Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

THE LOST FOR WORDS BOOKSHOP by Stephanie Butland

July 26, 2018

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Loveday Cardew is the character at the heart of this sweet, yet melancholy story. Loveday has always found solace in books and lucky for her, she works as a bookseller, her dream job; in fact, she has the first lines of some of her favorite books tattooed on her body. She’s worked for Archie, a charming curmudgeon, for ten years, since she was 15 years old and got herself out of the foster care system. She has had a traumatic life with some serious family issues that she slowly reveals, that mystery keeps the pages turning. Plus she is so endearing that we can’t help but root for her.

Loveday has never had a real relationship with a man, and then there are two men pursuing her, and she’s not sure how to handle it. To say she is close-mouthed hardly touches the surface, she literally reveals nothing about herself until she is forced into it.

I loved these characters and while this was a sadder story than I was expecting, I couldn’t put it down. To watch this young woman grow is both unexpected and beautiful, and a joy to read.

7/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE LOST FOR WORDS BOOKSHOP by Stephanie Butland. St. Martin’s Press (June 19, 2018). ISBN 13: 978-1250124531. 368p.

Kindle

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FLINT WATER CRISIS: Dr. Mona & Chelsea Clinton

July 25, 2018

Author Mona Hanna-Attisha (WHAT THE EYES DON’T SEE) in discussion with Chelsea Clinton | Full event

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COWBOY PRIDE by Lacy Williams

July 25, 2018

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Wild Wyoming Hearts Series, Book 3

I picked up this book because it was the Overdrive “Big Read” book choice through my library. If you are not familiar, here is a bit of information about it:

Global eBook Club

Big Library Read (BLR), facilitated by OverDrive, is a reading program through your library that connects readers around the world with the same eBook at the same time without any wait lists or holds.

Easy to Join

It’s a worldwide digital version of a local book club, the program is free through your local library or school library and all you need to get started reading is a library card or student ID.

I’m not sure how these books are selected but this one is self published. Looking at some of the previous selections, this seems to be an outlier. A few previous titles were Art of the Pie by Kate McDermott, a cookbook; American Sniper by Chris Kyle; Eyes on You by Kate White – traditionally published books, some by bestselling authors.

From Amazon:

“Everyone knows a rancher in possession of a large spread needs a wife.”

First impressions count. Liza Bennett has two missions in life: keep the family’s shop afloat, and ensure her shy sister finds love. Sparks fly when she meets rancher Rob Darcy at a town dance, but when she overhears him insult her, she vows to put the man out of her mind. Rob Darcy is instantly attracted to the vivacious Liza but a lack of social graces and the promise he’s keeping ruin his chances of winning her.

Once jilted, Janie Bennett is appropriately gun-shy of falling in love again. But she doesn’t seem to be able to help herself when she meets charming Nathan Bingley. Bingley desperately wants a wife and family of his own. Can he trust that Janie returns his feelings? When Janie is injured in a spring storm, she and Liza are sequestered on Nathan’s ranch. Hearts and emotions get tangled, but will first impressions prove true, or false?

Cowboy Pride is a Wild West version of Pride and Prejudice with dual love stories. Lacy Williams is a USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Wyoming Legacy and Cowboy Fairytales series.

This was a cute book. It was very light, almost too light as the characters really could have used more development. That said, if you like Western romances and/or are obsessed with Pride & Prejudice and all its incantations, you may enjoy this book. I did.

8/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

COWBOY PRIDE by Lacy Williams. Lacy Williams (July 23, 2017). ISBN 978-1942505686. 250p.

Kindle

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THE DUKE BUYS A BRIDE by Sophie Jordan

July 24, 2018

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The Rogue Files, Book 3

This was such a fun read!

Alyse Bell was orphaned at age 15 and her father arranged a “marriage” to a friend so she would be protected. The marriage meant she would take care of all the man’s children but the marriage was never consummated. Seven years later he wants to marry a local widow, so arranges for Alyse to be sold at auction, avoiding the complications and expense of a divorce.

Alyse’s childhood friend is supposed to be at the auction to purchase her, but he doesn’t show. Instead, things get ribald and scary, until a man comes riding in to save her. That man is the Duke of Autenberry, who has basically run away from problems at home. He doesn’t get along with his father and needs some time to be alone. He is terribly hungover but his conscience won’t allow him to leave the poor girl so he purchases her. He quickly informs her that they are not married and he doesn’t want her for a wife. He doesn’t tell her he is a Duke but she knows he has money.

Autenberry takes her on a road trip to his home in the Scottish Highlands. He’s never actually been there but it is remote enough to give him the solitude he seeks. He offers Alyse a position as housekeeper and she figures it is a good deal. Except while they are on the road, they are forced to share a bed on several occasions and the next thing you know, there is some serious chemistry going on there.

This was a really good romance with likable characters, steamy sex, and an interesting story. Another excellent read from one of my favorite authors.

7/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE DUKE BUYS A BRIDE by Sophie Jordan. Avon (July 24, 2018). ISBN 978-0062463647. 368p.

Kindle

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Meet the Author: Beck Dorey-Stein

July 23, 2018

I’ve already reviewed FROM THE CORNER OF THE OVAL by Beck Dory-Stein (compulsively readable!) and now here is some fun stuff from the author.

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WHEN WE FOUND HOME by Susan Mallery

July 23, 2018

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The Carlesso family is not your typical family. The patriarch, Alberto, had one son who wasn’t a very good person. Alberto found out he had a grandson, Malcolm, when the child’s mother turned up, 12-year-old in tow, and he took them in while his son continued his traveling and playboy lifestyle. Malcolm’s mother dies but Alberto takes care of him, and he joins the family business and grows it significantly. When Malcolm’s father passes away, Alberto waits a couple of years before going through his papers.

Alberto finally learns that his son had two other children, daughters, with two different mothers. He tracks down the youngest, Keira, who’s only 12-years-old, and he finds her in foster care. He arranges for her to move in with him and Malcolm. And he keeps searching for the older daughter, Callie, who is an adult at 26.

When Alberto finally tracks down Callie, Malcolm is shocked to learn that she has gotten out of prison a few years earlier. Nevertheless, Alberto invites her to move in with them as well.

Callie made a life altering mistake as a teenager, she robbed a liquor store with her boyfriend and she took the rap. She served her time and is trying to rebuild her life, which is not easy as an ex-felon. She is leery of this invitation but she really has nothing to lose so she moves in and asks for a job in the family business.

Meanwhile, Delaney has gone through some tragedy herself. She lost her fiance, a cop who was killed in the line of duty. That shooting also seriously injured her father, leaving him in a wheelchair. She left her high powered career in finance to take care of her dad and decides she wants change careers to something in medicine. She is working part time at a cafe in the same building as the Carlesso family business and has a bit of a crush on Malcolm. Unbeknownst to Delaney, she has also befriended Keira, who she recognizes as a lonely little girl but she doesn’t realize that Malcolm is the “asshole brother” that Keira frequently complains about.

These characters come together to form a family with a lot of issues, and the storylines are masterfully woven together. I loved these characters and couldn’t put this book down until the happy ending. Probably more women’s fiction than romance, nonetheless there is some romance too, after all that is what Mallery is known for. All in all, an excellent read and a fabulous book to take to the beach.

7/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WHEN WE FOUND HOME by Susan Mallery. Hqn Books (July 10, 2018). ISBN 978-0373802500 . 419p.

Kindle

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The Struggles of Reading in an Apartment

July 22, 2018

Just for fun.

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A SUMMER IN SONOMA by Robyn Carr

July 22, 2018

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From the publisher:

They’ve been best friends since seventh grade. But this summer, teetering on the threshold of thirty, four women are going to need each other more than ever

Cassie has sworn off men after yet another bad date though, deep down, she’s still looking for Mr. Right. A long-haired, tattooed biker is definitely not him, so there’s no harm in a few Harley rides through Sonoma. Right?

Julie married her high school sweetheart too young and now wonders how her life became all about leaky faucets and checkbook balances. Maybe love isn’t enough to sustain the perfect couple.

Marty’s firefighter husband takes her for granted, and with her marriage on the rocks, an old flame begins to look mighty tempting. She’s seriously thinking of crossing that line.

Beth is a busy doctor trapped in a body that’s betrayed her yet again and she’s becoming a difficult patient and a secretive friend. She’s fighting for her life.

Life can change in an instant…or a summer. As these four friends deal with life’s challenges, the strength of their bond will see them through.

This is one of those books that deals with a lot of secrets, and I don’t want to give any of them away so I used the publisher’s synopsis.

It is a wonderful read about friends, with enough complications to really keep the pages turning. These are wonderful characters who we really get to know, and there is a bit of romance as well. The romance is a slow building one, from friendship to love and the way it unfolds is really lovely. I like when characters have to stretch themselves and that happens here. Carr is a good writer and a good storyteller, and this is a terrific read.

7/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A SUMMER IN SONOMA by Robyn Carr. MIRA; Original edition (June 26, 2018). ISBN 978-0778331261. 368p.

Kindle

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HOT IN HELLCAT CANYON by Julie Anne Long

July 21, 2018

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Hellcat Canyon Novel, Book 1

Once again I’m working my way backwards into a series. I read book 4, The First Time at Firelight Falls, and liked it so much that I searched out the first book in the series and will go from there.

JT is an actor who is a bit adrift. He was the hottest thing on TV with a catchphrase and everything, but that was years ago. Now he’s pushing forty and trying to stay relevant. His truck breaks down in the small town of Hellcat Canyon, and he stops at the only restaurant in town, the diner, where he meets a cute waitress.

Britt is the waitress, and she’s come out of an abusive relationship and is not looking for more. But their chemistry is undeniable even though they both fight it. Being that this is the first book in the series, there are a lot of introductions to the town and the folks who live there. The romance is central though, and there is a lot of humor and some steamy scenes as well.

This was a fun read but I’m guessing, based on reading book 4, that it gets better as the series progresses.

7/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

HOT IN HELLCAT CANYON by Julie Anne Long. Avon (May 31, 2016). ISBN 978-0062397614. 384p.

Kindle

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The Wedding from Hell Part 1: The Rehearsal Dinner

July 20, 2018

Welcome to the The Wedding from Hell Part 1: The Rehearsal Dinner!

A free downloadable e-book! If you haven’t read J.R. Ward yet, now is your chance.

Don’t miss #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward’s three-part ebook serialization: The Wedding From Hell. This exclusive prequel to her upcoming standalone suspense Consumed (available in Fall 2018) takes us back to where it all started between arson investigator Anne Ashburn and ‘bad boy’ firefighter Danny Maguire. The Wedding From Hell is a sexy standalone novella that sets up Consumed’s storyline, leaving fans hungry for more and dying to snatch it up.

About the Book

It’s a classic recipe for disaster: Take one bridesmaid who thinks pink is the root of all evil, mix with a best man who’s hotter than a four-alarm fire, add in their explosive sexual attraction, a nightmare bridezilla, two cat fights, and an emergency call, and you have the wedding from hell.

Experience the sizzling start of Anne and Danny’s intense relationship. Is this the start of something good…or just an erotic one-night stand that rocks their world, but must never be repeated?

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the author of more than thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There are more than fifteen million copies of her novels in print worldwide, and they have been published in twenty-six different countries around the world. She lives in the South with her family.

Purchase Link: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Wedding-from-Hell-Part-1-The-Rehearsal-Dinner/J-R-Ward/9781982105365