Day 7 - 12 Days of Clean Romance - Taylor Dean

The Sound of Silence Series is a three book series.

Book One: Stone Silence, Spencer’s Story
Release date: Nov. 1, 2017

Book Two: Jailbird, Mia’s Story
Release date: Dec. 1, 2017

Book Three: Hothouse Flower, Shay’s Story
Release date: Jan. 1, 2018

Each book has a happy ending and there are no cliffhangers. They are not standalones and should be read in order.

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* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *Praise for Stone Silence

Oh. My. Gosh! I absolutely LOVE Stone Silence! Talk about swoony! This book is AMAZING! I was sucked in from the very beginning and found myself lost in the journey of Spencer and Stony. I laughed out loud, got teary eyed, let out little dreamy sighs and refused to put this book down until I finished it! I devoured it!
-KJ's Book Nook

Oh man. I will always read everything Taylor Dean writes with no hesitation. I LOVE Taylor Dean books. If you have never read anything by her, you really must.
-Aimee, Getting Your Read On

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From Jailbird

SHOWTIME, MIA. AND you know what they say about a show that’s about to start—it must go on.
Of course, they also tell the actors to break a leg and I’d much prefer that to what I’m about to do.
I turn down the paved road and see a large fenced-in property in the distance. My GPS tells me I’ve reached my destination.
It’s a beautiful and sunny September day with hardly a cloud in the sky. The weather certainly doesn’t match my emotions. If it did, it would be stormy. A raging storm, to include crazy lightning and booming thunder.
I don’t want to do this. I’d rather go to the dentist and have five teeth pulled. While I’m awake. Heck, I’d rather have my toenails removed. All of them. Without anesthesia.
But this is something I have to do, something I need to do. Not just for Stony. I need to do it for me.
Especially for me.
I can’t move forward with my life until I gain closure from the past. I’d like to place my past in a box, tie a pretty little bow on it, and place it on a shelf and forget about it.
Instead it sits on my kitchen counter begging to be put away every time I see it.
It’s time to put it away.
There’s only one way to do that.
Face Stony.
The last time I saw him was a little over a year ago, the moment I arrived home and stepped out of my brother’s car after being released from jail. He was there. Waiting for me.
Stony smiled at me. He smiled! Not just a little smile either. Stony never smiles and I mean never. Ever.
I thought it meant all was forgiven between us. I thought it meant we were starting over. I thought it meant so many things.
I was wrong. So very wrong.
I was told he’d had a girl with him that day, a pretty blond California girl. I didn’t notice her, but then, I was preoccupied. I was told they’d been seeing each other for a while.
I’d been kept in the dark about their relationship.
“Mia,” my mom had said, “You and Stony gave it your best shot. It didn’t work out. It’s for the best.”
Mom had her heart set on Stony and me getting married. If Stony had a fan club, she’d be president. Her change of tune threw me for a loop.

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Author Taylor Dean

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up.

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Also by Taylor Dean

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Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/23/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 6 - 12 Days of Clean Romance - Jennifer Griffith

My Fair Aussie by Jennifer Griffith


There's more to this Aussie cowboy than meets the eye.

Former grad student Eliza works as a nanny for a self-absorbed trophy wife looking to trade up for a new husband and ditch her child. Eliza will do anything to protect the little girl and open her boss’s eyes. Even if it requires an elaborate hoax.

Then fate hits Eliza with Henry, a bewildered, dirty guy at the bus station. He’s got amazing teeth, cowboy swagger, and an accent to swoon for. Everything is falling into place for a rags-to-riches-style bait and switch. But will it deliver a slice of humble pie to Eliza’s boss—or get Eliza fired?

Worse, refining him might mean losing her heart.

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Praise for My Fair Aussie

My Fair Aussie is the perfect retelling of a classic tale with a delicious twist—and an Australian cowboy to boot. It's the ideal combination of humor and romance. Totally swoon-worthy. Highly recommended! – CJ Anaya, USA Today bestselling author

“How does she do it? Griffith once again makes me laugh out loud and thoroughly enjoy a good book. Love her cute characters.” Amazon Reviewer 'grimm

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“Let’s have my story be—” he stroked my index finger “—I’m an Australian.” He caressed my thumb. “I run a huge cattle operation in the high country.” He followed along with each of my other fingers while I blinked. “I’m here in the States exploring top-secret business opportunities.”

I heard the words. They went into my ear canals, but I didn’t process them at all. His fingertips were now sliding along the back of my hand, and then across my palm and my fingers again, and the only one of my five senses I could compute was touch, it was so engrossing. Showers of tingles filled every cell and molecule of me.

After a bit of my stunned silence, he said, “How does that sound, Eliza?” He said my name, with the Elizer accent again, and my sense of hearing kicked back in. “Cattle baron?”

“Right.” I gulped once, and then again. “Cattle baron.” That would explain any lack of polish, as well as the cowboy walk, and the great tan for this time of year. Wasn’t it the dead of summer there right now, while we were leading up to Christmas here in the northern hemisphere?

Perfect.

“Perfect,” I breathed.

“Perfect,” he said, lifting my hand and giving it a kiss, and turning my insides from mere tingling sparklers to the full-on Fourth of July. “A cattle baron might win any girl’s heart. Even a nanny’s.”

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Also by Jennifer Griffith

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Author Jennifer Griffith

Jennifer Griffith writes light, sweet romances she calls Cotton Candy for the Soul. Her Legally in Love Collection stems from the fact she fell in love with a handsome law school student who now serves as a judge—as well as her muse. She also writes the Billionaire Makeover Romances, billionaires and makeovers being some things with which she has less experience.

Jennifer loves old cars, landscape paintings, fresh bread with raspberry jam, and reading. She lived in Japan during college, where she once ate a cricket on a dare. She also traveled through Europe, where she slept a night in a castle on the Rhine. Jennifer worked summers in a cookie factory, and she spent a few years working for the U.S. Congress before becoming a wife, a mom and an author.

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More great books by Jennifer Griffith

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Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/22/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Five Books of the Season to Read with Your Family

Continuing with our focus on the family this month, I would like to share some seasonal reading recommendations. These are all books I've read and/or reviewed in the past.

Christmas from Heaven read by Tom Brokaw and illustrated by Robert T. Barrett

This book tells the story of Gail Halvorsen, who is assigned as a cargo pilot during the Berlin Airlift. As Lt. Halvorsen performs his duties, he notices German children gathered behind fences at the end of the Tempelhof runway. He talks to the children and offers them two sticks of gum. From this one act of kindness, his idea to "bomb" Berlin with candy is born. Soon he and his crew fashion tiny parachutes to float candy down to the awaiting children.

The book comes with a DVD from a live performance of Tom Brokaw reading the story aloud set to music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry with pictures by Sonja Danowski

This Michael Neugebauer edition takes the classic story by O. Henry and sets it to beautiful artwork by Sonja Danowski. The oversized hardcover makes a perfect coffee table book. I usually display my seasonal titles throughout the house at Christmas time.

If you’re unfamiliar with the story, it goes something like this. Della and Jim are a young married couple who desire to give each other a special Christmas gift. After a year of scrimping and saving, Della discovers she has very little money to purchase a gift for Jim. She soon comes up with an idea for how she can get enough money to buy him just what he needs, which leads to some surprises on Christmas Eve.

Keeping in mind that O. Henry lived from 1862-1910, the text is much more eloquent than one expects of a picture book today. This would make a great read aloud for families.

The Message of the Birds by Kate Westerlund and illustrated by Feridun Oral

Westerlund is an author from Australia who has written numerous children’s books. The Message of the Birds starts off with the old owl telling the story of the birth of a special child long ago in a stable, where all the animals hear in the baby’s coos as a song of blessing and good will. The birds then ask why they don’t sing it anymore. After many possible reasons are given, the robin suggests sharing the message with the children. So the birds fly far and wide, telling every bird to share the message with every child, which the children then share with the world.

This is a touching story made lovelier by the stunning artwork of Feridun Oral. If you want to add meaning to your Christmas, this is great book to share with your family.

The Christmas Owl by Angela Muse and illustrated by Helen H. Wu

This book tells the story of an injured Barred owl who must ask other animals for help and how he repays their kindness year after year. Not only does this book encourage youngsters to develop a servant’s heart, its elegant font and overall design catch the eye.

Prairie Christmas by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk and illustrated by Ronald Himler

Lovers of historical fiction will definitely want to read this one. Emma is disappointed when her mother, the town doctor, is called to deliver a baby on Christmas. Their plans are now ruined. She soon discovers Hansie and Will Van Der Meer’s plans have been changed too. They are missing their holiday and are anxious about the new baby’s arrival. Pushing her own feelings aside, Emma works to create a special Christmas that they will never forget.

I loved everything about this book: the story, the historical details, and the warm colors Himler used in his illustrations to create a cozy feel.

I hope you’ve found a book you’ll enjoy sharing with your family this Christmas. Best wishes for a peaceful and joyful holiday.

Day 5 - 12 Days of Clean Romance - Janette Rallison

How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison

The best day of his life, the worst day of hers.

Back in college, Marco Dawson never thought of Belle as anything more than a friend. If she had crossed his mind on his wedding day, it was probably only to wonder why she hadn’t shown up to be a bridesmaid. After all, his new wife was her old roommate. Seven years have passed since then, and Belle just found out that Marco is divorced and vacationing with his family in an elegant Cancun resort. She’s not about to let the right man get away twice. She heads to the resort where she plans to casually bump into Marco and ignite some romantic flames.

But Belle hadn’t planned on one thing: Flynn Dawson, Marco’s handsome, charming, and determined twin brother. He thinks Marco and his ex-wife can make amends and he’s not about to let Belle stand in the way.

Part Sabrina, part While You Were Sleeping, romantic comedy readers will eat this book up!

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Praise for How I Met Your Brother

"This is a romantic comedy in one of it's finest hours."

"In true Janette Rallison form, this novel does not disappoint!"

"Love, love, love this book!"

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“Dawson,” she called in feigned surprise. “Is that you?”

He looked up from the map and his blue eyes wandered over her. “Yes.” He must have liked what he saw because a smile appeared on his lips. Not a smile of recognition, just a smile of approval.

She sauntered over, taking slow nonchalant steps. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember me. I haven’t changed that much, have I?”

“I’m not sure,” he said. “Tell me who you are, and I’ll tell you how much you’ve changed.”

His lack of recognition should have bothered her a little, but it felt like victory. Proof the mousy unnoticeable girl she’d been was gone. “Perhaps you recall a study group we were in at WSU? Or the fact that I proofread a lot of your papers? You obviously don’t remember telling me that you’d never forget me.”

“Ah,” he said, with understanding. At least now he knew she wasn’t a stranger with a creative pickup line.

“Perhaps you remember me introducing you to Daisy?”

His eyes widened and his expression changed. She couldn’t quite read it. Was it astonishment? Disbelief? Regret? “Isabelle,” he uttered.

She smiled at the way her name sounded on his lips. “I go by Belle now.”

His gaze went over her a second time, stopping on her ring finger—absent of the symbols of marriage. “What a surprise. I don’t know what to say.”

“Most people say something along the lines of ‘It’s good to see you.’ But I’ll settle for a belated, ‘Thanks for all those papers you helped with.’”

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Author Janette Rallison

Janette Rallison is old. Don’t ask how old, because it isn’t polite. Let’s just say she’s older than she’d like to be and leave it at that.

Janette lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as “an eccentric cat lady.” She did not do this on purpose. (The cats, that is; she had the children on purpose.) Every single one of the felines showed up on its own and refuses to leave. Not even the family’s fearless little Westie dog can drive them off.

Since Janette has five children and deadlines to write books, she doesn’t have much time left over for hobbies. But since this is the internet and you can’t actually check up to see if anything on this site is true, let’s just say she enjoys dancing, scuba diving, horse back riding and long talks with Orlando Bloom. (Well, I never said he answers back.)






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Also by Janette Rallison

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Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/21/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway