Blackmoore...feel free to start a slow clap!

In this review I will use the phrases: amazing, excellent, incredible, and I'm not ashamed of it! Yep! This book I finished at five in the morning! Bad decision to start this one before bed because you won't actually go to bed! Then I took 10 minutes to reread all of my favorite parts! I will consider myself Blackmoored! Yep-made that phrase up right along with the phrase Edenbrooked. So it has been a full fifteen hours since I finished Blackmoore! I didn't want to write a review right after so that I would be able to be calm and collected but guess what? Fifteen hours later and I still feel like this-

and this-

Oh heck...why not one more-this is how I felt about the romance! 

Synopsis of this amazing book! 
Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. She plans to travel to India instead—because she wants adventure in the great wide somewhere...she wants it more than she can tell. (O wait...that's Belle) But yes, she wants adventure and wants to escape her crazy family! But Kate’s mom has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: Kate may go to India only if she gets and rejects three marriage proposals. 

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance and o so good! It will be released in September.

When I first started reading this I had a moment of fear. What if I put my expectations too high for this book because Edenbrooke was so good?! I am super happy to report that my fears were needless! It may be slightly blasphemous but I might even venture to say that this is better than Edenbrooke. Oh Blackmoore, Blackmoore...how I love thee...let me count the ways! 
1-I love your cover! It's pretty! Even though I have the ebook I fully plan on buying a hard copy of the book! 

2-The main character Kate is extremely like-able! She is strong-willed and flawed but not in an annoying way-in a very human way that's relatable. It's always refreshing to find a protagonist that is someone you find yourself rooting for!  
3-The romance was amazing!!! It was the kind of romance where you are squirming from the cuteness! It leaves you screaming, "JUST KISS ALREADY!" I was about half way through this book when I realized I was actually smiling at my kindle. I laughed, I sighed...remembering my favorite parts makes my heart race a bit! :) 
4- Henry Delafield. Sigh and swoon worthy Henry Delafield! I loved him! I loved him so much that I had to remind myself he was fictional! If I find a real Henry I will marry him so fast! I can't talk about him without being spoilery! That's why I need you to read it and come talk to me about it so we can fangirl this out together!  
5-While at first I thought this to be slightly predictable I really didn't care. Then I got to the last 95% of the book and I was literally on the edge of my seat! I was begging the universe to let the book end the way that I wanted! This doesn't always happen but man I love that feeling of COME ON!! Let everything that I want to happen...happen! It's one of my favorite things about books! :) 
6-Okay I can't resist! I am putting my favorite sentence at the end of this post! It shouldn't be too spoilery because it's not what it seems! She has to get many proposals after all!  BUT if you want complete surprise skip ahead!
7-Just promise me you'll read this okay? Do it for me! You'll love it! I love it! Spreading love is always an excellent decision! 

And now my teaser....to read or not to read...that is your choice!



"The depths of your soul are fathomless. You are brave and loyal and true. You have such a good heart. It is only afraid. But I would take such good care of it, love, if you would give it to me." 

My Own Mr. Darcy tour plus GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi ya'll! In the book I'm reviewing today the main character Elizabeth's mom takes her to Pride and Prejudice the movie where she decides that she will only have a Mr. Darcy in her life. Fast forward a few years and now she is confronted with two eligible bachelors. One is exactly like Mr. Darcy while the other one is completely opposite. She is drawn to both but sometimes she finds herself slipping away from her Darcy vow. So what will it be? Brooding or sweet? The boy of her dreams or the boy of her reality? All in all this was a fun ride! 

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

It's on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About the author-

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

If you would like to win $25 enter this hosted giveaway click on this link! 

GO WIN!!! 

HAPPY BANNED BOOK WEEK!!!!

I love Banned Book Week! I love the stories behind why someone would want a book banned. People become so passionate about stories and that my friends is the magic of reading! I like to feel cool that I have read a book that is on the list! Mostly people are trying to protect children and demand censorship! But I think that sometimes it's fun to have a little shock to your system! So to celebrate I'm going to list eleven favorite "banned" books! Why eleven? Why not! I'll tell you why I love them and why they were banned! Or I just want to shock ya a bit! Either way we'll have some fun!

#1 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 

Hello amazing book! This one ranks on the top 10 books of all time list!  I don't know how you can't fall in love with Scout, Jem, Boo Radley and of course the amazing Atticus Finch. “To Kill a Mockingbird” ranks among the true classics of modern American literature and explores complex themes of justice and compassion. It has also faced significant controversy due to its consideration of challenging issues such as rape and racial inequality. In 1995, the book was challenged in Moss Point, MS and at the Santa Cruz, CA Schools because of its racial themes. It was removed from the Southwood High School Library in Caddo Parish, LA that same year, because its language and content were found objectionable. “To Kill a Mockingbird” received the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and Harper Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007. 







#2 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Only one of the best books of all time! Beginning with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in 1997, this series of seven novels dominated both bestseller lists and the imaginations of readers across the globe. At the same time, controversy over magic and witchcraft in the stories prompted frequent book banning attempts, and even book burnings. In 2002, the books were proposed for removal, along with more than fifty other titles, by a teachers’ prayer group at the high school in Russell Springs, KY because they dealt with ghosts, cults, and witchcraft. That same year, a federal judge overturned restricted access to “Harry Potter” after parents of a Cedarville, AK fourth-grader filed a lawsuit challenging the requirement that students present written permission from a parent to borrow the books. The novels were originally challenged because they characterized authority as “stupid” and portrayed “good witches and good magic.”




#3 The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Possibly one of the coolest trilogies of the 21st century! Why was it challenged? It was listed as: anti-ethnic, anti-family, insensitive, has offensive language, occult/satanic, and has violence. While I do agree on the violence part being at an all time high I disagree with anti-family! She volunteered!!! :D 












#4 Twilight  by Stephanie Meyer

Please...before you go screaming for my head let me state what I feel without judgement. Put away your wooden stakes for just one second! I like Twilight! I do! I think that before it was horribly ruined by the movies (I mean RUINED) I always liked the story! So pretend this is 2006 and untainted! :D The reason it was banned: sexually explict and religious viewpoints.











#5 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. This is the first kids book that made me cry! No it was not banned for screwing with your emotions! It's been challenged as being satanic/occult and has "offensive" language. 

#6 A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein 

“Somebody has to go polish the stars,
They're looking a little bit dull.
Somebody has to go polish the stars,
For the eagles and starlings and gulls
Have all been complaining they're tarnished and worn,
They say they want new ones we cannot afford.
So please get your rags
And your polishing jars,
Somebody has to go polish the stars.” 

Can you imagine a world without Shel Silverstein?! I love the nonsensical poetry and the humor. This was challenged as being violent and teaches disrespect. 








#7  The Dictionary

What?! The dictionary!? What could possibly be in the dictionary?! :D The dictionary was banned in some California libraries for having sexual definitions. Even the dictionary has a way of putting people on edge! 










#8 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Shhhh....don't tell my mom...she'd be crushed that this was banned in South Dakota for it's reference to potential indian racial slurs. She just loves this story so much! I will also admit to loving them as a child! This particular one wasn't my absolute favorite (I liked the Longest Winter) but it's still a gem of a book! 















#9 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 

I know...I'm just as surprised as you! How could this magical book possibly be banned!? Didn't it capture our minds with it's promises of golden tickets and chocolate rivers? The answer for one library in Colorado is no. It was deemed to portray poor lifestyle choices and banned! Cheer up Charlie! We still love you! 









#10 Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Please que the music....AHHHHAHAHA...AHHAHAHA. That doesn't translate very well via type! Not only does this book get mad props for being rejected 25 times before it finally got published it also reminds me of my Grandma Gurney. This book was banned for being sexually explict and having slavery. It also was apparently violent and had low morals. Pretty hard to write about the Civil War without violence! :D 













Finally...

#11 The Witches by Roald Dahl 

O poor Roald Dahl! Guy just can't catch a break! The Witches is a classic story about a little boy who discovers a clan of witches and adventure ensues! This was banned in some parts of England because-in all our bra burning glory-we women decided that Roald was a misogynist because he said the witches could only be women. To quote good ol' Roald, "I do not wish to speak badly about women. Most women are lovely. But the fact remains that all witches are women. There is no such thing as a male witch. On the other hand, a ghoul is always a male... both are dangerous.  But neither of them is half as dangerous as a REAL WITCH."








There you have it my darlings! Now go read a book and break some rules!

Janitors 1...2...and 3!!!

Hello all! I'm here today participating in the Janitors blog tour! I'm excited! :) I already worked at the launch party in Logan, Utah and it was a PARTY!

Love books and books will love you back!

I wanted to tell you about a fun book that is new and two that are the first in the series! I think that these books are just pure fun and I know a lot of kids LOVE them! It is a middle reader series so for kids like eight years old on up! I'm a big kid myself so I had a good time! Without further ado...

#1 Janitors

Have you ever fallen asleep during math class? Are you easily distracted while listening to your English teacher? Do you find yourself completely uninterested in geography? Well, it may not be your fault. The janitors at Welcher Elementary know a secret, and it s draining all the smarts out of the kids. Twelveyear- old Spencer Zumbro, with the help of his classmate Daisy Gullible Gates, must fight with and against a secret, janitorial society that wields wizard-like powers. Who can Spencer and Daisy trust and how will they protect their school and possibly the world? You ll never look at a mop the same way again.







#2 Secrets of New Forest Academy

The Bureau of Educational Maintenance (BEM) is after Spencer, and the Rebels hope to sneak him to safety within the walls of an elite private school. But danger follows Spencer and his friends, testing their loyalty and trust as well as their Toxite-fighting skills. Can they hold out long enough to discover the true secret of New Forest Academy and what it means to the future of education? Now more than ever, Spencer, Daisy, and even Dez must fight to save schools everywhere. Toxites, the small creatures that love to feed on the brain waves of students, are just the beginning of their troubles.








And now the newest one....

#3 Curse of the Broomstaff

A secret society of Janitors with wizard-like powers continue their battle, and now, the stakes are even higher. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance is after Alan Zumbro and this time they mean business - deadly business. Spencer, Daisy, and their little team of rebels must find the source of all magical Glop and destroy it before it can destroy the world as we know it. No small task with the BEM and their monster toxites at their heels. It's a wild and dangerous ride as they follow the trail of clues all the way to the hiding place of the mysterious aurans: guardians of a secret landfill. What they discover there will change the way Spencer sees himself, not to mention the fate of the rebels.

I think what I like most about these books is the insane imagination put into them. Plungers, broomsticks, air freshener, even Windex all become magical! I especially liked that Windex-it can turn things into glass! There's characters who LOVE garbage and get stoked about landfills. There's witches and warlocks and evil organizations. I think that kids are going to eat this story up! And maybe take out the trash! ;)


Wanna see the author? He's such a nice guy! 

Tyler Whitesides worked as a janitor at an elementary school to put himself through college. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. In addition to writing novels, Tyler is an avid composer and arranger of instrumental music. He and his wife, Connie, who teaches third grade, live in northern Utah.

One last thing for you! This is the bonus! The icing on the cake! Amazon is doing special pricing on these books for September! 

Book One                   $0.99

Book Two                  $1.99

Book Three                $7.99

So go and snatch those up if you are into e-reading! That's all I have! Go have yourself an adventure! Big fat kisses! 

I've got a book hangover...

Yes...it is true. Sometimes I finish a book and for some reason it stays with me for a few days. Not all the time but sometimes! I'm not going to lie...I actually love book hangovers. It means that I've been so swept up in something that my brain just can't handle the awesome! That's how I feel about All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. 

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain. Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. Now she has another chance to change everything. But will she fail again? Ahhhhh...this book- it's intense and awesome! So let's say that you have a best friend that you've grown up with and love. Now this best friend grows up to be a genius that invents a time machine but they also grow up to be a monster. They make war and torture you. Now let's say you can use that time machine and go back to when you were teens and kill said monster before any of these casualties happen. Do you kill them even though they are innocent of doing anything yet? Do you pull the trigger even if you still sort of love them? Boom baby I loved this book!!! LOVED!

Prepare to swoon...

Hey all! I have a confession today! I've been sucked into this love of books that most people would probably call Regency period. I just can't seem to get enough! You know...the proper ladies and gentlemen...the Austen like characters if you will! I think of this-

I've been watching every BBC video on Netflix. North and South, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, and my newest favorite Under the Greenwood Tree. If you have not watched Under the Greenwood Tree I would HIGHLY recommend you doing it because o my word I loved it!!! In fact just stop reading this and go and watch it! I won't be offended in the least! 

Under the Greenwood Tree...sigh...

What is it about the almost touches and the proper decorum that captures our minds and attention?! So I thought to myself...'Hey Erika, why don't you share some of your favorite regency books with your blogger friends?!' So that is what I will do! Please keep in mind that these books are not of the serious variety! These are books that are supposed to just make your heart flutter a bit! And bonus they are all clean reads! I'm so excited! Okay...

#1 Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot

Nicola Sparks, sixteen and an orphan, is ready to dive headlong into her first glittering London society season. She's also ready to dive headlong into the arms of handsome and debonair Lord Sebastian Bartholomew. Nicola's dream is a proposal from the viscount--a dream she's about to realize at last. So naturally, Nathaniel Sheridan's insinuations about her fiance's flawed character annoy her mightily.
But when Nicola's natural curiosity gets the best of her, she begins to piece together a few things for herself. This book is adorable! It's one of those reads that you want the character to just realize that if they took this path they would be happy but they seem to be getting in their own way! 







#2 The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors. As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. I loved this book for the hidden identity aspect as well as it's just plain fun! 






#3 Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot

Once again I chose a Meg Cabot. Is there anything that lady can't do! Growing up in far-off India, wealthy young heiress Lady Victoria Arbuthnot was accustomed to handling her own affairs -- not to mention everyone else's. But in her sixteenth year, Vicky is unceremoniously shipped off to London to find a husband. With her usual aplomb, however, Lady Victoria gets herself engaged to the perfect English gentleman, even before setting foot on British soil. Hugo Rothschild, ninth earl of Malfrey, is everything a girl could want in a future husband: he is handsome and worldly, if not rich. Lady Victoria has everything just as she'd like it. That is, if raffish young ship captain Jacob Carstairs would leave well enough alone.








#4 The Highwayman of Tanglewood by Marcia Lynn McClure

"Faris gasped as a gloved hand of a sudden covered her mouth from behind. Be still. The Highwayman of Tanglewood owns ya now. Faris smiled...as he whispered, Do not struggle. Ill not harm ya, lass Come away with me, sweet Faris, the highwayman whispered. What say ye?"
A chambermaid in the house of Tremeshton, Faris Shayhan well knew torment, despair and trepidation. To Faris it seemed the future stretched long and desolate before her -- bleak and as dark as a lonesome midnight path. Still, the moon oft casts hopeful luminosity to light ones way. So it was that Lady Maranda Rockrimmon cast hope upon Farisset Faris upon a different path -- a path of happiness, serenity and love. Faris abandoned the tainted air of Tremeshton in favor of the amethyst sunsets of Loch Loland Castle and her new mistress Lady Rockrimmon. Further, it was on the very night of her emancipation that Faris first met the man of her dreams -- the man of every woman's dreams -- the rogue Highwayman of Tanglewood. This one may cause swooning!!!




#5 Shackles of Honor by Marcia Lynn McClure

Just as a heads up the girl in this book has a tendency to cry! Soldier on! It's one of my top favorites! The boy in this is on of my top favorites! Cassidy Shea's life was nothing if not serene. Loving parents and a doting brother provided happiness and innocent hope as life's experience. Yes-life was blissful at Cassidy's beloved home, Terrill. Still, for all Terrill's beauty and tranquility, ever there was something intangible and evasive lurking in the shadows. And though Cassidy wasted little worry on it, still she sensed its existence-looming as a menacing fate bent on ruin. And when a dark stranger appeared, Cassidy could no longer ignore the ominous whispers of the secrets surrounding her. Mason Carlisle, an angry, unpredictable man, materialized-with Cassidy's black fate at his heels. Thus, thrust into a world completely unknown to her, Cassidy found herself trapped, wandering in a labyrinth of mystery and concealments. Will forever be a favorite of mine! 





#6 Born for Thorton's Sake by Marcia Lynn McClure 

Last Marcia on the list I promise! Maria Castillo Holt the only daughter of a valiant Lord and his Spanish beauty. Following the tragic deaths of her parents, Maria would find herself spirited away by conniving kindred in an endurance of neglect and misery. However, rescued at the age of thirteen by Brockton Thorton, the son of her father's devoted friend, Lord Richard Thorton, Maria would at last find blessed reprieve. Further, the heir to Lord Thorton's title, Brockton Thorton became from that day forth, ever the absolute center of Maria's very existence. And as the day of her sixteenth birthday dawned, Maria's dreams of owning her heart's desire, seemed to become a blissful reality. But bliss can never last long and there is trouble on the horizon! 








#7 Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. LOVE!!! Swoon-worthy! It's one of those books that even though it's slightly predictable you don't care because you just enjoy the ride! My friend described it as a book that makes you believe in love! I will agree because it was just adorable! I was laughing at the dialogue and how well the author seemed to catch the perspective of a woman's way of thinking! If you love Mr. Thornton, Mr. Darcy, or Edward Rochester-Phillip Wyndham will most likely make your list of timeless classic hotties! :D






Well darlings there you have it! Go enjoy these! I feel a massive reading splurge coming on just from reviewing them for you! :D