Carol Moncado

Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.

To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.

Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.

Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

I’m a sucker for a good Denise Hunter book and I’m sure a paper copy of this one is going to find it’s way on to my shelves sooner rather than later. Especially given how late in the night I kept flipping through the Kindle pages. Ms. Hunter doesn’t disappoint.

Madison and Beckett are wonderful – wonderfully flawed and perfectly imperfect. Madison struggles with keeping her emotions at bay – after the death of her twin brother, when her sister takes off, when… well, other stuff I can’t mention here because it’d be all spoiler-y.

Beckett is a wonderful hero [Nancy Kimball needs him on her Fiction Hero Features blog]. He’s not perfect but he’s perfect for Madison. Having been told his whole life that he’s from the wrong side of the tracks and not good enough for someone like Madison, even though there was that one day in high school…

Their path to finding their happily ever after isn’t always easy [hey – it’s a romance – that’s not a spoiler ;)], but find it they do. And I gave a big waffy sigh.

I was also glad to see this is a series [YAY! SERIES!] and can’t wait to see where the next book takes us. With several siblings in Madison’s family [one of whom is already perfectly set up for a book] and Beckett’s sister beckoning, I look forward to seeing what happens to them – and Beckett and Madison in the future :D.

Overall rating: 9 out of 10

 Thanks to BookSneeze and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Laurie Tomlinson over on her blog posted some pre-ACFW Conference questions, just as kind of a get-to-know-you sort of thing. And it sounded like fun… so here goes :D.

Here’s what to do:

– Fill out your own answers (you don’t have to answer all of them!) in a post on your own website and paste the URL to that post (not your home page) using this handy link-up tool. If you don’t have a website, feel free to answer the questions in the comments below! Or over on Laurie’s page.

– Make sure to link back to this post after you fill out your answers so any of your readers who are conference attendees can participate, too! The more, the merrier.

Here are the questions and my answers!

Name: Carol Moncado

Location: Springfield, MO area

What you write/tagline: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Dramedy in the Ozarks… And the Alps. [At least for one series/manuscript 😉 – most are just the Ozarks]

Place in the book world: Yet-to-be-agented-or-published author with ten completed manuscripts and a dozen [or more] others started. I have three manuscripts/series ready to pitch this year.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: Hugger. Definitely.

The unique talking point that will get you going for hours: Books (all kinds) and movies. Or TV Shows. Who wants to spend conference talking about LOST? Kristy?

People at home you’ll be missing: My hubby and four kiddos. I won’t miss the two classrooms full of students taking a test while I’m driving to Indy with a van load of awesome writer peeps. Fortunately, a friend is giving the test for me so the students won’t feel my absence quite so much ;).

Conference goals we can pray for? That God will give me the knowledge and relationships to accomplish His will through my writing. And for peace during pitches, of course 🙂 [Yeah – I totally stole that from Laurie – but it works for me too. Plus that I get to at least hug everyone I want to at least once.]

Up for any contests/awards? Nope. I am a 3 time Genesis semi-finalist though [double semi-finalist this year].

Any disclosures, disclaimers, or crucial information we must know? I talk with my hands. I will squeal upon seeing Pepper Basham and Kristy Cambron [and probably any number of others – just know it’s likely me doing the squealing]. Plus there will be lots of picture taking so I don’t forget who you are :D.

Scarlet isn’t sure if she has just the right ingredients for true love–or utter disaster

Scarlet Lindsey is busy making her dreams come true. She’s moved her bakery to a prime spot on Galveston’s most popular street, she’s planning an extravagant cake for her best friend’s wedding, and she has a great relationship with Bella Neeley, the island’s most popular wedding coordinator. Business is booming and Scarlet is enjoying the ride.

But when Bella’s dangerously handsome brother Armando breezes into her life, Scarlet is faced with a sticky situation. Should she stay with the safe, sweet guy who’s been a fixture in her life for years? Or will this brash Italian hunk melt her guarded heart?

Fan favorite Janice Thompson is back with more wit, more weddings, and more of what you love best–bridal-business drama laced with laughs.

 

Is it enough to say “Janice has done it again” and leave it at that?

No?

Well, I could, I suppose, but I imagine all the reviewer type people would like more.

If you haven’t read Picture Perfect, it’s not strictly necessary, but you’d enjoy it and you’d probably enjoy this one a bit more.

Using her trademark humor, and lots of I Love Lucy references, Janice (who I’m delighted to call “friend”) draws us into the world of fancy cake making. And really, what’s not to love about making awesome cakes? Buddy from Cake Boss anyone? Janice has been posting pics of cakes she’s made all month. It makes me want to go camp out in her kitchen for a week. Or a year. Maybe a decade.

Bella and the gang are back with more Bella, more DJ, more adorable BellaDJ kids [there is no good way to combine those names – Jella? Bedj?], more Rossi family in general.

Including Bella’s brother.

Who just may be interested in Scarlet.

Hm…

I’m gonna have to love on that little development a bit ;). Bella’s wayward brother might be finding his way back home thanks to a certain cake baker.

Scarlet’s issues with her family and her weight are all too real to many of us but are dealt with with grace and love – I’d expect nothing less from Janice (who, by the way, is less than half her former self if I remember correctly – so very proud of you, my friend! The rest of you should look up pics – the girl looks AWESOME!).

I loved Scarlet. I loved Armando. I loved, well, pretty much all of it and Can. Not. Wait. to read the next one about the dress designer. How much longer, Janice? And I really, really hope she’ll find a way to set more books in this “universe” because I love it here.

And can we see more of Brock? 😉

Overall rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Special thanks to Janice and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The time had come, she decided, to rid herself of this burden, to take the steps necessary to put the matter to rest once and for all. And the first step, she knew—against every instinct and desire—was to watch that film.

During the reading of her mother’s will, Sheila Baker discovers that she has inherited everything her parents ever possessed, including their secrets. A mysterious safe-deposit box key leads her to the answers to one of history’s greatest conspiracies: Who killed John F. Kennedy? Not only does she have the missing film, revealing her mother as the infamous Babushka Lady, but she has proof that there was more than one shooter.

On the run from people who would stop at nothing to keep secrets buried, Sheila turns to billionaire sleuth Jason Hammond for help. Having lost his own family in a tragic plane crash, Jason knows a thing or two about running from the past. With a target on their backs and time running out, can Jason finally uncover the truth behind the crime that shook a generation—or will he and Sheila become its final victims?

I wouldn’t say I’m a conspiracy theorist, but I’ve been intrigued at different times during my life by the possibility of a Kennedy conspiracy and Mr. Mara’s take on the Babuska Woman makes me wonder what would really happen if another video suddenly appeared. I have no idea if Mr. Mara’s take on it is anything remotely like what would really happen, but I suppose it could  be.

When I was describing the book to friends, I mentioned I thought Jason Hammond was sort of a modern Howard Hughes. A rich playboy who can wander around doing odd stuff – like finding Amelia Earhart [something he does just before his appearance in the book*] – and everyone writes it off as his odd eccentricities and he’s rich enough to get away with it.

Shelia and Jason are on the run for their lives when the wrong person gets wind of the film she has in her hands. The pages kept turning [or the Kindle button being pushed as the case may be] from page one until the end. Though I had anticipated at least a smidge of romance, there wasn’t any, and I was okay with that. As this is a series, I would love to see Jason meet his match – both romantically and otherwise. Someone who can keep him on his toes and love him despite his wounded past.

I would also love to hear that Sheila’s happy [maybe he gets an invite to her wedding? or something in a future book], but even if not, I’m happy with the outcomes here.

It’s interesting because I’ve been watching our DVDs of I Love Lucy with my children this summer and the relationship with Cuba during the show’s run was so different than it was just a few years later after the embargo began and so on. The differences [as I read part of this book while the DVD was on] are staggering.

I look forward to the next installment in the Jason Hammond series, due out next year.

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10

*My guess is it was written and in the process of being published when Ms. Earhart’s plane was actually found, though some of the articles I found were from last summer but some also from a couple months ago, indicating the search is still officially ongoing but they likely have found where she landed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there’s a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It’s always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine’s father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can’t help being drawn to Hope Beach’s new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other…and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

Well, I thought for sure I’d reviewed Tidewater Inn but after looking at the link I’m not sure I READ it but am instead thinking of one of Denise Hunter’s Nantucket Love Story books – specifically Driftwood Lane. Regardless, I’m glad I read Rosemary Cottage.

After reading several books that don’t quite fall into the true romance genre, I was glad to read this one, which does. There’s a bit of suspense and a surprising bad guy, which I loved. And a guy-you-thought-was-a-good-guy-but-really-isn’t [actually, there’s more than one, but one in particular].

Ms. Coble kept me turning figurative pages as I sped through the book, wanting desperately to figure out what was going on and whodunit. I’d love to see another book set here to follow some of the other characters, particularly some of the SAR folks.

Curtis and Amy find their way together over seemingly insurmountable odds. The way they overcome those odds and the way the figure out the mystery will likely bring me back to Rosemary Cottage again someday soon.

Overall rating: 8.75 out of 10

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

Savvy, determined Ivy Marshall discovers that her husband has cheated on her on the very same day her sister’s perfect boyfriend proposes on national television. When Ivy’s mother asks her to return to her family’s beach home to plan her sister’s upcoming wedding, she decides to use the excuse to escape from the pain of her broken heart. When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings Ivy face to face with her former fiance, old feelings are rekindled and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, when Ivy refuses to talk to her husband, he resorts to tweeting to her, expressing his remorse and making it clear he doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister’s wedding, she must examine her dreams for her own future and what true love should be.

 

 

 

 

This is my second book by Ms. Whalen. The first, The Guest Book, was good and I looked forward to this one. Though the other one wasn’t a true romance in the traditional sense of the genre, it had definite romantic elements to it, much stronger, IMO, than this one did.

I did enjoy The Wishing Tree, but it left me… hmm… something. I’m not quite sure what. I’m not sure whether I expected her to fight for her marriage and work things out with her (cheating) husband or end up with her childhood sweetheart, but I could have gone either way by the end. While I didn’t disagree with the choice Ms. Whalen made, I’m not sure it’s the one I – as an author – would have made.

But with both relationships – regardless of the eventual romantic finale – there needed to be forgiveness and grace and this is ultimately a story that sees Ivy going through those steps with both her estranged husband and ex-fiance.

I wanted to love this, but just didn’t. It wasn’t bad and anyone who enjoys Ms. Whalen’s books will surely enjoy this one, but I felt… I dunno. Nothing bad, but nothing I can really define either…

Ugh. I hate not being able to put my finger on it and share what it is that’s bugging me, but I can’t. I do hope the other fellow gets a happy ending in another book. I’d read it.

And I really did love the wishing tree. And wish we’d had one.

Edit in response to Mary’s comment below to clarify about how I could have gone either way:

Initially, I could have gone either way. I’ve read and enjoyed books with both premises. The husband wasn’t SOOOOOOO awful I couldn’t see him changing (he didn’t beat her half to death regularly and wasn’t a serial cheater with no remorse, etc.) and the ex fiancé wasn’t SOOOOOOOO good she had no choice. Does that make sense? By the end I did have a clear preference, and it surprised me which one.

Part of it, and I meant to mention this earlier, could well have been that I read it in the middle of the night when I wasn’t feeling great.

Overall rating: 8 out of 10

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it. 
   
Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.
 
As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.
 
While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? 
 
Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

When I read Be Still My Soul, I didn’t get quite what I expected. Nothing bad, just not what I thought I was in for. But I enjoyed it and jumped at the chance to review Though My Heart is Torn and see what Gideon and Lonnie are up to! [Plus, I end up singing the title every time –  I will praise you in this stooooooorm  – which is one of my ringtones for a few select friends ;)].

After everything Lonnie and Gideon went through to sort out their relationship in book 1, I hated they would go through such trials in book 2. And I have to admit, after reading the whole thing, I’m a bit torn too. Fingers are itching to get on book 3 and find out how it all turns out.

Gideon honestly believed his first marriage had been dissolved, but when the truth comes to light that it hadn’t. things get difficult. Lonnie and their son are alone. She prays to be pregnant again, for one more piece of Gideon to hold on to. And she has a new suitor after she returns to their home with the farmer and his wife from book 1.

Gideon has to deal with his new-old wife, with a relationship he doesn’t want and thought was long over, and with missing both Lonnie and their son.

How can it all be reconciled?

Ah. A question for book 3. Coming soon ;).

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10

Thanks to Blogging for Books and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

An inside look at the faith that guides the all-stars.

The St. Louis Cardinals have long been one of the most successful franchises in the major leagues. They have won 11 World Series titles and some of the most famous players in the history of the game have worn the storied “Birds on the Bat” uniform.

While that on-field success has been well documented, Intentional Walk is the first book which goes beyond the story of what happens on the field to take an in-depth look at the men inside the Cardinal uniforms, and examine how their strong Christian faith is one of the driving forces behind their success.

Intentional Walk features the stories of Adam Wainwright, David Freese, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran, Jason Motte and other members of the 2012 Cardinals, written as those players and the rest of the team tried to repeat the 2011 world championship. The book talks about how they became Christians and offers their testimony about what it means for them to have God play such a prominent role in their lives.

Playing for first-year manager Mike Matheny, a strong Christian as well, these men talk about their success and failure, about the challenges that come from playing baseball at the highest level, and how thankful and blessed they are to have that God-given ability. In the end, however, what is far more important to them is their life-long relationship they have established with Jesus Christ.

When I saw this book available on BookSneeze, I jumped at it. My husband is a life-long Cardinals fan [both of his parents grew up in St. Louis and he still has family there]. I’m a more recent convert, but still well over a decade. I grew up in Phoenix, before there was baseball there. We lived in St. Louis during the 1998 home run craze. Despite later revelations, it was impossible not to get caught up in the excitement.

Since then, I’ve been a fan – more rabid at times than others – and insanely jealous when hubs gets to go to playoff games [or All-Star Games at Busch Stadium] with a friend who has connections to the local AA team here in Springfield, MO. You know. When he sat and watched one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history with a rally squirrel between them.

Sigh.

I sit at home and watch. And yell at the television. And at the phone when I can’t get through because 40-50 thousand people are all trying to use their phones at the same time.

So… I’d known for years that many members of the Cardinal family are also men of faith. Seeing their stories written here had little to do with baseball and more to do with the men behind the baseball [or the microphone as the case may be] and their faith in the One who gave them their abilities.

I’ve long been a Mike Matheny fan and it’s nice to see his leadership extends beyond behind the plate and in the dugout. One of the catching greats [particularly as it related to handing his pitchers] now coaching inarguable one of the greatest catchers in today’s game in Yadi Molina [I <3 Yadi!].

Each chapter focuses on a different member of the Cardinals organization and their journey through life and baseball and what God has asked of them. One recurring theme is that God’s plans and our plans aren’t always the same but, in the end, God only has our best interests in mind.

I don’t often review non-fiction, but this is the first of several to come in the next few months.

Overall rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars – it’s easy to pick up and read a chapter here and there, and inspiring to say the least

Thanks to the publisher and BookSneeze for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

So… it’s been about a million years since I posted anything but a book review… And there’s more of those coming… August is, after all, Romance Awareness Month. I’m shooting for a review every weekday of the month, starting with Joanne Bischof’s Though My Heart is Torn on Thursday.

In other news, we spent a week in Florida – 5 days at Disney, 1/2 a day at the beach, 1 at Sea World and 1 at Islands of Adventure where my oldest two girls and my sister spent about 4 hours in Harry Potter World.

They had a blast and rode the Harry Potter ride multiple times. They did the walking tour of the castle [I have no clue what any of this stuff is… ;)] then went into the single rider line which had a 10 minute wait instead of a 90 minute one. You can’t see the people you’re riding next to anyway [I rode it later]. Then the guy let them all ride together anyway ;). More souvenirs from there than just about anywhere.

While they all hung out at Hogwarts, me and the little two kiddos went to Dr. Seuss world. There are no straight lines and everything rhymes. Great fun!!!

 

 

 

 

It was a very long, very tiring 10 days but I’m so glad we went. There were moments of great stress.

And moments of great fun.

And memories that will last a lifetime.

My kids fought Darth Maul [pics another day] and one wimped out of fighting Darth Vader [who can blame her?!], we met Mickey Mouse, we drove 2500 miles together [with my sister who joined us].

Phineas and Ferb. They remind me of my friend Amy. I’ve mentioned her before as a blog you should be following [she hasn’t posted in quite some time thanks to a busy summer] over at Potentially Lovely, Perpetually Human.

And I got to see Amy! We went to school together from 1st-12th grade [except maybe 4th?] and I’ve only seen her twice in 20 years. Thank God for Facebook!!!

But as we drove through the Atlanta area, I stopped to hang out with one of my oldest friends [not that neither of us are OLD mind you!] for Five. Whole. Hours!

Not nearly enough.

Not even close. But we talked and ate and talked some more. I didn’t get to our hotel [about an hour further down the road] until about one in the morning. I slept part of the way in the car the next day ;).

Some time soon, I need to post pics of the rest of our summer. Two kids on swim team. Two taking swim lessons. A now-6yo [as of last week!] who refused to even bob [go under and back up] in water an inch too deep on a Tuesday but was going off the diving board by the next Wednesday. And not just any diving board. The high dive!!!

But for now… I have eight scenes left to write in an expansion of last year’s NaNo project [taking it from 56K words to 85K words]. Four today. Four tomorrow. Doable, yes? I sure hope so! I’m ready to be done with this part of it! I even /gasp/ plotted!!!

I leave you with one of my favorite pics of the trip:

 

Dear Bride-To-Be…  

Troy Lee has been writing letters to his future bride since he was a boy. Still, she’s never been more than words on a page…until now. When he meets Destiny Porter, he thinks he may have finally found the woman he’s been waiting for. But Destiny came to Claremont with a single purpose—to get Troy’s permission to print his letters in her magazine. Yet once she lays eyes on the handsome Southern man, Destiny knows she’s in trouble. She can’t help dreaming about being Troy’s bride. But will he still want to be her groom when he finds out who she really is?

 

 

 

I believe this is my first book by Ms. Andrews and I enjoyed it very much. It was a quick, easy read – like most Love Inspireds are – but just what I needed while sitting by the pool.

Destiny [what an appropriate name] has a secret, and it’s one of those books where you just KNOW that when the hero – the extra yummy Troy – finds out, it’s all going to hit the fan. And you know she should tell him but she doesn’t and you can’t turn away and in a sense it’s like a watching a train wreck, but at the same time you hope and pray [even though they’re fictional – because you care just. that. much.] that this time the hero will react the way you HOPE he does, even though it wouldn’t be very real if he did.

So which way does he react?

You really think I’m gonna tell you that here ;)?

I loved Destiny and Troy. And I ADORED the town of Claremont and I hope there are more books set there. There were several secondary or cameo characters who would make wonderful heroes or heroines and I really, really hope there will be more to come!

Overall rating: 8.25 out of 10 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.