Monday, April 10, 2023

 

A HEART RESTRAINED

by Jennifer Wilck

 

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival.

 

Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton.

 

At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?

 

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EXCERPT:

He rubbed sweaty palms against his jean-clad thighs before ringing Fiona’s doorbell. Of all the favors his sister asked of him this was, by far, the most ridiculous. And he would have said no if he could. But he never could, and here he was. When Fiona opened the door, he reminded himself he never let others see his emotions.

 

“I told you casual.”

 

She frowned. “I see we’re starting off on the right foot again.”

 

His heart rate increased, and he cursed to himself. “Hello,” he said.

 

“A little better. Hello to you, too. And this is casual. We’re going for Thai food.”

 

“No, we’re not. You should change.”

 

She scanned his body, and he suppressed the urge to fidget. When she folded her arms, he resisted staring at her breasts. Well, maybe a glance or two...

 

“I’m not doing anything or going anywhere until you tell me what the plan is. This ‘do this, wear that’ might work for others, but not me.”

 

Why was he such a beast around her? He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You’re right, sor—” Noise from inside her apartment distracted him. “Am I interrupting something?”

 

She paused and then understanding dawned. “No, the racket is my TV. You might as well come inside. Seems like we’re going to be a while.”

 

She led him into her living room. Two walls were painted red, the other two a warm cream. Colorful modern art hung on the walls, multi-colored blankets draped a sofa, chair, and ottoman, and plants covered most surfaces. Some Spanish language program played on the television.

 

“You speak Spanish?” he asked.

 

He pointed to the TV, and she shrugged. “I love telenovelas. They’re so dramatic and filled with emotion. Even without the subtitles turned on, I can understand what they mean.”

 

She might not need to understand Spanish to understand the program, but he needed a Fiona translator to understand her.

 

“Now, tell me where we’re going so I can decide what to wear, since you seem to have a problem with this,” she said.

 

“We’re going clamming. And you need to wear...clothes for clamming.”

 

Her beauty captivated him. Shaking his head, he refocused on his task. This was a favor for his sister. Her beauty was irrelevant.

 

“We’re going clamming?”

 

Why did she repeat everything he said and was this alarming trait a habit? And did she expect him to answer her every single time?

 

She said, “You said seafood.”

 

This he could handle. “Clams come from the sea. Seafood.”

 

“What am I supposed to wear clamming?”

 

Why did women everywhere ask men this question? He’d said casual clothes. He wore jeans and a shirt. How difficult was this? He looked at himself and spread his arms.




REVIEW

Caleb & Fiona

These two were so very different in so many ways. From their jobs/company's to how they express their emotions. He doesn't show his feelings and she just lets it all out. I thought these two were perfect for one another. Opposites definitely attract in this story. This was a delightful and enjoyable story. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

 

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

 

Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.

 

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

 

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Jennifer Wick will award a randomly drawn winner a $15 Amazon/BN GC. 

 

Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 5, 2023


 

Prophetic Dreams

by Alfreða Jonsdottir

 

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GENRE: Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

Gudrun Osvifsdottir, Prophetic Dreams' willful protagonist, is not only renowned for her beauty and intelligence, she is also thought to be the best catch in the district. Headstrong and spoiled by her adoring parents, she yearns for female friendship. Growing up on a tenth-century farm in an isolated region in Iceland, she cannot understand why the few girls living in her district have persistently avoided her. On the other hand, all eligible males compete for her recognition. Basking under their high-spirited attentiveness, she soon convinces herself the only reason she is ignored by her peers is because they are jealous of all the attention bestowed on her by the male population. This protective shield may guard her growing ego, but it soon sets her further apart from the other females that live in her area.

 

Pagan Icelanders believed dreams foretold the future. Haunted by nightmares, her parents enlist the nation's most famous seer to translate them for her. A melodramatic young girl, her emotions are soon stirred into a frenzy by his interpretation.

 

As foreshadowed, tragedies do occur. One death is even rumoured to be the result of black magic. Later, a misunderstanding and silent accusations create a slow pyroclastic flow of vengeance. Will the stakes be too high for our protagonist? Will she lose the one man she admires and respects more than any other?

 

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EXCERPT: 

Suddenly, they hear voices approaching and before they know it, they hear Gestur talking just outside the cloth flap used as a door for the booth. Gudrun quickly removed her hand from his. As if caught red-handed, Thord immediately stood up as if to leave. The two men meet at the entrance, but before saying anything, he turns to Gudrun with a wry smile, then quickly bids them both a good night. Gudrun is crestfallen, thinking she has broached this subject too late in the evening. I have failed. Why was I so slow? Now he will not go through with it. She felt such disappointment, for she now knew that this was the man she wanted to marry, wanted to spend her life with. Aud does not deserve him.

   

Gestur looked as if puzzled over his swift exit but says nothing.

 

The next morning, Thord arrived at the usual time and said he would escort her to the day of divorces as planned so she could witness her kinsman, Snorri the Law-speaker, at work. He looked terrible. Once in the fresh morning air, Gudrun asked if he was okay. “I did not sleep well. I sat up and drank most of the night with a friend.” Gudrun remained silent as they searched for a free stone to sit upon. As she sat down, he whispered into her ear, “I’m sorry, Gudrun. I fear I am too much of a coward to do as you wish but I, too, do wish we were together.” She remained silent and stared straight ahead. “Please be patient. We can wait until next year. I must speak with Aud first.”

 

That final comment prompted Gudrun to turn her head. She looked directly at him with her steely blue eyes. Then, she replied under her breath, “You have broken my heart, Thord.” Her words were laced with anger and regret. “I am not sure if I can face life without you by my side to share my prosperity. Soon I will know just how wealthy I will become. This is your last chance, for I will go home a broken, dejected woman.” Then she pointed her finger in his face and said, “I will not wait for you, that I promise.”

 

Thord stood up without looking back at Gudrun as he disappeared into the crowd. My threat must have been the last straw. I have pushed him too hard; he has left me for good. Just as well!



    

                                                                    REVIEW

So if you love a good fantasy this is the book for you. I felt the author did an amazing job with providing a glossary of sorts. It definitely helps understand the story if you didn't know the language. However, you have to go back and forth to understand the story. This made is a little boring at times. All in all a great story. I really enjpyed it!



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Alfreda’s ancestry is 100% Icelandic. A resident of Calgary, she has one son who is married and two granddaughters. As an amma, Alfreda says her granddaughters are her biggest incentive to write. She grew up in Lundar, an Icelandic community in the Interlake area of Manitoba. Her pioneer ancestors were drawn to the area for its free land and ample fishing opportunities.

 

To date, Alfreda has written three novels: Melkorka, The Thrall Princessa’s Saga, published in June 2019, The Viking Queen’s Legacy, released in November 2020 and in November 2022 Prophetic Dreams: A Curse or a Legacy. Icelandic sagas were and continue to be her inspiration for writing. Laxdæla saga is her favorite, as it focuses on three empowered women who lived during the 9th to the mid 11th C, and whose lives were honoured through the telling of their stories: Auður Ketilsdóttir set in the 9th C was an original settler, the Irish slave Melkorka set in the 10th C, and Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir set in the late 10th to the mid 11th C whose exploits begin to unravel Auður's dynastic dreams. Each woman is a different character, each story is unique, yet their stories remain as relevant today as they were 1000 years ago. From a female perspective not normally told, together they complete a tapestry of the Viking Age. The attacks and pillaging are still there but they are not the main focus. A common thread runs through each tale, a family connection, that weaves their stories together. Motivated to retell their adventures, Alfreda began writing fictionalized versions. Primarily to introduce these women to her granddaughters, but also to anyone with an interest in Icelandic culture. She writes under the pseudonym Alfreða Jonsdottir.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Prophetic-Dreams-Legacy-Alfre%C3%B0a-Jonsdottir-ebook/dp/B0BMVXS53H

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prophetic-dreams-alfre-a-jonsdottir/1142720681

 

 

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 Alfreða Jonsdottir will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC - a Rafflecopter giveaeway