The Most Important Catch by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

"She knew too much, and she’d seen too much. And the police refused to help. Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life.


"When the weather turned cold, she turned south. She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe with him. Or was she?


"His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn't nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and protected. All except her heart."

I enjoyed the author's writing style and voice. The story hooked me from the first page and even though it was a little slow through the middle, it kept my attention. Both characters were interesting and well developed. If I had to classify this book, I would call it a romance and that would be my only complaint. From the description, I expected a little more suspense and would love to have seen that part of the storyline developed more. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a summer read. 

You can learn more about the author at her website and you can get your own copy of the book here.

The Most Important Catch Launch Day + Fundraiser

The Most Important Catch Launch Day + Fundraiser

Today is the official launch of Jaclyn Hawkes' latest release

The Most Important Catch

An LDS fiction romance

Buy it and support a great cause!

  

Jaclyn will be launching The Most Important Catch on April 3rd. Both she and her publisher are going to donate 50% of the proceeds of all sales of this book from Amazon.com for that day—both e-books and paperbacks, to an account for Porter Hancock, her neighbor who was paralyzed from the neck down last October in a high school football game. You can read more about Porter at www.helpporterhancock.bbnow.org/ or on Jacyln's blog at http://jaclynmhawkes.com/2012/03/launchfundraiser/.

Please help spread the word by posting about this on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking sites.

And join us during the month of May for the book tour which will include several chances to win the book! (Click here for more details about the tour.)

About the Book

Run or die!

She knew too much, and she’d seen too much!

And the police refused to help.

Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life.

When the weather turned cold, she turned south.

She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman.

Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe with him.

Or was she?
His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn’t nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and protected. Except for her heart.

On Little Wings by Regina Sirois

"Jennifer must do the impossible bring her mother home. When a family is torn apart by death, two sisters take violently divergent paths and the story of their family appears to end terribly and abruptly. Two decades later Jennifer never dreams that the photo she finds stuck between the pages of a neglected book will tear open a gaping wound to her mother’s secret past. Abandoning her comfortable life with her parents and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska, Jennifer’s quest for a hidden aunt leads her to the untamed coast of Maine where she struggles to understand why her mother lied to her for sixteen years.

Across the grey, rocky cove she meets Nathan Moore, the young, reluctant genius surrounded by women who need him to be brother, father, friend, provider, protector and now, first love. The stories, varied, hilarious, and heartbreaking, unfold to paint a striking mural of the shattered past. As Jennifer seeks to piece together her mother’s story, she inadvertently writes one for herself." (Back cover copy)

On Little Wings is the beautifully written debut novel of Regina Sirois.  The characters are all flawed which makes them even more interesting and as the back story of each character comes out they just get better. I loved how the author wove poetry through the book as a way for the characters to communicate their feelings and how the lines let us see the dimensions of the characters emotions.

The other thing I loved about this book was the description. I've never traveled to the east coast, but could picture each scene in vivid detail and wish I could see it in person. The "Jacks" were some of my favorite moments in the book. Sirois used just enough description to make them part of the scenery and enough quirkiness to make them interesting characters. 

Sirois skillfully told a story of love and discovery and though I don't often reread a book, this is one I will definitely explore again. You can find On Little Wings here and learn more about Regina Sirois here.

The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate

"Propelled by an insurmountable sense of desperation, Stevie Burke is recklessly abandoning home, husband, and outwardly contented life under cover of night; at last resigned to defeat in her long battle against the tortured memories of her past.

Days later, lost and floundering in a dreary motel room without plan or destination, it is a long ago song playing on the radio that gently tugs Stevie back through the dust of remembrance. 1957 - The last summer spent at the ancient house overlooking the North Atlantic. A season which had unfolded with abundant promise, but then spiraled horribly out of control - torn apart by a shattering tragedy that remains splintered in fragments upon her soul. And it is only now, when Stevie at last lifts her eyes to stare deep into the heart of her long sequestered memories, that the long held secrets of past and future are at last unveiled."

The Secret of Lies is Barbara Forte Abate's first book. The story is intriguing. As the summer of 1957 unfolds and the story is explained through Stevie's eyes, I found myself saddened by the events in her life and wondered how she would cope with the discoveries. The family interactions were interesting and I loved the way Abate wrote the relationship between Stevie and her sister. The story then follows Stevie into adulthood as she tries to leave the tragedies of that summer behind her. She is sometimes unloveable and yet I could understand her confusion and abrasive behaviour. The ending left me a little unsettled, but I think it is because I am used to things being tied up neatly. This book leaves many questions for the reader to answer with their own imagination.

What I really loved about this book was the author's writing style. Abate has a way with words and I would often find myself stopping to read her sentences over again just to savor the beauty of the words. The story was interesting and well told. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. Abate is a good writer and I'm interested in seeing what she writes next. You can learn more about Barbara Forte Abate at her website and you can purchase the book here.

No Holly for Christmas Blog Tour

"As Brian McAlister struggles to move past being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he's ever loved, he's all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the DA's office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker, Holly Cavanaugh Winter-and romance blossoms. Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart, Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst isn't due to her husband's untimely death the previous December 25th, but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid the coming Christmas. Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for Brian and Holly when Holly gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and the powerful man who hired him to justice. A heart-warming story of suspense, healing, giving and receiving, No Holly for Christmas is the perfect addition to everyone's holiday reading list."

This isn't your standard Christmas story. Julie N. Ford has written a book full of romance and suspense - my favorite combination. The best thing about this book is the characterization. All the characters are flawed and their stories are interesting. As the book began, I found I could understand the characters and why they acted the way they did, though I didn't like them very much. As they developed I grew to like them. It was fun to watch the characters grow and change throughout the book.

It did take me just over a hundred pages to get truly caught up in the story, but I'm glad I read it through to the end because the suspense built and by the end of the book I couldn't put it down. If you want a Christmas story that is a little different, this is a good choice. You can read more about Julie here and purchase the book here.

Eclectic Books Catalog

If you are looking for books to give as Christmas gifts or even to stock you own shelves, check out the Eclectic Books catalog. Every book in this catalog is a clean read and look great under the Christmas tree. You'll find everything: YA, romance, suspense, non-fiction, and more. You'll find Double Deceit and Finding Rose there, too. So take a few minutes to check it out and give the gift of words this Christmas.

Bitter Blessings Blog Tour

Megan has the perfect life, but when her mother dies in an accident, everything spins out of control. With the rest of her family falling apart, Megan must confront her past to uncover the truths that will keep everyone together. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this book shows that even in times of trial, you can often find blessings.  -Deseret Book.com

Every once in a while I pick up a book that I have to read until it is finished. Bitter Blessings by Christine Mehring was one of those books. I thought I would read a chapter or two while the kids were brushing their teeth and gathering their backpacks for school. A little while later the book was finished. The premise of the story was compelling enough that I kept turning the page to find out what Megan would do about the family's problems.

It is interesting to watch the strugges and triumphs of Megan, and interesting to watch her grow. This is a good read with lots to think about. It would make a great Christmas present for the teenagers and adults in your life.