Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts

29 May 2020

*Read My Review & ENTER TO WIN!* The Outlaw's Daughter by Margaret Brownley

THE OUTLAW'S DAUGHTER 
HAYWIRE BRIDES, BOOK 3
by
MARGARET BROWNLEY
Western / Historical Fiction / Clean & Wholesome Romance 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 
Date of Publication: May 26, 2020 
Number of Pages: 384

Scroll down for Giveaway!


He may be a Texas Ranger, but he only has eyes for the outlaw's beautiful daughter . . .  Texas Ranger Matt Taggert is on the trail of a wanted man. He has good reason to believe that Ellie-May's late husband was involved in a stagecoach robbery, and he's here to see justice done. But when he arrives in town, he discovers the thief has become a local hero . . . and his beautiful young widow isn't too happy to see some lawman out to tarnish her family's newly spotless reputation. 
Ellie-May's shaken by her encounter with the ranger. Having grown up an outlaw's daughter, she'll do anything to keep her children safe—and if that means hardening her heart against the handsome lawman's smiles, then so be it. Because she knows Matt isn't about to give up his search. He's out to redeem himself and find proof that Ellie-May's husband wasn't the saint everyone claims . . . even if it means losing the love neither expected to discover along the way.

CLICK TO PURCHASE!





Hey, Y’all! Well, here we are, almost at the end of May. Summer is right around the corner, and I’m still staying the heck at home, away from germs and the people who carry them.  

This gives me more time with my books, both reading and writing ‘em, and it gives me time to do other things like this:


Yes. I actually did this to my own dog.  It’s like she’s a time traveler against her own fur-will. I confess at having laughed way too hard whilst doing this portrait of Sascha Marie, who you can follow on Facebook by clicking on her name (which I just now typed). I’ve been spending some time honing my Photoshop skills, and in doing so, have even gotten my first commission for a pet portrait, yo! Check it out. 

 I titled this portrait, Her Grace Callie Mae, Duchess of Purrington. Not bad, huh? 
(My next one will be a portrait of a fish in Renaissance garb.)  


What have y’all been doing during all this extra at-home time? 
Leave a comment below. I’m lonely and need human interaction.

Speaking of which …

Kristine, siren of all books she surveys, lured me in once more. Come to think of it, I bet she’s got one of them confounded voodoo dolls with curly red hair and blue buttons for eyes. Instead of jabbing it with pins, she prolly tapes books on it and whispers “Belle, you are gonna lurve (yes, I think she actually whispers that word) this book. Sign up to review it.
DO IT NOW, OR I’LL JAB YOU WITH A PIN!”

That’s when my eyes fly open, in the dark of the night, and I immediately go to the blogger group and start searching for the book title I’d heard whispered in my dream-mare (I just made that word up.)  But, ya know what? Somehow, the book temptress is always right. She could be, like, a millionaire with her canny bookish book bloggerness in all her glory.

Alas, I digress.

Let’s get on with the review, shall we? (I saw you nodding your head off, tired of my rambling. Yes, I’m looking at you!)

THE OUTLAW’S DAUGHTER by Margaret Brownley is not a genre that’s usually on my self-chosen, non-book-siren-influenced forte of reading material. I usually personally go for something with a fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi blend or to the other end of the scale -- something that’s extremely literary (think Shakespeare or Beowulf) or some obscure Viking history book that’s frankly boring to most people.  But, Kristine knows me well, I tells ya!  Yes. She knows something historical is gonna tickle my ever-loving fancy. And she was right on the money.

It was a sunny day when THE OUTLAW’S DAUGHTER arrived in my mailbox. The rays of afternoon sunlight glowed on the gorgeous cover of Brownley’s book as I slipped it out of the envelope. But something else slipped out, too.  A lovely, handwritten note from the author.  I carefully turned back the gorgeous cover (y’all know how I love to keep a book looking like it’s never been read) and there it was … another note and the author’s autograph (y’all also know I love it when the book is autographed.  GAZE UPON THE SPLENDOR!




Not only does this book look great on my library shelf, as you can clearly see, but it also sits well in the reader’s hands.  It has a nice, tangible quality that makes ya not wanna put it down. But that’s not the only thing that keeps the reader glued to this book.

Ms. Brownley has the unmitigated gall to quote Mark Twain even before she gets to the hook, which you’ll read about here in a second. Now, quoting witty ole Twain is the perfect way to snag a Literature Major’s heart. (I’m beginning she did it on purpose. Heck, maybe she’s even in cahoots with Kristine the Book Siren. NO, I AIN’T PARANOID!)


The reader quickly learns on the first line of Chapter 1 that this book takes place in the Year of Our Lord 1887 in a place called Haywire, Texas.  “That sounds like a place where I belong,” I says to myself as I snuggled down into my reading nook and tucked into the story.

And there it was. Right there. The hook.


Of course, I had no other option but to continue reading. And so, I tumbled headfirst into THE OUTLAW’S DAUGHTER by Margaret Brownley.  The roads were dusty in Haywire, when I picked myself up from whence I'd landed in the story. There’d been a drought for some time, and the town folk were scurrying to and fro, stirring up clouds of dust. I stood at the edge of the dusty street, watching horses and wagons pass by and listening to people chatter on about an upcoming town celebration to do with a bronze statue. (I hoped none of them could see me standing there in my nightgown.)

Imma stop there, because y’all know I don’t give spoilers.

But I will tell y’all this:  there are a lot of things that I enjoyed about this book. First, Brownley has the gift of a true storyteller. Each page fed my interest in the story until I was actually invested in the characters. Indeed, I was so enthralled that I plowed through this book in one sitting. 


Of equal enjoyment is how Brownley allows her characters to be their authentic selves. Ya know what I mean? She actually allows them to say the things and speak the way you’d expect if you met them in person.  For example:



I’ve added this line to my repertoire of future insults, by the way. Thank you, Ms. Brownley!

This story has everything a reader longs for in a book:  tragedy, tenderness, suspense, romantic tension, and a good lookin’ Texas Ranger. Boy, howdy and lawd have mercy! *Fans Self*



via GIPHY

Most of all, Brownley’s writing is crisp, intelligent, and witty. I enjoyed the heck out of this book and my visit to Haywire, Texas.  No matter what genre the reader usually prefers, THE OUTLAW’S DAUGHTER by Margaret Brownley has all the elements to keep any reader enthralled until the very last satisfying sentence.

And that’s why I grant The Outlaw’s Daughter
Five Haywire Brooms!




  

New York Times bestselling author Margaret Brownley has penned more than forty-six novels and novellas. 
A two-time Romance Writers of American RITA® finalist, Margaret has also written for a TV soap and is a recipient of the Romantic Times Pioneer Award. Not bad for someone who flunked eighth-grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.
◆  WEBSITE  ◆  FACEBOOK  ◆  TWITTER  
◆  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  ◆  BOOKBUB    ◆  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE   





GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
 TWO WINNERS each receive signed copies of the first two books in the Haywire Brides series, Cowboy Charm School and The Cowboy Meets His Match
  May 26-June 5, 2020
(US ONLY)


Click Image to ENTER TO WIN!


FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY. 
Or, visit the blogs directly:


5/26/20
Promo
5/26/20
Review
5/27/20
Review
5/27/20
Review
5/28/20
BONUS Post
5/28/20
Review
5/29/20
Review
5/29/20
Review
5/30/20
Review
5/31/20
Review
6/1/20
Review
6/1/20
Review
6/2/20
Review
6/3/20
Review
6/4/20
Review
6/4/20
Review



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20 February 2020

Read My Review & *ENTER TO WIN!* Finding Esme by Suzanne Crowley

FINDING ESME
by
SUZANNE CROWLEY
   Genre: Middle Grade (3-7)
Magical Realism / Family & Loss 
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Date of Publication: August 14, 2018
Number of Pages: 288

Scroll down for the giveaway!



After her grandfather died from a heart attack while driving his tractor on Solace Hill, twelve-year-old Esme's been inextricably drawn to that spot, although her grandmother warns her to stay away. But when she follows her little brother, Bo, and her dog, Old Jack, up the hill while chasing fireflies, she makes an incredible discovery—dinosaur bones peeking out from underneath the abandoned tractor. The bones must be a message from her grandfather, a connection from beyond the grave. But when word gets out that the farm is hiding something valuable, reporters, researchers, and neighbors arrive in droves. Esme struggles to understand who has her best interests at heart, especially as the memory of her grandfather begins to slip away. Full of friendship and adventure, and featuring a palpable Texas setting, Finding Esme is a moving and heartfelt story about family, friendship, and learning to deal with loss.
PRAISE & HONORS FOR FINDING ESME:

“Esme is a brave, appealing heroine with the odds stacked against her… Bad blood and layered family secrets drive this story to its ultimately optimistic and satisfying conclusion.” 
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“Esme McCauley is a lonely but spirited 12-year-old who feels nothing ever happens to her the way it’s supposed to...A poignant tale for readers who enjoy character-driven realism.” 
- School Library Journal 

“Readers muddling through preteen changes or unstable family lives will identify with Esme’s struggles, but the thrill of discovery will appeal to most.” - Booklist
Texas Library Association 2019 Spirit of Texas (SPOT) reading program selection

Well, my goodness, y’all! Here I am, again, with a review that’s sure to knock your socks off!

“How do you know it’ll knock my socks off?” you ask, whilst reading the above sentence.

“Because this book knocked my socks all the way into last month, that’s how, you sassy thang!” I reply, as I continue to type this here review.

Oh, this book … y’all … this book took me all the way back to my childhood in a way that only a well written book can. It all started with the delicious (dust) cover of this hardback book. Yes, I’m here to tell y’all that a book can, indeed, be judged by its cover. The intriguingly artistic cover of FINDING ESME by Suzanne Crowley is as sweet and delicious as a sun ripened peach from Esme’s grandmother’s farm.

And guess what? Ms. Crowley sent me an AUTOGRAPHED copy of this book and a bookmark!

YAASSSSS! GAZE UPON THE SPLENDOR! 



*Le Sigh*

Y’all know I shoot straight from the hip when it comes to books and reviews. I don’t know whether or not it’s the fact that I studied English Literature or the fact that I, myself, am an author (of the best sci-fi books in Texas), but I kinda get a little picky with the books I read, yo!

Just ask Kristine.


Oh, yes, you know of whom I speak … the Lone Star Literary Life Book Siren, herself. She knows just how to lure me in with a gorgeous cover and an intriguing blurb. But I digress.

This book is magical realism at its best. I simply lurved it. I lurved it a whole lots!

What I enjoyed most about FINDING ESME by Suzanne Crowley was the constant tension in her prose. Her writing is sprinkled with a … je ne sais quoi … if you know what I mean. The reader is continually aware that something is off, not quite right. Something is coming, and it may or may not be good.

Only time will tell (once the reader finishes the book, of course!)



FINDING ESME by Suzanne Crowley took me all the way back to the magic of childhood summers before cellphones and computers … before technology distracted kids from the wonders of summer nights, chasing fireflies, the true value of friendship and how ones actions towards peers can affect others deeply.

Long gone are the days of dealing with others face-to-face, making amends in person or by slipping secret gifts of apology where the offended party will find them. Most of today’s kids are conditioned to social media and the ease it brings of forgetting the person on the other side of the screen is a living, breathing human with feelings.

I find this enormously saddening.



Speaking of sadness. Without giving away any spoilers (‘cause y’all keep asking, and y’all know I ain’t gonna!), this book strikes a tender nerve in anyone who’s lived through those angsty pre-teen years. Not only that, but this book deals with actual real world issues such as: depression, absentee parenting (both in person and flat out abandonment), grandparents who must step back into parenting shoes, deep loss, the value of true friends, and knowing when to tune in to one’s intuition.



Oh, this book has it all! Magic. Ghosts. Mystery. Witching Sticks. Pie Made of Sun Ripened Peaches, a faithful ole horned toad (who may or may not really be a ghost), and, of course, a faithful ole dog. It’s a story as sweet as Bee’s honey. As bewitching as a witching stick. As mysterious as a ghost who leads the way to long-buried bones.

But I’ve gone too far here! Y’all’ve almost tricked me into spoilers, y’all sassy thangs!

Look …

Crowley’s writing is honey sweet … her writing voice as mesmerizing as a misty spirit in the night calling to the reader from betwixt the covers of FINDING ESME. I simply could not rest until I finished the book!

And that’s why I grant
FINDING ESME
By Suzanne Crowley
5 Peachy Sweet Magical Brooms!







Suzanne Crowley is the author of two acclaimed novels for young readers, The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous and The Stolen One. The author, who is also a miniaturist and dollhouse collector whose work has graced the covers of magazines worldwide, was born in a small town in Texas and lives in Southlake, Texas. When not hugging her dog or imbibing in chocolate, she can often be found taking a nap.











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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
TWO READERS EACH WIN A SIGNED COPY OF FINDING ESME, TWO CANDLES, BOOKMARKS, FUN FACT CARDS, AND A PEN! February 11-21, 2020
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
2/11/20
Review
2/11/20
Review
2/12/20
Audio Review
2/12/20
Review
2/13/20
Review
2/14/20
Review
2/14/20
Review
2/15/20
Review
2/16/20
Review
2/17/20
Review
2/17/20
Review
2/18/20
Review
2/19/20
Review
2/20/20
Review
2/20/20
Audio Review


   
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