Sophia Rose Reviews- Chasing the Horizon by Mary Connealy an AustenProse blog tour

For AustenProse PR

Today Sophia Rose returns with her review of Chasing the Horizon, by Mary Connealy as part of an AustenProse blog tour. Read on to see what she thought.
Enjoy!

Chasing the Horizon by Mary Connealy

#1 Western Light

Inspirational Historical Romance

Publisher:  Bethany House

Published:  2.13.24

Pages:  304

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Format: eARC

Source:  NetGalley

Sellers:  Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads

GoodReads Synopsis:

Upon uncovering her tyrannical father's plot to commit her to an asylum, Beth Rutledge fabricates a plan of her own--she will rescue her mother, who had already been sent to the asylum by her father, and escape together on a wagon train heading west. Posing as sisters, Beth and her mother join forces with other travelers and hope they can make it to Idaho before the others start asking too many questions.

Wagon train scout Jake Holt senses that the mysterious women in his caravan are running from something. When rumors begin to spread of Pinkerton agents searching relentlessly for wanted criminals who match the description of those on his wagon train, including Beth, she begins to open up to him and he learns something much more sinister is at hand. Can they risk trusting each other with their lives--and their hearts--with danger threatening their every step?

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a gripping and adventurous historical novel of survival, sacrifice, and romance on the Oregon Trail.

Review - The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck by Kylie Scott

Today I'm reviewing, The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck, the delightful latest rom-com from brilliant storyteller Kylie Scott. I obviously loved it read on to see how much.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978-1525804809
Publisher: Graydon House/ Imprint of Harlequin the publisher that makes the world go round
Release Date: 2-06-2024
Length: 304pp
Source: Publisher for Review

Buy It: Publisher/ Amazon/ B&N /IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:
An Amazon Best Romance of the Month!

“Be quiet and listen: He is cheating on you. The name of your soulmate is Alistair George Arthur Lennox. You will be passed over for the promotion. The winning numbers are 5-8-12-24-39-43. And I’m very sorry to tell you this, but you will die next Sunday.”

When Lilah Goodluck saves the life of Good Witch Willow as they’re crossing a busy L.A. street, the last thing she expects is five unwanted predictions as a reward. Who gives someone the winning lotto numbers then tells them they’ve only got a week to live? And who believes in that nonsense anyway?

But when the first three predictions come true within twenty-four hours, Lilah’s disbelief turns to mild panic. She’s further horrified when she nearly runs a car off the road that belongs to Alistair Lennox, who just happens to be the illegitimate son of the British king.

While Alistair is intrigued by her preposterous story, Lilah is adamant about resisting the heat between her and the playboy prince. If she denies he’s her soulmate, then the last prediction can’t come true, right? As the days count down, they become maybe friends…and then maybe more. But between the relentless paparazzi and some disapproving royals, finding time for love isn’t easy, especially when her days may be numbered.

Red White and Royal Blue meets The Last Holiday in this delightfully quirky novel from the New York Times bestselling author of End of Story, about a woman who unexpectedly finds "fall in love with a prince" at the top of her bucket list.

#Macmillan Audio Review - If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos narrated by John Stamos

Today I'm sharing my thoughts on John Stamos's memoir, If You Would Have Told Me, continue on to see what I thought.
Enjoy! 

ASIN: B0BX4S15RD
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: 10-24-2023
Length: 8 hours & 44 minutes
Source: Publisher for Review
Buy It: Audible/Chirpbooks

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

An Audible Best of the Year 2023 Celebrity Memoir Selection

This program is read by the author.

“...I love him, and I respect him, and I need him. We all do.” —from the foreword, written and read by Jamie Lee Curtis

If you would have told a young John Stamos flipping burgers at his dad’s fast-food joint that one day he’d be a household name and that, at the height of his success, he’d be living alone, divorced, with no kids, high on a cocktail of forgetting, he might’ve asked, “You want fries with that?”

John burst onto the scene in General Hospital, propelling him into the teen idol stratosphere, a place that’s often a point of no return. But Stamos beat the odds and over the past four decades has proved himself to be one of his generation’s most successful and beloved actors. Whether showing off his comedic chops on Full House or his dramatic skills on ER, pushing the boundaries on Broadway or living out his youthful dreams as an honorary Beach Boy, John has surprised everyone, most of all himself.

A universal story about friendship, love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more, John Stamos’s memoir is filled with some of the most memorable names in Hollywood, both old and new. Funny, deeply poignant, and brutally honest, If You Would Have Told Me is a portrait of a boy who went from believing in Disney magic to a man who learns that we have to create our own magical moments in life.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

Showcase- Not Your Crush's Cauldron by April Asher

Today I'm showcasing April Asher's next installment in her Supernatural Singles series, Not Your Crush's Cauldron which is Olive Maxwell's story. And check back because this is high on my tbr shelf.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 9781250808035
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: 02-13-2024
Length: 336pp
Supernatural Singles #3
Buy It: Amazon/ B&N/ IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

In April Asher’s next Supernatural Singles novel, Not Your Crush's Cauldron, a buttoned-up witch takes a stroll on the wildish side, sparking an alert that lands her a familiar Guardian Angel.

Olive Maxwell much prefers teaching about the Supernatural world to taking part in it and leaves the magical shenanigans to her two sisters. After assigning her college students a project designed to nudge them outside their comfort zones, Olive realizes she’s never once stepped a toe out of her own . . . and it’s about time that changed. Her first trip into the unknown? Moving in with her longtime crush and friend . . . tattooed, motorcycle-riding, and pleasantly pierced Baxter Donovan.

Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel not-so-extraordinaire, has acquired so many black marks on his record it looks like a Scantron test. He’s been given one last chance to keep his Guardian wings—a high-profile Assignment he knows all too well. Olive is usually as low-risk as it gets. Hell, she wrote the safety manual. But something landed her on the Guardian Angel Affairs radar, and he guesses it has something to do with the heart-pounding stunts she’s determined to check off her Dare I Docket list.

Keeping Olive out of trouble is about to be his toughest Assignment. He’s at real risk of shattering the only Guardian Angel code of conduct rule he’s yet to break: Don’t fall in love with your Assignment. And he isn’t so sure that’s a bad thing.

Sophia Rose Reviews: The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelly Armstrong

Today Sophia Rose returns with her review of, The Boy Who Cried Bear, Book two of Kelly Armstrong's Haven's Rock series a spin off of her Rockton Series.
Enjoy!

The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong

#2 Haven’s Rock

Thriller

Publisher:  Minotaur Books

Published:  2.20.24

Pages:  343

Rating: 5 stars

Format: eARC

Source:  NetGalley

Pre Order from:  Amazon Available 2-20-24

ADD TO: GoodReads

 

GoodReads Synopsis:

In The Boy Who Cried Bear, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong keeps readers on the edge of their seats while detective Casey Duncan tries to locate the threat before it’s too late. . . Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.

Review: The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr

Today I'm reviewing The Friendship Club Robyn Carr's brand new stand alone novel. It checked all my boxes read on to see why.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978-0778311881
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: 01-23-2024
Length: 336pp
Source: Publisher for Review
Buy It: Publisher/Amazon/B&N/IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

A brand-new novel from the #1 bestselling author of VIRGIN RIVER

Four women come together at a tumultuous time in their lives, forging an unbreakable bond that will leave them all forever changed.

Celebrity cooking show host Marni McGuire has seen it all. She’s been married—twice—and widowed and divorced. Now in her mid-fifties, she’s single. Happily so. She just needs to convince her pregnant daughter, Bella, of this fact. And maybe convince herself, too. Especially after Marni’s efforts to humor her determined daughter result in a series of disastrous dates that somehow prompt Marni to wonder if maybe the right man for her is still out there after all.

Similarly single, Marni’s best friend and colleague is confident she’s content without a man, but both older women soon find themselves leading by example as the young intern on their show appears caught in a toxic relationship—and Bella reveals her own marriage maybe isn’t built to withstand the stresses of the baby on the way.

Suddenly, all four women find themselves at a crossroads, each navigating the challenges of dating, marriage, loneliness and love. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on. The realities of modern love are far from easy, but there’s no better group to have in your corner than friends who will lift you up, no matter what, and hold fast in the face of any storm.

Harlequin Publishing's Valentine's Read recommendations

 

Today I'm showcasing Harlequin Publishing's Valentine's recommendations. There are some well known authors some relatively new and a couple of debuts for readers to try and two of these I'll be reviewing so be sure to check in often.
Enjoy!

Just Checking in

It's been a rather whirlwind winter here, as some of you know my husband is disabled, he suffers from Parkinson's Disease, is a stroke survivor and has several other neurological medical issues. Mid December he came down with a virus and as his Parkinson's advances so do his symptoms and he becomes a handful when he's sick. Then last week he got sick again but this time I couldn't handle him myself and had to take him to the ER, they admitted him and he spent three days in the hospital with a UTI, slight dehydration and some mystery virus that the hospital couldn't name. The day after he came home the mystery virus showed itself as a bad rash on his torso, yes Shingles. Now we're both vaccinated but since he's immuno compromised he's only 50-60% protected.

He's getting better but with each illness he gets harder to handle and I just pray that I can keep him home as long as I can.

Unfortunately when the home fires are blazing out of control it's my reading and blogging that suffers.

So I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here, stick with me and I'll be back up to speed  as soon as I can.

Take care

and you all stay well

Review - The Prophecy of the Wind by Joss Walker

Today I'm sharing my thought on The Prophecy of the Wind book three in Joss Walker's Jayne Thorne CIA Librarian series.
Enjoy!

ASIN: B0C5G2NJ1G
Publisher: Two Tales Press
Release Date: 11-28-2023
Length: 370pp
Source: Author/Publisher for Review
Jayne Thorne CIA Librarian #4
Buy It: Amazon/ B&N/ IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

Magic has broken free, and the world is in grave danger.

Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian and secret operative, thought finding her father would solve everything. She couldn’t have been more mistaken. Henry Thorne is a prime target for all her enemies, and everyone around him is in danger.

Though Jayne’s powers are reaching new heights, she must contend with her reluctant new Rogue, Vivienne, her inconvenient and growing attraction to her partner, Tristan, and a prophecy from an unnamed warrior goddess that warns her of the impending danger from the Torrent's powerful hidden mage who is controlling her mother, Ruth. Not to mention face down an ancient secret society tasked with protecting a grimoire vital to their cause.

Meanwhile, Jayne's sister Sofia and her Rogue Cillian, along with other members of the TCO (the magical branch of the CIA), are searching for the newly magical children who are making news all over the country. But they are not the only ones with this mission. Sofia and Cillian must find, protect, and educate as many new Adepts as possible before dark forces steal their powers.

With the help of her friends, family, and new allies, Jayne must decipher the prophecy, acquire the grimoire, and stop the powerful mage hidden in the Torrent. But even with their help, Jayne is not sure if she will be able to succeed. The enemies of the Torrent grow more powerful by the day, and they are relentless...

A story of power, courage, and the fight against evil, this thrilling and suspenseful entry in the award-winning Jayne Thorne series will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

#GIVEAWAY - Showcase Mirror Image A collection of short stories by Fran Lewis a Partners in Crime virtual tour

Mirror Image

by Fran Lewis

February 5-9, 2024 Book Blast

Synopsis:

The mystical mirror has seen many faces, some innocent and some deserving of punishment. This is the mirror of truth, and it punishes evildoers severely.

As the book unfolds, each person you meet has is given a chance to repent or suffer the mirror’s unique form of hideous justice. Be careful doing wrong, because the mirror waits for you...

Praise for Mirror Image:

"Riveting, pulse-pounding, and thoroughly readable, Mirror Image would make a great Netflix series!"
~ Vincent Zandri New York Times and USA Today bestselling ITW Thriller and PWA Shamus winning author

"Mirror Image, by author Fran Lewis is a page-turner."
~ Irma Fritz

"The stories in Mirror Image are chilling and every one has a lesson behind it. Beware and be scared!"
~ Karen Vaughn, author of Dead on Arrival

"Once again Fran Lewis has written a collection of scary stories! Mirror Image will keep you up till all hours of the night praying you won’t be looking into any mirror where the face looking back isn’t yours."
~ Marsha Casper Cook, Michigan Avenue Media

"Mirror Image, a collection of linked short stories by Fran Lewis, delves into our darker side.
It’s not for the faint of heart!"
~ John DeDakis, author of the Lark Chadwick series

Book Details:

Genre: Horror
Published by: Fideli Publishing
Publication Date: December 13, 2023
Number of Pages: 154
ISBN: 9781962402873 (ISBN10: 1962402878)
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

 

#Giveaway- Showcase - One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey a Partners in Crime virtual tour

One Wrong Move

by Dani Pettrey

February 2 - March 1, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Taunting riddles.
A deadly string of heists.
Two broken hearts trapped in a killer's game.

Christian O'Brady was pulled into a life of crime at a young age by his con artist parents. Now making amends for his corrupt past, he has become one of the country's foremost security experts. When a string of Southwestern art heists targets one of the galleries Christian secured, he is paired up with a gifted insurance investigator who has her own checkered past.

Andi Forester was a brilliant FBI forensic analyst until one of her colleagues destroyed her career, blaming her for mishandling evidence. She now puts those skills to work investigating insurance fraud, and this latest high-stakes case will test her gift to the limit. Drawn deep into a dangerous game with an opponent bent on revenge, Christian and Andi are in a race against the clock to catch him, but the perpetrator's game is far from finished, and one wrong move could be the death of them both.

Dani Pettrey captivates with...

"An intense blend of suspense, love, and faith."
~ Booklist

"Wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likeable characters."
~ Publishers Weekly

Book Details:

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780764238482 (ISBN10: 0764238485)
Series: Jeopardy Falls, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Baker Book House

Sophia Rose Reviews: The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

 

We start off February with Sophia Rose reviewing one of my and her favorite authors, The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz.
Enjoy!

The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

#2 The Lost Night Files

Romantic Suspense

Publisher:  Berkley

Published:  1.9.24

Pages:  336

Rating: 4.5 stars

Format: eARC

Source:  NetGalley

Sellers: Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads

 

GoodReads Synopsis:

The disappearance of a mysterious informant leads two people desperate for answers to an island of deadly deception in this new novel in the Lost Night Files trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.
 
Talia March, Pallas Llewellyn, and Amelia Rivers, bonded by a night they all have no memory of, are dedicated to uncovering the mystery of what really happened to them months ago—an experience that brought out innate psychic abilities in each of them. The women suspect they were test subjects years earlier, and that there are more people like them—all they have to do is find the list. When Talia follows up on a lead from Phoebe, a fan of the trio’s podcast, she discovers that the informant has vanished.
 
Talia isn’t the only one looking for Phoebe, however. Luke Rand, a hunted and haunted man who is chasing the same list that Talia is after, also shows up at the meeting place. It’s clear he has his own agenda, and they are instantly suspicious of each other. But when a killer begins to stalk them, they realize they have to join forces to find Phoebe and the list.
 
The rocky investigation leads Talia and Luke to a rustic, remote retreat on Night Island in the Pacific Northwest. The retreat promises to rejuvenate guests with the Unplugged Experience. Upon their arrival, Talia and Luke discover guests are quite literally cut off from the outside world because none of their high-tech devices work on the island. It soon becomes clear that Phoebe is not the first person to disappear into the strange gardens that surround the Unplugged Experience retreat. And then the first mysterious death occurs…