Four Friends by Robyn Carr (plus a giveaway)

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

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

Four Friends by Robyn Carr

Gerri- she has her life together. 3 kids, adoring husband, Gerri has a job that fulfills her- she thinks life is pretty good. Until, the day she finds out about a secret that will shake her to the core- and cause her to look at her marriage without the rose-colored glasses.

Sonja- she believes in purification, that life is just better if you eat right, exercise, and feng-shui your life. When Sonja’s husband leaves her because he’s tired of living the New Age lifestyle with her (he wants to eat red meat and have a alcoholic drink), Sonja loses her faith in the things that have defined her life for the last several years.

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The Favor by Megan Hart

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Janelle Decker has happy childhood memories of her grandma’s house, and even lived there through high school. Now she’s back with her twelve-year-old son to look after her ailing Nan, and hardly anything seems to have changed, not even the Tierney boys next door.

Gabriel Tierney, local bad-boy. The twins, Michael and Andrew.

After everything that happened between the four of them, Janelle is shocked that Gabe still lives in St. Mary’s. And he isn’t trying very hard to convince Janelle he’s changed from the moody teenage boy she once knew. If anything, he seems bent on making sure she has no intentions of rekindling their past.

To this day, though there might’ve been a lot of speculation about her relationship with Gabe, nobody else knows she was there in the woods that day…the day a devastating accident tore the Tierney brothers apart and drove Janelle away. But there are things that even Janelle doesn’t know, and as she and Gabe revisit their interrupted romance, she begins to uncover the truth denied to her when she ran away all those years ago.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Argh! I wanted to love this book. The plot was so great sounding. A mystery, a love affair, secrets, family drama- oh it sounded so good. Yet….. I just couldn’t get into it. I tried. I tried. I TRIED. And i just never could connect. The book dragged and dragged- all the appeal of the plot was missing.

Still, I kept on. Why? Because I wanted to know the secret. And, in the end, the secret was pretty good. But, but, but.. it was by sheer determination that I hung on reading this book.

Do I recommend this book? Sadly, I have to say not. If it’d been a little shorter, or if the pages just hadn’t dragged on- maybe.

*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

The Trouble With Honor by Julia London (plus giveaway!)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Title: The Trouble with Honor

Author: Julia London

Imprint: Harlequin HQN Price: $7.99 U.S. / $8.99 CAN.

Release: March 2014

Format: PBMM

ISBN: 9780373778454

E-ISBN: 9781460327098

Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family’s ruin. Upon the earl’s death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home—and their place on the pedestal of society—to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil’s bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother’s fiancée out of the Cabots’ lives for good.

An illegitimate son of a duke, George Easton was born of scandal and grows his fortune through dangerous risks. But now he and Honor are dabbling in a perilous dance of seduction that puts her reputation and his jaded heart on the line. And as unexpected desire threatens to change the rules of their secret game, the stakes may become too high even for a notorious gambler and a determined, free-spirited debutante to handle.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

So this is my first Julia London book and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But, this cover.. THIS COVER- it intrigues me. The look on Honor’s face. The blue dress. The background. Oh, how this cover intrigued me.

Did the cover set my expectations a certain way? Yes. Did the cover lead me astray? No! Honor is similar to Scarlett O’Hara- she knows what she wants, knows what she needs and works to get those things. She may have to scheme to get them, but she has no problem with that.

It occurs to me as I read THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR, life in this bygone era was tough for women. Since Honor and her sisters are not married, when their stepfather dies, they will stand to lose their home, their place in society. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Is THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR perfect? No, there are a few things that I didn’t just love- I understood Honor’s motivation, but I didn’t always agree. But, for the most part, I was entertained. And that is really all that matters!

Fans of historical fiction romance and regency era times will find this a nice beginning to the series and eagerly await more stories from the Cabot women.

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Author Bio:

Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly best selling author of more than twenty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular Desperate Debutante and Scandalous historical romance series, including the upcoming The Last Debutante, the fourth and final book in the Secrets of Hadley Green series. She is also the author of several contemporary women’s fiction novels with strong romantic elements, including Summer of Two Wishes, One Season of Sunshine, and Light at Winter’s End.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a four-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Julia’s website: http://julialondon.com/about/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaFLondon

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

Where to buy THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indie Bound, Harlequin

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Harlequin Books (whoo!) Traveling With T has a giveaway for you: A copy of THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR and Replica Deck of Playing Cards from Regency Era! Giveaway is open to US/Canada only!

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Just Click on the Rafflecopter Link for a chance to win!

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Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

So Tough To Tame by Victoria Dahl

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

Tough to tame, but not too tough to love… Charlie Allington is supposed to be on the fast track to the top-a small-town girl who was making it big in her career. Instead, she’s reeling from a scandal that’s pretty much burned all her bridges. Now, out of options, she needs a place to lick her wounds and figure out her future. True, working at a ski resort in rugged Jackson Hole, Wyoming, isn’t her dream job. But if there’s one perk to coming back, it’s a certain sexy hometown boy who knows how to make a girl feel welcome.

Cowboy Walker Pearce never expected a grown-up Charlie to be temptation in tight jeans. She’s smart and successful-way out of league for a man like him. But he’s not about to let that, or his secrets, get in the way of their blazing-hot attraction. Yet when passion turns to something more, will the truth-about both of them-send her out of his life for good…or into his arms forever?

Summary from Goodreads.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Ahh.. So Tough To Tame is a book that is leaving me conflicted. When I was approved for an e-galley of So Tough To Tame, I had been on a lucky streak with romance books- The Sassy Belles trilogy, Sleigh Belles in the Snow, and A Seaside Christmas (all that I really enjoyed). So, I happily downloaded this book and set about to reading So Tough To Tame. Except, I didn’t quite connect with all the characters. There were a couple who were annoying me (the landlady being one of them!) But I kept on with the book. Then I set it aside for awhile. I picked it back up and was able to enjoy some of the story of Charlie and Walker.

Victoria Dahl is taking a tried and true storyline- secrets and attraction, throwing in 2 people who are damaged, and creating a story that does hit the mark for most romance storylines. Sexy, romance, secrets, good-looking characters- check, check, check, check! However, I can’t say I 100% enjoyed it. Maybe, cowboys aren’t my thing?

If you are looking for a romance to try and like a storyline that has secrets and complicated situations (and a cowboy!), then So Tough To Tame is probably right up your alley!

*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

Just Can’t Get Enough Of: Sexy Heroes (February 2014)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Harlequin Books has started a new feature called- Just Can’t Get Enough Of and each month will have some suggestions of books for the month. For February, it’s Sexy Heroes! Traveling With T is happy to help promote this Harlequin feature- and is excited about all the fun! Check back monthly as Traveling With T reveals each month’s theme- and keep an eye out for giveaways, reviews and author interviews- each month will have something fun! Continue reading →

Hunted by Elizabeth Heiter

Photo Credit: Goodreads

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

Hunted

Evelyn Baine is criminal profiler with the FBI. Evelyn has wanted to work with the FBI for many years- and her star is rising and she’s making quite a reputation for herself. When called in to profile the Bakersville Burier, Evelyn knows she must work hard to create a profile before too many innocent people are killed. What Evelyn does not count on is how the Bakersville Burier will change her life- and how deeply it will affect her. Continue reading →

Giveaway: The Swiss Affair by Emyliah Hall

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books, Traveling With T has another giveaway! Ya’ll know how I LOVE giveaways- and I’m so excited to be able to offer you, the readers of Traveling With T, another book giveaway!

The details: Just check the Rafflecopter link at bottom of page for your options to entry and then cross your fingers! The giveaway is open to only US/Canada folks (sorry!) The book will be released Jan 28th (so the giveaway starts a few days early on Jan 18th and ends Jan 31st.)

Summary from The Swiss Affair by Emyliah Hall:

For Hadley Dunn, life has been predictable and uneventful. But that is before she spends her second year of college abroad in Lausanne, a glamorous Swiss city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Lausanne is imbued with the boundless sense of freedom Hadley has been seeking, and it is here she meets Kristina, a beautiful but mysterious Danish girl. The two bond quickly, but as the first snows of winter arrive, tragedy strikes.

Driven by guilt and haunted by suspicion, Hadley resolves to find the truth about what really happened that night, and so begins a search that will consume her, the city she loves, and the lives of two very different men. Set against the backdrop of a uniquely captivating city, The Swiss Affair is an evocative portrayal of a journey of discovery and a compelling exploration of how our connections—with people, with places—make us who we are.

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Giveaway: Wild Ones by Kristine Wyllys

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books, Traveling With T has another giveaway! I have 1 e-copy of Wild Ones by Kristine Wyllys to give away!

Here is the summary:

Bri Martin likes her skirts too short, her heels too high, and trouble close at hand. So when big, brooding underground boxer Luke Turner comes into the bar where she works and starts a fight before she brings his first drink, she can’t help being intrigued. Luke is everything she never wanted and everything she can’t resist.

Soon, Luke is showing up everywhere Bri is, and she can’t break free of his hold on her, nor does she want to. When her best friend turns on her, it’s Luke who is there. When Luke’s opponent comes after her to send Luke a message, it’s he who comes to her rescue.

Before Bri knows it, she’s caught in the midst of a rivalry between her boyfriend and her boss, both of whom are not content to settle their scores inside the ring. She swore she’d never live this life, so like the one she once ran from. But only by confronting her past can she decide where her future lies…and whether Luke can be a part of it.

Giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only (sorry!) Giveaway runs from January 4th-January 19th. Click on the Rafflecopter link for your chance to win!

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Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Photo Credit: Harlequin

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

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Elizabeth Scott is over rich and entitled men. In her job as a teacher at an exclusive private school, a rich and powerful man has set out to make her life miserable- and Elizabeth needs a break. One day, while showing her sweet dog at a dog show- she sees another rich and entitled man- a man that has a brusque and aloof air about him. A man that makes her pulse race. Elizabeth sees a Mr. Donovan Darcy- a good looking and rich man- and while attracted to the physical aspects, the personality leaves her a bit cold. After the dog show is over, Elizabeth knows she won’t see this man again- he has his own estate in England- and Elizabeth can quit thinking about his level of hotness that makes her pulse race.

Well….. maybe….

When Elizabeth is offered a temporary job grooming dogs for shows in England- she jumps at the chance. To leave behind the scandal in New York, to be with dogs that she loves, to have a clean slate. So Elizabeth says “au revoir” to New York and crosses the pond to London. To find out that her neighbor is Mr. Darcy. Upset at first, Elizabeth is not sure what to do. Slowly, though, she and Mr. Darcy begin to interact in a friendly way- they begin to learn bits and pieces about each other’s life- and an attraction, though neither wanted to admit, grows between them.

The romance between Elizabeth and Donovan Darcy is not a smooth one- especially when news of what happened in New York reaches England. Will Elizabeth throw away an opportunity at love, at finding herself- because she misjudged Donovan Darcy? Or will she see the man he is- behind the wealth and entitled life- the man that he truly is?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

First, when an author writes about Mr. Darcy- certain expectations are naturally expected. Darcy is a man that is a “good-looking character”. Teri Wilson shows that in spades. Of course, the original Darcy also has certain rules of courtship to abide by- but in current time- not so much. So this Mr. Darcy is a bit more free to show his attraction- and Teri writes a Darcy who has romance, but is also more current in courting. Which is all good things!

Before I read Unleashing Mr. Darcy, I had read 2 or 3 fiction books that had a WWII theme. I was due for something light and enjoyable- and Teri Wilson provided it. The interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth were humorous at times- and while I had a basic idea of how this book would end- Teri did provide some twists to the story that I enjoyed.

If you like romance, read this. If chick lit is your cup of tea- read this. Needing a laugh and a story that you sink into and just enjoy? Read this.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy takes a beloved character and shows him as a dog lover. I mean what could be more cute than Mr. Darcy with a dog? Nothing!

*This book was sent to Traveling With T by a publicist at Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan (+ BIG giveaway)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin, I (Traveling With T) am the last stop on the Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan blog tour! What does this mean for you? A fun review to read and a GREAT giveaway!

What’s the giveaway? 1 copy of Sleigh Bells in the Snow and Harlequin Cover holiday gift tags (which are SO cute!) Please know the giveaway is US/Canada only. Giveaway ends December 4th. Winner will be notified December 5th.

Sleigh Bells in the Snow

Christmas time for many is a wonderful time. Holiday music, the thrill of snow, hot chocolate, trimming the tree, and spending time with family and loved ones. But for Kayla Green- Christmas and all it’s traditions is a time to be avoided. This time of year brings up memories that Kayla would rather forget. So when Kayla gets the opportunity to work over Christmas for a resort that needs a new PR approach- she jumps at it. Being away from the holiday happiness- not having to see it- well, Kayla feels great.

Until….

She arrives at Snow Crystal and realizes it’s a holiday come to life place. Perfect for romantic or family holidays- Snow Crystal embodies everything that Kayla was hoping to escape. To complicate matters further- the PR she was supposed to do for Snow Crystal- well there is at least 1 person in the O’Neil clan who would rather her not be there. How will Kayla fare in the O’Neil winter wonderland?

Slowly, though, Kayla begins to feel the Christmas spirit. Or is that the love of the eldest O’Neil brother? With Jackson, Kayla begins to want to feel the holiday magic again- a fact that terrifies her. As each day passes in Snow Crystal- Kayla begins to wonder how different life could be, how she could be closer to having things she’d forgotten she wants and healing the rifts of Christmas past.

Will Jackson make Kayla the happiest woman on Earth? Can Kayla come up with a PR approach to make Snow Crystal the hot place on the map to visit? You have to read Sleigh Bells in the Snow to find out!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Perfect holiday book. Wonderful. Loved the storyline between Jackson and Kayla. A first book in a series that is sure to be a great addition to the holiday reading. If you are in need of some holiday spirit- read this. It’ll put you in the best mood!