I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Presents: Rough Edges by Kimberly Krey – Book Blast & Giveaway

Rough Edges by Kimberly Krey Divorced mother, Allie Emerson, never imagined she’d be raising two teenage girls on her own. Between parenting and paying the bills, she hasn’t even thought about meeting a man. That changes once she hears local carpenter, Braden Fox, is in need of a secretary. Back in high school, Allie had done all she could to deny the sparks burning between her and Braden; perhaps now they could explore the possibilities. Braden has heard all about what Terrance did to Allie and the girls, has been planning to stop by and see how she’s getting along, but Allie beats him to it by showing up at his shop in search of a job. Her single visit reignites the old flame Braden used to torch for her; trouble is, old feelings of resentment return as well. Allie did choose Terrance over him, after all. And as much as Braden wants Allie in his life, he’s not sure he can open his heart again. With this second chance at romance, will the bumps in their relationship be too much to get over, or will this carpenter learn to smooth out the past?

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  Praise for Rough Edges "Kimberly Krey never fails to truly amaze and captivate my heart ... She has done it yet again with this heart stopping journey of a second chance at a once in a lifetime love." ~Amber @ Wonderings of One Person "An utterly charming romance!" ~Jamie Brook Thompson


  Excerpt Their eyes met once more, and a shot of heat flooded his chest like a liquid bolt of lightening, forcing his pulse to rush. “I’ve missed you,” he blurted. Her eyes widened in response, and Braden wondered if he’d been too bold. He’d hardly meant to speak it. It’d been more of a thought. A longing, really. At last she nodded. “Yeah,” she said, her voice soft and low. “I … I’ve been wondering about you too. How you’ve been over the years. I kept asking Terrance who you were dating. If you were close to marrying anyone…” Her words drifted off for a breath, but then she spoke up again. “You admitted that you’d turned down our offers to come to dinner and catch up.” She studied him for a moment, a challenge presented in her gaze. “All those years. Why didn’t you just come?” “You know why.” He’d nearly spoken over her, but he couldn’t help it. “No, Braden, I don’t.” He nodded adamantly, taking a step back and folding his arms. “Think about it, Allie.” ... “I have thought about it –” “Not nearly enough, apparently,” he snapped. “I’ve thought about it all these years. It hurt my feelings. I thought we were friends.” ... Braden bit back his words and broke into a pace. “Braden,” she said, “I wanted you to stay a part of our lives. You were the best influence Terrance had and you just stopped being his friend? Why would you do that?” Braden froze in place. “I was a better friend to him than you’ll ever know.” Or possibly the worst, he realized. He strode back, his gaze set on her. “And I didn’t want to be your friend, Allie. I wanted more than that and you know it.” Her face fell flat. Her lips parted. But no words came. She cleared her throat, casting her eyes to the floor. “Yeah,” he said. “Don’t pretend that you don’t know. I made it clear. And as soon as I did you started setting me up with every friend you had. Including Kayla.” “That’s not…” Her face flushed red. Her lips tightened. “That’s not how it went, Braden.” The silence that followed was painful. The tension wedged in each passing second pressed at Braden’s last nerve. “Well,” he said, “this has been a nice trip down memory lane, but if you don’t mind I’ve got to get back to work. Come on out when you’re ready.” He turned away from her in one quick jerk and walked out of the kitchen, one long stride after the next.

 
   



Author Kimberly Krey Writing Romance That's Clean Without Losing the Steam! I'm a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry. I'm not patient enough to enjoy yoga, or tall enough to be great at basketball, but I do love to run - anywhere but on a treadmill. I love the sound of a rainstorm when I have no place to go, the feel of Soft Lips chap Stick on my lips, and the first peek of blue water as we round the mountains toward our favorite getaway in Bear Lake.

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 $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 2/18/15 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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The Fall of the Prodigal by Michelle Lindo-Rice Presented By WNL Virtual Blog Tours

Author is giving away two $10.00 Amazon Gift Cards.  Two winners will be randomly chosen via rafflecopter. 

Enter contest below.

Book Title: The Fall of the Prodigal

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Urban Books (January 27, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1601626983

ISBN-13: 978-1601626981

Genre: Christian Fiction

Michelle Lindo-Rice enjoys crafting women's fiction with themes centered around the four "F" words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. Her first published work, Sing A New Song, was a Black Expressions featured selection. Originally from Jamaica West Indies, Michelle Lindo-Rice calls herself a lifelong learner. She has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, and Teachers College, Columbia University. When she moved to Florida, she enrolled in Argosy University where she completed her Education Specialist degree in Education Leadership. A pastor's kid, Michelle upholds the faith, preaching, teaching and ministering through praise and worship. Feel free to connect with her at michellelindorice.com You can read her testimony, learn about her books, PLEASE join her mailing list, or read a sample chapter at michellelindorice.com

A condemned man, his two brides, and one untimely death. Michael Ward is at the top of his game and he doesn't need anyone or anything. Money is his new best friend--until he's arrested for a heinous crime. As much as he hates to admit it, Michael needs his brother, Keith Ward, the man who stole his wife and children. Will Michael open his heart to forgive his brother? Verona "Tiger" Stachs has been Michaels' attorney for years. She's in love with him, but is tired of being treated as his guinea pig. A lapsed Christian, Verona finds herself being drawn closer to God. She thought she was through with God, but soon discovers He's nowhere through with her. Which relationship will she choose? Keith Ward's a prominent minister and family man, yet he yearns to rekindle his relationship with his brother. When Michael calls him explaining that he desperately needs his help, Keith jumps at the chance to set things right with Michael. Will Keith be able to lead Michael into the light?

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The Promise of Palm Grove (Amish Brides of Pinecraft, #1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she’s pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love—the first volume in the beloved New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.
Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini-vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she’s happy because she’s away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona’s real joy is in being away from her fiancé.
Edmund is a good man, and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her-and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kauffman, Leona’s faced with two vastly different futures.
Leona must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?


About The Author

I live in southern Ohio with my husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. My days are filled with busy activities like most any other mom and housewife. But I also love to write books.

Each morning, after my kids go off to school, I sit at my desk, look out my window, and dream of other places. The hours fly by as I make up people and places and drink way too much coffee.

Writing for Avon Inspire has truly been a dream come true. Being able to spend my days in my make-believe world of the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast is a true blessing. I have enjoyed getting to know more about the Amish culture and tapping into my faith as I show each character’s progression toward a personal relationship with our Lord.

Before becoming a full time writer, I taught elementary school in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. A job transfer to Ohio led my husband to encourage me to finally give writing a try. After all, I had notebooks full of made up stories.

I’ll never forget that first book I typed in our unfinished basement. It was exciting to make up a story, but also very scary. I was also so embarrassed, sure someone would come out of the woodwork and point out that I wasn’t a ‘real’ writer. But I persevered, and sold my third manuscript.

Things have changed a bit. Now I have a real office of my own. (think old guest bedroom!) My walls are painted pink, and more than a couple of book covers decorate my walls. But my days are still the same. I wake up, dream about other people, and do my best to type out stories.

 

 

My Review

 

Travel along with some sweet young Amish women as they leave their cold winter homes in Ohio and experience Pinecraft Florida, the home to many Amish and Mennonite permanent residents.
I can appreciate their happiness at experiencing Florida for the first time, and the joy they felt just being free to do what they please, within reason. Leona is engaged to be married and is enjoying this last bit of freedom. The author now gives us a glimpse into her world, and her life as it is going to be with Edmund, her intended.
We also get a look how others of the same faith live under different set rules of faith for the Amish. Things are a bit more liberal, and more is accepted here. We also meet a young man Zachery who has made it his life work to take care of his family, especially his handicapped sister.
Sparks seem to fly on the first encounter of this couple, can these two from two different areas, miles apart, establish any kind of a relationship? Of course, Leona needs to come to terms with the relationship she in currently in. What a predicament for both of these young people, one you admire, but feel rather sorry for, and the other almost the same, doubts need to be answered.
This is a sweet and rather quick read, and I hope for more like this story in the future. I felt myself in the warm sunshine, and smelling the salt air, ah would love to be there right now.
I received this book through Edelwiss and the Publisher Avon Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review. 

At Home in Last Chance (A Place to Call Home #3) by Cathleen Armstrong

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have always had a similar philosophy of life: when the going gets tough, they get going--out of town and away from the problem. Now they are both back in Last Chance, New Mexico, and trying to start over. Kaitlyn is working to reestablish a relationship with the seven-year-old daughter she left behind six months earlier. Steven is trying to prove to his family that he is not the irresponsible charmer they have always known him to be. As Kaitlyn and Steven find themselves drawn to one another, one big question keeps getting in the way: How will they learn to trust each other when they don't even trust themselves?

With emotional depth and characters who leap off the page and into the reader's psyche, Cathleen Armstrong continues to delight her readers and win new fans. Readers will be thrilled to return once more to the small town they've grown to love.



About The Author



Cathleen Armstrong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Ed, and their corgi. Though she has been in California for many years now, her roots remain deep in New Mexico where she grew up and where much of her family still lives. After she and Ed...

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My Review:

Back in Last Chance and all of our dear friends have shown up, especially Elizabeth, what a dear soul she is. We also have Steven the family bad boy, and Kaitlyn a woman I really didn’t like very much.
Kaitlyn in the previous book, leaves her seven-year-old daughter with her brother, giving him guardianship, and rides off into the sunset with a boyfriend. What kind of mother does that? Now that she is back, it is going to take a lot to change my opinion of her.
Also Steven, when he takes a shine to Kaitlyn, the whole town seems to be telling her that he is bad news. Maybe these two deserve each other, or not. Can people change? They can if they rely on God and not the evil one.
There are some scary times ahead here, and I hoped for the best, and was surprised to see who was there to rally. There is one loved individual here, and whole town appears to come around and am really surprised at who really takes the lead here.
Come back to Last Chance and live among the locals, enjoy the comrade feeling of being one of them, but you will be judged by your actions.
I received this book through Revell Publishing Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review. 

My Little Life of Jesus by Karen Williamson, Amanda Enright

My Little Life of Jesus introduces the story of Jesus' life to 3-to 5-year-olds. It follows Jesus from His birth, being baptized by John, meeting the disciples and teaching them how to pray, telling His stories to people in nearby towns and villages, right through to His return to the heavenly Father. Illustrated throughout with adorable artwork from a popular Candle Books artist, there is also a map included to show the land where Jesus lived. This padded hardcover comes complete with a presentation page for gift or award giving.



About The Author

Karen Williamson worked as a London primary school teacher and publisher’s editor before launching a successful career as full-time writer. With three children of her own, she specializes in Bible stories for young readers.|As a child, Marie continually drew characters and illustrated fun books for friends and family. After studying graphic design and illustration at college she has worked on stationery, puzzles, greetings-cards, maps and posters as well as numerous children's books.

Illustrator

Amanda Enright is a freelance artist specialising in children's illustration. She is represented by Advocate-Art.


My Review: 

The little book My Little Life of Jesus is perfect for your toddler’s hands, it measures a little over 6” all around. It is beautifully illustrated with bright colors that draw the little ones in.
Keep in mind that this is just a book to introduce Jesus to our little ones; it is simplistic and quickly gets to the point. I found the The Very First Christmas, a wonderful way to teach our three year old about the meaning of Christmas, in a way that he could understand.
We then meet Jesus With His Family, now when he hears that Jesus was a carpenter, he has the being of the idea. He loved as I explained the map of where Jesus grew up. Kept his interest, and gave his little mind a look at his faith.
The book goes on and became a real joy to share with each other, a great beginning learning tool. I highly recommend this wonderful little book, and so glad we have thin in our home.

I received this book through Kregel Blog Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

A Match for Addy by Emma Miller

In Search of True Love

Spinster Addy Coblentz fears she'll never marry. So her parents hire the new matchmaker who's moved to their Amish community of Seven Poplars. But Addy doesn't just want a match. She wants love. While some of her potential suitors are perfectly fine, only one man catches her eye. Gideon Esch is everything Addy's looking for: strong, kind—and handsome. But he's only a poor hired hand who can never give her family the stability they want. With her future happiness at stake, will Addy follow the rules…or follow her heart?

THE AMISH MATCHMAKER: Bringing love to Seven Poplars—one couple at a time!



About The Author

Emma Miller is a wife, mother and a grandmother who lives a quiet life in Delaware. She's the author of the Hannah's Daughter's series and is at work on her next Amish romance novel.






















My Review

I found this story delightful, so realistic and a real page-turner. Welcome to Amish country and we meet an Amish Professional Matchmaker. Never knew they had anyone with that job, but makes perfect sense with some of the problems that are present in the children.
When Dorcus takes a job with Sara she is just taking a job, though she knows what Sara does. She meets the current people who are residing at Sara’s and one catches her eye, Gideon, but he is just a hired man.
I kind of shuttered when Dorcus, now know as Addy, compliments of Gideon, comes across as looking for a man with money and land. Gideon will never due, he will always be a hired man, and she has to take care of her parents.
Come and really meet Addy, now almost 30 years old, and really starting to bloom. Meet her over bearing parents; at least I felt they were. Go to singings and gatherings, and even the fair, and live a little dangerously.
Gideon is just following his parent’s wishes and has no desire to find a wife; he is just having a rather good time. Loved his bantering or could be arguing with Addy, they will really make you smile, and laugh. Picture Addy as she has an accident, sad yes, and she could have gotten hurt, but still funny!
Emma Miller has done it again, and I loved this book, and want more! I can see the potential for lots of great stories using a Matchmaker, such a wonderful idea!!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.

A Stitch in Crime: Quilts of Love Series by Cathy Marie Elliott

Thea James has accepted an assignment as co-chairperson for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she’s already feeling frayed when things start to unravel.
Mary-Alice Wentworth, a much-loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea’s dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick-off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds? When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.


About The Author

Photo By Kim Farrar

Now retired from the day job as a Library Information Technician, Cathy Elliott is a full-time writer in northern California, creating cozy mysteries and more on her trusty laptop. She has authored three cozy mysteries with the newest – A Stitch in Crime - releasing in January 2015.

    Her gorgeous daughter, Heidi, and handsome son-in-law, Eric, have blessed the family with two, treasured grand-gems. Sweet little Sidney Anne, who is a master at getting her Gramsey to play with her, and the precious new guy, Nicholas Scott. These days, Cathy is excited she can say, “Off to see the grandkids!” Plural. Oh, boy.

     Like the protagonist in her debut novel, A Vase of Mistaken Identity, Cathy is an avid quilter. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antiques and is several years into recovery from her eBay addiction. UPDATE: She backslid a while back, enticed to bid on a 1945 Singer Featherweight. (She won.) But now she’s back on the wagon. Really!

      In the good old days, Cathy played guitar with a country rock band and later, a gospel trio. Now her 12-string acoustic helps her lead music at church. On occasion, she’ll still pull out her violin and play with a few friends. NOTE: Cathy once placed second in the Ladies Division of the local Old Time Fiddler’s Contest. No kidding. Her trophy is dusty and she rarely attempts bluegrass now – definitely no Alison Krauss – but dreams about working up “Maiden’s Prayer” again. With double-stops.

Cathy’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, American Christian Fiction Writers, Quills of Faith Writers Group, Oregon Christian Writers,  The Writer’s Forum, and Sun Country Quilters.

My Review 

When we first meet Thea, I felt so sorry for her, her lifetime friend seems to be turning on her and treating her terribly, she is also terribly busy being a co-chairman of the local quilt show extravaganza.
With the extravaganza comes a lot of unexpected excitement and unexpected calamities, and hidden dangers. What could possibly be going on here that would cause an older woman to be attacked? Diamonds to be stolen, now what does that have to do with a quilt show? Then stolen quilts? What?
We meet some unsavory characters that you at first feel sorry for, and then you are really going to be guess as to who or whom would be responsible for all of these crimes. Even the local quilt shop has problems!
This story will keep you on your toes, and you’ll have a hard time guessing who is responsible for all that is happening. You will also wonder whom Thea can turn to when even her cat is threatened. Ugh!
Surprises galore here, and you won’t be able to put this one down until you know everything!


I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Abingdon, and was not required to give a positive review.