Mail Order Isabella (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies Book 29) by Jo Grafford

  

A deathbed promise, an accidental family, and a mail-order marriage…

Isabella Hill signs a mail-order bride contract only hours before promising to raise a dying friend’s babe as her own. With her wedding date looming, there’s no time to contact her would-be groom by letter, so she decides to deliver the news of her change in circumstances in person — praying he won’t object to the idea of a ready-made family. Otherwise, she and her precious bundle might soon find themselves living in the streets.

Tex Sullivan’s rebel younger brother forges Tex’s name on a mail-order bride contract, only days before Tex is supposed to marry the catch of the season. While he scrambles to set the scandal straight, he finds himself face-to-face with a lovely, impoverished debutante from Atlanta — with an infant in her arms, no less! Tex never asked for a woman like Isabella to come into his life, but is it possible she’s exactly the kind of wife he needs?

Read an excerpt:

“If you slip away, no one will notice,” the woman in front of her hissed. 

Isabella frowned. “You think I should give up and go home?” She bit her lower lip, realizing she wasn’t in her Sunday best like the other women. 

“Well, it’s not as if you stand a chance against the rest of us,” the woman noted with a sideways glance at her wrinkled skirts. 

“Says who?” Isabella’s ire rose. “For all we know, the interviewer is specifically looking for a wrinkled, windblown lass.” She lifted her chin. “In which case, the rest of you ladies will be sorely out of luck.” 

To her surprise, there was no reply. The entire line of women had grown as silent as death.
“You,” a man said in a laughing voice. “You’re next.” 

Isabella slowly raised her head to meet the gaze of the man conducting the interviews.

 Available on Amazon

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Find more of Jo Grafford's books here.

Jo is an Amazon bestselling author of sweet and inspirational romance stories with humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters.

Readers can connect with her in Cuppa Jo Readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuppaJoReaders and Bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-grafford. To join her New Release Email List, visit JoGrafford.com.

Ed’s Mandalas Adult Coloring Book: Rest and relax coloring these mandalas!

  

This adult coloring book has 30 mandala patterns plus blank pages to prevent bleed-through. (you can doodle on the blank pages if you wish).

It provides hours of stress relief through creative expression.

Designs range in complexity and detail from beginner (easy) to expert-level (hard).

Buy on Amazon

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BIO:

E. B. Warren is a retired military officer and an author with a background in Education and Applied Psychology.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers. 

Review of The Matchmaker and the Marine

 

Welcome to the blurb blitz tour for The Matchmaker and the Marine by Lucinda Race! Today I am not only sharing with you an excerpt from this book but also my thoughts on the story. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more people's thoughts and share yours with the author along the way. Plus that gives you bonus chances to enter the great giveaway!

She vowed never to date again. He swore he’d hide his handicap forever. Can undeniable chemistry overcome both their fears?

Widowed matchmaker Melinda Phillips wants everyone to experience the kind of love she lost. Though she’s committed to a lonely life, her skill at pairing perfect couples has her business thriving and her work in demand. But when she trips at a client’s wedding into the arms of a handsome Marine, she can’t help but feel that the falling has only just begun.

Adam Bell’s amputated leg is a crippling reminder of his war-torn past. So after his girlfriend rejected his new body and kicked him to the curb, he pledged to protect his heart as fiercely as he defended his country. But after a chivalrous rescue during a friend’s nuptials, he wonders if he’s given up on love too soon.

Hired to find Adam the woman of his dreams, Melinda is surprised to discover the ideal candidate is herself. But as their relationship blossoms, the tortured former serviceman believes his hidden disfigurement will cost him everything again.

Can two broken souls let go of their traumatic pasts to give happiness a second chance?

The Matchmaker and The Marine is an inspiring standalone romance novel. If you like rich backstories, learning to heal, and giving into dreamy temptation, then you’ll adore Lucinda Race’s sweet story.

Read an excerpt:

“Love isn’t complicated, people make it that way.” Melinda smiled brightly. “So, give me the rundown on who is who.”

In a conspiratorial whisper, Stacey said, “Okay. That tall, well-built man over there?” she pointed to the one person who left a lasting impression on Mel at the wedding. “That’s Adam Bell. He and Will go way back to their Marine Corps days. They were deployed together and have been best friends since basic.” She gave Melinda a wink. “He’s single and Will is trying to get him to sign up with you. He could use a good woman. His ex-girlfriend dumped him after he came back from his last tour of duty.”

Melinda bit back a sharp retort about the kind of woman who would do that to a man who served his country. She quickly reminded herself to not be judgmental. There could be a very good reason why his ex broke it off, but it did sound a bit heartless to do it right after he came back from deployment.

She inclined her head toward a pretty woman about their age. “Who’s that?”

“The girl in the short shorts and crop top?”

Melinda gave a slow nod. “She seems to be a little out of place.” Glancing around, she noticed most of the girls wore longer shorts or flowing skirts and tops that covered up their midsections.

“That’s Mary, one of Will’s other friends from work. I’m surprised you didn’t notice her at the wedding. I saw a picture of her and whoa, I have no idea how she even danced in the dress she was wearing.”

Melinda’s eyebrow shot up. “She’s very pretty.”

Stacey grinned. “Someone said she’s quite the party girl. Like she hasn’t outgrown that stage of life yet.”

Assessing the woman, Mel said, “I wonder if it’s all a front. Maybe she dresses that way to get attention in certain situations but under it all, she’s shy.”

Available on Amazon

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**My thoughts**

She's supposed to be finding him the love of his life. But as Mel and Adam get to know each other better, they become super close friends who are able to help each other work through their respective tragic and troubling pasts. It's a slow burn kind of relationship that I find refreshing for a change. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow, in spite of all the hidden secrets they are keeping from each other.

Thank you to Goddess Fish and the author and publisher for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

Award winning author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of romantic fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading novels and dreaming of, one day, becoming a writer and spreading love in romance books. 

As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to turn to her true passion. After developing the storyline for The Loudon Series, it was time to start living her dream. With fingers flying over computer keys, she does her best to weave stories about strong women and the men who love them. 

Lucinda lives with her husband and their two little dogs, a miniature long hair dachshund and a shitzu mix rescue, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. When she’s not at her day job, she’s immersed in her fictional worlds. And if she’s not writing romance novels, she reading everything she can get her hands on. It’s a good thing her husband loves takeout. (He doesn’t cook.) 

Social Media Links 

https://twitter.com/LucindaRace

FB https://www.facebook.com/LucindaRaceAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/lucindaraceauthor/

Goodreads – Lucinda Race

Book + Main Lucinda Race https://bookandmainbites.com/search/Lucinda%20Race

Youtube Lucinda Race https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lucinda+race+author

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lucindaraceauthor/

Universal Link  https://books2read.com/ap/xyYO2g/Lucinda-Race 

Bookbub Lucinda Race

https://lucindarace.com

Lucinda Race will be awarding a signed copy of The Matchmaker and The Marine to two randomly drawn winners (US Only) via rafflecopter during the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Fake Bride Rescue: A K9 Handler Romance (Disaster City Search & Rescue #7) by Jo Grafford

 

Firefighter Ransom Keller can’t stand the thought of attending his twenty-year high school reunion as a single guy. Folks tend to expect a little more action in the romance department from a former star linebacker and an ex party machine. But a decade in the Special Forces followed by career in fire rescue operations hasn’t left him much time to play Romeo. So he does the unthinkable — he hires an actress to pose as his bride for the weekend.

Serena Chandler is supposed to be working on her doctoral dissertation, not filling in for her bestie’s slightly scandalous rent-a-date service. However, her short-term “husband” seems like a perfect gentleman, so she relaxes and decides to enjoy their weekend trip together while keeping things strictly professional between them. He’s made it clear he’s a no strings attached kind of man, and that’s fine with her.

Their carefully negotiated agreement works right up to the point when a fire breaks out at his alma mater, and she becomes trapped in the gym. Watching the ripped and ready Ransom take charge in a daring rescue operation, however, makes all her best-laid plans go up in smoke. She finds herself scheming with her Mensa-level I.Q. for a way to turn their fake marriage into a real one.

If they survive the fire, of course!

Read an excerpt:

The guy staring back from the photo wore aviator sunglasses. His arms were crossed in a defiant gesture, and his mouth was twisted in a scowl. He certainly wasn’t going out of his way to look datable, which Serena found that appealing. 

“He looks ready to hurt someone,” she chuckled. 

Iris adopted a smug look. “His name is Ransom Keller. Ex Special Forces. And what he needs is a fake bride at his side during his twentieth high school reunion.” 

“A fake bride, huh? That’s a thing?” Serena asked dryly. 

“It’s really a thing,” her bestie returned cheerfully. “Remember all that playing pretend we did as children?” 

“Um, yeah, and I distinctly recall our husbands being imaginary.” 

“Well, it was excellent practice for this.”

 Available on Amazon

(affiliate link)

Find more of Jo Grafford's books here.

Jo is an Amazon bestselling author of sweet and inspirational romance stories with humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters.

Readers can connect with her in Cuppa Jo Readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuppaJoReaders and Bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-grafford. To join her New Release Email List, visit JoGrafford.com.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Forever Grateful Notebook and Journal by Bulverde Books

  

Many psychologists have studied the effects of expressing gratitude in your life and concluded people who express gratitude possess better positive mental health than those who do not. 

Bulverde Books designed this book to include sections for:

• Daily Affirmations
• 52 Weeks of Gratitude - We have included a section of this book near the end so you can record the things for which you are grateful for an entire year – 52 weeks.
• Daily Affirmations
• Reasons to Smile

We wish you a life full of gratitude. 

This notebook and journal is:

• 8.5”x 11” – you have loads of room to write in.
• Over 200 pages
• Gratitude Prompts

Don’t wait – start feeling grateful for everything in your life and get your Forever Grateful Notebook and Journal today!

Buy on Amazon

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About Ed Benjamin of Bulverde Books:

Ed Benjamin retired from the United States Air Force in 1990 where he served as an aircraft maintenance supervisor.

He currently works part-time as a proposal writer helping companies obtain business with federal, state and local governments.

He also writes short stories; some of which he offers for sale via digital download. He is currently working on a full length novel featuring Harry Miles.

For more information, visit Ed's website at http://EdBenjaminBooks.com

Ed also publishes gratitude journals, wedding planners, reissues of classic novels, and other publications via his two publishing ventures at Bulverde Books and Front Porch Press. These works are available exclusively on Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing.

Ed is located on Twitter at @colbenjamin

Readers may contact Ed via email at Flowingwp@gmail.com

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Preorder Kona by Erik Daniel Shein and Melissa Davis (Soon to Be a Motion Picture!) and enter the giveaway

 

Kona tells the story of Melanie Parker, an Arizona teen striving to live a normal life after being diagnosed with cancer at the tender age of nine. When Melanie secures her first summer job at the Oasis Aquarium, developing an instant friendship with Kona, a resident dolphin, and her cute new co-worker, Chase, it seems as though things might finally be looking up. Little does Melanie know just how dramatically her life is about to change. 

Melanie realizes just how miserable and lonely her new friend is living in captivity. When presented with the opportunity to free Kona and change the trajectory of her life, Melanie finally understands what all of those years of fighting for her own life have truly prepared her for the opportunity to advocate for the voiceless. Kona is a story of friendship and resilience, of standing up for what you believe in - even when it's hard - and ultimately, of never giving up. 

But before she can save Kona's life, Melanie must once again fight to save her own.

Preorder on Amazon

For every book that is preordered, the author is donating 50 cents to the Cancer Society.

Random raffles and giveaways are going on in the week before the book launches on February 1, 2021. To be entered, simply email roulac2021@gmail.com.

This book has already been optioned to be made into a movie, coming in 2021! Stay tuned!

About the author:

A visionary storyteller and animal activist, Erik Daniel Shein blends his talent for children's and young adult writing with a passion for CGI animation and animal health and well-being. He got his start first as a trained herpetologist, studying reptiles and amphibians, before turning his gaze to the art of written and visual storytelling.

As one might imagine, he is deeply passionate about animals, often featuring them in his stories and content, and he weds this passion with his philanthropic pursuits as a fierce advocate for animal rights. He has authored and co-written more than 30 novels including Thunder: An Elephant's Journey and feature films, such as the animated fantasy adventure tale, The Legend of The Secret Pass (Lions Gate Entertainment, 2019).

In addition to his writing, Erik is the founder and CEO of Shein Partnership LLC, a creative asset and intellectual property firm, with projects ranging from Live Action and CGI animated feature films, to television specials and series, and book publishing. A revered leader in the entertainment and publishing domains and a man of many talents, Erik is also a talented producer and  voice actor.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those posts that I feel will be of interest to my readers.