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Showing posts with label Jo Noelle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jo Noelle. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Stormy Kisses (Book Review)




Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Stormy Kisses by Rebecca Rode, Donna K. Weaver, Cindy M. Hogan, Jo Noelle, Lindzee Armstrong, Rachel Branton
Sweet & Sassy Anthology Series
Publisher: Little Box Press
Publication Date: September 23, 2016
Format: eBook - 752 pages
               Kindle - 1486 KB
ASIN: B01L31RHAA
Genre: Contemporary Romance 


Buy The Book:


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the anthology collection from the authors / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a book review program hosted by I Am A Reader.


Book Description:

Will extreme weather keep these six couples apart or bring them together? Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Stormy Kisses has six contemporary romances set against wild weather from award winning and Amazon best selling authors.


Love Right
by Rebecca Rode

Corie McMullen doesn’t consider herself a man-hater. It’s just that being dumped by a fiancĂ© via text has given her trust issues. Now, two years later, she’s written a bestselling relationships book, Love Right, and managed to avoid dating altogether. Even better, she’s scored an interview on a prestigious national morning show.

So when her best friend, Sofia, drags her to Singles Week at a ski lodge in Colorado, she’s reluctant to jump into the dating scene again. Especially when the man who seems interested turns out to be Micah Calloway, a playboy from her high school who insists he’s changed.

Then a blizzard hits while they’re snowshoeing, and the dating game turns dangerous. Now Corie’s very survival rests on an impossible decision. Not only must she trust Micah with her life, but somehow she must find the courage to trust him with her heart.


Waves of Deceit
by Donna K. Weaver

Twenty-six-year-old Shelby Nash wants to break free of her controlling, billionaire father. With the completion of one more project for his company, she can branch out on her own. However, her ex-boyfriend’s been appointed as the new lead architect. She has to find a way to protect her heart from him while avoiding whoever’s making anonymous threats.

Wade Armstrong did a poor job handling the news about the identity of his girlfriend’s father. Shelby walked out of his life without another word. Finally, four years later, Wade has a chance to win her back. As long as whoever’s targeted her doesn’t get to her first.


Secrets in the Storm
by Cindy M. Hogan

High in the Canadian Kananaskis National Forest, super spies, Christy and Jeremy try again for a romantic getaway, in hopes that their remote destination will give them a long awaited private holiday.
Unfortunately, someone else has found shelter in the same abandoned lodge, but with much more nefarious intent. Christy and Jeremy set off, determined to get the evidence into the right hands in Calgary.

But a violent flash storm rolls in, as well as a beautiful girl from Jeremy’s past. Combined, they threaten to not only help the terrorists have their way, but also to end the relationship between handler and spy for good as jealousy and distrust come between them.


Back to You
by Jo Noelle

Zara Hollis never thought at twenty-three she’d trade in her passion for hiking and spelunking to run a mortuary and care for her mother, who has advanced Alzheimer’s. When Trevor Cooley, all grown up and gorgeous, moves back to town, Zara is drawn to the quiet man who used to be her childhood friend, but now in a much more than friendly way.

Trev wants to pull Zara, as fun-loving and beautiful as ever, back into his life and hopefully into his arms. But there’s a problem. He’s only in Colorado for a short time on a stint as an undercover boss. He and his company can’t afford distractions. When the two get stranded together, sheltering from a violent storm, Trev realizes this particular “distraction” may jeopardize not only his plans, but also his heart.


Twisters and Textbooks (a Sunset Plains romance novella)
by Lindzee Armstrong

After the death of her parents, chasing tornadoes is the only thing that makes Lauren feel alive. Each storm gives her the adrenaline rush she craves, but it can’t make her forget Tanner, the country boy she left behind in Oklahoma. When a funeral brings Lauren back to Sunset Plains, she decides to seek out Tanner in a desperate attempt to finally let go of her past. He’s still angry by her abrupt departure from his life, and she begins to question whether she ever should’ve returned.

Just as Lauren’s about to run—again—a tornado hits near town, and Lauren and Tanner are caught up in a cyclone of emotions neither is sure they want to escape. Can they weather the storm of their past, or will they let it consume them?


Zoey’s Place
by Rachel Branton

Caring for the animals at Safe Haven Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary has filled the holes in Zoey Morgan’s life and smoothed the memories that still haunt her. It helps that she works with friendly Stephen Carey, whose uncle owns the Arizona sanctuary, and Declan Walker, who is as wild and untouchable as the animals they help.

When a storm hits, flattening buildings and flooding roads all over the state, the sanctuary goes into lockdown mode. But Zoey learns that her younger sister is lost in the storm, and she will risk anything to find her. So will the man who loves her—if she’d let him. Can he slip past the walls Zoey has built to hide her secrets?

Zoey’s Place is a stand-alone novella telling the story of the now-grownup orphan that readers first saw in Rachel Branton’s House without Lies.



My Book Review:

Who could pass up reading an intriguing collection of six romance novellas on a cool autumn day?

Since I enjoyed reading all six romance tales in the Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Stormy Kisses, I decided to only provide a general book review instead of individual reviews.

Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Stormy Kisses is an eclectic collection of six romance novellas from authors Rebecca Rode, Donna K. Weaver, Cindy M. Hogan, Jo Noelle, Lindzee Armstrong, Rachel Branton.

Each romance novella flows smoothly from one to the next, and has a unique mixture of romance that will appeal to everyone. Each of the authors weave an intriguing, unique, and thoroughly enjoyable short romance tale with engaging characters, a variety of stormy weather themes, unique settings, and enough drama, humor, mystery, and suspense that will easily draw the reader into each story, keep them turning the pages, and leave them wanting more.

Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Stormy Kisses is the perfect collection of romance novellas to read on a cool autumn day. Each story will certainly peak your interest, and whet your appetite to read more from each of the individual authors featured in this delightful romance anthology collection.


RATING: 4 STARS 




About The Authors


Rebecca Rode is the bestselling author of Numbers Game and Numbers Ignite. She also writes nonfiction, including the inspirational book for mothers entitled How to Have Peace When You're Falling to Pieces. Her articles have appeared in the Deseret News, Provo Daily Herald, KSL.com, Family Share, and Schooled Magazine. She loves cheesy martial arts movies, chocolate-banana shakes, and good old fashioned romance. Rebecca lives with her husband and four children.






Donna K. Weaver is an award-winning author - wife-mother-grandmother-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd-online gamer girl.






Cindy M. Hogan is inspired by the unpredictable teenagers she teaches. More than anything she loves the time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning their next party. Most of all, she loves to laugh.

She is the bestselling and award winning author of the Watched trilogy, a YA suspense series with a dash of romance. She has since branched off to write a mystery, Gravediggers, that won Best YA novel of 2013, a contemporary romance, Sweet and Sour Kisses, and three in a spy series, Adrenaline RushHotwire, and Fatal Exchange. Her newest action/adventure series: Code of Silence: Kate Unmasked, Kate Concealed, and Kate Unleashed is now available. She also has several novellas in various anthologies.

Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Goodreads





Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids.

She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains.

Oh, and by the way, she's two people--Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team. We write sweet romance stories with contemporary, paranormal, fantasy or time-travel twists.


Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Canda Mortensen - Blog
Deanna Henderson - Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Goodreads




Lindzee Armstrong met her match while attending a university, although she was technically in high school at the time. She and Mr. Armstrong became engaged quickly, and fell in love even quicker. He wasn’t a high school student, but still thoughtfully offered to take her to prom in her wedding dress. She declined. Wearing the wedding dress before the Big Day just seemed weird. A few years after getting married, they welcomed twin boys into the world. 

Lindzee loves chick flicks, ice cream, and chocolate, like any true romantic. She believes in sigh-worthy kisses and happily ever afters.


Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Goodreads




Rachel Branton has worked in publishing for over twenty years. She loves writing women's fiction and traveling, and she hopes to write and travel a lot more. As a mother of seven, including a five-year-old, it's not easy to find time to write, but the semi-ordered chaos gives her a constant source of writing material. She warns her children that if they don't behave, they just might find themselves in her next book! She's been known to wear pajamas all day when working on a deadline, and is often distracted enough to burn dinner. (Okay, pretty much 90% of the time.) A sign on her office door reads: Danger. Enter at Your Own Risk. Writer at Work. Under the name Rachel Branton, she writes romance, romantic suspense, and women's fiction. Rachel also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction under the name Teyla Branton.


Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Goodreads





Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Sand and Kisses Anthology Collection (Book Review)



Sand and Kisses Anthology Collection by Elana Johnson, Cindy M. Hogan, Jo Noelle, Candice N. Toone, Donea Lee Weaver
Sweet & Sassy Anthology Series
Publisher: Little Box Press
Publication Date: April 25, 2016
Format: eBook - 379 pages
               Kindle - 1062 KB
ASIN: B01DOPS3NI
Genre: Contemporary Romance 


Buy The Book:


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the anthology collection from the authors / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a book review program hosted by I Am A Reader.


Book Description:

Five new clean romance novellas from Sweet & Sassy Anthologies.

Open for Love by Elana Johnson 

Sabrina Arnold loves running her family’s Bed & Breakfast in sunny New Orleans. What she doesn’t love is the new establishment going up right next door. While Bri’s snooping around the place to see how it compares to hers, she’s caught by tall, dark, and handsome Carter Hammond.

What she doesn’t know is that Carter owns the property where she’s trespassing, though he claims he doesn’t. He’s in New Orleans to start his first business venture, get out from underneath his father’s thumb, and learn about the mother he’s never known. As he and Bri spend more time together, he knows it’s only a matter of time before she finds out that he owns the building she hates. Can their fledgling, summer love survive against the odds?


Secrets in the Sand by Cindy M. Hogan 

Sometimes staying hidden, even for a spy, is nearly impossible.

Christy Hadden, spy extraordinaire, thinks she’s created the perfect getaway in beautiful South Beach, Florida. A place where she and her handler, Jeremy, can give their forbidden romance a chance – in secret.

But when they hear cries of alarm in an alley nearby, they can’t resist the pull to help, even if it exposes them. And when Christy becomes a person of interest in a murder committed in that same alley, they must hunt down the real killers and clear Christy’s name.

In this game of hide and seek, it seems their secret is sure to be found out. Christy may have to choose between the love of her life and her life’s purpose – and the stakes are higher than she ever bargained for.


Life’s a Beach by Jo Noelle 

Jenna Brennan doesn’t believe in love. She doesn’t believe in marriage, and she’s learned to only count on herself. At her Uncle Walter’s insistence, and a little emotional blackmail, she returns to Misty Harbor Cottages to help him for one last summer in a place that’s really the only home she’s ever known.

Cole Zamora has worked at Misty Harbor for more than half of his twenty-three years, and imagined someday owning the place. He met Jenna when they were ten-years-old, and his young heart fell hard for her, relishing every summer she came back. That is, until two years ago, when she broke his heart and never returned.

Uncle Walter proposes a challenge between the two, with the winner becoming the new owner of Misty Harbor. Now, there’s a real chance Cole could lose his heart and his home. Jenna isn’t sure which worries her more—a summer of rivalry or romance?


The Upgrade by Candice N. Toone 

Moving on after college can be tough. Especially when former sorority president and dance team captain, Amanda Ford, takes a job at her alma mater. Her big plans to help host a study abroad tour to Peru and to launch a dance fitness program back on campus nearly come undone when she meets Spencer Elliott, an adorable undergrad who’d love to date the girl she used to be. She gives in to a final hurrah date, but regrets that choice when Spencer shows up at the study abroad orientation. Customs regulations, professional insecurities and social unrest combine to challenge Amanda’s developing professional prowess, often leaving her pitifully vulnerable to the unfortunate combination of an emerging sense of self, a handsome near-stranger, and a beautiful Peruvian beach.


Surfboards and Star Trek by Donea Lee Weaver 

When Anna meets much-younger-looking Derek while on vacation at the beach-it’s not exactly love at first sight. How could a handsome surfer be interested in a divorcee like her? When she finds their age difference is nominal and that she and Derek share a love for all things Star Trek, she hopes love might blossom. But, long-distance relationships are tough. And when a waitress mistakes her for Derek’s mom, she starts to doubt the budding romance. Can a California surf-connoisseur and an older woman who sucks at all things water-sports find enough common ground to make a relationship work.


My Book Review:

Who could pass up reading an intriguing collection of five romance novellas on a lazy summer day?

Since I enjoyed reading all five romance tales in the Sand and Kisses Anthology, I decided to only provide a general book review instead of individual reviews.

Sand and Kisses Anthology is an eclectic collection of five romance novellas from authors Elana Johnson, Cindy M. Hogan, Jo Noelle, Candice N. Toone, and Donea Lee Weave. Each romance novella flows smoothly from one to the next, and has a unique mixture of romance that will appeal to everyone. Each of the authors weave an intriguing, unique, and thoroughly enjoyable short romance tale with engaging characters, a variety of themes and settings, and enough drama, humor, mystery, and suspense that will easily draw the reader into each story, keep them turning the pages, and leave them wanting more.

Sand and Kisses Anthology is the perfect collection of romance novellas to read while at the beach or pool. Each story will certainly peak your interest, and whet your appetite to read more from each of the individual authors featured in this delightful anthology collection.


RATING: 4 STARS 




About The Authors



Cindy M. Hogan is inspired by the unpredictable teenagers she teaches. More than anything she loves the time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning their next party. Most of all, she loves to laugh.

She is the bestselling and award winning author of the Watched trilogy, a YA suspense series with a dash of romance. She has since branched off to write a mystery, Gravediggers, that won Best YA novel of 2013, a contemporary romance, Sweet and Sour Kisses, and three in a spy series, Adrenaline Rush, Hotwire, and Fatal Exchange. Her newest action/adventure series: Code of Silence: Kate Unmasked, Kate Concealed, and Kate Unleashed is now available. She also has several novellas in various anthologies.

Author Website
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Goodreads




A speculative fiction author under the name Elana Johnson and an inspirational adult romance author under the pen name of Liz Isaacson, her work includes the young adult dystopian romance series Possession, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), Elevated, the Elemental series, the Songs of Life fantasy series, the Redwood Bay romance series, and the Three Rivers Ranch Romance series.

School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog (www.elanajohnson.com) or Twitter (@ElanaJ). She co-founded the Query Tracker blog and WriteOnCon, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers, a blog written by young adult science fiction and fantasy authors.

Author Blog / Website
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Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids.

She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains.

Oh, and by the way, she's two people--Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team. We write sweet romance stories with contemporary, paranormal, fantasy or time-travel twists.


Author Website
Canda Mortensen - Blog
Deanna Henderson - Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Goodreads




As a third generation Logan-ite who has always lived in Utah, you might expect Candice N. Toone to be pretty settled. While she's completely committed to her roles as writer, wife and mother, she welcomes the opportunity to explore new adventures in her professional world. Some of her favorite resume highlights include: Jazzercise instructor, at-risk youth counselor, South American study abroad tour chaperone and academic mentor to potential elementary school teachers. At some point, she hopes to add neuroscientist, grocery store deli cook and back up dancer for the Pussycat Dolls to the list.

This is Candice's first fiction publication and she promises to become more active in the social media scene just as soon as she stops having flashbacks from the high school cafeteria.


Amazon Author Page
Goodreads





Donea Lee Weaver is a perpetual daydreamer who's been creating stories since her elementary school days, when she was convinced she was a psychic half-vampire. When she's not writing about the things she loves (all things fantasy, romance and sci-fi) she's raising a daughter and a dog, with her husband, somewhere in Northern, UT. She also loves to read, travel, eat ALL the baked goods, watch great movies and TV shows and play games with her family.

Surfboards and Star Trek is her first publication.


Amazon Author Page
Twitter
Goodreads



Monday, March 23, 2015

Newbie by Jo Noelle (Book Review / Contest Giveaway

In association with I Am A Reader Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Newbie by Author Jo Noelle!




Book Review

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Newbie by Jo Noelle
Publisher: Little Box Press LLC
Publication Date: August 16, 2014
Format: Paperback - 382 pages
               Kindle - 1768 KB
               Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 978-0990529910
ASIN: B00MSEKH90
BNID: 2940150427273
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Buy The Book: Newbie
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by I Am A Reader Blog Tours.


Book Description:

The housing market is crashing, and Sophie’s life is crashing with it. At twenty-four, her successful real estate career evaporates. She’s broke, can’t find a job, or pay her bills, leaving Sophie wondering how her successful lifestyle became so fragile. At the urging of her roommate, Sophie accepts a job in her fallback career—teaching six-year-olds. She hopes it’s temporary. After all, how long can a tanking economy last anyway? The best part of the new job is Liam, another employee at Rio Grande Elementary. The worst part of the new job is, well, teaching. Sophie has a surprise real estate closing from a contract she wrote months ago, leading her to a niche in the real estate market and to a new partner, Kevin. Sophie must choose between Liam or Kevin and between a lucrative career or recess duty.


Praise for Newbie:

Loved this story. I thought it was crisp and funny. Sophie has a great character arch as she goes from the Real Estate world to a classroom of 1st graders. Love Liam. He is a nice breath of fresh air. He and Sophie's interactions kept me laughing and wanting more. I HIGHLY recommend this novel! ~ Author Sherry Gammon

In recent years I've become addicted to Sophie Kinsella's books. This book reminded me of hers, only cleaner, which I appreciated! It was sweet and witty. Definitely had me laughing out loud. Loved the ending :) ~Goodreads Review

I loved this book! I especially have a tender spot for books with children in them and this story about Sophie being "forced" to teach when the real estate market does so poorly captured my heart. The characters were warm and lovable, the story was fun and I enjoyed every minute of the book. ~Phyllis

I loved NEWBIE. Sophie's inner thoughts are a delight. She just makes me smile. Her journey as a newbie teacher is real and touching. ~Donna Weaver


Book Excerpt:


We get started a little late because of the interview/photo op in the hallway for the scrapbooking moms. Good thing I look fab. I introduce myself and write my name on the board—Miss Kanakaredes.

One girl yells, “You wrote Keslee, like my sister. See the K?” She rushes the board and jumps to point to the K. I turn her back toward her seat and begin to open my mouth, but another student quickly pipes up. “I can make a K, all by myself.” Comments popcorn from around the room.

“Is your name really Candy?”

“Our teacher last year gave us candy to be good when the principal came to our class.”

“I had Mrs. Thomas last year.”

“I didn’t go to this school last year.”

It seems every child in the room is telling a story or calling out some random thought. Is this what the first day of school is like? Are there are thirty rooms in this building all in complete mayhem? Do the children know that they could easily mutiny and take control of the school? When I did my student teaching, the children seemed cooperative for much of the day. What is going on here?

“Did you know my mom went to this school?”

“My mom is a teacher too. She says she has a bum deal this year.”

“We aren’t supposed to say ‘bum.’”

“It’s okay to say ‘bum’. That’s not the B-word.”

“The B-word is butt.”

Amazed at how quickly the conversation has gone astray, I hold up my hand and “shh” the class. “If you’re listening touch your head.” I touch my head, and a couple of students follow. “If you’re listening, touch your cheeks.” I have just about everyone now. “If you’re listening, touch your elbows.” I finally have all the students looking at me again. Oh, thank goodness that worked. We’ll have to practice the hand-raising thing.


My Book Review:

Newbie is an entertaining story that follows the trials and tribulations of twenty-four year old Sophie Kanakaredes' life as she transitions from a real estate agent to a "newbie" first grade teacher at Rio Grande Elementary School.

Told in the first person narrative, the reader is easily drawn into Sophie's story as she picks up the pieces of her life after the housing market crashes, sending her real estate career into a downward tailspin. Sophie accepts a position as a first grade teacher hoping that it would be temporary, that is until she meets her handsome co-worker Liam. And just when she is starting to get the hang of teaching little kids, Sophie gets a surprise when a lucrative real estate deal that she had previously worked on is closing, leading to a part-time venture and partnership with a handsome man named Kevin. What's a girl to do when she has to choose between two careers and two handsome men?

Newbie was such a fun and lighthearted story to read. I really enjoyed following Sophie on her journey as her life transitioned between careers with humorous bumps along the way, and a touch of romance thrown into the mix. Sometimes life brings unexpected and pleasant changes and choices that makes it well worth the risk.

Newbie is a delightful and enjoyable tale about life's unexpected changes, that sometimes takes a person down a different path, and provides them a chance to grow and find out what's really important in life.


RATING: 4 STARS 






Book Trailer

   




About The Author


   Jo Noelle


Author Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids. She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains.

Oh, and by the way, she’s two people— Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team. They began writing separately several years ago but found the process much more fun when they started collaborating. They are debut authors, with Lexi's Pathetic Fictional Love Life as their first completed work. Other titles include Newbie and Damnation.

Deanna attended college before marrying and starting her family.

Canda received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Reading Specialist endorsement, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Her day job focuses on teaching teachers and children about literacy.





Contest Giveaway

  25_Amazon_Paypal 


Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/6/15

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 Event


For the tour schedule, click on the above link!