Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Romance Anthology (Book Cover Reveal / Contest Giveaway)

In association with I Am A Reader Book Blasts & Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book cover reveal for Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Romance Anthology collection!

Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors. Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.

***Pre-order now for only $.99***

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Contest Giveaway

Win amazing books by each of the authors. Enter below to win - nine different books will be given to nine lucky winners.

Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling author
Chelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she's loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he's near. Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy's Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she's fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she's stuck in buddy-status for life.

The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling & award-winning author Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's; but someday can't come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business. Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.

Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling author
Keira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father's old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it's not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?

Christmas Makeover by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling author
Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma's house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn't have all those farm animals. Kaya Feidler's family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years--long before the neighbors were there. There's no way she's giving up the animal therapy business she's been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?

Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning author Anika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

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Summer in Snow Valley - Romance Anthology Boxed Set (Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with I Am A Reader Book Blasts and Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Summer in Snow - Romance Anthology Boxed Set!

 

Book Review

Summer in Snow Valley Romance Anthology Boxed Set  by Cami Checketts, Cindy Roland Anderson, Jeanette Lewis, Kimberley Montpetit, Lucy McConnell
Publisher: Birch River Publishing
Publication Date: PB: May 4, 2015 / eBook: June 1, 2015
Format: Paperback - 538 pages
               Kindle - 4441 KB
               Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 978-1512043419
ASIN: B00X67KDUG
BNID: 2940152142686
Genre: Christian / Inspirational / Contemporary Romance


Buy The Boxed Set: Grab your copy for just 99 cents!
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the boxed set from the authors / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour hosted by I Am A Reader Book Blasts and Blog Tours.


Boxed Set Description:

#1 Bestselling Amazon Authors of Christmas in Snow Valley, have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!


Catching Caytie by Amazon Top Seller Cindy Roland Anderson

On the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle’s ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she’ll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy—although somewhat grumpy—cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.

Tin Foil Tiaras by Amazon Top Seller Jeanette Lewis

Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa’s handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him.

A Touch of Love by Amazon Top Seller Cami Checketts

Annie Stirland has endured a lifetime of teasing, embarrassment, and isolation due to her speech impediment. When irresistible cowboy, Luke Wilson, seems to be falling for her, she’s certain he’s too good to be true. A tragedy involving his ex-girlfriend proves she’s right. What man can resist sheltering someone they once loved? Annie knows she should walk away, but Luke isn’t ready to give her up.

First Love; Love First by Amazon Top Seller Taylor Hart

Janet Snow doesn’t expect to get caught in a full-blown make out session at her brother’s wedding. Especially not with Michael Hamilton, the boy she’d written off ten years ago. Even though they both agree to no complications, Janet's not sure they can stick to it given their past. After a trip to the hot springs, a helicopter ride, and a proposal, even the most cautious single mother would start to wonder if true love really is just about the timing. Now Janet has to make a choice—play it safe or trust that her first love could also be her last.

Romancing Rebecca by Amazon Top Seller, Kimberley Montpetit

Rebecca Dash loved spending her teen summers swooning over Jane Austin and helping her aunt at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley. But as a recent college grad, she’d rather write sappy romance novels than go out with guys that make her a nervous wreck. When a team of fire-fighters set up camp on the lawns of the B&B and Captain Wade catches her eye, Becca soon learns that there’s more to a happily-ever-after than a flirty fireman with muscles the size of the Montana hills.

Love in Light and Shadow by Amazon Top Seller Lucy McConnell

Mercedes O'Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn't see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.


My Book Review:

Summer in Snow Valley is an enjoyable Inspirational romance anthology collection that will tug at the heartstrings. Set in the small town of Snow Valley, Montana, the reader is easily swept away by these six lighthearted novellas that features hunky guys, sweet girls, and clean romance.

I really enjoyed reading Christmas in Snow Valley, the first anthology collection, so I was pleased to see that Summer in Snow Valley brings the readers up-to-date on the characters featured in the first collection, plus adding new characters and new romantic stories to enjoy. What I enjoyed most about this anthology collection is that these delightful stories flowed easily from one to another, the continuity kept me engaged and turning the pages.

Summer in Snow Valley is the perfect romantic anthology collection that the reader can enjoy reading on a lazy summer day.


RATING; 4 STARS 

Contest Giveaway

Blog Tour Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/25/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Virtual Book Tour

                                                                 
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New Mercies by Julia Colquitt Allen (Author Guest Post / Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Juniper Grove Book Solutions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for New Mercies by Author Julia Colquitt Allen!

Author Guest Post

If you could change places with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

If I could change places with any of my characters for a day, I would like to be Christopher Tanner. Chris grew up in the Amazon Basin of Brazil, the son of missionary parents. I envy his experiences. I have always felt a certain call on my life toward missions, and still believe that one day I will follow that call and go and serve in another part of the world even if it’s just for a short term. I would love to experience living in a culture vastly different from our own, with people far removed from the busy, self-absorbed American way of life. He’s also unafraid of spiders. Me… not so much.

Chris is a wonderful minister. I am a little bit impressed by his dynamic preaching style. I struggled with shyness myself as a young person but unlike Chris, I was absolutely terrified of speaking in public. My brothers were involved in dramatic arts and starred in all sorts of plays throughout high school and college; the closest I came to the drama club was ushering and working the hat check booth. In college I took a public speaking course and learned to overcome a bit of that fear. As an adult I was asked to fill in as a last minute substitute in a church play and discovered I actually liked acting. Now teaching and speaking publicly is a regular part of my job, and one I actually enjoy. But I lack Chris’s powerful presentation skills and doubt I could preach like he does. It would be nice for a day to have that gift and be able to present like that.

I appreciate the gentle way Chris helps people. He doesn’t come off too strongly. He isn’t pushy about his faith. He just lives it out in front of others, and then as he comes to their aid they want what he has. I aspire to that kind of faith-walk. I am afraid I haven’t learned to control my temper quite as well as Chris has, and my flair-ups probably get in the way of my testimony sometimes. Then when others challenge my faith, I tend to be combative rather than allowing others to be where they are. I think Chris is more accepting of others and allows them to find God at their own pace. If I could get inside his head for a day, maybe he would rub off on me and help me learn to be a better Christian.

About The Author

Writing has long been a passion of Julia Colquitt Allen. She began writing poems and short stories at the age of 7. She lives in picturesque East Texas with her husband of 27 years and four of her children. Her grown son and his wife live nearby and visit often with her two grandbabies. If the kids and grandkids aren’t wild enough, they have a household full of cats (7 at last count).

Julia works at a nearby university as a learning technologist, where she provides assistance and professional development to faculty on online course development and instructional technology. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in learning technologies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading inspirational romance and mystery stories, sewing, and cooking.


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Book Review

New Mercies by Julia Colquitt Allen

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: December 20, 2014

Format: Paperback - 228 pages

              Kindle - 648 KB

ISBN: 978-1503291225

ASIN: B00RCIB5CU

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Juniper Grove Book Solutions.

Book Description:

Delores Hansen’s life is crumbling around her. Her little son has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, and her marriage has fallen apart as a result. Forced to return to the small town of Meadowbrook to live with her parents, Delores feels like a failure and a burden on everyone, and must find a way to stand on her own feet.

New minister Chris Tanner is dynamic from the pulpit but painfully shy one-on-one. He is touched by the plight of this young woman and her sick child and vows to do anything he can to help her. As he gets to know her he finds his own courage growing from her strength.

The two soon become close friends, perhaps more than friends. But no good could ever come from a relationship between a divorced woman and a minister; especially in a town as gossip-ridden as Meadowbrook. Could it?


Book Excerpt:

As choir practice wound to a close and the others started to file out, Chris found himself lingering over his paperwork much longer than necessary. He told himself he was concerned about Dodie being the last to leave. How silly. Meadowbrook doesn’t have a crime problem. Dodie is in no danger in the empty church parking lot. Still he lingered, filing the last bit of paperwork, until he heard her keys jingling on her way out the door. Chris grabbed his jacket and followed a few feet behind.

He watched Dodie settle into her car, and went to his own car, chiding himself for his foolishness. As his engine rumbled to life, he was aware that Dodie had not yet left the parking lot. He steered his clunker alongside her, popping it into neutral and gliding out all in one motion. “Won’t start?” he queried.

Dodie looked up from the driver’s seat, strain apparent in her voice. “No! I think the battery’s dead.”

Chris opened the car door for her. “Mind if I give it a try? I know a bit about cars.” Dodie stepped out for him. He turned the key, one foot still on the ground. A clicking noise told him what he needed to know.

“Your battery’s fine. See, the lights stay on when I turn it over. The problem’s your starter.” Chris stood, handing her the key.

“What am I going to do?” Dodie’s usual strong demeanor was suddenly replaced with hysterics. “I can’t afford this right now! All the expenses of a new apartment have drained my savings. I’ve got $16 to my name and I just can’t ask my parents for anything else!”

Chris was unprepared for tears. Of their own accord, his arms wound around her. He pulled her close, stroking her long curls and hushing her, hardly realizing what he was doing. “Shh, it’s going to be alright,” he whispered over her sobs. “I can fix the car.”

My Book Review:

New Mercies is a wonderful contemporary Christian Romance story that will tug at the heartstrings. Author Julia Colquitt Allen weaves an uplifting tale that follows the story of newly divorced and single mom Delores "Dodie" Hansen, who returns to her hometown of Meadowbrook after he ex-husband abandons her because he couldn't deal with the news that their two year old son Danny was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. As Dodie struggles to come to terms with her rebuilding a life for herself and her son, Chris Tanner, the town's shy new Minister, befriends the young mother and despite the petty gossip of nosy church members, they overcome obstacles and their friendship slowly blossoms into a romantic relationship.

The author easily draws the reader into Dodie and Chris' story, you can't help but feel compassion and hope for as this couple struggles to deal with their pasts and finding their place in life. While Dodie struggles with her recent divorce and her son's diagnosis, Chris is struggling to find his place in his new ministry position, and as a couple their budding relationship struggles under the gossip from the town's nosy busybodies. You can't help but cheer Dodie and Chris on, and hope that their faith will strengthen their bond and help them overcome the obstacles together, so that they can get a chance of finding love. This is a inspirational story of forgiveness, faith, and personal growth, that will stir the reader's soul.

New Mercies is a touching romantic story that is enjoyable and heartwarming, it will put put a smile on your face.


RATING: 5 STARS 

Contest Giveaway

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Virtual Book Tour

 New Mercies by Julia Colquitt Allen ~ Virtual Book Tour Event Page

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