Tully O’Roark just scored the most coveted job in rock and roll: keyboardist and backup vocalist for the world-famous Lush. Now she has to earn the trust of Joss, Walsh, Mike, and Colin, if she’s going to have a place in the band that’s also a family.
He’s the Rhapsody She Can’t Resist.
Peterson “Blaze” Davis is the Type A lead guitarist for Rhapsody, and his long-standing feud with Lush’s Mike Owens is about to heat up. As the two bands embark on a summer tour together Blaze has his sights set on Lush’s sexy new keyboardist, and he’s not going to let a little bad blood come between them.
It’s a Battle of the Bands…
When the NFL announces that Lush and Rhapsody are in competition for the coveted Super Bowl half-time concert, Blaze sees a chance to beat out his rivals once and for all. He’s ready to press every advantage he’s got, including Tully.
And There Can Only Be One Winner.
As the attraction between Tully and Blaze roars to life and the competition heats up, can these two lovers from rival bands find a way to have it all? Or will one of them choose wrong and lose their band and their heart?
My Review of A Lush Rhapsody:
A Lush Rhapsody by Selena Laurence is a passing of the torch. The long-time rock star band – Lush – teaming up with (and at times going against) the new up and coming stars – Rhapsody. When the two bands meet up for a summer tour, the sparks fly between the newest Lush member, Tully, and the lead guitarist of Rhapsody, Blaze.
The two bands are rivals, and a romance between two members seems strictly off-limits. But the sparks between Tully and Blaze are off the charts hot. And they can’t seem to stay away from each other for long.
The band rivalry reminded me of sports in high school – there was always that one school you just had to beat – and you would do just about anything to beat them. Blaze takes this too far and ends up causing all sorts of problems for everyone, and he drags Tully right into the middle of his scheme.
I love that A Lush Rhapsody dealt with some pretty serious issues that are all too common in today’s society – and not just amongst rock stars. We got to explore Blaze’s dark side, the side that wanted to win at all costs. But we also got to see him try to redeem himself and make things right again.
Tully was the perfect almost opposite to Blaze. She finally had her dream job, and she wanted to make everything work. Between being the “new girl” and the ever-rising tension between bands, she struggles to find where she fits.
I really enjoyed how Selena Laurence wrapped everything up – mostly. There’s a lot more story out there to tell and several single band members. I love these guys, and I can’t wait to see who gets hit by the love bug next.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing at the bad guy, and several heroes that surprised me.
Strong heroines that can take the lead and won’t take too much crap from the men who try to prevent them from playing their part.
About The Jabberwocky Princess
Title: The Jabberwocky Princess Author: Cece Louise Series: The Forest Tales #2 Genre: Young Adult, Fairy Tale Re-telling
Beware the Jabberwock . . . The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Kitchen maid Kainda is the daughter of a disgraced monster-hunter. She longs to learn more about strange beasts and use the hunting skills her father taught her, but kitchen maids don’t get to have adventures—especially not a girl everyone thinks is crazy.
That is until devil-may-care Prince Ander enlists her help in defeating a monster troubling a nearby kingdom. With her misfit knight best friend by her side, Kainda thinks it’s the perfect arrangement. She gets adventure and financial freedom, while Prince Ander gets to marry the princess of Fernshire.
Until the beast proves more troublesome than anyone imagined, and secrets from her father’s past raise the question: What is more dangerous—myth or reality?
A standalone read perfect for fans of sweet romance, suspense, and fairy tales!
My Review of The Jabberwocky Princess:
The Jabberwocky Princess is a fantastical fairy tale that I’m surprised Disney hasn’t taken for a movie yet. The world’s most famous monster-hunter disappeared mysteriously, but he left much of his knowledge to his daughter, Kainda. Looked down upon as a kitchen maid, she really doesn’t fit in anywhere except when she visits her best friend, a knight who plays a surprising role that I didn’t wholly expect at first.
The story alternates between Kainda and Princess Opal’s POV. Opal seems to be a bit of a stereotype, especially compared to Kainda. Opal is the princess being forced to marry the champion knight that finally rids the kingdom of the beast that is plaguing its land. But of course, she wants nothing to with it. She wants a love match and actually puts herself and her friends in some danger when she throws a bit of a fit and leaves the protection sent to ride with her.
There’s a prince sent with the knights, hoping to win Opal’s hand. Not because he loves her, but because he’s tired of his father harping on him to do something with his life. At first, the characters describe him as a bit of a philanderer and extremely arrogant. However, the first time we see him on the page, he comes across as anything but that. The author tries to explain why, but it fell a little flat.
I was very excited to see two happily ever afters, and not the ones I expected at first. It would have been a better story if there was a little more growth in the characters. They never really became more than what they started as. I also wish there had been a few clues as to who the big bad guy really was; little things sprinkled along the way that would have all made sense at the end. Instead, it was sort of dumped on you in a typical evil villain soliloquy.
I think a younger YA audience would really enjoy this a lot. As an adult with an older teenager, I think Jabberwocky Princess was an entertaining read, but not dynamic enough to really stand out.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
We could all use some good books to help us relax these days. Here are some new releases from authors that I have read. I hope you find some you enjoy!
Title:A Little Night Magic: Five tales of love, laughter & friendship – under a full moon Author:Angie Fox Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Cozy Mystery
New York Times bestselling author Angie Fox is back with an enchanting collection of six sweet, quirky, laugh-out-loud tales of paranormal mischief. Enter a world of magic with the ever-popular and always rowdy biker witches; take off on a spine-tingling adventure with a Southern good girl turned reluctant ghost hunter; and sizzle in the sultry heat of New Orleans as a voodoo mamba makes one very big mistake when casting a love spell. These charming tales of love, friendship, and laughter are a pure delight.
A spirit at the resale shop is trying to make right something he didn’t get to do from his past. Verity’s jobs to help him seem simple at first, but they always take a fun and slightly dangerous twist before the end.
By far, my favorite of the Southern Ghost Hunter short stories so far. There’s a wonderful romance, a family in need of mending, and it all takes place on the ghostly plane. This one dives a little deeper into Verity’s past (which you learn more about in the main series), and it was written in a way that gives you enough information without giving everything away.
Both Southern Ghost Hunter stories do an amazing job of telling a full story without messing with the main series too much. You can enjoy them as an addition to the series, or you can use them to find out if the series is right for you – which I’m sure it will be!
This was a really fun story. When Amie, a voodoo priestess, accidentally summons a man from the grave when she tries to summon love – well – things get a little interesting. She’s determined to put him back in the grave where he came from. He’s determined to convince Amie he’s the perfect man for her – but time is quickly running out. A very different take on the paranormal romance genre. I’m not sure how this fits into the overall Demon Slayer series – but it definitely makes me want to read more of them.
This was my first introduction to Lizzie Brown – the main character of the Demon Slayer series (or so it seems). She was fun, feisty, and quite a bit over the top. All the biker witches are. But how cool is it to follow a biker gang that’s all really crazy over-the-top witches. I Brake for Biker Witches seemed like an introduction story, even though it takes place later in the series. It was a great way to get to know the crew and a little bit about their history.
Celebrating their anniversary in a haunted Bed and Breakfast might not be the best idea. Especially when the ghost is very violent and hates when people get a little frisky under his roof. There were some light-hearted moments with the occupants of the B&B, but this was definitely a little on the darker side.
This story was so much fun! The characters really cracked me up, and there were a lot of great pagan references and some really good-hearted Halloween fun. This is the story that makes me want to know more. It was the perfect mix of fun, mystery, and excitement.
The Demon Slayers stories were a bit of a mixed bag – but overall I really enjoyed the fun characters, and it definitely made me want to read more about them.
Jenny always dreamed of getting married at Heart’s Landing. But when she finally visits the charming small town, she’s there to make wedding arrangements for someone else: her cousin, who also happens to be her boss and a famous movie star. To keep the event secret and avoid a media circus, Jenny pretends she’s the one getting married.
Nick is intrigued by this bride-to-be who starts visiting his bakery every afternoon for sweet treats and conversation. He has to keep reminding himself that she’s already spoken for.
As Jenny deals with her cousin’s ever-changing demands, she tries to hide her attraction to Nick. Planning this wedding couldn’t be more complicated…and what will happen once the truth comes to light?
My Review
A Simple Wedding was a lot of fun to read. I loved Jenny and Nick enough to overlook the not-so-tiny lie Jenny had to tell. Jenny was truly stuck between a rock and a hard place with it. Having sworn to keep her super-famous cousin’s wedding a secret, she was pretending she was planning her own. Jenny’s conflict and debate over telling the town’s people that she had come to love the secret, and keeping her promise was very real.
Jenny’s cousin, Kay, is a famous movie star. And she acted like a lot of the stereotypes that go along with that position. She constantly changed her mind and expected people to just “make it happen,” including her cousin. She seemed so detached from reality, and Jenny was too afraid to stand up to her.
Jenny’s saving grace was the baker from I Do Cakes, Nick. He encouraged her to stand up for what she wanted. Remember he thought it was her wedding. But he also stood by her and helped in so many big and small ways when she needed to make changes to the plan. Apparently, he can also make a mean chocolate cupcake, which is an instant win in my book.
I do think the town forgave Jenny and moved on really quickly. I don’t want the main character to suffer, but I do think showing consequences that last more than a few minutes is important.
Overall, this hits all the highs of a traditional Hallmark Romance. It sounds like this will be an ongoing series. And I really hope that happens. This town and the people in it quickly become your friends, and I need to visit them and see another Heart’s Landing wedding.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
I learned so much about the art of henna and the role it played in Indian culture – it was amazing.
Lakshmi’s drive to succeed and make a better life for herself and her family, despite her past, was inspiring.
About The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi:
Lakshmi Shastri has spent years carving out a life for herself as a henna artist after fleeing her abusive husband and backward rural village for the Rajasthan capital. Well-versed in apothecary and the miraculous properties of herbs, her services (the effects of which are far more than just aesthetic) are highly sought after by upper-caste women, and Lakshmi’s success brings her within inches from her, and her country’s, ultimate goal: total independence. That is, until the past she has so desperately tried to run from comes knocking at her door…
My Full Review of The Henna Artist
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is the story of Lakshmi Lakshmi ran away from her village life with an abusive husband to make it on her own. This is a difficult task in 1950s India. She makes her way up through society, making sure to always follow the rules and know her place. Pleasing her “ladies” with every visit, and making her henna designs seem like magical cures. All the time, saving money to build her own house.
But when Lakshmi’s sister, the one she didn’t know existed, shows up with the husband Lakshmi ran away from 13 years ago, things slowly begin to fall apart. As she tries to navigate the tricky social structures without missing a step, the worst happens, and she finds herself having to decide what family really means and how to best help them.
The well-written relationship between Lakshmi and her sister, as well as the errand boy, turns out to be far more important than you think at first. They were incredibly different people, and yet they were very similar as well. As with many families, their relationship isn’t all roses. But you could see how Lakshmi was trying so hard to do what was right. She wanted to give her sister every opportunity that she could possibly have.
Lakshmi earns extra money making herbal remedies. Some make sure women who don’t want to be mothers don’t have to be. Many people around her frowned on this practice. And they also shunned her other natural remedies in favor of modern techniques and medicines. This cultural difference between the city and the villages really played a role as Lakshmi’s character developed and she navigated the world around her.
The Henna Artist was beautifully written and immersed me in an unfamiliar culture. I loved every second of it. The story unfolds in a way that isn’t all excitement and suspense. It’s peppered with moments that stood out in my mind as I read through it. I highly recommend this book.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Pick up your copy of The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Three reasons you should read Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is easy to listen to with a lot of good tips that are uncomplicated.
Great step by step approach to changing or quitting habits that builds on itself through the book.
Homework and worksheets are available to go along with it that were very helpful at times.
About Atomic Habitsby James Clear
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.
Learn how to:
make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
design your environment to make success easier;
get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.
Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.
My Review
Atomic Habits does a great job of laying out the framework of changing, improving good habits, and getting rid of bad habits. James Clear walks you through the process of how habits form using realistic examples and psychological and sociological backup. Also, he throws in a bit of chemistry when he mentions how the chemicals in the brain respond to stimulus. But the book isn’t a bunch of high-level information that you can’t use. Clear lays out step-by-step directions to help create better habits in your life.
Pulling from his personal experience and the work of other habit specialists, James Clear brings their work together and pairs them with real-life exercises and homework to help you along the way. I did listen to the audiobook, and handouts are available through links he provides verbally throughout.
While I was able to take away some ideas on how to build good habits (habit-stacking is probably my favorite), there were a few times things got a little repetitive. I understand James Clear presented similar concepts in different ways with different approaches. Still, I wanted to hit fast-forward every now and then. A few of the examples were a little extreme – and were acknowledged as such.
I learned a lot from reading Atomic Habits. And it was a good read. There are a few tactics and practices that I plan on trying, and there are a few that I won’t. If you’re looking for some good ideas, I would give this book a try.
