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THE SECRET RECIPE OF ELLA DOVE Blog Book Tour – Book Review

Please join me and Simon & Schuster on a very magical book tour with Best Selling author, Karen Hawkins. The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove debuts on August 15, 2023 and can be purchased on Amazon and Simon&Schuster online bookstore.

ABOUT THE SECRET RECIPE OF ELLA DOVE

Three lives converge as a wildly talented baker returns to Dove Pond to face her past in this entry in the charming series that proves that sometimes miracles really do happen…

Ella Dove is an acclaimed baker whose desserts spark vivid, cherished memories in those who taste them. A restless soul, Ella goes wherever the wind takes her—but driven by a haunting dream, she’s coming home to Dove Pond. Years ago, her mentor, Angela Stewart Harrington, falsely accused Ella of stealing her beloved family recipe book, known as the Book of Cakes. Now, Ella believes it’s time for them to reconcile.

Angela has her own share of amends to make. Her daughter Jules has never forgiven her for divorcing her father, and they’ve been estranged ever since. But just as Angela begins to hope that she and Jules might mend their tattered relationship, a miscommunication turns into a lie that could destroy everything.

Meanwhile, Jules’s son Gray is shocked that Ella, his first love and his first heartbreak, has returned to Dove Pond. But even though he knows Ella is a wanderer and will soon leave, he’s unable to stop himself from falling for her once again. Can Gray find a way to convince Ella to give him, and their town, a serious chance? Or is he once again on the road to a broken heart?

With so much at stake, Ella, Angela, and Gray must learn to accept each other—flaws and all—forgive the many mistakes of their pasts, and trust that love can, and will, always find a way. For fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen, The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is a delicious and magical read that will warm your heart and charm your senses.

My Review:

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is a charming and magical book, giving off a small town feel that leaves you with a good feeling at the end. Karen Hawkins is a new author for me and I’ll be reading her other Dove Pond series: The Book Charmer (https://amzn.to/3KtgttN) and A Cup of Silver Linings (https://amzn.to/44Ug9fv). All three of her Dove Pond series feature the sisters of Dove Pond, each of them with a unique and special “magical” ability.

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove reminds me of a Hallmark movie where the heroine faces some personal challenges that she must overcome in order to move on with her life. In fact, I would like to see this book turn into a Hallmark movie or even a series, much like The Good Witch TV series on Hallmark. While Ella and her sisters aren’t exactly witches, they do have influential powers based on their own personal abilities. Ella Dove, the sixth daughter of the Dove family possesses the ability to transform an individual’s memory just by eating one of her baked delicacies. Each person’s memory is their own and can be a different memory or recollection of the past, hence this power can be both a blessing and a curse. One doesn’t necessarily want to be reminded of the past as indicated in the story.

While the book doesn’t exactly explain why all the of Dove sisters have a special ability, this didn’t distract me from reading the story. My own inclination is that with the long history of the Dove family, one of the family members from centuries ago must have developed special abilities that later passed down to only the female members. But, I’m not going to delve into these magical abilities as this isn’t the central theme of the book.

In The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove, we find Ella leaving her plush life in Paris, France to journey back to her childhood hometown of Dove Pond. Tacked with a mysterious affliction and haunting dreams that forces her to return home, Ella realizes she must confront her past in order to move forward. The story itself begins with Ella as a young child living with her sisters and her mom. When her dad dies mysteriously, Ella is heartbroken and lost and became compelled to lead a life of solitude. Her father’s death must have brought on some kind of PTSD, which made Ella afraid of any sort of personal attachment and commitment. She may be committed to her baking and giving joy to her fans, but her personal life is in shambles. Thinking her journey back to her hometown of Dove Pond will absolve her of past misunderstandings, Ella is determined to do what’s necessary.

But what one wishes to happen doesn’t always come to fruition. In this story, Ella thinks that a past misunderstanding of a stolen book will absolve her strange affliction of random strawberry frosting popping up surreptitiously on her body. While this was Ella’s main goal, situations pop up that prevents her from getting what she wants. And what Ella wants is to just stop these random pink frostings appearing on her body. In this sense, I thought Ella was a bit selfish and self-serving. Perhaps this was the author’s intention, to make Ella just a bit egocentric and a bit self-absorbed. It didn’t make me dislike Ella but I wasn’t really rooting for her to win either.

The misunderstanding in this whole story was a bit far-fetched. If only Ella had stood her ground when she was accused of stealing a beloved cookbook that was the family heirloom of a neighbor. Instead, she ran as far away as possible across the ocean to another country. I felt something was missing in this aspect of the story. The author could have revealed more of why Ella ran away from her childhood and why she ended up estranged from her sisters and hometown for so many years. However, these points also make Ella somewhat endearing, and as I read further I became more sympathetic of Ella.

Ella’s journey throughout the story reveals feelings that she didn’t think she could have. If she could avoid any kind of personal attachment then she’d be happy. But was that what Ella really wanted though? Was she happy leading a non-committal life of just baking and being a social media mega star? What would really happen once she confronts her past? Will she really move on and away from her childhood home? These points slowly reveal itself as you read further and go on this journey with Ella. She might not be a warm and affectionate person, but she just wants to lead a normal and uncomplicated life.

I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but there are some fun characters in The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove. There are a lot of side characters to keep track of but my favorites are Aunt Jo and Angela, the latter whom accused Ella of stealing the heirloom cookbook. Ella’s interactions with these two characters are a joy to read and you can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Ella when Angela keeps avoiding her. Other side characters such as Ella’s sisters and the Stewart family moves the story along and all play into the central plot of this story.

I give The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove a 4 stars out of 5, mainly because I didn’t particularly liked Ella herself. Yes, I know she’s the main character and she was written exceptionally well, but she seemed too self absorbed and a bit flighty. Overall, The Secret of Ella Dove is a well-written book that is easy to read and has light elements of romance and mystery. This book is good for ages 14 and up and has a clean romance, although romance isn’t the main theme.

Pros – Lighthearted, fun, and engaging story. The characters all have their own individual personalities and each one has something they are either avoiding or reaching for. Main characters and side characters are relatable. In fact, the relationship Ella has with her sisters reminds me of my own sisters. There are ups and downs to having so many siblings. There is a multi generational side story that involves a mom, grandma, sons, and their own personal misunderstandings and pitfalls.

Cons – a lot of characters to keep track of. I feel that the some of the side characters were fleshed out even better than Ella.

You can pre-order The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove on Amazon through my link: https://amzn.to/47od6hB or through Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Secret-Recipe-of-Ella-Dove/Karen-Hawkins/Dove-Pond-Series/9781982195922

Available August 15, 2023. If you pre-order now, the book will automatically be delivered to your Kindle on that date.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Karen Hawkins for the opportunity to participate in this book tour.

* Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through the clickable links could provide affiliate commission.

* Happymomblogger received this Advanced Readers Edition to participate in the book blog tour. Under the Publisher’s copyright laws, Happymomblogger did not use quotes from the book without prior written approval from Publisher.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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The Scythian Trials Book Tour and Giveaway

TheScythianTrialsTourBanner-1

Amazonian warriors, epic battles, lies, secrets, love, and betrayal. All the feels and emotions in this amazing new story by author Elizabeth Isaacs, The Scythian Trials will take you on a journey for the truth that could end all of mankind.

The Scythian Trials takes on a sort of dystopian-world feel, where the ancient Gods and Goddesses of the past blurs into the present. Nya Thalestris, a direct descendant of Ares and Otrera, is the last of her pure bloodline and it seems everyone from across the globe is interested in taking her as a mate. Nya however, has other intentions as the mere thought of having another male close to her sends her mind and body to fear and pain. She just wants to be left alone to live her life as an Amazonian warrior and not have to worry about carrying on the brutal traditions of her kind.

The Scythian Trials is a very well-written story. From the first pages to the very end, I couldn’t help but feel Nya’s plight and cheering her on to solve the mysteries of her past. Lost to everyone around her for several years, the gaps in Nya’s life fills her with dread every time her trainer and friend, Jax, helps her open up. Something sinister is deeply embedded in her memory and the only way for Nya to overcome her fear of her destiny is to find out what happened in her past.

The Scythian Trials is a mixture of the old ancient warriors of Greece to the new technologically advanced inhabitants of Earth. There are contenders from all over the world for Nya’s heart and hand but only one can win. Will it be Jax, the mysterious and broodingly handsome warrior turned psychologist, or Killian the handsome and cunning Scottish fighter, or Aran, the hulking leader from Africa? Throw in an old flame who will do everything to win back Nya and you’ve got a heart pounding story from beginning to end.

Synopsis:

Descendants of the Amazons, the Scythians work alongside prominent governments but answer to no one. Warriors living on the fringe of civilization, they live by one credo: Strength through Equality. Power through Knowledge.

Nya Thalestris is the brightest Scythian of her generation. Strong, capable, ruthless, she is sure to earn a spot in the Trials, a time-honored mating ritual responsible for the evolution of her species.

Abducted by their sworn enemy, the Drahzda, Nya is forever altered and spirals out of control. The Society sends in Jax Nickius. Infamous psychologist and one of the most brutal warriors of their kind, he discovers triggers planted in Nya’s mind. As Nya solidifies her spot in the Trials, Jax develops a plan to help her heal—while pursuing her as a mate. But, Nya’s attraction to Jax is at war with her instinct to never let anyone get too close.

During the Trials, Nya’s repressed memories surface, revealing a new enemy—one from inside the consulate walls—and a traitorous alliance on the horizon that could irrevocably change the course of history.

Since before the Bronze Age, the Society has managed to safeguard humanity from itself … until now.

Xpresso Book Tours is offering a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gift card so you can purchase your very own The Scythian Trials: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251232682/.

You can also purchase the book here:

Purchase:
AUTHOR BIO:

Elizabeth is an author, teacher, and publishing professional who began her career as a national presenter for Resource Profiles, where she developed teacher seminars designed to foster creative brain stimulation. Moving into formal education, she helped at-risk students improve their writing skills as well as created and implemented a creative writing/blogging program that centered on teaching the 21st-century learner. Works stemming from this initiative were published online and seen in over 40 countries.

Elizabeth receives invitations to speak nationwide at schools and book clubs. She co-founded the popular book site, Chirenjenzie, which reaches thousands of people throughout the world. The writer support and reader interest group promotes and interacts with followers on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and various other blog sites. Elizabeth has a Master’s degree from Austin Peay State University, where she studied classical opera. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

“The Light of Asteria” received Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival. Her newest work, “The Scythian Trials” will be released in 2017 by Vesuvian Media.

For more information, please visit www.elizabethisaacs.com

Author links:
*Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Elizabeth Isaacs for the opportunity to be on the book tour!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Cascading Petals Book Tour and Review

Life as a teenager isn’t always what you see in the movies. Designer clothes, luxury cars, and European vacations are all depicted in movies as something every teenager seem to have. But there are also dark sides to every teenager. When pressure from family and friends get in the way of growing into healthy and happy adults, the facade that most teens wear falls away to reveal troubles that they tried so hard to hide.

In Cascading Petals, we are immediately taken into the life of the young heroine, Jewel Hart. Eighteen-year-old Jewel is beautiful, smart, and talented, with a heart of gold and a smile that lights up the world. But overshadowing this brilliant girl is a lifetime of bullying and being ignored by her classmates and school administrative. Written in the voice of Jewel along with other central characters, we glimpse into the not so fabulous life as a teen. With the rise of bullying and threats all around her, will Jewel overcome her pain and doubts as she tries to survive her last year in high school?

Along the way, Jewel meets the new boy in town, Kaiden, who is handsome, intelligent, and self assured. He immediately takes a liking to Jewel, seeing the true “jewel” that she is although she tries to hide it from him. The blossoming of their friendship and eventual love is beautiful to read and was very well written by the author. I felt their strengths for each other as well as their pain in trying to fit into a world where you could easily be treated as a nobody. But Jewel and Kaiden’s support for each other as well as from their families made this story really shine.

Cascading Petals is a story that hits you straight to the heart. My own heart broke towards the end of this story, feeling the pain that these main characters felt and hoping they will eventually triumph through. Cascading Petals isn’t just a book about teenagers going through a hard time in high school or in life. It’s a story that tells of hardship and sadness beginning at a very young age for both Jewel, Kaiden, Amy, and Lexi. While Jewel, Kaiden, and Amy had the love and support of their families, no one can truly know another’s pain, of the fear and angst that lives in those who have been bullied or harmed in any way their entire lives.

There is a lot of be said and learned from reading a book such as Cascading Petals. It’s a good reminder to treat others with respect and to stand up for yourself. Life is usually not fair and we have all been dealt some misgivings here and there. But it’s how we pick ourselves up after the fall and shine brighter than others that help us overcome the bad dealings in life. Teenagers and even pre-teens get a sense that they can do anything in their world, that they can say whatever they want and act however they want. But little do they know that the big world out there can be so much crueler if they don’t open their eyes to their own actions and behavior. Every choice we make has a consequence – be it good or bad. And with young adults, it can be excruciatingly hard for them to know what’s truly right and wrong. Heck, even most adults have trouble with that sometimes.

Each and every one of us have been teased, bullied, or made fun of one way or another. It’s an unfortunate side effect of being human. It’s important to remember that we all have shortcomings and pitfalls. No one is perfect nor should we even try to be perfect. And in the end, does it really matter that you aren’t the prettiest girl in school or the jockiest jock? Does it matter if you have a better car or have designer clothes while the person next to you barely lives within their means? It doesn’t make us better or worse. It should just make us feel compassion and help others understand that life has more meaning than what’s on the surface. I truly hope you read Cascading Petals as it can be a good “wake up call” for all of us.

Synopsis:

Despite the years of bullying in school, Jewel Hart has remained sweet and kind. She has it all—a great life, a great family, and beauty—but she has never been able to obtain the one thing she wants—to belong.

When Jewel meets Kaiden Carter, a good-looking, charming new student at York Mills High, things start to look up. On the surface, he is perfect, but Jewel can’t shake the feeling that everything is not as it seems.

When the devastation of the rising suicides in her school hits too close to home and drives Jewel into a deep despair, she clings to Kaiden’s strength to find her way back. Through the pain and fear surrounding her, she finds hope and the will to go on. But just as she picks herself up, tragedy strikes again, threatening to steal her last glimmer of hope. How will she go on? Can she ever find her place in the world?

Xpresso Book Tours and the author is giving everyone a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD 32g and a signed copy of Cascading Petals here:  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251232436/.

You can also purchase Cascading Petals at these retailers:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cascading–Petals-Jane-C-Brady-ebook/dp/B077YMMLPN

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cascading–petals-jane-c-brady/1127226558?ean=9781775067634

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cascading–petals/id1296049260?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/cascading–petals

And for more info about Cascading Petals Book Tour: http://xpressobooktours.com/2018/02/15/tour-sign-up-cascading-petals-by-jane-c-brady/

Author’s Bio – Jane C. Brady:

AUTHOR BIO:

Jane lives life to the full because she doesn’t want to wake up twenty years from now regretting all the things she didn’t do. She’s an avid traveler who also loves throwing elaborate dinner parties where she wows her guests with gourmet meals. Jane has a passion for writing, interior design, history, movies, board games, and fitness. In her quest  for an exciting life, however, she now draws the line at zip-lining, which she experienced in Costa Rica. Never again!

Jane comes from a family of six sisters and lived in a Tennessee plantation house for several years while growing up. She now lives in Western Canada but dreams of owning a vacation home in South Carolina. She lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart), two teenagers, and two dogs. When she grows up, she’d like to be her brilliant sixteen-year-old daughter (minus the mood swings).

Author links:

https://authorjanecbrady.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17233695.Jane_C_Brady

https://www.facebook.com/authorjanecbrady/

https://twitter.com/authorjanecbrad

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Jane Brady for the ARC!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

 

 

 

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