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Showing posts with label LDS Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LDS Fiction. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
LDS Hollywood Romance Upbeat and Real (with a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When Evie Jennings eloped with her boyfriend two years ago, she thought she was making a fresh start with the man she loved. Then he abandoned her, divorcing her through the mail. Evie hasn't seen Q since their hurried nuptials. Her friends and family urge her to move on, but to what? It's humiliating enough to be a 24-year-old divorceé, let alone living with her parents and attending a Young Single Adult (YSA) ward. She's enrolled at UCAL, but she's not even sure what she wants to be when she grows up. Evie's confused—about past mistakes, present decisions, and what kind of future she could possibly have when she's so messed up and broken.
After receiving scathing reviews on his forthcoming movie, Hollywood golden boy Ridge Dashly is starting to worry about his future, too. With his career on the line, he reluctantly agrees to an image re-boot, which includes enrolling at UCAL. Surrounded by starry-eyed co-eds, Ridge longs for someone who can see past his Hollywood heartthrob image and appreciate his true self. A chance encounter with Evie Jennings convinces him that she could be a true friend, if not a whole lot more. Soon, the two are exchanging flirty texts, swapping secrets, and stirring up enough gossip in their singles ward that even the paparazzi takes notice.
It took me a minute to realize that Love Unscripted—Tiffany Odekirk's sophomore novel—is actually a companion novel to her debut, Love On Pointe. It's not a sequel but a story concerning the same family, just a different member. With Emmy Jennings' HEA on the horizon, it's her twin's turn to find love. Although Evie's constant wallowing bugs, she's a sympathetic heroine and likeable enough that I wanted a happy ending for her as well. Ridge is a little too perfect, but it's also easy to desire good things for him. Their story has a fun premise, unoriginal and predictable though it may be. The tale's got religious undertones, but it's not overly preachy or sappy which makes it an appealing read for anyone who enjoys clean, upbeat contemporary romance. What I appreciate most about Odekirk is that she presents members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a realistic way. Her characters make mistakes, treat each other in ways that aren't always kind, have doubts, struggle with their testimonies, question their Church leaders ... in short, they reflect real LDS people. Her story people—like IRL Mormons—are imperfect people striving to be better. Overall, then, I enjoyed Love Unscripted and will certainly read Odekirk's next effort (which I'm hoping will concern the mysterious Drew Jennings).
(Readalikes: Love On Pointe by Tiffany Odekirk; also reminds me of contemporary romances by Melanie Jacobson [especially Perfect Set], Brittany Larsen, and Jenny Proctor)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for discussions of subjects (pornography, spousal abandonment, premarital sex, etc.) that may not be appropriate for readers under 12
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Love Unscripted from Covenant in exchange for an honest review to be posted during the book's blog tour. Thank you!
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Interested in more opinions of Love Unscripted? Follow along on the blog tour by clicking the links below:
*Sept. 24th: http://mybookaday.com/
*Sept. 25th: http://fireandicereads.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.
*Sept. 26th: http://thoroughlyhere.
*Sept. 27th: http://
*Sept. 28th: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.
Want to win a copy of Love Unscripted for your very own? Or a $25 Amazon gift card? How about both? Enter to win this awesome prize using the Rafflecopter widget below:
Friday, May 25, 2018
Perfect Set Brings All That Mel Does So Well to the Net (with a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As a sports reporter, Bree Mercer has embraced a hard-earned truth—pro athletes do not make good dating material. She sees enough of their inflated egos, childish temper tantrums, and slick-as-ice moves in her professional life; she wants none of that in her personal one. So, when a pro beach volleyball player in her new singles ward starts chatting her up, Bree shuts him down. Hard. Athletes—even incredibly hot ones, especially incredibly hot ones—are simply not an option.
Bree isn't about to give up, no matter how tough the assignment. She knows Kade's career and golden-boy reputation took a big hit when a reporter "friend" betrayed him by selling photos of Kade partying to a tabloid magazine, but she's not interested in tawdry gossip. Bree wants the truth. Who is Kade, really? A reformed man, who now takes his testimony as seriously as his athletic training? Or an unrepentant playboy who'll say anything to fix his tarnished image? The more time Bree spends with Kade, the more desperately she needs to know, and not only for her article. Allowing herself to fall for the handsome jock means risking not just her career but also her heart. Is she willing to put everything on the line in a match she might not win? When the truth about Kade comes out, she'll have to decide if it's game on or game over ...
Perfect Set, the newest LDS rom-com from Melanie Jacobson, sparkles with the author's trademark warmth and wit. All the things that Mel does so well are here—a fun, upbeat setting; smart, spunky characters; bright, humorous banter; and a sweet, swoony romance. Add in a singles ward full of faithful new adults who do real things like watch sports on Sunday, drink Coke (gasp!), flirt shamelessly, judge each other unfairly, even stab each other in the back (figuratively, of course), and you're pretty much guaranteed an entertaining read. Perfect Set is certainly that. Although I didn't love Bree and Kade could have used a stronger personality, I definitely felt the chemistry between the couple. Jacobson always delivers a satisfying HEA, so although the plot is predictable, it's still exciting. This isn't my favorite Jacobson novel (that would be Southern Charmed), but Perfect Set remains a light, enjoyable romance, the kind of well-written fluff that's made for beach reading and poolside indulging. If you're a fan of clean, engaging love stories, then you're definitely going to want to dip in.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other rom-coms from Melanie Jacobson, especially Second Chances. It also reminds me of romances by Brittany Larsen, Tiffany Odekirk, and Jenny Proctor)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild innuendo and references to illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Perfect Set from the generous folks at Covenant in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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Want more opinions on Perfect Set? Follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking through the following links:
*May 21st: http://mybookaday.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/
*May 22nd: https://www.rockinbookreviews.
*May 23rd: https://www.
*May 24th: http://lisaisabookworm.
* May 25th: http://www.iamareader.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.
Want to win a copy of Perfect Set for your very own? How about a $25 Amazon gift card? Enter to win both using the Rafflecopter widget below:
Friday, April 13, 2018
Despite Appealing Vibe, LDS Rom-Com Fizzles
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Svetlana "Lana" Huish can't wait to spend the summer on Nantucket Island painting under the indulgent eyes of two of the most influential art patrons in the world. Being selected to participate in their exclusive mentoring program is a great honor and an unparalleled opportunity to make a name for herself as an artist. More than one successful career has been launched because of the program—the 22-year-old Yale grad wants hers to be one of them.
Upon arrival in Nantucket, Lana's shocked to discover she won't be studying on the East Coast at all. Instead, she finds herself in the tiny backwoods town of Bluegill, Idaho, where she'll spend six weeks being tutored by an elderly cowboy who specializes in Western art. Although Lana is immediately attracted to Walt, LeVan Hitchpost's handsome grandson, she's a little worried about the artist himself. It's clear LeVan is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. If her mentor can barely remember his own name, how is he supposed to teach her all he knows about art?
Despite her initial misgivings, Lana soon becomes charmed by LeVan, a mischievous old man whose mind is a lot sharper than he lets on. She's also completely smitten with Walt. Although the two appear to have little in common, Lana's drawn to the compassionate, hard-working farmer. He might not return her feelings, but she can't seem to control hers. As Lana tries to attract Walt's attention and works feverishly to help an ailing LeVan finish the masterpiece he's frantically trying to complete before Alzheimer's steals the rest of his mind, tension boils over in out-of-the-way Bluegill, Idaho. The tranquil summer Lana had envisioned has suddenly become anything but ...
Even though its premise is more than a little far-fetched, Brush With Love by Lisa McKendrick is a fun, captivating New Adult romance. Not only did I enjoy its rustic setting, but I liked the novel's upbeat voice and style. Yes, the story feels more YA than NA, but its bubbly, buoyant rom-com vibe definitely appeals. The characters are similarly likable, although LeVan's duplicitous actions seem cruel and inconsistent with his general nature. Plot is not this novel's strength as the story line meanders here, there, and everywhere, trying to cover too much territory, and getting more improbable as it chugs along. Chapter 23, in particular, threw me completely. It's so abrupt and unemotional and cheesy that I read it over a few times thinking it had to be a dream sequence! It isn't. Honestly, I couldn't feel any chemistry between Lana and Walt, so their romance seems insta-lovey and melodramatic. To top it all off, my copy of Brush With Love (which might possibly be an advanced reader version?) is chock-full of typos and other copy editing errors. In the end, then, I came away from this novel disappointed. The book has tons of potential; it just feels to me like this a draft of a novel, not the polished, complete story it should be.
(Readalikes: The style reminds me of LDS rom-com novels by Melanie Jacobson, Jenny Proctor, and Julie Wright)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for (non-graphic) references to sex and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of Brush With Love from the generous folks at Bonneville Books via those on The Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!
Thursday, August 03, 2017
Love at First Note Strikes Just the Right Chord
(Image from Deseret Book)
Violinist Emma Hill knows that moving back to Asheville, North Carolina, will mean taking a step backward in her flourishing music career. Since the South is not exactly overrun with eligible Mormon bachelors, the 25-year-old's dating life will likely take a hit as well. Family's worth it, though, and Emma's is struggling. The effects of her mother's MS are taking a toll on her parents, while her younger sister—also a talented violinist—is threatening to quit music altogether. Emma wants to be there to help, even if her folks insist they're fine.
To Emma's surprise, Asheville is not as RM deficient as she thought it would be. In fact, a very good-looking specimen has just moved into the apartment next door. Not only is Elliott Hart hot, but he's also humble and kind. And a musician to boot. With a large YouTube following, the 26-year-old pianist is a minor celebrity—minus the inflated ego. In fact, he could not be more perfect. With all she and Elliott have in common, Emma expects their hearts to fall into perfect harmony. Except, they don't.
Why is Elliott rebuffing Emma's every (admittedly clumsy) move? How can she convince him she's serious Eternal Companion material and not just another star struck fan? Will the two ever make beautiful music together? Or has Emma struck too many wrong notes with the man she's coming to love most desperately?
I don't read a lot of them, but I do love me a fun, swoony rom com. It has to be done right, though, and Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor definitely struck a chord. Yes, it skims on plot. Still, the novel is light, sweet, and humorous, just as it should be. As a bonus, the characters have depth to them; the story is engaging; and the tone is upbeat. It's a cute, clean romance. Easy to read, easy to love. Which I did. This is the first book I've read by Proctor, but Love at First Note convinced me that it won't be the last.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of LDS romances by Melanie Jacobson and Brittany Larsen)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of Love at First Note from the generous folks at Covenant via those on the Whitney Awards Committee for contest judging purposes. Thank you!
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Highly Implausible Plot Line? Who Cares When It's So Totally Entertaining?
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Mormon Girl: Incognito, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, A Date With Danger. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
Eight months ago, Jacklyn "Jack" Wyatt was just your average college co-ed. Then, she got involved in an FBI sting operation, fell in love with special agent Damon Wade, and almost died during the rescue of a kidnapping victim. Jack's undercover FBI gig ended in flames (literally) and now she's back to her boring old mall job. On the plus side, Damon's a thoughtful, devoted boyfriend who makes Jack's heart skip several beats every time she sees him. On the not-so plus side, he's evasive about his job, his family, his membership in the Church, and about his true feelings for his very patient girlfriend.
When Damon travels to Las Vegas on business, Jack comes up with a brilliant plan to reignite their romance. Unfortunately, her surprise visit to the Strip doesn't quite go according to plan. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of another FBI operation, this time posing as a ruthless gunrunner. Determined to protect Damon and his team by playing her part to perfection, Jack must trip her way (on stilettos, no less) through a world so unfamiliar it might as well be Mars. To convince a crew of hardened thugs that she's a fearsome international arms dealers, Jack will have to fake her way through casino games, weapons demonstrations, and dangerous negotiations with the highest rollers in Vegas. A tall order for a Utah native who's never played poker or held a gun and thinks bluffing is pretty much a mortal sin. What's a good little Mormon girl to do?
With Damon by her side, Jack knows she'll be safe. Ish. But when he reveals some shocking secrets about his past, she no longer knows whom to trust. If she gets out of Vegas alive, the pair's going to have some serious DTR'ing to do ...
So, you know how LDS romantic suspense really isn't my jam? While that hasn't changed, I have become a fan of Kari Iroz who happens to write ... wait for it ... LDS romantic suspense. I know! Whodathunkit? The thing that I like about her books, A Date With Danger and its sequel, Mormon Girl: Incognito, is that they don't take themselves too seriously. They're rom-coms more than anything else. Our heroine, Jack Wyatt, is hilarious. She's a funny, vulnerable, self-deprecating Everywoman who's impossible not to like. Damon has less personality, but he's got hidden depths that I hope will be explored more in further novels (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for many more installments in this series). Even more so than A Date With Danger, the happenings in Mormon Girl: Incognito are highly implausible; even still, they're totally entertaining. I very willingly suspended my disbelief so I could follow along on Jack's misadventures in Vegas and, you know what? No regrets. I had a great time tearing through this fun, lighthearted novel. Sure, it's far-fetched, but who cares when it's such an enjoyable read? If you dig clean romantic comedy/suspense with a light sprinkling of LDS doctrine/culture, then you really ought to check out Jack Wyatt. She's a gem.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of A Date With Danger by Kari Iroz and of the movie Miss Congeniality)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild sexual innuendo, scenes of peril, and references to illegal activities
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Mormon Girl: Incognito from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
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Want more opinions on Mormon Girl: Incognito? Check out the other stops on its blog tour:
*June 19th: http://mybookaday.
*June 21st: http://melsshelves.
*June 22nd: https://ldsandlovinit.
*June 23rd: http://Please note: My review was posted late. Also, the giveaway associated with this blog tour has ended.
Friday, June 16, 2017
Love on Pointe a Fun, Faith-Promoting Debut (With a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Rhys Solario isn't like the other guys at Brigham Young University. He hasn't served a mission, he doesn't hold the priesthood, he's not interested in a temple marriage—heck, he's not even Mormon. He's a good guy, but he's learned from bitter experience that he's not the kind of man for whom BYU co-eds are looking. Which is fine by him. He just needs to keep his head down for two more semesters, then he'll be done with the Y and its crazy dating scene forever.
Emmy Jennings only has one thing on her mind: ballet. She's a talented, experienced ballerina, but now that her impulsive twin has up and quit dancing—an obsession they've always shared—Emmy will have to work even harder to learn routines and perform well enough to earn a coveted solo in an upcoming show. With a full school schedule, a learning disability that makes studying even more complicated, and a sister-roommate who's acting strangely, Emmy's got plenty on her plate. The last thing she needs is a distraction like her handsome new study partner. She's not looking for a date, let alone her eternal companion, but Emmy can't deny her attraction to kind, down-to-earth Rhys Solario.
Rhys can't believe a gorgeous, graceful Mormon girl like Emmy is giving a guy like him a chance. Of course, she doesn't know he's not a member of her church. He needs to tell her. Right away. The second he does, though, she'll jeté right out of his life. Rhys will do anything to keep Emmy by his side. Except the one thing she wants him to do: convert. Will Emmy have to give up what's most important to her in order for the couple to have a chance? Or will their whirlwind romance end before it's even had a chance to begin?
Love on Pointe, a debut novel by Tiffany Odekirk, is an upbeat, swoony romance featuring a likable duo battling an impossible problem. While I found the story's premise a little implausible, I adored its setting. Odekirk does an admirable job of bringing the BYU atmosphere to life in all its goofy glory, capturing both the fun and frustration inherent in the student experience. She also goes to great pains to break down common stereotypes, although many manage to bleed through. Still, Love on Pointe tackles a difficult situation with honesty and sensitivity. Although it's obvious from the get-go how the story will end, she throws in a couple of surprises to keep the plot interesting. Not every aspect of the story line rang true for me, but overall I found Love on Pointe an enjoyable read. Yes, it oozes a fair amount of cheese and melodrama; still, it's a bright, fun, faith-promoting book that will appeal to anyone looking for a clean, easy-to-read LDS romance. While I have a few issues with Odekirk's debut performance, one thing is certain—I can't wait to see what she does for an encore.
(Readalikes: Love on Pointe reminded me of other contemporary LDS romances by Melanie Jacobson, Jenny Proctor, and Brittany Larsen)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for nothing offensive, although the story is most appropriate for readers 12+
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Love on Pointe from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
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Want more opinions on Love on Pointe? Follow along on the book's blog tour:
*June 13th: http://heidi-reads.
*June 15th: http://www.
*June 16th: http://fireandicereads.
Want to win your own copy of Love on Pointe plus a $25 Amazon gift card? Enter here:
Friday, June 02, 2017
Book Spotlight: Winds of Change by Jean Holbrook Mathews (With a Giveaway!)
Here goes with the novel's official plot summary:
The year is 1854, and change is in the air throughout India. Within the walls of her grand home in Calcutta, Sarah McCune anxiously awaits the future. After eighteen months at war, her husband, a sergeant in the Bengal Army of the East India Company, has made an extraordinary proposal: leave all the comforts of their life in Asia for an unknown future in America. As recent converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah and her husband are drawn to the promise of Zion. So, despite their fears regarding the dangerous voyage before them, they and their four children embark on a journey of faith that will test the limits of their conviction and define generations to come. This breathtaking saga, based on the historical journals of one Latter-day Saint family, invites readers to experience the sacrifices and perils of these early pioneers as they faithfully seek a land of promise
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If you'd like to read more reviews of Winds of Change, follow along the book's blog tour:
*May 29th: http://mybookaday.
*May 30th: http://heidi-reads.
*May 31st: http://
*June 1st: http://ldsandlovinit.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
LDS Rom-Com Fun, But A Little Too Breezy (With a Giveaway!)
Not long after winning her "prize," Lane begins to wonder if charming, spontaneous Jamie is the right man for her after all. If only his older brother Simon weren't so grounded, so thoughtful, so observant ... so different than doesn't-think-twice Jamie. Is it possible Lane's fallen for the wrong Hamilton? As the situation grows more and more complicated, she knows she needs to tame her fickle heart. And fast. If the plot summary for Wrong For You, a new LDS rom-com by Jenny Proctor, seems a little thin ... well, it is. Besides the love triangle at the center of the novel, there's not a whole lot going on with this story. It's meant to be a light-hearted romance, sure, but that doesn't mean the novel can't have some depth. Wrong For You is fun and upbeat, with a strong female lead and yet, it just gets a little too silly for me. I'm not a big fan of love triangles as the only source of conflict in a book in the first place. I also didn't care much for Lane, who seemed like a big, fat hypocrite to me. So, while Wrong For You is a light, fun While You Were Sleeping-ish novel, I didn't love it. It made for easy, breezy reading during a week where my overtaxed brain couldn't have handled much more, but still ... Proctor's got a great storytelling voice; I'd just love a little more depth from her books.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor and LDS rom-coms by Melanie Jacobson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Wrong For You from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
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Want more opinions about Wrong For You? Follow along on the book's blog tour:
May15th: http://mybookaday.
May 16th: http://lisaisabookworm.
May 17th: http://rachellewrites.
May 18th: http://www.
May 19th: http://booksaresanity.
Want a chance to win your own copy of Wrong For You plus a $25 Amazon gift card? Enter the giveaway below:
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