Mini-Review: Gilt Trip by Laura Childs

Gilt Trip

Photo Credit: Goodreads

*Traveling With T won this book from a giveaway that Always With A Book hosted in 2013.

Gilt Trip

Goodreads Summary:

Louisiana businessman Jerry Earl Leland served only a fraction of his five-year sentence for white-collar crime, thanks to some political connections and a few greased palms. But he won’t have long to enjoy his freedom…

After Jerry Earl’s early release, his wife, Margo—a much-married Garden District doyenne—throws an extravagant Get Out of Jail Free Party, complete with a Zydeco band, champagne ice luge, and waiters in ties and tails. The guest list includes many prominent New Orleans socialites, as well as scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand and her best friend, Ava Gruiex.  But sometime during the swirl of partying and drinking, Jerry Earl is brutally murdered—then stuffed inside a clothes dryer.

Carmela has earned a reputation around town for solving murders, and when the grieving widow turns to her for help, she can’t say no. But Jerry Earl took a lot of people to the cleaners with his underhanded business tactics, so Carmela’s going to be hard-pressed to identify which of his enemies was steamed enough to kill him. As she sorts through Jerry Earl’s dirty laundry, she needs to collar the killer before another victim is set to tumble dry…

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Giveaway: A Christ-Centered Wedding by Catherine Strode Parks and Linda Strode

A Christ Centered Wedding

Photo Credit: Provided by Publicist

 

Wedding planning has spawned a major industry. The average cost of the occasion now exceeds $25,000, and societal pressure to create the “perfect day” is so strong that even Christian couples forget what God originally intended for the sacred marriage ceremony. While paying attention to the good fun that follows that special proposal (the dress, the flowers, the cake, the gatherings, etc.), A Christ-Centered Wedding first serves as a guide to believers who want their wedding to portray the relationship of Christ with the church and to reflect the gospel to all in attendance. From the start, this thoughtful book looks to the Creator of weddings for guidance in planning by emphasizing the sacrificial love of the Savior more than the modern world’s idealistic view of romantic love. There are chapters filled with practical information about everything from pre-marital counseling and choosing a wedding location to other resources like a planning checklist and timeline, music suggestions, guidance on potential issues of conflict, a listing of traditional financial responsibilities, sample vows, and other great ideas from couples who have successfully put together a Christ-centered wedding.

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Giveaway: Notes From A Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider

 

Notes from a Blue Bike

Photo Credit: Provided by Publicist

Life is chaotic. But we can choose to live it differently.

It doesn’t always feel like it, but we do have the freedom to creatively change the everyday little things in our lives so that our path better aligns with our values and passions.

The popular blogger and founder of the internationally recognized Simple Mom online community tells the story of her family’s ongoing quest to live more simply, fully, and intentionally.

Part memoir, part travelogue, part practical guide, Notes from a Blue Bike takes you from a hillside in Kosovo to a Turkish high-rise to the congested city of Austin to a small town in Oregon. It chronicles schooling quandaries and dinnertime dilemmas, as well as entrepreneurial adventures and family excursions via plane, train, automobile, and blue cruiser bike.

Entertaining and compelling—but never shrill or dogmatic—Notes from a Blue Bike invites you to climb on your own bike, pay attention to who you are and what your family needs, and make some important choices.

It’s a risky ride, but it’s worth it—living your life according to who you really are simply takes a little intention. It’s never too late.

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The Marriage Pact by Linda Lael Miller

The marriage pact by linda lael miller

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

 

This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair review.

The Marriage Pact

It’s Hadleigh Stevens wedding day. The day she has been looking forward to for some time. The day that she will remember for the rest of her life.

Well… Hadleigh will remember her wedding day forever- but not for the vows. Or the cake. Or the first kiss as husband and wife. Oh no, Hadleigh will remember her wedding day for a whole other reason. Continue reading →

Giveaway: Never Surrender by Lindsay McKenna

never surrender by lindsey mckenna

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

 

Despite her sweet nature, Navy medic Bay Thorn’s will is unbreakable. It has earned her not only the respect of her team, but also the love of Navy SEAL Gabe Griffin. And as soon as she wraps up the final six months of Operation Shadow Warriors in Afghanistan, she’ll have her happily ever after…. 

Until her deployment goes horribly wrong. 

Bay’s medical expertise is needed by the Taliban, and she is taken hostage. Her captor is ruthless and cruel, and Bay isn’t exempt from his evil intents. All that’s left now is her resolve and the too-distant memory of Gabe—her last and only hope for rescue. And to pull Bay from hell, this SEAL will have to break every rule in the book. But will Gabe find the woman he loves…or a woman broken beyond recognition?

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A Good Year for the Roses by Gil McNeil

A good Year for the Roses

Photo Credit: Hyperion

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A Good Year for the Roses

Molly Taylor’s life has not been fun lately. Recently divorced, raising 3 kids, and trying to find a new place to live is taking it’s toll on her. With her beloved Aunt Helena dying, and her mother calling her to worry her about not wearing a pantsuit to the funeral- Molly knows that while a funeral is not a fun experience- this one may be more trying due to her family. Continue reading →

The Fever by Megan Abbott

the fever

Photo Credit: Goodreads

 

*This e-galley was requested via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

The Fever

The day is just a regular day. A normal day. A school day. The day would be hard to remember, a person might be hard-pressed to tell you about any exciting news that day… Except for the fact that this day turns from normal to memorable in a matter of minutes.

When Lise, Deenie’s best friend, has a seizure in class- naturally people are concerned. But with the ways of social media- the teens start passing pictures and gossip back and forth in a matter of minutes about what is wrong with Lise- a girl who, until recently, had not garnered much attention- at least not to when she went to the pool in a bathing suit that the boys are still talking about. Continue reading →

The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

the sweet spot by stephanie evanovich

Photo Credit: Goodreads

This e-galley was requested by Traveling With T in exchange for a fair review.

The Sweet Spot

Amanda- strong, confident, sexy and not opposed to hard work- does not need a man to take care of her or give her any advantages in life. She knows that if she wants something- she’s got to go out and get it on her own, thank you very much.

When Chase Walker, baseball player extraordinaire, walks into her restaurant one night- sure, she notices how attractive he is- but she knows that a guy like Chase is used to getting everything he wants. Continue reading →

Death In Perspective by Larissa Reinhart

death in perspective

Photo Credit: Henery Press

 

E-galley requested via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

 

Death in Perspective

Summary from Goodreads:

The curtain rises on Cherry Tucker’s debut as a high school set designer at the posh Peerless Day Academy. Cherry’s been hired for an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, but the drama director is hoping Cherry can also turn the spotlight on a malicious social media bully who’s sending poisonous texts to the faculty. The director’s got his own drama to hide, and the phantom texter seems eager to spill school secrets. When the principal’s secretary commits suicide, Cherry suspects foul play.

Deputy Luke Harper is ready to return as Cherry’s leading man. He’s eager to assist in finding the phantom culprit, but Cherry fears family secrets offstage may doom them to the role as star-crossed lovers. With the bully waiting for a murderous encore and her own family skeletons to hide, Cherry scrambles to find her brother and the mysterious texter before the phantom decides it’s curtains for Cherry and forces her to take a final bow.

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