Cleaning My Bookshelves Five Book Giveaway!

Since we just moved and I unpacked all of my books I realized I needed to do another giveaway!

Most of these book are ARCS that I received from the publisher. I ended up with a couple of duplicates so I figured I could share the love.

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert 

Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne

Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge

 

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This is ONE giveaway so ONE person will win all of the books listed. USA only please. Once the winner has been notified they will have 24 hours to respond before I will have to choose someone else.

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Jane of Austin Review

About the Book

“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience - or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”―Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Just a few years after their father’s business scandal shatters their lives, Jane and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister Margot and Jane’s tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

But life in Austin isn’t all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.

While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune – retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected—Texas.

In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn't so far away. (Goodreads)

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 My Thoughts

I was pretty excited to get this book in the mail. The cover is stunning and the whole idea of a modern day Sense and Sensibility is simply fun. The first part of the book had my complete attention and I couldn't put it down. I love the Woodward sisters and the family dynamic they create. Celia is probably my favorite sister but it's hard to say as there are fantastic secondary characters as well. LOVED learning about tea and the many recipes included are delightful. Sometimes in books you see a recipe and say "oh maybe someday I'll try it out" but these make your mouth water and I am eager to try them! The romance side of the book is why I give it four stars. It was really difficult for me to totally believe the little romance because it all happens so fast. I loved the little plot twist and the real life experiences but the love story was difficult for me to get into. Callum is a pretty wonderful character, I would say dreamy in a way. I just wish I got to know him better. 
All that said I truly enjoyed this book and for a modern day twist you will enjoy! 

Four stars.

"I received this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own."

 

Summer 11 Book Giveaway- Cleaning Out My Shelves

Oh goodness is it time to clean out my bookshelves and share these titles! I have read all of these books and while they were all good, I either have multiple copies or know I won't re-read them. 

I want people to enjoy reading and I want to share great books with those who haven't read them. 

Some storylines stick with you or make you think differently.  A book can have an impact when you least expect it. 

Here are the titles included: 

 

 

 

This giveaway is for the U.S. only and one winner will be randomly picked. 

These are all in paperback and I will ship them all in one package to the winner.

Enter below and thanks so much for stopping by! Ends August 9th.

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Reservations for Two Review

About the Book

A culinary concoction of taking chances and finding love in the most delectable places


Food writer-turned-restaurateur Juliette D’Alisa has more than enough on her plate. While her trip to Provence might have unlocked new answers to her grandmother’s past, it’s also provided new complications in the form of Neil McLaren, the man she can’t give up.

Juliette and Neil find romance simple as they travel through Provence and Tuscany together, but life back home presents a different set of challenges. Juliette has a restaurant to open, a mother combating serious illness, and a family legacy of secrets to untangle – how does Neil, living so far away in Memphis, fit into to her life?

As she confronts an uncertain future, Juliette can’t help but wish that life could be as straightforward as her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Can her French grandmother’s letters from the 1940’s provide wisdom to guide her present? Or will every new insight create a fresh batch of mysteries? (Goodreads)

My Review

If this is a new author to you and you haven't read the first book in this series, you really must before you delve into this one. The two go together and not a lot makes sense without reading the first book. That being said, this story was slightly disappointing for me and hard for me to fully get into. I love Juliette and the food aspect is so fun to read. There are wonderful quotes at the start of each chapter that have something to do with food. There are also many recipes throughout the book which makes it fun. I can't wait to try the Tiramisu! My favorite parts of the book are when they are traveling or the historical aspect of her family's past. The romance didn't click with me and I didn't enjoy that part as much. I'm not against romance I just don't like it in this storyline.

Anyway this is a fun book that food and fiction lovers will enjoy.

Four Stars.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review.'

A Table by the Window Book Review

via

About the Book

The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story.

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way? (Goodreads)

My Review

What a beautifully written story. Any book about food is bound to be good but this book really is in the top ten for the year. I love the characters and how the author writes. It's unique and fun with a mix of recipes at the end of each chapter. The start of each chapter starts with a food type quote which I loved every time I turned that page! 

Here is my favorite: "No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers. -Laurie Colwin" (A Table by the Window)

There is a pinch of romance but what really fills the pages is a close knit family who come together no matter what is happening. Food is their lives and I loved reading about how they ran the restaurant and made food. The mystery keeps the book flowing with Juliette's grandmother's trunk and it's hidden treasures. The ending is rather abrupt and I found there is to be a sequel!

 This book has a great feel to it and I ate every page up. (Pun intended) 

I highly recommend this book!

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"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."