Thursday, November 15, 2018

Blog Tour/Review: Fate & Fortune and Kismet & Karma by Robin Daniels


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Fate & Fortune
(Fate & Fortune #1)

By Robin Daniels
YA Contemporary Romance, Duology

ebook, 279 Pages
September 20th 2018

Bryce has liked Paige since they were little but has never had the guts to act on his feelings. Paige is devastated over being dumped by her long-time boyfriend and can’t seem to move on. They’re stuck in a rut, until fate decides to pull them out.

Both Paige and Bryce are talked into seeing a fortune teller at the annual Summer’s End Carnival. Neither of them buys into the mysticism, until the psychic’s predictions start coming true. Now, the most bizarre things are happening and there isn’t a clear explanation. Each of them must figure out if they’re the subject of an elaborate hoax or a bigger plan forged by destiny.

*This book is part one of two. Books should be read sequentially.

My Rating=4 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way

Bryce and Paige belong together, but Paige is heartbroken after her boyfriend, Jason, breaks up with her. After visiting a psychic at the carnival, mysterious things start happening to bring them together. 

I love a good teen drama, and this one delivers! The story shifts back and forth between Bryce and Paige so we get to know how they feel about each other. We also learn about their friends and siblings and the relationships they all share. They are a close knit group of friends who look out for each other. There are some funny moments, as well as some touching ones. When I finished reading it, I couldn't wait to get started on the second book!

Kismet & Karma

(Fate & Fortune #2)

By Robin Daniels
YA Contemporary Romance, Duology

ebook, 270 Pages
October 25th 2018

Bryce and Paige belong together, but they’ll never make it happen alone. When inspiration strikes in multiple ways, a friend decides it can’t be a coincidence; it’s a call to action. With a little luck, the help of fate, and the matchmaking plan of the century, Bryce and Paige just might get their happy ending.

You heard Paige and Bryce's version of the story in Fate & Fortune. Now join Eric, Amy, Cody, Kennedy and Genie to see how things really went down.

***This book completes the series. Book one can be read as a standalone, but book two cannot. Fate & Fortune should be read first.***

My Rating=4 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way

 Sometimes the second book in a series stands well on its own. This one doesn't. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what occurs in the first book. There's lots of plotting and scheming and pure fun. This story is told from several different perspectives, which made it interesting to see what the characters were really up to in the first book. Even though the group is close knit, there are still some secrets that need to come out. It's a fun series that I enjoyed reading!


About the Author


The most important thing to know about me is that I'm basically a sixteen-year-old trapped in an adult's body. It's why I feel such a great connection to all of my characters and why I love to write romantic comedy. The kid in me just wants to be goofy. Besides being a writer; I'm a wife, mother of five, volleyball enthusiast and home decorating guru. My list of favorites includes: reading, Christmas, pedicures, dessert, steak, Arizona winters and most importantly, Diet Coke.

Tour Giveaway




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Ends November 21, 2018


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Posted by Melanie at 4:00 AM 1 comments

Monday, November 12, 2018

Blog Tour/Review: The Truth about Miss Ashbourne by Joanna Barker



The Truth about Miss Ashbourne, by Joanna Barker
2018, 272p, Clean Regency Romance
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way



Governess Juliana Ashbourne has dreams reaching far beyond the confines of her current position, hoping to someday establish her own school for girls. When she inherits a fortune from her late grandfather, she is shocked to learn that “someday” may soon be within reach. However, there is one condition: she must spend a month at the estate of Havenfield—with the very family who disowned her mother. Intent on securing the money she needs to start her school, Juliana accepts the invitation, vowing to guard her heart against those who shunned her all her life. But Havenfield is far from what she expects. She discovers a grandmother seeking forgiveness, a cold and disapproving aunt, and a painfully shy cousin. And then there is Mr. William Rowley. Though the heir to the estate is a merciless tease, Juliana finds in him a friend and confidant—and perhaps something more. As she struggles to make sense of her new place in the world, her stubborn independence clashes with a yearning to belong and the even more confusing desires of her heart.

I loved this book from beginning to end! Juliana works as a governess and is fiercely independent. Her life gets turned upside down and she ends up in a situation she never imagined, with a family she's never known. She feels out of place and is grateful for the acceptance she feels from some of her family members. She has a dream which may now become a reality and she is grateful to have someone to turn to who gives her sound advice. 

 Juliana and William are easy to fall in love with and cheer for. Their banter and chemistry are fantastic! There are lots of other great characters as well, both likable and unlikable. I enjoyed Juliana's journey and the adjustments she made as her life completely changed. I loved the writing and, once I got started, I couldn't stop until I finished. I would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys clean Regency romance!


Joanna Barker was born and raised in northern California. She discovered her love for historical fiction after visiting England as an eleven-year-old, and subsequently read every Jane Austen book she could get her hands on. After graduating Brigham Young University with a degree in English, she worked as an acquisitions editor before devoting herself full-time to writing. She enjoys music, chocolate, and reading everything from romance to science fiction. She lives in Utah and is just a little crazy about her husband and two wild-but-loveable boys.


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Tour Schedule:

*Nov. 12th: http://mybookaday.com/
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 13th: http://empowermoms.net/
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/
http://www.kindleandme.com/

*Nov. 14th: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/
http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 15th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/
https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
https://www.wishfulendings.com/
http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 16th: https://brightlystreet.com/
http://www.iamareader.com/
https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

Posted by Melanie at 4:00 AM 2 comments

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Spotlight: Twice the Dream



"Twice The Dream" is an inspiring family drama about two sisters following their musical dreams together. Just as the sisters begin to discover their wings and take flight, a sudden family tragedy strikes. In the aftermath of tragedy, they discover that their dreams were the only thing that held the family together.



Twice the Dream
Q&A with the director

1. How was it to write and direct your first feature film, Twice the Dream?
A: It sincerely was a dream come true, in every sense. The cast and crew were all so incredible and really put on their "A" game. At the end, we all felt like family! Some of us of course, literally being family. ;P Haha and by that I mean, my husband was one of the producers, and was also the director of photography. My mom is amazing at art and making props, so she was in charge of the art and prop department. A lot of my lifelong friends helped as well, and my brother. So it truly was a dream come true making the movie I love, with the people I love. It was nothing short of magic!

2. What were some high points during the creative process?
A: There were so many high points, everything from writing the screenplay, to setting up that perfect shot. When writing the script, there seemed to be something so special about being so into the story, and so sucked into that world. But, as soon as we got on set, it was incredible to see those characters and scenes come to life. I would say that was a high point- seeing these characters come to life, living, breathing, and interact with each other. It was really fun working with the actors as well, and collaborating with them. The cast truly understood their characters- just as much as I do. Sometimes, maybe even more. A few of the actors would come to me with some ideas, or thoughts on scenes, and their character's journey, and sometimes would suggest certain lines of dialogue. 9 times out of 10, we were always on the same page, and I let them go for it. It was soooo cool seeing this!

3. What was your favorite scene on set?
A: Every scene! Haha jk. Although I did enjoy filming every scene on set, the concert scenes were the most fun to film. Everyone was dancing, laughing, singing along. Those were my favorite scenes to film... and we had three concert scenes! :)

4. Any learning moments you want to share?
A: Making this film has been a long journey, and throughout that journey, I have learned so much. Ultimately, I think that one of the most important things that I have learned would have to be to just trust myself and the stories that you want to tell. Along the way, a lot of people will try to discourage you- and that's just life. Just because someone else doesn't particularly get your vision, doesn't mean that it's not good. If you have a story that you want to tell, then you need to tell it. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

5. What inspired you to tell this story?
A: Growing up, I realized that there weren't a lot of inspiring, feel-good coming of age movies. Movies that I really wanted to see at that age, stories that I could relate to. It was always such an underserved market. (For the record, these types of moves aren't only limited to that age group, because I still want to see these kind of movies. They are for the young at heart.)

So, at the tender age of 14, I started writing my story, "Twice The Dream". Something about this particular story had set my soul on fire. The characters had absolutely consumed me, but in the best possible way. I knew it was my mission to get this story told through film. I could hardly think of anything else!

6. How is it being a female in the film business?
A: Being a female in the film industry is definitely tough. At times, it really seems that all of the "suits" in Hollywood making the decisions are men. I sat in many meetings like that. They would be interested in my story, but they would insist on making certain changes- changes that would change the very heart of the story. Although these offers were sometimes tempting, I would resist, remaining stubborn. I've even been called a "B" word because of this. But you know what? I think it's necessary. As women in this industry, we have to stick up for ourselves. Luckily, I think this is changing. Slowly, but at least we are getting somewhere. People are starting to realize that half of the population are women. And as such, I think it's safe to say that we know what a large portion of the population can relate to in film. Together, we are changing this.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?
My number one piece of advice is to stick to the story that you want to tell. Don't let any "suit", or colleague, teacher, or even a family member try to convince you otherwise. You're set on the story you want to tell? Great! That's the one you need to go with. Because as we all know, making a movie is hard work. So you have to love your story so much, that you would be willing to go on this journey with it. And another thing... never give up.

8. Do you think your experience as an actress helped in directing other actors? Why?
A: I absolutely think it helped. Truthfully, I believe my experiences as an actress have helped me as a writer as well. Since I'm familiar with the actors process, and the way actors think, I found it fairly easy to convey direction to the cast. And they always took that direction so well, and would totally understand where I was coming from. We were always on the same page!

9. What is your next step with Twice the Dream?
A: We are knee deep in post production right now, finalizing the sound mix, original score, color grading, etc. It's been a fun but long process in itself, but I feel like I've learned a lot. We are currently exploring different distribution options. Looking for the right partner! Our goal is to release it theatrically first. (Even if it's a limited release) Following our theatrical run, we plan to release it on various VOD platforms such as Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc.

10. Do you have any other projects on the horizon?
A: Oh, most definitely. Since I'm crazy, I'm currently writing two different scripts- both female driven like Twice The Dream, but very different genres. One is a thriller and the other is a fantasy. I also am still working on my YA fantasy novel series and re-launching that.

11. How did you finally get to make your movie?
A: I know the reason that I was able to achieve this dream is because I have been so fortunate to have such amazing support from my family and friends. They always have kept me going, and amazingly enough, they were the same people that saw my dream to the very end.

Dreams are important, but I know it's hard. There are days, sometimes months when you feel like your dream might be impossible. At times, it can feel like the whole world is against you. During the pursuit of my dream, there were times when it felt like I was going nowhere. Sometimes, it was very painful. Blood, sweat, tears, and many other losses went into this pursuit. I would then ask myself, "Is this pain really worth it?" There were many times when I felt like I had absolutely hit rock bottom, and that my dream may never come true. BUT.... Yes, that's a "but." Here is the important part: I refused to give up. No matter how long it took, or how hard it was. This dream was too important to me. And I remembered why I had been holding on for so long. Moral of the story is: NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP. Period. Dreams come true, even if it takes over a decade.

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Posted by Melanie at 4:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, November 5, 2018

Grand Finale: A Small Town Christmas by Nan Reinhardt



On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
A Small Town Christmas
By Nan Reinhardt

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Thank you very much for coming along on my Prism Book Tour for A Small Town Christmas—the first book in my new Four Irish Brothers Winery series for Tule Publishing. I’m so excited about this book and about this series—Conor, Sean, Brendan, and Aidan Flaherty have been in my head for quite some time, banging around, insisting that their stories be told...


Conor trudged through the rain, which had now subsided to a chilly drizzle. As he drew closer to the car, the air was fairly blue with the woman’s frustration and he couldn’t help grinning as he approached the back of the vehicle. “Can I help you?”

“Oh, crap.” When she released the handle of the cable holding the tire, her foot slid on the wet gravel and her arms wheeled as she tried to keep herself upright.

He bolted around the rear fender and caught her just before she hit the ground. He kept an arm around her waist to steady her. “You okay?”


The weather had turned downright cold after last night’s rain and he felt around in Ali’s pockets for her mittens. “Be sure to put these on if you go outside today, okay?”

“Okay.” She was already distracted, clearly anxious to get into the building to play with her friends. “Come on, Da. Miss Karen’s mommy is bringing in kittens today.” Ali tugged at his hand. “I can’t wait to pet one. I love kitties, don’t you?”


The winery was dim and vast with a high beamed ceiling and a fieldstone fireplace that took up one entire end of the room. A round dark wood tasting bar stood in the middle, surrounded by several high-top tables and stools. One corner was the store with shelves of wine-themed tchotchkes of all kinds, while the back wall was nothing but racks and racks of bottles. A light shone from an office just to the right of the front door and plastic totes were piled haphazardly in front of an open closet nearby.

Sam cleared her throat. “Mr. Flaherty?” Her voice echoed slightly in the immense space.

She marched over to the office, her heels clicking loudly on the hardwood floor. Nobody was there, although several photo albums and scrapbooks lay open on a rather cluttered desk. She glanced at her watch and then at a large wooden clock above the mantel. Nine on the dot. Obviously someone was here.


“Get in here!” the voice commanded, but this time it sounded familiar. “You have got to taste this.” Heavy footsteps hurried toward her and around a tank appeared . . . the man who had changed her tire yesterday? He was holding a bottle in one hand and a small tumbler in the other, but practically squealed his tattered running shoes as he halted mid-step. “It’s you.”

They gazed at one another for a long moment, his blue eyes narrowing, color staining his cheeks. “Um, you want to try this? It’s pretty amazing,” he blurted as the flush on his face deepened from pink to scarlet.

She stepped back. “It’s nine o’clock in the morning.”


"The characters felt so real and the plot scenes were very well-developed, which allowed the reader to feel a part of the story. . . . This was an uplifting read in anticipation of the Holiday Season."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

“You have a great palate.” He took the glass, poured more wine and tasted, his eyes closed in obvious ecstasy, long sooty lashes resting on his cheeks.

His words of praise sent a not-unpleasant tingle down her spine. She couldn’t remember ever seeing any man with such long, thick eyelashes . . . except for one—Sean Flaherty. “Are you Conor?” She met his gaze when he opened his eyes and then she knew for sure he had to be a Flaherty. They were as true cornflower blue as Sean’s. Apparently, gorgeous ran in the family.

“I am. Conor Flaherty, winemaker extraordinaire at your service.” He bowed with a cocky grin.


"It has hope, grief, and a cute four year old girl at Christmas time! . . . With Christmas themes that remind me of the season, this book was very enjoyable."


When he glanced out at Sam, she was all business with a manila folder open in front of her and a legal pad set to one side. The bottle of Gewürztraminer she’d brought up from the cellar had been set aside, along with the two glasses as she sorted through a sheaf of papers in the folder. The woman was an enigma—a very attractive enigma to be sure. Again he was shocked at his level of interest, but now that he knew who she was, it was probably a bad idea to pour more wine. An intriguing notion, though . . . and she had brought the bottle up.

Sean might have warned him that Sam Hayes was a woman, but it probably hadn’t even occurred to him to mention it. To Sean, she was simply an associate in his firm, not a potential mate for his widowed younger brother.

E-Romance News - Excerpt

Her voice made him think of zin or petit Syrah—sultry and husky and as captivating as wine and chocolate. As a matter of fact, everything about her made him hungry, and that was something entirely new and unexpected, too. Since Emmy’s death, most food had tasted like ashes. He cooked for Ali and he ate because it was important to keep his strength up, but there was no pleasure in it anymore. Suddenly, as he eyed the new Gewürztraminer, he longed for apples and cheese and a loaf of warm crusty French bread.

Brooke Blogs - Review

"A Small Town Christmas by Nan Reinhardt perfectly captures the essence of love in a small town. . . . A bit of Christmas magic and a whole lot of love make this a wonderful story for the holiday season."


"This is the first book I have ever read by this author and what a treat! I loved the small town feel to this book. It really captured all the familial charm, especially with the Christmas background. There were a lot of secondary characters in this book but I never felt overwhelmed with keeping them straight which is a credit to the author."


"I LOVED reading about Sam and Conor’s love story. I loved how a small town romance can open up our own hearts to love. When you first introduce us to Sam, Conor, and his daughter you can see how much of a gentlemen he is."


He was rambling; something Sam did herself when she was nervous. How funny that she was making him nervous. The whole morning had turned into something entirely different than what she had prepared for, and it was becoming harder and harder to maintain her attorney face.

She smiled, hoping to ease his discomfort. “Ali?” She quirked one brow. “Your daughter? The one in the car yesterday?”

“Yes.” He didn’t meet her gaze. Instead he focused on the apple, cutting it into precise sections. “She’s four.”

Becky on Books - Review

"A Small Town Christmas is a sweet, feel-good holiday themed romance! The first book in its series (Four Irish Brothers Winery), its setting and characters somehow manage to make the reader feel as if they’re back among friends, and the main characters–Conor, Samantha, and Ali, Conor’s daughter–are just delightful, and very easy to root for. . . . it's obvious that these two crazy kids are obviously meant to be together. This was my first book from Ms. Reinhardt, but definitely not my last!"


"Dynamite High 5 Teacups! . . . If you love a sweet romance, a sensual and gorgeous hero and a strong, yet gentle heroine, and set in a small then this is the book for you! . . . I really loved this tale and would highly recommend this to all!"


"Pure, well-written escapism at its best. Maybe it's Christmas, or the talent Reinhard utilizes to pen characters you can't help but dream along with. Just like Conor and Sam, you'll be tempted to believe love deserves second chances, and it's never too late to start over."


"A Small Town Christmas is a quick read with a great setting and great characters. Add this to your holiday reading lists!"


"I feel like these characters have lived before we enter their lives in this installment of the series - a credit to the author whose writing a four book arc of their adventures! . . . Her instincts for setting the scenes to be a bit random and allow her characters the room to breathe is one of the things I loved most about reading A Small Town Christmas!"

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

A Small Town Christmas

(Four Irish Brothers Winery #1)
By Nan Reinhardt
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 185 Pages
October 29th 2018 by Tule Publishing

Winemaker and single father Conor Flaherty is determined to make this Christmas holiday special for his daughter even though his family’s winery, Four Irish Brothers, is facing some challenges.

High-octane Chicago attorney Samantha Hayes is looking forward to some delicious food, fine wine, small town charm, and a break from her hectic big city life when she agrees to do a favor for her boss and help his younger brother with a lawsuit that’s been slapped on his family’s historic winery in River’s Edge. She’s not expecting that her sexy new client will have a smile that will melt her heart and remind her that there’s more to life than work.

Sam falls hard for Conor, his daughter and the small, friendly town, but can she trust her instincts and risk her heart? Sam hasn’t seen a lot of happy-ever-afters in her life, but Conor and the magic of Christmas make her want to believe.


About the Author

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today-bestselling author of romantic fiction for women in their prime. Yeah, women still fall in love and have sex, even after 45! Imagine! She is a wife, a mom, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother. Nan has been a copyeditor and proofreader for over 25 years, and currently works on romantic fiction titles for a variety of clients, including Avon Books, St. Martin’s Press, Kensington Books, Tule Publishing, and Entangled Publishing, as well as for many indie authors.

Although she loves her life as an editor, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten, a love story between the most sophisticated person she knew at the time, her older sister (who was in high school and had a driver’s license!), and a member of Herman’s Hermits. If you remember who they are, you are Nan’s audience! Her latest novel, A Small Town Christmas, which is the first book in the Four Irish Brothers Winery series from Tule Publishing, releases on October 29, 2018.

Visit Nan’s website at www.nanreinhardt.com, where you’ll find links to all her books as well as blogs about writing, being a Baby Boomer, and aging gracefully…mostly. Nan also blogs every sixth Wednesday at Word Wranglers, sharing the spotlight with five other romance authors and is a frequent contributor the RWA Contemporary Romance blog, and she contributes to the Romance University blog where she writes as Editor Nan.


Tour Giveaway


5 winners will receive: a wine-themed kitchen towel and potholder set, 6 handmade wineglass charms, and an autographed copy of the first book in Nan's Women of Willow Bay series, ONCE MORE FROM THE TOP
Open to US only
Ends November 7, 2018


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