Review: The Hiring Fair by Laura Strickland (Part of The Wild Rose Press' "Help Wanted Series")

THE HIRING FAIR

part of The Wild Rose Press' "Help Wanted Series"



by Laura Strickland

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Genre: Historical Romance

Brutally dispossessed during the Highland Clearances, Tam Sutherland comes to the hiring fair at Oban, Scotland hoping to find a job for the season. But his maimed right hand, inflicted by the same cruel factor responsible for his parents’ deaths, means he’s one of few men available when the beautiful woman makes her surprising announcement: she’s looking not for a hand but a husband, not just for the season but forever.

Annie MacCallum is under threat from a brutal factor also, back at her home farm—one who preys on unmarried women. If she’s to protect all those who rely on her, including her beloved animals, she must have a husband, if only in name. Secretly glad when the attractive Tam takes up her proposition, she doesn’t realize she’s dragging him into a situation that will trigger old demons. Nor does she expect to give him her heart.

In a low tone he asked, “This marriage you ha’ in mind, will it be legal wi’ no banns being read?”

“Father Alban is an old friend of my uncle, and I ha’ spoken to him of this. He will accommodate me.”

“Aye, and what will your uncle think o’ this scheme of yours?”

“Very little, I imagine. He is dead.”

Sutherland contemplated that without comment.

St. Lyon’s church loomed ahead, appearing all at once out of the swirling snow. Annie turned to Jockie.

“You lead Old Rake round back and join us inside where you can get warm, eh?”

Jockie nodded and clattered off.

Annie turned to Sutherland and looked into his face, only to be struck again by how handsome he looked. But that had naught to do with anything, and she could not let it sway her good sense, not when she’d come so far.

“Before we go inside, I want to be sure I ha’ your understanding. This is no’ an ordinary marriage but something more in the manner of a hiring, which is why I came to the fair in the first place.”

He inclined his shaggy head toward her slightly. “A hiring wi’out wages. That is against the law, you do ken.”

She swept him with her gaze. “And are you a man to adhere to arbitrary laws? I confess, I did no’ get that impression.”

“And,” he returned, “are you a woman who needs to hire a husband?” He echoed her. “I confess, I did no’ get that impression.” He returned her stare, slow and attentive. “You are certainly bonnie enough to snare a husband the usual way.”

To her surprise, Annie felt a wave of heat course through her. “I do no’ want a usual kind o’ husband. I want one who will tak’ my orders and stay clear o’ my bed. Be sure you are that man before we go inside and speak these vows.”

One of Sutherland’s eyebrows quirked up. “I was right at the outset; you are mad.”

“So we ha’ already determined,” Annie agreed, beginning to grow edgy again. What if he refused at this late moment? Where would she find a substitute, with the market now deserted and the snow falling? Besides, she discovered she did not want a substitute; for reasons she did not quite understand, she wanted this man and no other.

“There is a story behind this,” he said mildly. “I confess, I would like to hear it.”

“Perhaps you shall, but not now—there is no time.” Annie drew a breath and sought to deny the fear rising inside her, the fear that he might walk away from her after all.

But that curious smile crossed his lips again.

“Are you coming wi’ me?” she pressed.

“It seems a damned clever way to secure the services of a farm worker whilst paying no wages,” he said. “But aye, for all that, I will come along wi’ you.”

Amazon US ✯ B&N ✯ The Wild Rose Press ✯ All Romance Books ✯ Goodreads

Review:

     Stars: 4 stars

I have read many historical romances that are normally set in Scotland with big buff Highlanders and cunning women, but this book really puts a twist on that norm.  A desperate women trying to save her family farm by going to the Hiring Fair to find a husband. A man with a broken spirit and hand looking for something or someone to help him find peace. I really like the plot that this book gives, but there are a few things that I need to talk about. Since this novel is set in Scotland during the the Highland period, the dialect they use is a little bit hard to understand and translate into the English we use today. Another thing about this book and that didn't particularly like was the back-and-forth saving of Annie MacCallum and Tam Sutherland.  Annie gets in trouble and Tam has to save her, Tam gets in trouble and Annie has to save him and so on and so forth. This really plays into the women need saving theme that many Scottish Historical Romances use. This book just takes that theme and takes it to another level. Overall, this novel has a great plot that reverses gender roles with Annie being the one who brings in the money and Tam being the helping hand. There are a few quirks, but what book would be good if there weren't any quirks? I give this 4/5 stars.

Born in Buffalo and raised on the Niagara Frontier, Laura Strickland has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. To her the spunky, tenacious, undefeatable ethnic mix that is Buffalo spells the perfect setting for a little Steampunk, so she created her own Victorian world there. She knows the people of Buffalo are stronger, tougher and smarter than those who haven’t survived the muggy summers and blizzard blasts found on the shores of the mighty Niagara. Tough enough to survive a squad of automatons? Well, just maybe.

Website ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon ✯ Facebook ✯ Blog

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Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Brit Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants;but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain, and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there and in uncovering this, she may become the killer's next target.

But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Black Ice is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick's riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous.

Links:

Amazon

B&N

My Review: 5 Stars!!! 

Becca Fitzpatrick is a great paranormal writer, but now she is a great suspense thriller writer. Instead of angels, there are murders and psychopaths. Instead of hot guys, there are...still hot guys!! I fell in love Patch, but Mason was harder to love. He kept going back from good to bad to good to bad. You never knew who had his loyalty. Britt was not my favorite character even though she was the main one. She tried to seem smart while being really naive. 

This was a very gripping book. I had to see what happened next. What is happing to Britt? Is Mason hot or cold? Where is Calvin? I thought the book was going to end in a big cliffhanger and she would make us Hush Hush fans for another Black Ice book, but she wrapped this book up with a big twist and a happy ending. It is quite the thriller. Will they kill Britt and her friend? What is going to happen to Mason in the end? It is also quite an amazing suspense book where it leaves you at the edge of your seat with every page turn.

Becca is a very gifted writer who brings to life, especially in this book, what could happen when someone gets kidnapped which is very different from writing about HOTT angels. If there is a sequel in the works for Mason and Britt, I can't wait to read it!!

About Becca Fitzpatrick

Becca Fitzpatrick grew up reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden with a flashlight under the covers. She graduated college with a degree in health, which she promptly abandoned for storytelling. When not writing, she's most likely prowling sale racks for reject shoes, running, or watching crime dramas on TV. She is the author of the bestselling HUSH, HUSH Saga. 

Thank you @simonschister for the chance to review this book. Go #simoninsiders

Cover Reveal: New World Order by S.M. McEachern

New World Order by S.M. McEachern
(Sunset Rising #3)
Publication date: January 2015

Synopsis:

The Biodome has been liberated, the slaves are now free, and a new democratic government has been formed. Yet tensions between the Pit and the Dome have never been higher. With the disappearance of Senator Jack Kenner, the old regime makes a political move to reestablish their government.
In the third book of the Sunset Rising trilogy, Sunny O’Donnell is determined to find Jack and bring him home. With the high-tech assistance of Doc, Sunny teams up with Summer, Reyes and friends from the Nation and sets out into a lawless post apocalyptic world in search of the kidnapped men. But as the ruthlessness of the recruiters unfolds amidst the discovery of betrayals within their own group, friends will become enemies and enemies will become friends on a journey that will end in a New World Order.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23463467-new-world-order?ac=1

AUTHOR BIO:

S.M. McEachern was born in Nova Scotia, Canada. She attended Dalhousie University in the 1990s where she earned an Honours Degree in International Development Studies. She worked in the field of International Development for several years, specializing in ocean development.

"Sunset Rising" is S.M. McEachern's first novel. She says the idea for the story first came to her in the 1990s when she researched a Bio-Dome experiment in Arizona for an academic paper. The thought that the world might one day need a Bio-Dome to escape a global catastrophe set her imagination into overdrive. And the ethics behind such an idea formed the backdrop for Sunset Rising.

Her goal in writing the novel is to entertain the reader with an interesting plot and colourful characters.

Author links:

http://smmceachern.com/

https://twitter.com/smmceachern

https://www.facebook.com/S.M.McEachernAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6538545.S_M_McEachern

Endless Affinity (Forever series, #2) by Brooklyn Taylor Blog Tour

SYNOPSIS:

Grace Ingram made one mistake that sent her down a path that

was full of heart break and misery.  In a moment of hesitation her stubbornness left her filled with doubts in her mind that could cause her to sacrifice the love of her life.

 Grace was a blue-collar, strong, independent Texas girl that had been with the same guy since high school. Now at the age of 26 she has been asked the one thing most women are waiting and wishing for, but not Grace. The last thing she wanted was to get married and start a family- especially with a guy that had never had to work for a living. She knew Kyle was the only one she had ever loved with all her heart, trusting and allowing a level of intimacy she would never allow with another. After all he was the only man that knew of the abuse she suffered as a high school teenager. The differences in their lifestyles were in such

contrast, though, that it was hard for her to let her guard down.  Grace had no idea the battle she would really be fighting once she realized she was losing Kyle for good.

Kyle Chandler was everything every woman wanted. He was rich, gorgeous and full of charm. He was a ladies’ man but the only girl he had eyes for was Grace, his high school sweetheart. He had the world handed to him on a silver platter. The one thing he couldn’t have and wanted deeply was to make Grace his, but he hadn’t been successful at accomplishing that. After years of reluctance he decides to take the risk and ask her to be his, only to be met with the answer he dreaded.

Now, the three girls are back together, trying to juggle their friendships and their busy lives. McKoy is beginning to take over her successful family Vineyard, and Ashlynn getting ready for the arrival of her baby with Cooper.

Will the people that come into their lives keep them apart? Or serve to make them realize the love that they really share?

Do you have to really lose the most important person in your life to realize how special they are? And how hard will you fight to regain that love?

Can Grace overcome her indecisiveness, confident in the love she and Kyle share, knowing they are meant to be together? And is love really enough?

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON  ** iBooks ** B&N ** KOBO

EXCERPT: 

I woke up to the heat of sunlight blaring on my body

and on my eyes. I heard giggles and saw Cooper standing over us.

“Ummmm, Grace…. Kyle…….”

I sat up and saw I had nothing on and grabbed for my boobs. “Holy shit.”

“Wait a minute Grace don’t move. I don’t want to see anything more than I already have. Kyle don’t move, let me back away and drive the fuck out of here. Ash is going to love this story. Hope y’all had fun on my farm truck. From the looks of it, you had more fun than I did last night.”

“Very funny Cooper!”

I heard Cooper take off on the Polaris and rolled my

eyes.

“How embarrassing! I didn’t realize we had fallen

asleep.”

Kyle laughed. “Let’s get home baby and do that

again.”

“I am going to hear a mouth full from Ash!”

He mumbled “wasn’t it worth it” as he kissed my lips

then turned to give my ass a slap as I got off the truck.

“Hell yes it was worth it!”

"You know Grace, I’ve always been a car person,

but I love this truck." He gave it a good pat. "Do you think that

Cooper would sell it to us?" We both laughed as we made our way to the car

knowing every time we saw this truck it would hold a special memory for us. 

Brooklyn Taylor Bio:

I am a Texas girl, mother of 2 amazing kiddos and married to

my gorgeous soulmate for almost 20 years. I have a full time job in the medical field but hope one day to strictly write. I love to spend my free time reading, being outside and playing with my family and 4 fur babies. I am blessed to have very supportive friends and family that make my life worth living! I started to write at the instinct of "hey maybe I can do that!" and here I am. I

have enjoyed every step of the journey. Every single person I hear from about my stories touches me and confirms the reason why I ventured into this insane dream of mine.

My Review:

Defiantly 5 STARS!!!

First of all, I want to thank Book Plug Promotions for letting be apart of this amazing blog tour!! Without them I wouldn't have ever found this incredible book series by an AMAZING author. I also want to thank the author Brooklyn Taylor. You are the best writer ever, especially with the cliffhangers!!! Thank you for sending your books to me! You are the only author that has sent your books to me and I am grateful!!

I promise No Spoilers, but this book is full of twists and turns, especially the end!! This series about Forever Love and that is exactly what Grace and Kyle have. If only she would let him in. He knows of her past and it is one of great heartache and betrayal. Parents are supposed to love you, especially a mother, not get divorced and remarried to a disgusting pig! Kyle loves Grace with all his heart, but when his father is arrested he must rethink his life and wonder if he can forgive Grace for not telling him the truth.

This book is even better then the first!! Each person has gone through horrors that no one should ever have to face, but with the help of their soulmate, they will be able to have the life that they always wanted. It is truly a fantastic book that deals with real life problems many people face. Brooklyn Taylor has outdone herself once again. It is swoon-worthy, has hot guys, and the characters have a soul consuming love that every girl dreams of! What is not to like? Did I mention the HOTT guys? They deserve and extra T!

Next is McKoy's story! With that kind of epilogue, she has some decisions to make!!! As always Ashlynn and Grace will always be there for her and for each other. 

Author Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8203929.Brooklyn_Taylor?from_search=true

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbrooklyntaylor

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Review: Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand

Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand

New Adult Paranormal Fantasy

The Cherokee believe when a person dies, their soul is reborn. Life is repeated. An endless cycle of lessons to be learned, love to be found, destiny to be fulfilled. For the past six months, in every flower, every bird, I’ve imagined my parents, relieved of their human forms.

Now, after five months at the Skye View Wellness Center, it was summer. A time for parties and friends, but that’s the last thing I want to do. So when my best friendErin convinces me to attend a bonfire at Eagle Point, I can’t handle the crowd full of sympathetic stares or drunken class clowns who would use my tragedy as a way into my heart – or my pants. The solitude of the woods offers an escape, until I stumble upon a boy, unconscious and bleeding, his pockets stuffed not with identification but with poetry illustrating the beauty of dying. I’ve seen enough death. I will not leave this boy’s side.

Even after he wakes, when the only thing he can remember are visions of events that haven’t happened yet...

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My Review:

There is a myth that Whisper's aunt Lydia knows. It is about their first chief's daughter and how she was in love with one while she had to marry another. The man she had to marry wanted power over the tribe and used black magic to further his growing power. When they consummated their marriage, she died and he gained immortality. The man she loved went to their wise woman and asked if he could gain immortality so he could protect her when she is reincarnated and has to face the evil man again and again. But some day something would change the way the end plays out and the curse will be broken at midnight.

I was a little skeptical about this book because the synopsis didn't give much detail on the book, but when I started reading it I totally fell in love with it. After going through the death of her parents, you can see why she didn't want to leave the mysterious boy she found in the woods to die. I really connected with her resilient nature of not giving up on the boy in case he didn't have a family to go to. Once he woke up, he no longer remembered who he was or where.

Not knowing anythingother then there was poem of death by Dylan Thomas, Whisper names him Dylan. He has Brown hair and eyes and according to Whisper, "Sexy. As. Hell." He is a great guy who, through out the book, helps Whisper to understand their instant attraction and calm down her hero complex. Although Whisper is only interested in Dylan, there is another who set their eyes on becoming more for Whisper and his name is Taregan. He is full Cherokee blood and thinks she is perfect for him.  But he has a dark side. One that remains hidden until Dylan remembers who is and what he has to do.

All in all, this was a great book about Cherokee myths and how love has the power to conquer even the most darkest days. It deals with the heavy topic of losing arenas and having to go on myself. This is YA, but defiantly has NA moments. This books earns all 5 stars. It captures your soul and never lets it go. The sexy Dylan isn't bad to read about either! *cue drool and stares!*

About the Author:

Author of Across the Galaxy, Whisper, and the Dirty Blood series. I write, read, and fuss at my kids. Oh, and I do laundry, lots of laundry. I’m pretty good at it, too. Sometimes I even read WHILE doing laundry – and fussing at my kids. I’m a multi-tasker.

For more information on my books, release dates, or just general stalker material, um, I mean FAN material, visit my website. www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com. I love hearing from readers!

Likes and dislikes? I love vintage tees, hate socks with sandals, and if my house was on fire the one thing I’d grab is my Amazon Fire TV! (oh yeah, I’m a fan of puns.)

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Unexpected by Amy Marie Blog Tour

SYNOPSIS:

At twenty-seven Erin Decker has the perfect life; a thriving career, a dream home
she shares with her best friend Noelle, and a secure relationship with Robert,
her handsome and faithful boyfriend. Or so she thinks.

When her visions of a marriage proposal are met with the ultimate betrayal, Erin finds
herself in the arms of sexy and strong-willed distraction, Walker Prescott.

Her summer becomes life changing as she realizes Walker has left her with a tiny piece of
himself and no way to find him…until he suddenly shows up and turns her world
upside down.

Can she let go of her past to make way for a future she never saw coming?

Can Walker be exactly what Erin needs?

Will he give her the perfect life she so desperately craves in the most unexpected way?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22090396-unexpected?ac=1

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON ** B&N

EXCERPT:

My body isn’t used to this much alcohol. The few glasses of wine I
normally drink don’t have me in the middle of a dance “orgy” without
remembering how I got there. Sweat is dripping down my neck and tickling the
space between my breasts. After the third round of drinks, bought by three
different men just wanting to get in my pants, I feel relaxed yet out of
control. Noelle is nowhere to be found and in my drunken state I’m not even the
least bit concerned about it. The music has taken over my body and I can feel
myself letting go of all the stress and anxiety that Robert has caused me. I
don’t care who is watching because at this moment I feel like the sexiest
person in here.

With my eyes closed I rub my hands along my hips all the way to my hair,
pulling it off my neck into a makeshift ponytail. The beat of the music moves
through me like an electric wave. When a cool puff of air passes over the back
of my neck it feels like water in the Sahara. Larger hands than I’ve ever felt
before unexpectedly come around my waist and pull me back into a rock hard
chest. My breathing becomes more ragged as the mystery man whispers in my ear.

“Are you hot, baby?” He asks, his hot breath sending shivers down my
spine.

My senses are on high alert and despite the fact that I haven’t a clue
what he looks like, those four words turn me on instantly. If his voice can do
that to me I’d love to see what his enormous hands are capable of. Our bodies
connect and sway to the music as his mouth continues to hover just above my
shoulder causing tingles to radiate through my body. I can feel his lips
grazing the crease of my neck and when he nips my skin my knees go weak. My
head falls back involuntarily giving him more access to continue his sensual
assault. He smells delicious, and the soft suctioning kisses he places up my
neck cause me to moan in anticipation. I have to see the man who is releasing
all my inhibitions.

Reluctantly I turn my heated body around feeling the loss of his soft
lips, but what I’m rewarded with is a vision of godliness. Standing at what
appears to be well over six feet tall is the most panty-dropping specimen that
I have ever laid my eyes upon. I should have turned around sooner! His plain
black t-shirt hugs every single slender muscle in his sexy ass arms. The faded
blue jeans he wears are snug, even more so where his zipper lies, showing me
how much he is turned on. His dark brown hair is a styled mess; short on the
sides but longer up top. I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to grab
hold of it and tug. Hard. A grin flashes across his face, as if he’s read my
mind, and I see a hint of just one dimple on the right side of his mouth. His
green eyes appear hungry as they shamelessly take me in from my toes to my own
starving eyes. I swallow hard and try to catch my breath.

“I thought you looked good from behind but damn if you don’t look
heavenly from this angle,” he says loudly, over the music.

He grabs both of my hands, circling them around his neck. With our
height difference my forehead falls into his chest perfectly, as if we are two
pieces of a puzzle. I try to control my breathing; the alcohol is coursing
through my veins now. Freeing my hands from their hold, they find their way
down and softly graze over his pecs and then the ripple of his abs. They falter
as they come in contact with not a six pack but, a …1,2,3,… eight pack! I see
his chest rising and falling rapidly. I think he must be as turned on by me as
I am by him. Impossible.

My Review:

First and for most, the cover is two hands. I thought it was something else, but finally figured it out once I read this absolutely wonderful book. When I first signed up, there was mistake with the sign up sheet and it had the wrong synopsis. I was still signed up, but had doubts about this book. That is until I read it. 

I knew the moment I started to read this book that Robert was having an affair. I sympathized her right away. What Robert did crushed Erin and she finally realized what a cheating low-life douche bag he is. The way he treated her in the past lead up to the moment where Erin is finally free. With her best friend in tow, they go to a club where Erin meets Walker. A sexy man whose has a panty melting smile. After their one-night stand, Noelle and Erin go on vacation when Erin has a problem. Not knowing if she will ever see Walker again, she resumes her job of a sixth grade math teacher when she gets another surprise. Guess who is student teaching?? WALKER!! 

Through out this book, it is Erin and Walker's journey and dealing with a surprise and how it impacts both their lives. I love Erin, but I love Walker more. He is a sweet and gentle guy, when they are not going at it, caring for her when she was scared and hurt. His smile could make a girl's brain go from smart to mush in 5 seconds flat. Noelle reminds me of Jen for Quinn Loftis' Grey Wolves series. Both will hurt anybody who comes between her love ones and both talk about sex openly! 

Erin really grows up in this book. She knew what she wanted in life, but didn't find it in Robert till after he cheated. She found it in Walker when he didn't, no pun intended, walk away. It is an compelling story about how surprises can lead you to the one your meant to be with. Of course there are ups and downs, every relationship has them, but this down was a twist in Erin's head. The woman Robert cheated with is a family member of Walker. I won't tell how they are related, but its pretty close!! This is an Adult Romance book, but it is one of the best I have ever read. I can't wait for more swoon-worthly men come around! *mischievous grin*

AUTHOR BIO:

Amy Marie was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and now resides in Virginia Beach with her fantastically crazy husband and two kids.

As an avid reader, she never dreamed of writing her own novel until the characters started haunting her at night and in the shower.  Wanting to get it down on paper she set off on a journey that has been more than she could have ever dreamed. 

When not writing, she can be found carting her kids around, breaking up their fights, cleaning up messes, teaching Zumba, or reading. 

AUTHOR MEDIA SITES:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramymarie

Email: AuthorAmyMarie@yahoo.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8202659.Amy_Marie_Author

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