Making a comeback

 Hello everyone! Assuming anyone still reads my blog anyway ;) I am back into regular reading and reviewing and will be posting soon! I want to get some tweaks figured out on my layout first, and then expect more regular schedules again. I miss reviewing and the book blog community! I hope you're looking forward to it!

2022 Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Master Post

 Good morning! I had planned for awhile to participate in the readathon but never made my post haha. This will serve as my master post for all surveys and books completed! Read along with me!

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Opening Survey:

What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I'm reading from Salem, Oregon!

Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I honestly don't know... I have a bunch I want to finish up that have been In Progress for awhile, so I think just getting some books completed makes me happy!

Which snack are you most looking forward to? I'm pregnant and I've been craving cheese a lot, so probably my box of Cheeze-Its!

Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm a 31 year old married mama, pregnant with baby 2, and I do love my books! I used to read a lot more (before kids lol) but I'm trying to get back into it more. I look forward to this readathon every year!

If you participated in the last readathon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first readathon, what are you most looking forward to? I always try too hard and try to read the entire 24 hours. It ends with me exhausted and cranky and it's not worth it! I plan to loosen up this year and let this day go as it goes.

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Mid-Event Survey:

What are you reading right now? God Bless This Mess by Hannah Brown!

How many books have you read so far? I've only been listening to the above on audiobook and reading one other paperback, none finished so far.

What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the readathon? I'm just looking forward to making progress in my current books!

Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Yes, but I knew they would happen so I'm not letting it get to me.

What surprises you most about the readathon, so far? I'm glad I can take it easy this year and not put too much pressure on myself!

Mini Review and Blog Tour: The Plans We Made

The Plans We Made by Kathryn Cushman & Lauren Beccue

Release Date: August 14, 2020

Publisher: Independently published

Genre: Christian Fiction

Pages: 340

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

When past secrets hold the only key to hope for the future…

Caroline Chapman is reeling from a broken engagement. Determined to start again, she moves cross-country for her dream job of planning events in the historical mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. Just as her life is getting back on track, she gets an email that shakes her very foundations.

Linda Riley’s life looks picture perfect - a wonderful husband, two great kids, involved in church and the community. Then comes the diagnosis that shatters the facade. In order to save her son’s life, she must reveal secrets that can rip everything apart.

Connected by more than painful circumstances, these two women discover a sacred bond. In this beautiful story of love, loss, and the fight for life, Caroline and Linda experience the reality that life doesn’t always go according to The Plans We Made.

This book was beautifully written! The teaser alone had me hooked - I knew I needed this book! The two main protagonists are women I can relate to and the reader feels themselves rooting for them both throughout the book. It's a longer novel, but every page is worth it! Their stories and connection are heartfelt and a great read in the struggling times right now. I definitely recommend giving this book a chance!

I received this book free for review, but the opinions contained in this review are my own.

Review: Parenting First Aid & Study Guide

Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged & Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged, Study Guide by Marty Machowski

Release Date: September 24, 2018 & April 20, 2020
Publisher: New Growth Press

Genre: Christian

Pages: 240 & 128

Format: eBook

Buy It: Amazon & Amazon

In this uplifting and faith-strengthening devotional book for Christian parents, best-selling children's author Marty Machowski encourages parents in the midst of parenting trials to look to the Lord for help. Full of Biblical Scripture, testimonies of faithful parents, and insightful meditations, Parenting First Aid equips Christian parents to run to God and trust his ability to do what they can t.

Parenting isn't getting any easier, especially with the introduction of insta-porn on electronic devices, the ease of access to drugs, and the ever-increasing blurring of sexuality. This parenting resource is for weary, Christian parents overwhelmed with parenting, their children's choices, and the culture that wars against their souls.

For parents with small struggles or weighty parenting trials such as children involved with drugs, sexual sin, and teenage rebellion Parenting First Aid is full of personal, real testimonies of God's faithfulness to parents experiencing hardship.

The easy-to-use format provides parents with encouraging and faith-strengthening words to trust God in his work in the midst of family difficulty. While God does not promise happiness and ease in parenting, all parents can find comfort in God and peace beyond understanding through the Scriptures and meditations found in Parenting First Aid.

As a companion small group resource to Parenting First Aid by Marty Machowski, this study guide reminds Christian parents they aren't alone in their struggles, providing an opportunity to talk about their challenges and pray for and encourage other parents.

Each of the ten chapters of Parenting First Aid Study Guide contain book excerpts, biblical Scriptures for encouragement, and questions to help stimulate discussion and application exercises. Machowski reminds men and women to rest in God's sovereign ability to reach and rescue their children. Unlike many other Christian parenting books, this resource helps moms and dads find comfort and hope in Jesus Christ rather than relying on techniques or to-do lists that fail to deliver what they seem to promise.

So many moms and dads hide their child-rearing struggles, but by sharing together and praying for one another in a small group setting, Christian parents can find encouragement, support, and community as they learn to trust God together in the midst of hardship.

Raising kids isn't getting any easier, especially with the introduction of insta-porn on electronic devices, the ease of access to drugs, and the ever-increasing blurring of sexuality. This study guide is for weary mothers, fathers, and guardians who are overwhelmed with their children's choices and the culture that wars against their souls.

For moms and dads with small struggles or weighty parenting trials such as children involved with drugs, sexual sin, and teenage rebellion this small group guide offers a place to begin conversations with other parents; seek community, biblical Scripture, and prayer; and remember they aren't alone.

Parenting First Aid, and its companion study guide, are aimed at coming alongside parents in the struggles of parenting children, whether easy or troubled. While based in a Christian mindset and with various Bible references spread throughout the pages, it is just as useful a guide for a non-Christian home to assist with a wayward child.

Each chapter brings practical ways to love our children right where they are and adds a story of a real family and the struggles they went through themselves. Nothing in these books comes from a position of seeming high and mighty; the author shares his own parenting struggles as well.

Whether you are struggling with raising your children in a Godly way, or if you just feel you could use a parenting refresher, both this book and the study guide are great resources to use and build your foundation upon.

I received both books free for review from Audra's Book Reviews. The thoughts contained herein are my own.

Hour 24: Closing Survey and Final Totals

Hi readers! I decided to dip out early again but I got some good sleep and that is what matters haha. Time for the wrap-up survey!

Closing Survey

How would you assess your reading overall? I did pretty well this year! I used audiobooks part of the time so real life didn't get too much in the way for me at all.

Did you have a strategy, and if so, did you stick to it? Not really haha. I just wanted to finish a couple books I was in the middle of, and I did!

What was your favorite snack? Muddy Buddies for sure.

Wanna volunteer for our next event? Stay tuned for the recap post! I am alllllllways up for volunteering! Come join me!

I ended up finished 2 books. I finished Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money by Brad Hewitt in paperback and A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas on audiobook. I did start another book and its companion study guide; that review will be up by the end of May for the blog tour! Thanks for following along this year, friends!

Hour 16: Mid-Event Survey and wrapping up...

Hi friends! I had really hoped to make it to the end this year but I'm getting a headache already, and I have an early appointment tomorrow that is only 3 hours after the end of the readathon. Sleep will be needed haha.

I thought it would be fun to do a semi-wrap up post with the mid-event survey! I will come back and do the closing survey as well, but it may not be until a few hours after the event ends.

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Currently, I am reading Parenting First Aid. It's one of my favorites so far!

2. How many books have you read so far? I have finished 2 and am working on the 3rd.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Honestly, Parenting First Aid is good so far! I am looking forward to digging more into it.

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Since I have a toddler, yes, there are lots of interruptions haha. I have to just let them happen and get back into reading spurts when I can.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? It's almost easier this year, since I can read in between projects, but I don't feel like I mentally prepared myself so it's been hard to keep going.

How are you doing so far?

Hour 12: Halfway point

Welcome back! I took a nap during a small break but also finished my audiobook so progress is still happening! I will be moving into my Kindle books now to get a bit of a fresh change. Anyone else using Kindles more than physical books this year?

How is everyone else doing at the halfway point?

Hour 9: Took a blogging break

Welcome back! We had some errands to run, so we took a drive while I continued listening to my audiobook. Plus the toddler needed lunch at some point so we figured a little break was best haha. I'm still not through my audiobook,  but I'm getting close to the end! Hope to have is done in the next couple of hours.

Hour 6: I've been awake HOW long?!

We have hit the quarter-way mark! Yes, that's a thing. I am about half-way through my audiobook at this point. I think I may be nearing the need for my first nap, but I'm trying to hold off until right before the toddler's naptime so I can get some good reading done while he is asleep.

You may not see these updates every hour for a while, as I don't expect to have much of an update for the next couple hours. Follow along on Twitter for highlights!

Hour 5: Real life slows me down

Happy hour 5! I am still working through my audiobook. My toddler is now awake so I'm sure my reading will slow, and I know my update posts will, haha. Does anyone else get a little sad when daily life gets in the way of reading?

Hour 4: Steady pace

Happy hour 4! Since I have been up since 5am, I'm starting to hit a snag in my energy. However, my husband recently woke up so I think a yummy breakfast is incoming! I'm still working away at the audiobook, and thankfully the toddler is still sleeping. How is everyone else doing?

Hour 3: One book down!

I have finished my first book! Now granted, it was partially started, but shush. It still counts! I'm now working through my audiobook and getting a few minor projects done before my toddler starts thinking about waking up. Let's keeo up the pace!

Hour 2: Making good progress

Welcome back! I am less than 10 pages from finishing book 1, so I consider that a win already! Once I finish that book, I will switch over to my audiobook so I can work on some other projects while still keeping up with reading. How did your first hour go?

Hour 1: Let's read!

Here we go friends! I'm starting by trying to finish a few books I am in the middle of. See you in an hour for an update!

Hour 0: Opening Survey

Goooooooood morning readers! I am up bright and early on the West coast and ready to read! Let's kick things off with the opening survey, shall we?

Opening Survey!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I am reading from Salem, Oregon! We are in quarantine so this should be an easy day for me to read, haha.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I'm honestly not sure! I have quite a few I am in the middle of, so I think I'm just excited to finish a few books today!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Hot Pockets are on the agenda for lunch, and those are always a treat!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm a 29-year-old mama, married to my prince charming Nick, with the crazy, rainbow baby, toddler Samuel Jacob. I work for the technical help desk at a hospital and when schools aren't closed for pandemics, Nick is a substitute teacher!

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? My goal this year is to try and stay up the entire 24 hours, even if that means a nap in the middle. I usually lose out around hour 18 because that's bedtime for me haha. I also just want to make a significant dent in my currently reading and TBR stacks today!


Let's have some fun today!

24 Hour Readathon 2020

Hi friends! I am excited to announce that tomorrow, 4/24, is the next 24 Hour Readathon! I will be participating as much of the 24 hours as possible, including waking up at 5am to start first thing. Yes I know, I'm insane.

I have a rough list of books to read, but not solid enough I want to announce them here yet haha. Who else is joining us? Let me know so I can follow your progress!

Review: Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms

Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms by Debora Coty

Release Date: September 1, 2018

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Genre: Christian Devotional

Pages: 224

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Do you feel like you’re drowning in the everyday stress-pool? . . .
Wish you could make busy-ness a business so you’d be a millionaire? . . .
Welcome to the maternal order of slightly sagging sisters of the 'hood. The motherhood.

With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, popular inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of moms drowning in the churning stress-pool of busyness. In her beloved mom-to-mom, grin-provoking style, Coty offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help you hear Papa God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.

Whether you're struggling with stress related to attitude, time-management, guilt trips, patience, or something in between. . .this humor-filled volume will deliver a much-needed smile and equip you with simple-to-implement tips for attaining the peace we all crave—the peace that passes all understanding.

Anything written by Debora Coty does not disappoint. She brings real, raw writing into her books, and adds her own unique brand of humor and flavor. This book is no different. This book came at a great time in my life, and while I did finish it last year right after the birth of Sam, I re-read it often. We can always use some blessing reminders, can't we?

As moms, we are some of the most often stressed people. Because of our stress, we tend to forget the blessings we do have in our lives. Debora reminds us of those simple blessings we have, and how to hold onto those blessings even in our times of stress. This is another great one in her Too Blessed to Be Stressed book collection!

If you are looking for a humorous twist on remembering our blessings, this is one I recommend all moms pick up.

I received this book free for review through Audra Jennings' blog tours. While I was requested to post a review, the thoughts contained herein are my own.

24 Hour Readathon 2019

It's back for 2019, and it's tomorrow: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon!

It's going to be a low key year for me since I have a newborn to take care of, but I do hope to at least finish the 3 books I am in the middle of. I have some more books in the wings to read as well, but if I don't get to them it will be okay.

Instead of making multiple blog posts this year like I normally do for each hour update, I'm going to keep one post and update it with my finished books as I go. Keep checking back here for my updates, and let me know if you are reading along with us!

There are some Amazon affiliate links in this post. At no extra cost to you, I receive a small compensation if you purchase through my link. 




Update at Hour 5 (almost 6):

It's now 9:39am my time, and the readathon started at 5am my time. While I did plan on getting up at 5 and even set my alarm, I ended up getting up with our baby around 6 and was tired enough to go back to sleep. At this point I haven't done any physical reading, but I did a little bit of listening to my current audiobook, The Jungle Book. I'm about halfway through it so I hope to finish it today!

In the meantime, I'm catching up on the mini-challenges! Please feel free to leave your links below so I can read yours as well.




Hour 1 Survey:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I'm in Salem, Oregon!

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Honestly, I don't think there is one. I've just been so busy being a new mom that I'm just looking forward to reading again and finishing some books!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Probably my oatmeal cream pies haha.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! As I mentioned, I have a 6 week old baby who is our rainbow baby. I share lots of photos of him on my Instagram if you want to peek at his cute face!

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I'm being much more relaxed this year. I'm not focused as much on reading the entire time and just looking to get some good reading time in!




Hour 13 Update and Mid-Event Survey:

We took the baby to the first farmers market of the year and got some lunch, so I slowed down a little on my reading. I still haven't finished a book, but I got some good reading in my physical book done (Too Blessed to Be Stressed for Moms) and almost finished The Jungle Book while I was snuggling the baby to sleep for his nap. After a nap for me, I'm going to be grabbing some dinner and getting back into it. How is everyone else doing?

1. What are you reading right now? Still reading my book from the beginning, sadly. I got a few chapters in though! (See above)

2. How many books have you read so far? 0 finished, but dipped my toes in 2.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I still don't have a favorite. I'm just looking forward to finishing some books!

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I have as I mentioned above, but I was expecting them so it isn't a big deal to me this year. I'm just happy to get some reading time in.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? I'm lazier than I thought I would be this year. I'm not sure why!

Book Blitz: Mountain Rescue Romance Series

Title: Mountain Rescue Romance

Author: Melissa McClone

Genre: Sweet Romance

Publisher: Cardinal Press, LLC

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR

His Christmas Wish

Carly Bishop loved Christmas…until tragedy struck. Distraught and grief-stricken over the deaths of her fiancé and brother, she left Hood Hamlet and her Christmas spirit behind, to start over somewhere new. But now, six years later, her family needs her. Carly returns home to face her past and give her niece and nephew the best Christmas ever.

Burdened with guilt, Jake Porter believes he could have saved his two friends on that fateful day and kept Carly from experiencing such a heart-wrenching loss. When she arrives in town, Jake wants to make amends so they can both finally move forward with their lives.

As Jake helps Carly experience the magic of Christmas so she'll embrace the holiday again, will he also be able to open her heart to something else she’d given up on…love?

Her Christmas Secret

Sean Hughes likes being single—much to his family’s dismay. They want him to settle down…now. When he gives fun-loving snowboarder Zoe Flynn a ride to the slopes, Sean hatches a plan to throw off his matchmaking relatives. He asks Zoe to pose as his girlfriend at Thanksgiving dinner, which will take the pressure off him and make the evening more enjoyable all around.

Zoe agrees to be Sean’s fake girlfriend. Who wouldn’t want a free meal or a chance to hang out with the handsome mountain rescuer and his adorable husky? When an injury occurs, the two are forced to continue their one-night ruse. As Christmas approaches, make-believe turns into reality. But Zoe has a secret…a big one.

Is their new relationship strong enough to withstand the truth, or will she find herself with no one to kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve?

Her Christmas Kiss

Paramedic Leanne Thomas works hard to be “one of the boys” at the fire station and on the mountain. What the guys don’t know is she keeps her inner girly-girl hidden from them. When gorgeous, rookie firefighter Christian Welton turns on the charm, Leanne shuts him down fast. She won’t risk her heart or her reputation by dating a younger man who is also a coworker.

Leanne intrigues Christian. After she rescues him off the mountain, he glimpses a softer, more vulnerable side to her tough-as-nails personality. Christian’s not looking for a relationship, yet he can’t deny his attraction. A surprise kiss under the mistletoe sparks a three-alarm fire, but something is holding her back.

Will Christian’s kisses break through Leanne’s tough exterior and melt her heart? Or will a dash of Christmas magic be required?

His Second Chance

Nothing interests Sarah Purcell more than the volcanoes she studies until she meets Dr. Cullen Gray. Maybe that’s why she marries him two days later. Illogical, yes, but nothing has ever felt so right. As the honeymoon period ends and real life sets in, everything falls apart. A year after their separation, when Sarah is injured, she’s shocked when Cullen shows up to help.

Even though Cullen’s still hurting from their breakup, Sarah has no one else. He brings her to his home in Hood Hamlet to heal. Once she recovers, she can return to her beloved work and he can move on with his life—without her. But soon, sparks fly anew, long-buried emotions resurface, and much-needed conversations happen.

Is Sarah and Cullen’s marriage truly over? Or will they get a second chance at romance and a happily ever after?

 

His Christmas Family

Two and a half years after Grace Wilcox’s husband died a war hero, the hole in her heart and life remains. She wants to start over with their young son, but a snowstorm thwarts her plans, stranding them in Hood Hamlet. When Grace knocks on a stranger’s door in search of help, a handsome firefighter comes to the rescue.

Bill Paulson invites the two wayward travelers into his home. A relationship and family aren’t on his radar, but something about the widow and her son touches Bill’s heart. While Grace’s truck is being repaired, she wants to give her son a special Christmas. An overgrown kid who loves the holidays, Bill decides to do the same for Grace.

Attraction soon flares between Grace and Bill, but she won’t gamble her heart on another hero and he doesn’t consider himself husband material. Can a little Christmas magic show them love and a family are worth the risks?

USA Today bestselling author, Melissa McClone has published novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds, and cats who think they rule the house. They do!

Author Links:

Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissamcclonebooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melmcclone/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissamcclone

Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/r7t7t1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/292027.Melissa_McClone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-mcclone

Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2E9EIwi

Buy Links:

Book 1 - His Christmas Wish:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E9dF4u

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-christmas-wish/id1438782740?mt=11

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-christmas-wish-melissa-mcclone/1129730201?ean=2940156068630

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-christmas-wish-6

Book 2 - Her Christmas Secret:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QxWq2y

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/her-christmas-secret/id1439229483?mt=11

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-christmas-secret-melissa-mcclone/1129752677?ean=2940156122240

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/her-christmas-secret-1

Book 3 - Her Christmas Kiss: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SkupIS

iBooks: ttps://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/her-christmas-kiss/id1438777211?mt=11 

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-christmas-kiss-melissa-mcclone/1129730162?ean=2940156111954

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/her-christmas-kiss

Book 4 - His Second Chance:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zzTJ6D

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-second-chance/id1438781334?mt=11

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-second-chance-melissa-mcclone/1129730166?ean=2940156134823

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-second-chance-5

Book 5 - His Christmas Family:

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2U3M4GF

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-christmas-family/id1438781471?mt=11

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-christmas-family-melissa-mcclone/1129730171?ean=2940156153589

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-christmas-family

“It’s my mother. She thinks we’re serious. You and me. That I invited you to dinner because we’re in a relationship.”

Lines creased Zoe’s forehead. “Why would she think that?”

Because his mother was a hopeless romantic who wanted her son to get married so she could have grandchildren. “Because I’m bringing you to Thanksgiving dinner.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“My family never makes much sense.”

“Haven’t you ever brought anyone to Thanksgiving dinner before?” Zoe asked.

“Not in a long time.” Sean tried to keep his personal life as private as he could. Not easy living in a small town full of close friends and a large, demanding family who defined the meaning of nosy. “That must be why my mom got the wrong idea.”

“You have to admit it’s kind of sweet.”

“Imagine if it were your mother.”

Zoe winced. “Okay, not sweet at all.”

“My mom’s probably calling my aunts, who will call my cousins…”

“It’s not a problem. Just a little misunderstanding.” Zoe didn’t sound upset. “We can tell everyone the truth when we arrive. Have a good laugh about it.”

He stared at the snow on the side of the road. “Right.”

“You’re not laughing,” she said gently.

“Nope.”

“I don’t have to go.”

“You’re not spending Thanksgiving alone.” Sean wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. He blew out a puff of air. “My mom’s expecting you now. If you didn’t show up, she’d be disappointed. She looks forward to the holidays all year. I don’t want to ruin her day.”

“She’s going to be disappointed anyway when we tell her the truth.”

“Yeah. Unless…” His voice trailed off.

We couldn’t, could we? The idea had merit.

“What?” Zoe asked.

“We could pretend to be dating,” he suggested. “Just for today.”

“That could be fun.”

“Yeah.” And solve his problem. Problems, actually. His mom’s Thanksgiving would be salvaged, his opinionated family couldn’t say anything about him settling down, and he would get to spend time with Zoe. A win-win situation for everyone. “You in?”

She shrugged. “Sure.”

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Release Blitz: Just One Summer

Title: Just One Summer

Author: Lynn Stevens

Genre: New Adult Romance

Cover Designer: Ampersand Book Covers

Publication Date: May 21^st, 2018

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb:  One summer, no regrets

Carly Reynolds does not want to work at her father’s Branson theater over the summer, but she has no choice. After wrecking his prized Mercedes on Prom night, she’s got to pay him back somehow before she leaves for college. Now she’s stuck working as the personal assistant to twenty-year-old Gracin Ford, former member of one-hit-wonder boy band Accentuate.

Gracin is demanding, condescending, and an all-around jerk. Carly would rather eat glass than deal with a male diva who’s more famous for his stint in rehab than his music. Until she realizes that Gracin’s lonely. Once she welcomes him into her life, she starts to let him into her heart. Even though she knows it will end when she leaves for school, Carly doesn’t want to look back on her life and wonder what if. Even if it means a broken heart.

Lynn Stevens flunked out of college writing her first novel. Yes, she still has it and no, you can't read it. Surprisingly, she graduated with honors at her third school. A former farm girl turned city slicker turned suburbanite, Lynn lives in the Midwest where she drinks coffee and sips tea when she's out of coffee. She’s the author of Full Count and Game On..

Author Links:

Website: www.lstevensbooks.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16771319.Lynn_Stevens

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LStevensAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnStevensAuthor/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lstevensauthor/

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JinMTL

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L8MJBU

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-summer-lynn-stevens/1128543167?ean=2940159100788

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-one-summer-2

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/just-one-summer/id1375380297?mt=11

CHAPTER ONE

Nobody sane should ever be up at eight on a Saturday morning. Especially not when said person stayed up until three a.m. for a horror movie marathon with her best friends Ivy and Nena. So totally worth it though. 

What a waste of a Saturday. I could be sleeping, or bungee jumping, or sleeping, or ziplining, or sleeping instead of starting a job I didn’t want in the first place.

I bit back a yawn as I smoothed the wrinkled turquoise polo, the required uniform for Mountain View Resort employees. Taking a deep breath to steady the waves in my stomach, I knocked on the door to room four-oh-two three times, as instructed, and squeezed my clipboard against my chest.

What had my father been thinking bringing this guy to Branson? For the last few years, I’d overheard Dad lamenting to my brother about how the shows didn’t make enough money and the profits from the resort disappeared into the theater. If Dad wanted to revive that dump, he’d need someone to sell out every performance. I had serious doubts about his choice. Another reason I was in the doghouse.

I lifted my fist to hammer the door a second time when it flew open.

A wet torso greeted me, and a hint of the hotel’s jasmine soap drifted from the room. My gaze followed water dripping down tanned pecs and over the only real six-pack I’d ever seen as it disappeared into the thick hotel towel wrapped around his waist. Wow. My face burned hotter than the coffee I’d slammed earlier, and I forced my head up to meet the gaze of The Gracin Ford, celebrity bad boy and former member of Accentuate, a one-hit wonder boy band.

Gracin’s manscaped eyebrows arched as bright blue eyes took a circuit over my body. My skin tingled all over in response to his gaze.

Sadly, he had to open his mouth. “Not my type, but thanks.”

Then he slammed the door in my face.

What? That… that… that son of a bitch! I punched the door three times, fully prepared to give this egotistical asshole a piece of my mind. Meanwhile, my father’s lecture from half an hour ago echoed between my ears: “If you want to go to U of N in the fall, you work for me this summer to pay me back for the damage to the Mercedes. Don’t, and you can go to Southern Community like your brother did.” I counted to thirty, trying and failing to calm myself while I waited for his highness.

The door swung in. At least this time, he’d had the decency to put on a pair of khaki shorts and a t-shirt. His gaze shifted over me once more, and I tried not to squirm, but blue eyes gave me the creeps. And brought back memories I’d rather pretend didn’t exist.

“What now?” he asked. If he was even slightly miffed, he didn’t show it. The cool nonchalance in his voice didn’t stop my temper from shooting toward the atmosphere.

I dug my nails into the back of the clipboard and smiled my best smile. “Hi, Mr. Ford. I’m Carly Reynolds, your … personal assistant. Your father provided us with a detailed itinerary of your day-to-day–”

“Let me see it,” he said, leaning his shoulder against the door jam.

I handed it over, keeping the tremor in my hands at bay. Personal assistant my ass, more like his errand bitch. If he hadn’t fired his previous P.A., I could be lounging by the pool as a lifeguard or cleaning rooms or checking guests at the front desk. Instead, I had to spend my summer following every whim of a twenty-year-old has-been. As he took the itinerary, his eyebrows furrowed at something else. Before my hand could drop back to my side, he snatched it and tugged at the tie holding the leather cuff covering my wrist.

His eyebrows lifted again and amusement danced across his full lips. “Nice tat. Why hide it?”

 “Who says I’m hiding it?” He let go of my hand, and I quickly retied the cuff over the small trinity knot tattoo on my wrist. It had only been two weeks since I’d gotten inked, but Mom and Dad hadn’t noticed. Yet.  I crossed my arms and bit the inside of my upper lip. As much as I didn’t want to be here, I also didn’t want to go to Southern Community. Keeping my mouth shut was kind of required if I wanted to go to Nashville in the fall.

Gracin nodded and refocused on the itinerary. He flipped the paper, shaking his head. “According to this, you’re supposed to take me to breakfast every morning at eight so we can discuss the day’s schedule.” He handed the clipboard back to me. “I’m assuming that’s why you’re here now.”

“Yep.”

He sighed. “Let me get my shoes. No doubt the big kahuna will be expecting me.” He moved into the room and I reached out to hold the door open. “I’ll get a more realistic schedule to you.”

“Realistic?” I asked as he slipped on a pair of boat shoes and a Rolex that could pay for half a semester at U of N or the entire two years at Southern Community.

“Yeah, that’s clearly the schedule Dad wants me to keep. Not even close to reality.” Gracin stepped into the hallway, patting his pocket. He groaned and turned to stop the door from shutting completely, but it was too late. He fell forward, letting his forehead thunk against the thick wood. “You wouldn’t happen to have a key to my room, would you?”

“No, but we can get one from the front desk after breakfast. You’re moving into one of the cabins today anyway.” I shrugged because it wasn’t that big of a deal. “No worries.”

Gracin laughed, but there wasn’t any humor to it. “Do me a favor. Keep this key thing between us, okay? The last thing I need is to hear how irresponsible I am. Again.”

I held back the scoff and the sarcastic comment that would normally shoot from my mouth in record speed. Especially since I’d heard the same lecture more times than I could count. “Yeah, okay. But we have to go now, or you’re going to have to hear how irresponsible I am.”

“Well, I won’t say anything about the tat in that case.” Gracin’s smile showed his Hollywood white teeth.

We were half way between his room and the elevator when his cell rang. I tried to ignore his half of the conversation, but when you’re alone with someone, it’s hard not to listen.

“Hey, babe.” Pause. “Yeah, I had a great time too.”

Another pause. Gracin laughed, clutching his hand against his chest.

“Probably best they didn’t catch us. Photographic evidence and all.”

Another pause when we got to the elevator. Gracin’s face turned from California tan to the shade of a bruised red pepper.

“You didn’t? Please tell me you didn’t.”

I wanted to lean closer to hear what the person on the other end had done. Celebrity drama and all. I didn’t seek it out, but that didn’t stop me from reading the headlines when they popped up on my computer.

After I pushed the button for the elevator, we stood side by side. Gracin’s fingers tightened around the phone. I could hear a female voice coming from his speaker but not what she said. Gracin slapped the mirrored doors.

Housekeeping’ll love that.

The doors dinged open as Gracin’s fist soared toward them, and he threw himself into the elevator. He managed not to fall, but it was so hard not to laugh.

“Next time you talk to that jackass, tell him you were just another one-night stand.”

Wow. I’d somehow managed to keep my expression neutral when he fell into the elevator, but my mortification couldn’t be hidden. 

He stared at me in the mirror. “There goes hiding my lack of responsibility today,” he said in a calm voice that didn’t match the fury from a moment ago.

I kept my mouth shut despite the thoughts running through my head and held his mirrored gaze. Both took supreme battles of will. I thought only one thing: U of N. Nothing was going to keep me from going to Nashville.

Gracin tilted his head. His eyebrows sagged as he opened his mouth. A beep sounded from his phone, distracting him from whatever he was about to say. He shook his head at the screen and then handed it to me. “Here. Fair warning before Hurricane Albert leashes his wrath on me.”

I wasn’t interested in getting caught up in his drama, but curiosity got the best of me and I glanced at the image on the screen. It wasn’t anything major. A beautiful girl with bright brown eyes and obviously dyed red hair kissed a smiling Gracin on the cheek. It was pretty clear they were in a bar when this was taken. Several empty beer bottles sat on the table in front of them.

“A hot chick took a photo of you guys in a bar?” I handed the phone back. “Big deal.”

 “The ‘deal’ is she sold it to a tabloid.” Gracin shoved the phone into his pocket. He didn’t spare me a glimpse, even in the mirror. “I can see the headlines already: ‘Gracin Ford Falls Off the Wagon.’ ” Finally, he faced me. “Except I didn’t. I’ve been sober for almost a year. None of those empties were mine. Not that anybody will believe me. Especially King Albert.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh.’”

I didn’t say anything, but the heat burning the tips of my ears was enough.

The elevator opened to the lobby. Gracin motioned me out first and followed me to the private dining room. Dad sat at the head of the table in the middle of the room. My mother sat to his right, and a gray-haired man with a stringy comb-over sat on his left. His extensive lack of hair didn’t stop Albert Ford from trying. My older brother, Luke, sat next to three empty seats for me, Gracin, and my little sister, Miranda. Quite the family affair.

“Carly, I’m glad you made it,” Dad said, adding a fake laugh at the end. To anyone else, it might’ve appeared teasing. I knew better. Dad was not happy we were a minute late. Of course, when it came to me, he wouldn’t have been happy had I been two minutes early either. My father was the consummate politician around here. He ruled more like a dictator, but was JFK when guests were around. “I thought you were going to be late.”

“That’s my fault, Mr. Reynolds,” Gracin said. He threw out a hundred-watt smile.

I fought to roll my eyes. At least he’s taking the hit for me.

“Carly rushed me out the door, then let it close before I remembered to grab my key.”

And under the bus I go. Thanks, asshat.

Dad stared through me with his laser pointer green eyes. “Well, Carly, I suggest you head to the front desk and get another. While you’re there, make sure housekeeping stays out of his room until this evening when the cabin is ready.”

“Yes, sir.” I let my head drop in good girl compliance, catching the laughing eyes of my brother. We both inherited Dad’s light brown hair, but Luke lucked out getting Dad’s eyes. Unfortunately, he used them to taunt me at every turn, which only served to remind me who was the chosen one in the Reynolds family. Hint, his name began with an L.

Gracin made his way toward the buffet spread. He piled fresh fruit on his plate, winking at me. I shuddered as I freed myself from the room. Guys who winked were just plain creepy.

My last summer before heading off to college was going to be the worst one of my life. All because of a little dent in a Mercedes. Smashing.