2017/10/20

The Workings of Energy in the Human Energy Field by Zorica Gojkovic - Book Review

The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham - Book Excerpt






“Simple is as simple loves.”

Susan Combs had long ago found the love of her life. The only problem was the other party still didn’t know he had been found.

Every day Susan saw Calder Hurtz, her next door neighbor and childhood best friend. They always enjoyed the short drive to school down the dusty streets of their small Texas town. She was happy in those perfect moments, for her life at home was most imperfect. The challenging homestead she inhabited was also the favorite subject of local gossip.

But one autumn day she overhears two boys having a conversation. This occasion of accidental audience sets Susan’s life on an unforeseen path. In the seasons to come, her future will be changed by two hospitalizations, two confessions of love, and one betrayal.

Compulsively readable, The Simple Soul of Susan is an engaging, soul-endearing romance and a mesmerizing debut.


Excerpt:

“Susan isn’t dating anyone. You both should be lookin’ for someone. Live a little!”
“Well, now, don’t rush her,” Marley said. “Susan was already interested in someone for a long time. Love doesn’t happen overnight!”
Calder stopped in the middle of flipping a card over. He didn’t even seem to register what was on it.
Susan’s face grew warm. She hadn’t expected these dear ladies, who told the same stories every week and often had to be reminded multiple times what day it was, to remember the details of her hopeful love interest.
“Oh, she was?” Calder responded. He focused on Marley with a gleam of mischief in his eyes. He looked back at Susan as if to warn her of his new investigation and then looked back to Marley.
“Sakes alive, she is well over him by now!” Tasha proclaimed.
“Why, most certainly. They are next door neighbors and best friends. He wasn’t interested in her, though… I don’t think you ever told us his name?” Marley said, turning to Susan, who knew her face was now the deepest shade of scarlet she could imagine.
“Oh?” Calder now looked a bit confused, finally resuming his turn and passing. Any gleam of mischief was now gone as he gazed down at the cards on the table.
“He sure sounded like a catch! Going to fancy colleges. You may know him… She is good friends with him too,” Marley added. Intent on her cards, she didn’t notice Susan’s bright red face.
Elinda, with a quick glance at Susan, tried to change the subject. “My, it was hot out today! Of course, I didn’t go outside, but I heard—”
Calder cut her off. “Why didn’t he like her?”
“He is very ambitious and wanted to go far away for school. I think he didn’t like her because she is staying in Walnut Springs to take care of her dad. Just sounded very conceited and selfish in my opinion. I think she’s better off without him!” Marley finished with a nod and tossed a card down confidently.
“He sounds awful,” Calder replied, his face betraying no emotion. He was now examining his hand with great interest.
“Would you like some almonds?” Tasha offered.
“Hit me!” He grabbed a handful.


“I told you not to eat the almonds,” Susan said irritably as Calder eased the truck out of their parking spot.
“What was I supposed to do? Say ‘No, thank you, ya old goat!’?”
“Well, if you would have listened to me for once in your cotton-pickin’ life, then you would have said no. She buys chocolate covered almonds and then sucks off the chocolate and passes out what’s left!”
There was silence. Calder clutched the steering wheel and shifted gears as they went up a hill.
“Actually, I was saving them for a special occasion. Like right now!” He tossed a few from his pocket into her lap.
“Gross!” Susan shrieked.
“See? I listen.”
The last comment unsettled Susan. She was thinking how Marley had described Calder in all her bumbling wonder. Surely he had recognized himself. Yet he was acting normal, so Susan resolved to attempt the same.


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Born and raised in a small Texas town, Noel Branham started her career in digital communications after graduating with a degree in English. An award winning communicator, she now writes from her home in Florida about things closest to the heart: home, family, and love. Her debut novel will be published Fall 2017.


 
Social Links:
Instagram: Branham.noel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noelbranham/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/branhamnoel/


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**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and/or links to outside sites. By clicking on an affiliate link it is at no cost to you and helps run/maintain this blog. Posts for reviews are my own opinions and no additional compensation is given unless otherwise stated. Giveaways on this blog are under the discretion of the host of the giveaway.

2017/10/16

The Workings of Energy in the Human Energy Field by Zorica Gojkovic - Book Tour

The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham - Book Tour

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“Simple is as simple loves.”

Susan Combs had long ago found the love of her life. The only problem was the other party still didn’t know he had been found.

Every day Susan saw Calder Hurtz, her next door neighbor and childhood best friend. They always enjoyed the short drive to school down the dusty streets of their small Texas town. She was happy in those perfect moments, for her life at home was most imperfect. The challenging homestead she inhabited was also the favorite subject of local gossip.

But one autumn day she overhears two boys having a conversation. This occasion of accidental audience sets Susan’s life on an unforeseen path. In the seasons to come, her future will be changed by two hospitalizations, two confessions of love, and one betrayal.

Compulsively readable, The Simple Soul of Susan is an engaging, soul-endearing romance and a mesmerizing debut.

Buy on Amazon



Born and raised in a small Texas town, Noel Branham started her career in digital communications after graduating with a degree in English. An award winning communicator, she now writes from her home in Florida about things closest to the heart: home, family, and love. Her debut novel will be published Fall 2017.


 
Social Links:
Instagram: Branham.noel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noelbranham/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/branhamnoel/


Follow the Book Tour





**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and/or links to outside sites. By clicking on an affiliate link it is at no cost to you and helps run/maintain this blog. Posts for reviews are my own opinions and no additional compensation is given unless otherwise stated. Giveaways on this blog are under the discretion of the host of the giveaway.

2017/03/06

Cards from Khloe's Flower Shop by Isabella Louise Anderson - Excerpt

Khloe'sflowershop



isabellalouiseanderson_cardsfromkhloes_web1_6 copyAs the owner of a successful florist shop, Khloe Harper trusts her instincts. She has a strong bond with her family and friends, but after being betrayed by her last love, she's kept herself at arms’ length from romance. When dashing entertainment attorney Derek Thomas walks into her store, Khloe’s interest is piqued. What at first seems like a business relationship quickly turns into romance, and Derek slowly plucks away the petals she’s been hiding behind. Just as Khloe lets down her guard, she discovers that Derek may not be worthy of her love after all.

Frumpy Connie Albright has a faux fascination with an imaginary man named Walt, thinking that by sending herself flowers from him she’ll feel less out-of-place with the “mean girls” she works with. When she comes face to face with her possible prince charming and thinking she might have a happy ending, when a truth is revealed, she wonders if she’ll ever have a Cinderella story.

A recently widowed senior, Gabby Lewis, isn't ready to give up on love—which means releasing herself from survivor's guilt and taking a chance on finding happiness and companionship again. After signing up for an online dating site for senior citizens, much to her surprise, she’s matched with Harry, an energetic and loving man, who quickly eases himself into her heart. Will Gabby take the leap of falling in love again, knowing it’s possible to have two loves of her life?

As each woman’s story develops through flowers and cards sent from Khloe's shop during the Fall months, they begin to learn that love can only truly blossom when you trust your heart.


Excerpt
Connie Albright
Connie typed anxiously on her keyboard, looking up from her cubicle every few seconds, waiting for Sharon from Khloe’s Flower Shop to come through the glass entryway doors. She had checked her email first thing that morning, and like always, once a week, there was a confirmation about her order.
Dear Connie Albright,
Your order to CONNIE ALBRIGHT has been created by one of our team members and is on its way to the recipient.
If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, please call Khloe Harper at 1-800-555-1212.
As always, I wish you a bouquet of happiness! Khloe HarperOwner of Khloe’s Flower Shop
With a sigh, Connie looked back down at her keyboard and continued entering patients’ data into the Excel spreadsheet. Six years ago, to pay for her college education, she had started the medical data entry job, where she found mundane tasks enjoyable, and had been looking forward to making new friends. However, these days, she was now a college graduate with a degree in marketing who hated her job, finding it boring and repetitive, nor had she made friends with any of her co-workers. In fact, they barely noticed her.
Compared to the thin, sexy bombshells she worked with, Connie wasn’t anyone to be desired. She was tall, frumpy, wore glasses, and, thanks to a conversation she overheard, was known in the office as “the ugly girl who wore tacky sweaters.” With the exception of a few that her grandmother had sent her for her birthday, having crocheted each one, Connie didn’t think the sweaters were tacky.
So, after hearing enough of what was being said behind her back, and after complaining to her best friend—her diary—she came up with an idea to change things, and, so far, it seemed to have worked like magic.
“Connie!” Mia, the office receptionist, squealed. “They’re here!”
With a slight pause to get ready for the weekly act she performed, Connie popped up from her chair and watched Sharon approach. After signing her name to the page on the clipboard, she gave Sharon, the only other person besides Khloe who knew her secret, a quick nod.
Suddenly, Connie found herself in the center of a circle of women hovering over her desk, eagerly waiting for her to read the card that came with the bouquet.
“Well, what does it say?” asked a co-worker.“Yeah, come on. Tell us,” begged another.She took in the moment, wishing she had a real man who would say the things she had written to herself. “Your beauty captures me more each day, and my love for you grows each time I touch you. I’m looking forward to this weekend...in bed! Walt.”
Holding the card close to her chest, Connie forced tears from her eyes, forcing herself to blush in front of her co-workers. “Oh, I love that man so very much.”
“Seriously, that has to be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Mia said, dramatizing her voice and placing her hands on her chest. “Oh, Connie, you’re so lucky to have a man like him.”
“Yeah, Con, that’s cute,” began Nicola, the bitchiest of them all. “But the last time I got flowers, just yesterday as a matter of fact, they certainly weren’t carnations,” she joked, motioning her hand like she was shooing the flowers away from her. All the co-workers joined in her laughter, and then shuffled back to their desks.
Connie looked at her flowers and smiled, her feathers not ruffled by Nicola’s comment. She felt accomplished and desired. For a few moments, she’d been the center of attention of a group of women who she knew despised her. Even back in high school, she had been a female nerd, which crossed her out from being friends with the beautiful and popular girls, and in college it was pretty much the same story. It’s not that she didn’t try to make an effort, because she did, but after failing time and time again, whether it be at orientation, working together in groups for school projects, or the few times Connie went to a pub near the university in hopes of meeting up with a few girls who she thought she could be friends with, it never worked. They either laughed in her face, said that the empty seat next to them was already taken (when it really wasn’t), or simply ignored her.
Though it was beginning to get expensive and difficult to keep the lies about Walt straight, Connie had no other choice but to continue the weekly charade.
It’s just the right thing to do!, she told herself, taking a seat in her chair before continuing to enter the endless data, while thinking of what Walt’s card would say the following week.


**Find “Cards From Khloe’s Flower Shop”:

Amazon-US (Kindle and paperback) * Amazon-UK * Amazon-Canada * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Goodreads

BioPic                                                                                                                                                                     About the author: Isabella grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing haschanged. She focuses her time on featuring other writers on her blog, Chick Lit Goddess, along with organizing Goddess Book Tours, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

She lives in Dallas with her husband, enjoys spicy Mexican food, margaritas, gin on the rocks (with a splash of lime). She loves spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Texas Rangers. Not only is Isabella an author, she’s also a Scentsy consultant and hoarder.

Isabella is the author of The Right Design and Cards From Khloe’s Flower Shop. Her short story, “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe,” was featured in Simon & Fig’s Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright. She’s currently working on another book.



**Contact: Website * Chick Lit Goddess Website * Facebook * Goodreads *

Instagram – Isabella Louise Anderson * Instagram – Chick Lit Goddess * Pinterest * Twitter * Sign up for her Newsletter

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**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and/or links to outside sites. By clicking on an affiliate link it is at no cost to you and helps run/maintain this blog. Posts for reviews are my own opinions and no additional compensation is given unless otherwise stated. Giveaways on this blog are under the discretion of the host of the giveaway.

2017/01/10

Through the Eyes of Hope by Lacey Buchanan - Book Review

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and/or links to outside sites. By clicking on an affiliate link it is at no cost to you and helps run/maintain this blog. Posts for reviews are my own opinions and no additional compensation is given unless otherwise stated. Giveaways on this blog are under the discretion of the host of the giveaway.



Understand how God turns tragic circumstances into something beautiful for His glory, while you love more, complain less, and see God at work in the most unlikely of places.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, MEV

What happens when things don’t go as planned? What happens when the storm you face is completely out of your control? The Buchanan’s precious son Christian was born with a medical condition that is so incredibly unique, it's one of only fifty known cases in the world. This story has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands.
In Through the Eyes of Hope Lacey Buchanan tells this compelling story of trusting God in the face of adversity. You will be moved and inspired to hold on to God’s promises when things go wrong and find joy in the midst of any storm.



Review:
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.  And let me tell you, I was thrilled to be on the team!
The story of Christian will grab you right off the bat.  What Lacey went through during pregnancy and then just after Christian was born would test any new mother.  I was amazed at how strong Lacey could be and wondered if I would have had that same strength.  Reading the journey their family has been on if phenomenal and hopefully will inspire you in your own struggle.
My own faith is something I wrestle with daily.  I don't think I would have had the wherewithal to continue with a faith as strong as Lacey's has been.  She, her husband, and their family all rallied around Christian his whole life.  If Lacey had not been firm in her belief, she might not have taken the blessings God gave in those first couple years.  We all tend to be blinded by our own insecurities and, I know in my own life, bogged down in the daily grind.  Thankfully our Lord knows what is in our hearts and is merciful.  
If you are on a difficult part of your path, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Lacey's book.  My hope is that it will give you comfort that you are not alone.  I hope it will inspire you to look to your own walk with Christ.  The Buchanan's story certainly lifted me up as I've been struggling with my walk.  
Visit their website, Eyes of Hope Book, to find more info on the book and where it may be purchased.  Visit places like Amazon or WalMart and read the reviews.  The website has links to all retailers that carry the book.
Happy reading!  Let's celebrate the blessings of life together and hold each other up during the difficult times.

Author Bio
Lacey Buchanan is a native of middle Tennessee who is enjoying raising two rambunctious boys, Christian and Chandler, with her husband, Chris.

She also has earned her Juris Doctor. She has traveled the country for the last four years, sharing her family’s story and spreading a message of hope in God. She is an avid runner, a lover of books, and a follower of Christ, 
and she plans to use her education to practice in the areas of disability advocacy and education.
Follow Lacey on her social media -
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