Teaser Tuesday: Catching Caytie

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by A Daily Rhythm. It is open to anyone and is a fun way to get a taste of different books. The rules are simple and everyone is welcome to participate.

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. Be careful NOT to include spoilers (you don’t want to ruin the book for others.)
5. Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to the TBR lists if they like your teaser.
6.
After completing your post, return to A Daily Rhythm and add a link in their “comment” section.

My Teaser:

"A sly grin crept over his face before he looked down the hallway in both directions. Then he slipped inside her room, closing the door behind him."

~Catching Caytie by Cindy Roland Anderson, Loc 2763 

Top Ten Tuesday

It's been awhile since I've participated in a book meme and thought this one sounded fun. It's hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. To learn more about the meme click here. Basically its a fun way to make a list of what you're reading, want to read, recently bought books, or just anything you want to make a list about.

I decided to make a list of the top ten books currently on my Kindle that I'm planning on reading next. In random order:

Just One Summer Anthology

Sheik's Ruby by Jennifer Moore

Catching Caytie by Cindy Anderson

Kisses in the Rain by Krista Jensen

Trouble in Paradise by Karen Tuft

Girl in Seat 24B by Jennifer Peel

Painting Kisses by Melanie Jacobson

Falling Slowly by Julie Bellon

Last Play by Taylor Hart

Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George

Sophia by Paula Kremser

Sophia by Paula Kremser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was first drawn to this one because of the cover, so pretty! It didn’t hurt that it’s also a regency, which is a favorite genre for me.

Sophia Spencer is a country girl, raised away from society and unable to afford a season she has accepted her life for what it is. When a distant aunt dies and leaves her a sizeable inheritance she is finally given the opportunity to have a season and possibly find a husband. She goes to London and stays with another family member, one who is not happy with their late aunts will. Not used to the hectic lifestyle she finds herself at another ball and completely exhausted. Seeking a moments rest she slips into a room and falls asleep. She doesn’t realize she’s been led to a gentleman’s room and is about to be compromised.

I thought this had a good plot and likable enough characters. I just found it to be a little slow at times and predictable. Overall, it was a good story and I’ll be looking for more from Ms. Kremser.

Content: Squeaky clean.




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The Academic Bride by Lucy McConnell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5

I thought this was a pretty cute and original novella. Janel is an Archeology student and trying to find funding for a Mayan dig she wants to do when she overhears a conversation in a restaurant that changes her life.

This is a bit like a modern mail-order-bride story, I like arranged marriage plots and was curious to see how things would play out. It starts out as more of a business arrangement, but they soon start having feeling for each other.

The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was I just did not believe they were in love. I don't want to rant, but here are a few of my thoughts. First, they barey spoke before they got married. I was expecting at least a little conversation, see if they actually mesh or not. I wouldn't base even a business marriage on just him being good looking. Second, he wanted to get married to have someone go to functions with and to get him off the market. They only did ONE function the whole time. I guess I was expecting more. Lastly, by the end when they are declaring their love for each other I just didn't buy it. Not after spending zero time together over the course of their three month marriage. Maybe if we could have seen more of their texts? Or heard their phone conversations? I'm not kidding when I say they are never together. He's a workaholic and she is working on her PhD and teaching classes. How does she know he is such a great guy if they are never together. Sure he does some "sweet" things, but really they weren't over the top, just normal stuff a normal person would do. By the end, I could see maybe a friendship forming, but not love. At least not yet. Sorry.

Overall, I did enjoy it and thought it was a fun premise and fun idea. I look forward to reading more from the series.

Content: Clean romance, no language, no violence

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Hidden Identity Anthology

First Love Second Choice by Lindzee Armstrong


I first read this story through the Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Hidden Identities collection, but was excited to see when it was published as a standalone an epilogue was added. That's always a nice surprise.

I thought this was a cute story. I liked the angle the author took with the whole mistaken/hidden identity. I liked Keslee, I can see how she went along with things at first, but how awkward! Bryce was also a fun character. Such an interesting and unique plot idea. I really enjoyed this one. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Ms. Armstrong.

Content: Clean

Sink or Swim by Laura D. Bastian
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5

I thought this one was just okay. I liked the idea of it, but it fell a little flat. I think in the end, since it was a short story, I would have expected the H/h to be together a little more. To much time spent on their regular life/jobs/past. I hate to say it, but I was just bored.

Content: Clean

The Best of Me by Paige Timothy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first read this story through the Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Hidden Identities collection.

I'm always a sucker for a second chance love story. I thought this one was pretty unique. I did think Josh overreacted a bit, but overall I thought this was a cute story.

Content: Clean

HACKED by Stephanie Connelley Worlton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one. I was totally sucked in and didn't want to put it down. I was totally bummed when it ended, but I think there is a sequel in the works. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for that. This had a fun plot and was well written. I think it'd make a good full-length novel so things could be developed a little more, but overall it was really enjoyable.

Content: Clean

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The Kiss that Launched 1,000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt

The Kiss that Launched 1,000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

First off, isn't that cover gorgeous?? Love it!

Anyway, ever since I first found out about this one I couldn't wait to read it. I've enjoyed Sheralyn Pratt's suspense series and was curious to see what should could do with a contemporary romance. I was not disappointed. This was a fun read! Be prepared to get sucked in and unable to stop!

Grace and Ashton host a radio talk show, Battle of the Sexes. Every day they go head to head on a verity of topics, their chemistry is off the charts. Secretly Ashton has been crushing on Grace since they started working together two years ago. Problem is, she has a serious boyfriend.

I kind of wavered on what to rate this one. On one hand, it was a totally addicting read. It flowed well, had a fun plot and lots of interactions with our H/h (which is always a good thing). On the other hand, if I over analyze it, I kind of wanted to see more developed between Grace and Ashton. They are obviously physically attracted to each other, but I'd like to see them as a couple and see them really fall in love (its pointed out that they never spend any time together off-air, so aside from the couple hours debating every day, would they really get along in the real world? They are pretty opposite. They obviously connect physically, I just want to make sure there is more to them than that. But again, that's just me over thinking things probably.

Overall, I thought this was super cute! I look forward to reading more contemporaries by Ms. Pratt!

Content
Romance: Clean. Mild innuendo and talk about previous relationships, hooking up pre-marriage. Pretty worldly view on relationships and sex.
Language: None that I remember
Violence: None
Religious: None

Similar Reads: Love on the Air

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Loving Helen by Michele Paige Holmes

Eighteen-year-old Helen Thatcher grew up under the protection of her older siblings, Grace and Christopher. Living in their shadows and keeping to herself suited Helen just fine—until she met widower Samuel Preston. Watching Mr. Preston care for his young daughter and seeing his concern extend to her own family, Helen felt her reserve slipping away, as she learned first to trust him and then realized she had fallen in love with him. But instead of returning—or even noticing her affection—Mr. Preston developed his own tender, and unrequited feelings, for Grace. In the midst of each silently nursing their broken hearts, Helen and Samuel are faced with a daunting task—reuniting Grace with her fiancé, Nicholas Sutherland. Now it is Helen who must look out for her sister and sacrifice her own fragile heart, as she and Samuel pretend to be engaged. Helen finds the role surprisingly easy to play, allowing herself to imagine that Samuel’s loving remarks are sincere. As the time for their charade to end draws near Helen must summon her courage and tell Samuel the truth of her feelings, or risk losing him forever.

I really enjoyed this one! It had been awhile since I read the first book, but I was quickly sucked back into the story and the characters. This is the second book in the Hearthfire Romance series, I actually think it stands well on its own. I really enjoyed the first book and recommend reading it, but I think this one can be enjoyed on its own as well. Characters from the first book do play a role in the story though so you may enjoy it more if you have read the previous book. Helen was a likable character. She is more on the quite side, but more because of life experiences than of truly being shy. She has learned the hard way not to trust men, but with their livelihood in the balance she decides she wants to marry to help her family. She has come to admire their neighbor, Samuel Preston. Mr. Preston is still morning the loss of his wife and also happens to be falling in love with Helen's sister Grace. Lots of fun tension and complications in this one. I really liked their brother Christopher and how he looks out for his sisters. There's a good set up for his book, which I believe comes out later this year Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable story. There were some parts I thought were a little slow, a little too much inner-thought, but that's more of a personal preference. I would easily recommend this series to any regency fan. Content: Clean

Lord Fenton's Folly by Josie Kilpack

Lord Fenton is a gambler, a dandy, and a flirt—and he must marry or else he will be disinherited, stripped of his wealth and his position. He chooses Alice Stanbridge for two simple reasons: he once knew her as a young girl, and she is the least objectionable option available to him. However, Alice has harbored feelings for Fenton since their first meeting ten years ago, and she believes his proposal is real. When she discovers it is not, she is embarrassed and hurt. However, a match with the most-eligible bachelor in London would secure not only her future but that of her family as well.

I love Shadow Mountain's Proper Romance line. Seriously love them. Okay, I just had to get that out of the way.

I enjoyed this regency from Ms. Kilpack. I know she typically writes contemporary mystery and have been curious to see what her historicals would be like. I thought she wrote the regency setting well, I was sucked into the story and had to keep reading to see how it would all play out. I enjoyed the plot for this one, a bit different than your usual Regency. Alice fell for Lord Fenton when she was a child. Ten years later they are reunited and thrown into an engagement-of-convenience when he is forced to marry to prevent being disinherited. Lord Fenton has spent the past ten years attempting to vex his father in the best way he knew how, by being an irresponsible dandy.

I liked Alice, I thought it was great that she didn't fall all over Lord Fenton, even though she had harbored a crush on him for such a long time. Lord Fenton I never really warmed up to. I did like the idea for his character, I don't know if I've ever read a regency from a dandy's point of view. It was fun seeing them banter and to watch his feelings change for Alice and see him come to appreciate her and all she has to offer. They do have a sweet romance.

Overall, a fun regency. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Kilpack.

Content: Clean!

Summer Book Trek 2015

I am excited to participate in the 2015 Summer Book Trek. I've been able to participate the past few years and always enjoy it. I like supporting LDS authors and it's been fun trying new authors and books. I know this month will be extra busy, so I'm not going to make my list too long yet. Here are a few books that I want to read this month, I'll probably be adding more as I go.

Lord Fenton's Folly by Josi Kilpack
Loving Helen by Michele P Holmes
Girl in 24B by Jennifer Peel
Sheik's Ruby by Jennifer Moore
At Last by Shannon Guymon
Hope at Dawn by Stacie Henrie
Painting Kisses by Melanie Jacobson
First Love Second Choice by Lindzee Armstrong
The Kiss that Launched 1000 GIFS by Sheralyn Pratt
Playing for Keeps by Renee Clark
The Royal Spy by Cassie Shiels
The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch
The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch
A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch
Trouble in Loveland by Jennifer Peel

Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick

When Oakley Nelson loses her older brother, Lucas, to cancer, she thinks she’ll never recover. Between her parents’ arguing and the battle she’s fighting with depression, she feels nothing inside but a hollow emptiness. When Mom suggests they spend a few months in California with Aunt Jo, Oakley isn’t sure a change of scenery will alter anything, but she’s willing to give it a try.

I started following Chantele’s reading blog a long time ago, it was actually one of the first ones I found and always loved her reviews. We have very similar taste in books. So, I was excited when her books started being published. I enjoyed her first series and was looking forward to this one. I’ve actually been stalking her Pinterest board for Love, Lucas for awhile now, it’s full of great pictures (in fact, the one below I found on that board) and so when I finally sat down to read this one I was really looking forward to it.

Oakley is heartbroken over the death of her older brother and best friend, Lucas. She’s having a hard time coming to terms and her mom decides a trip to visit Aunt Jo in California would be good for them. To be honest, I don’t typically read sad books, but I trusted Chantele and even though this has its sad parts, it was really well done. Oakley grows a lot as a character and learns to live after suffering a great loss. When she arrives in California, she never expects to meet cute neighbor Carson.

I liked Oakley and felt bad for all that she was going through. I loved Carson, such a sweet and caring guy. I loved them together and even though there is a lot of heavy stuff going on, their romance was sweet and a nice part of the story. Overall, it was a good read, I read it in one sitting. I wanted to know what would happen next and see Oakley heal. I enjoyed the setting and all the surfing and fun dates they went on. I thought it was well written and it’s one I’d easily recommend to my friends.

Content Romance: Squeaky clean Language: None Violence: None-mild Other: Mild talk of underage drinking (main characters done) Religious: None Source: Received review copy from author in exchange for honest review.

Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett

Degrees of Wrong by Anna Scarlett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I decided to go with a five star rating for a few reasons. One, it was the kind of book that kept me up reading past my bedtime. Two, I loved the world-building. I liked that while it was set in the future, it felt like it could be happening now. Lastly, the romance was very swoony!

So, I admit I didn't like Elyse at first. Mainly, because I'm married to a military man and have a lot of respect for the military. So her initial behavior towards the military personnel rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn't witty, it was bratty. BUT, I pushed my personal views aside and once we got past that part I actually grew to really like Elyse and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying the book.

Elyse is a doctor and working on finding a cure for the new Black Death virus that is sweeping the globe. She is put into protective custody on an underwater military base where she continually butt-heads with the gorgeous captain, Nicoli Marek. The romance between Elyse and Nicoli was a big focus of the book (which, being a romantic, I loved) and I loved their relationship! One thing that made me love Elyse was how strong she was in her morals and unwilling to compromise them, "My morals are not influenced by the people around me." Nicoli is in an arranged engagement, one formed for purely political reasons only, and Elyse refuses to be the other women. Their circumstances throw them together though and the sparks fly. (view spoiler)[While I did love Nicoli, he did pursue her with the intent of making her his mistress (which is totally a creep move). He did respect her though and when its clear she will only be with him through marriage, he backs off. He never pressured her or did anything bad, he just spent time with her and made it known he did want more. He was in a tough position. (hide spoiler)]

Going into this I thought it was a standalone, so I wasn't quite prepared when the book ended the way it did. I'm sure there will be another book, there has to be, and I'm hoping it'll be about Nicoli's brother Ryon. He was great!

Overall, this was a very fun read! It was well written, well paced and the setting and characters all brought together to make a unique and memorable story. Definitely one I'd recommend to all my friends!

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: Mild
Violence: Mild

Source: Thanks Jessie for the loan, loved it!

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