Monday, April 23, 2018

Love in Bloom Spotlight, Freebie & Giveaway: Author Brooke St. James

 



Summer of '65 by Brooke St. James 

Ivy Lewis went home to Memphis in the summer of 1965 unaware of the adventure that awaited her. She was content to go through the motions of her predictable routines back home while safeguarding a few little secrets about her life in Nashville. In her mind, the two worlds weren't meant to intersect. Then Michael Bishop entered the picture. He had just moved to Memphis from Detroit in hopes of expanding his motorcycle company. He appeared to be nothing more than an outlaw and a menace to the community. Any type of relationship between them was sure to be met with resistance from Ivy's family and friends. But Michael Bishop was too great of a temptation for Ivy. The summer of 1965 would be one of first impressions, first dances, and forbidden love. 

 






  

I glanced at Alice who gave me a wide-eyed smile. I heard the noise of shifting gravel, and I looked up to find that Michael was getting off of his motorcycle.

“Ivy Lewis,” he said, closing the distance between us.

“Michael Bishop,” I returned.

“You came back to look for a hairpin,” he said as more of a statement than a question.

The other waiters came closer to help me look, which caused their shadows to block the light. “I think it was over here,” Alice said, redirecting them. She had, thank goodness, caught on to the fact that I might want to say a couple of words to Michael and was helping me out.

“I really liked that song,” he said.

He must have known I wasn’t really there to look for a hairpin, because he didn’t even bother looking down.

“When can I hear you play again?”

 


  

“Just like her other books, you get everything a good book provides. It has a beautiful love story, nostalgia and a bit of mystery without repeating things over and over. Love it and will read it again I'm sure.” 

“I'm always anxious to see what Brooke writes and this book didn't disappoint. Michael and Ivy experienced typical 1965 prejudices and problems but the fun and flirty dialogue is still there. Motorcycles and the preacher's kid, misunderstood music and parental expectations... this story had it all. Can't wait for the next generation!” 

“What an amazing new book by an incredible author! The story was sincere and well-paced with adorable dialogue, poignant moments and surprises along the way. I can't get enough of these charming and realistic main characters and eagerly await the next book in this series.” 

     



Author Brooke St. James 


Brooke St. James is an author of contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs. 

 






 

 




Giveaway Details Ends 5/14/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. 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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  





Review & *TWO* Giveaways: A Place Called New Hope by Catherine McGreevy



Heidi Reads... A Place Called New Hope by Catherine McGreevy

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/place-called-new-hope?ref=Grid%20%7C%20Search-1&variant_id=158041-paperbackhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Letty Leighton wishes to use her wealth to found a utopian society, New Hope. All she needs to access her fortune is a husband. Luckily, Patrick Marlowe, a penniless explorer, has agreed to marry her just before leaving on a long African expedition. At first, New Hope seems to be a success, but despite Letty's best intentions, not everything in her utopia--or in her marriage--turns out as she planned.

My Review

This book was fascinating. I loved learning about the thinkers in a changing society who were advocates for the poor and sought to make actual changes towards reducing poverty. An experience in her youth motivates Letty to dream of helping the poor, and the writings of other utopian leaders prompt her to plan her own project of the sort. She believes she has everything planned out, but her recurring internal question, "what could go wrong?" foreshadows the challenges she faces when her dream becomes reality. Her determination and compassion is admirable, and she begins to earn the respect of New Hope's residents when she works alongside them and encourages them to be autonomous in solving their issues. Letty's relationship with Patrick is practical but friendly, and develops into deeper feelings as he supports her. Their romance isn't exactly romantic since Letty's world revolves around New Hope, but they have a sweet love story by the end.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)


About the Author

Catherine McGreevy
The daughter of a foreign-service officer, Catherine McGreevy attended international schools in France, Spain, and Morocco. During her time abroad she learned to appreciate other cultures as well as the ideals that make America special. A true book-worm, she dreamed seeing her own novels on a shelf next to those of her favorite writers, including Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters.
After majoring in Communications (Journalism) with a minor in English at Brigham Young University, she later earned her Secondary Education Teaching Credential at Cal State Fullerton, and taught high-school and middle-school English before moving to Northern California.

A history buff, Catherine lives in Northern California’s gold country, where she has been known to don a bonnet and petticoats to re-enact the past with the Sierra Nevada Mormon Pioneers, appearing in parades and at Sutter’s Fort and the Gold Discovery site in Coloma.

Her first historical novel, Chance’s Bluff, was released by Cedar Fort Publishing in January, 2018. A Place Called New Hope follows in March.



Be sure to enter both giveaways!

#1 - Tour Wide Giveaway

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#2 - Blog Stop Giveaway for Heidi Reads...


Comment on this blog for a chance to win an e-copy (International) of the book. Plus, if 10+ unique commenters post on the blog, another winner will be selected to receive a print copy of the book. Plus, if 10+ unique commenters post on this blog, one commenter will be selected to receive a print copy of the book in addition to the e-copy book winner.

Respond to the following question: 

Have things improved for the poor in the last 150 years? In what ways?

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