The Royal Treatment – A Crown Jewels Romantic Comedy, Book 1 – Melanie Summers

Synopsis:

Ultra-private, ridiculously handsome Crown Prince Arthur has always gotten by on his charm. But that won’t be enough now that the Royal Family is about to be ousted from power once and for all. When Prince Arthur has to rely on the one woman in the kingdom who hates him most, he must learn that earning the love of a nation means first risking his heart. Twenty-eight-year-old Tessa Sharpe, a.k.a.

The Royal Watchdog, hates everything about Prince Arthur. As far as she’s concerned, he’s an arrogant, lazy leech on the kingdom of Avonia. When he shocks the nation by giving her the keys to the castle, Tessa has no choice but to accept and move in for two months. It’s lust at first sight, but there’s no way she can give in to her feelings—not if she wants to have a career or a shred of pride left when her time at the palace ends… Can two natural enemies find their forever in each other’s arms, or will they ruin each other to save themselves?

Review:

Sweet, Sexy. Compelling

Tessa Sharpe (The Royal Watchdog) is a blogger that writes dreadful things about the Royal Family. She shames them because she doesn’t think the country needs a Royal Family. So, she writes about it in her blog. She has a large following and she has the capacity to impact the public’s view of the royal family.

Prince Arthur, being under the gun, devises a plan and invites Tessa to the castle to stay for a couple of months. He wants to persuade her and make her understand that having a Royal Family is actually beneficial to the country and necessary. Tessa accepts and the two enemies are now living together in the same palace.

What ensues is a hilarious romantic comedy that will keep readers engaged and happily turning the pages. As the story progresses, readers can feel the extreme heat between Tessa and Prince Arthur.

The Royal Treatment is unpredictable, with no loose ends. It is a total gem. It is intelligent, unforced, and very plausible. Tessa is clumsy and endearing, Melanie Summers put in just the right amount of wit and magnetism to keep readers engaged and believing the story line.

With likable quirky characters that are fully developed, I fell in love with almost all of them. Some were not so likable, keeping the story grounded – and funny.

Although it is a fairytale type story it seemed totally realistic and plausible. Tessa is cute, and awkward but also strong and smart. Prince Arthur is so charming that he even charmed my pants off.

The character development is superb, while author Melanie Summers rolls out each character as the story line progresses. You get to know and love each of the eccentric adorable characters as the book advances-extremely good writing.

The Royal Treatment is fast paced but not rushed. Melanie Summers seemed to have taken her time coming up with and writing this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy.

I know they say that “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” but that’s exactly what I did when I saw The Royal Treatment book cover. I loved it and I loved the story within the pages.

The storyline flows seamlessly together with no errors or editing issues. The book is light hearted and intelligent while keeping with the LOL rom com genre. There is plenty of drama, fun and romance and a ton of laugh out loud comedy.

The Royal Treatment is a quick and easy read with an in depth, well thought out plot. It’s perfect for someone that needs a break from this world and wants to delve into a modern day fairy tale that will keep them laughing and rooting for the main characters throughout the story.

Chick Lit Cafe loves The Royal Treatment by Melanie Summers and highly recommends it!

Purchase The Royal Treatment at Amazon Now

Is Buying Your Kids Books Enough to Get Them to Read?

Is Buying Your Kids Books Enough to Get Them to Read?

Parents and grandparents love to buy children books to read. There are so many books published today they are certainly spoiled for choice.

As educators and parents will tell you, learning to read is one of the most important tasks any child has to learn.

It is right up there with learning to ride a bicycle, learning to swim, and later on, learning to drive a car. However, many might argue that learning to read is so much more important, and for good reason. Without basic literacy skills a child’s future career, job prospects, and even happiness will be compromised.

All children have an innate love of pictures and funny stories. They seem to be hardwired to respond to bright colors, and magical tales. Toddlers and preschoolers like nothing more than cuddling up to a parent or a grandparent, and sharing the special memories only a book can offer.

Picture books offer children so much enjoyment, but is just buying a book and reading it to a child enough?

Is there something else we can do to build a love of books, and a desire to read?

Go Beyond Just Buying Books for Your Kids

Reading with and to your children is important. Make this time special for just you and them. Remember to turn off your phone, and if you don’t and it rings, ignore it.

Use engagement techniques like discussing what is going on in the illustrations and predicting the text to make the story more relatable.

Building context will help children create connections with their world and the stories you share with them. This will go a long way to helping them develop a love of reading.

Susan Day

Susan Day is a passionate author, educator and, grandmother. She wants to empower all parents and grandparents to build meaningful relationships with their grandchildren. Her first non-fiction book was written to explore changes in grandparenting, and teaches the reader how to create their own Grandparenting Philosophy. Discover the Top 10 Things Happy Grandparents Never Regret Doing.

The Curse of Arundel hall by J. New

The Curse of Arundel Hall
(A Yellow Cottage Vintage Mystery Book 2)

Synopsis:

One ghost, one murder, one hundred years apart. But are they connected? Ella has discovered a secret room in The Yellow Cottage, but with it comes a ghost. Who was she? And how did she die? Ella needs to find the answers before either of them can find peace. But suddenly things take a nasty turn for the worse. Ella Bridges has been living on Linhay Island for several months but still hasn’t discovered the identity of her ghostly guest. Deciding to research the history of her cottage for clues she finds it is connected to Arundel Hall, the large Manor House on the bluff, and when an invitation to dinner arrives realizes it is the perfect opportunity to discover more. However the evening takes a shocking turn when one of their party is murdered. Is The Curse of Arundel Hall once again rearing its ugly head, or is there a simpler explanation? Ella suddenly finds herself involved in two mysteries at once, and again joins forces with Scotland Yard’s Police Commissioner to try and catch a killer. But will they succeed? ‘Miss Marple meets The Ghost Whisperer’ – Perfect for fans of clean reads, Cozy Mysteries and Golden Age Murder Mysteries.

Review:

Mysterious, supernatural, intriguing and quirky

The Curse of Arundel Hall is a perfect suspenseful, murder mystery story. With just the right amount of quirky, yet believable, characters and suspects, I fell in love with this fast paced smart, who done it read.

It’s an exceptionally well written murder mystery that is set in the beautiful land of England back in the Golden Age of the 1930’s. Author J. New take readers on a delightful fun trip into the past while bringing them a fabulous thrilling mystery story.

New has chosen the setting of her, Yellow Cottage Mystery Series in the 1930’s in enchanting England where she has created a charming world that is vivid and beautiful. She has done a superb job with description, perception and narrative.  I was specifically impressed with the dialog and manner in which the characters communicated.

This is a very funny read as well. With a vibrant cast of hilarious characters, which fit into the plot with precision, I felt myself drawn to each one of them in different ways.
This mystery is well crafted and the characters are believable and relatable. They are well developed, multidimensional and appealing.

New has created the perfect storm of a murder mystery. Filled with not only a murder to solve, but it also features paranormal facets that course naturally throughout the tale. It is very realistic, as far as the genre goes. Readers will follow along and enjoy the plausible supernatural aspects. There are many twists and turns, and just when I thought I had figured it out, another turn would come up, keeping me guessing. The best mysteries are those that keep you guessing, while the puzzle is coming together.

In The Curse of Arundel Hall, J. New, has brought together, many reader’s two favorite genres, mystery and the paranormal. The added attraction of the spirit world makes this read a step above the rest. If you’re looking for a clean cozy mystery that delves deep into the mystery aspect and the spirit world of the paranormal-and is filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very satisfying end – then this is the book I highly recommend for you.
Excellent!

Purchase A Curse of Arundel Hall at Amazon

Simply Being Happy - Paula Sullivan

Simply Being Happy – Paula Sullivan

Synopsis:

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WAITING FOR THAT WILL FINALLY MAKE YOU HAPPY?
Is it a lottery ticket? A rich uncle? A huge, mysterious payoff?
Let the waiting finally be over and discover that you already have what you truly want – happiness. It’s there inside you, just waiting for you to access it.
So what’s the secret to finding it? Using your imagination. And Paula Sullivan has done just that – her imagination has led her to developing and exploring new practices you can use to achieve happiness simply by changing our thoughts. In Simply Being Happy, she’ll teach you how to strengthen your imagination just like any other muscle so it can bring you the results you want.

In these pages, you’ll discover how to:
– Change your thoughts about money from scarcity to abundance.
– Accentuate the positive in your life.
– Pay attention to the words you use and the thoughts you think.
– Reprogram those words and thoughts into life-altering positive ones.
– Learn to spot your own Doppelgangers for self-improvement.
– Access your inner wisdom so you always know what is best for you.
– Create your ideal day and your ideal lifestyle for the rest of your days.
Are you ready to live the life of your dreams? Are you ready for the happiness you’ve always craved and know you deserve? Then start creating it now by reading Simply Being Happy.

Review:

Simply Being Happy by Paula Sullivan is like a breath of fresh air. Her writing style and humor, along with all her teaching and tips, will engage the reader and possibly change their life.

We all strive for happiness. I think it is the number one thing that people desire. That’s why this book Simply Being Happy by Paula Sullivan is so pertinent and important. Without happiness, we are empty, depressed and sad. When we feel like those things, we don’t function like we should. Paula Sullivan’s book has real life applications, solutions and techniques to obtain happiness. We all deserve to be happy. And Paula Sullivan’s guide teaches us how.

Paula did a lot of research and read hundreds of books on teachings that range from modern day scientific studies to old more ancient ideas and studies. Her main conclusion has to do with “the power of visualization.” Yes, actually picturing things that we want in our minds. Many of us have poor images in our minds, and if we practice Sullivan’s93 steps, we can change those negative images to positive productive ones. Which in turn, will create happiness within our beings and limit the worry that leads to stress.

Through various visualization techniques and focusing on what you wish your life to be like, rather than how it is, Paula Sullivan claims that we can change our whole perspective. She says that we all have joy and inner wisdom residing within us, and that we can tap into it and actually pull it up by visualizing things that will create happiness and prosperity. Therefore, bringing it into realization and awareness.

She believes that our life experience should be an ongoing training exercise toward happiness and fulfillment by changing our subconscious picture from insufficiency to full prosperity and a fulfilled peaceful life. It’s about reprogramming our minds, which makes perfect sense. She advocates visualizations, positive spoken affirmations and meditation.

Through her extensive research and application, I believe that Paula Sullivan has really hit on something powerful and possibly pioneered the way to finding true deep and meaningful happiness.

I found Simply Being Happy to be strengthening and even a, somewhat, spiritual self-help book that has the power to change lives. It is an exciting book filled with many practical, applicable tips on how to reverse one’s thinking and become more joyful and peaceful. I tried her techniques and I sensed a newness within my mind and spirit. It really worked.

Having dealt with depression my whole life, after reading and putting into practice Sullivan’s ideas, I feel as though I have a whole new lease on life.

So, not only do I recommend this book, but I want to thank Paula Sullivan for her hard work to make this book possible and available to change my life and as well others.

Outstanding self-help read!

Purchase Simply Being Happy at Amazon Now!

The Child of the Kindred by M.T. Magee

Child of the Kindred: The Rinefield Chronicles: Book 2 – A Romantic Heroic Fantasy Series By M.T. Magee

Synopsis:

The award winning romantic heroic fantasy saga continues. Enter the mystical realm of Rinefield, where love, danger, adventure and romance awaits you. Their world is changing and a new era has begun. Princess Laurel finds her kingdom of Gwenlais, torn and shattered from a bloody siege. Her people now looking to her, to help them rise above the ruin and misery inflicted upon their once peaceful and sheltered realm. Laurel and her beloved Prince Caleb, must find a way to unite their kingdoms, as never before. The enemy from a distant land makes a bold and savage attempt, to thwart the unity of the two kingdoms of Gwenlais and Heathwin. The odds have never been greater against the realms or the two lovers that hold the kingdoms together. Will their people and their love survive all they have lost? Will new life rise from above the ruins?

Review:
A spectacular, rich fantasy at its best!

M.T. Magee has done it again in her second novel in the Rienfield Chronicles, The Child of the Kindred. After reading her first book in the series, The Treasure of Gwenlais, I didn’t think it could get any better-but it did!

In Child of the Kindred, we re-enter the magical realm of Rienfield, where Princess Laurel is being held captive by the savage and merciless, Warrick. Her cherished kingdom of Gwenlais, has been captured, overthrown and plundered by Warrick and his evil army. As time goes by, and blood is being shed, Princess Laurel’s only hope is for her beloved husband, and Prince, Caleb and his men to rescue her and save the kingdom of Gwenlais.

But time is trickling away and the kingdom, as well as, Princess Laurel are in much peril. Will Caleb be able to reach her and save her and the kingdom? Will Princess Laurel and Prince Caleb be able to fight and keep the people safe and bring protection, peace and joy back to both of their kingdoms, Gwenlais and Heathwin? As their breathless love story and adventure continues, readers will be kept in a state of awe, as they passionately strive to unite their kingdoms.

What an adventurous tale M.T. Magee has created in The Child of the Kindred. The beauty of both Gwenlais and Heathwin is a delight for the senses and captivates the reader’s heart and won’t let go.

It is such a delight to read the world M.T. Magee creates, which is inspired by both the beautiful Scottish and Irish old world cultures, including the winsome Gaelic dialect.  Much devoted research went into this great novel.

As Princess Laurel and Prince Caleb’s passionate love story continued, I was drawn in and held captive myself.
The realm of Rienfield is an unimaginable world filled with vivid scenes and colors. This fascinating, beautiful romantic Celtic inspired fantasy saga will sweep you away from reality and launch you into a dream world.

The writing of this beautiful tale is impeccable. It reminds me of J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, or could it be better? I think so.
It is beautifully composed and the imagination put into this story is unbelievable. M.T. Magee is a highly talented original writer.

There is a lot going on in this, rather, long novel. However, the plot is outstanding and flows beautifully- every word is to be savored.

Come fall in love with the heroic characters in the inspiring, magical, realm of Rienfield.

Filled with love, peril, warfare and romance, in Rienfield you will be taken on an adventure of a lifetime. To a magical mystical land far away. All fantasy lovers should read this book. In my opinion, it should become a classic. It is that exceptional and noteworthy.

Chick Lits Cafe highly recommends this rare and sensational epic fantasy saga, “The Child of the Kindred” by M.T. Magee

Purchase Child of the Kindred Now at Amazon

Connect with Author M.T. Magee

On Her WebsiteOn TwitterOn FacebookOn PinterestOn YouTube

Truth and The Serpent - J. Rutledge

Synopsis:

What if you encountered a dark and sinister character of not so subtle reputation? One whose origins are the very meaning of temptation and sin.

What do we really know of creation, myth, and belief? There was a Man, a Woman, a Garden, and of course… a Serpent. Yet, what we have come to know as temptation, and mortal sin are only one side of the story. You see, three sinned, and three were punished, but only two were expelled from the Garden, but afterwards…what happened to the Serpent?

A present day man finds himself eye to eye with the infamous Serpent of curse and ruin. The Serpent who characteristically makes the man an offer to learn not just what happened, but why.

A tale unlike any other, where the fall of man is not weighed on a scale of good or evil, but in truth and lies. The Serpent whose intellect, sarcasm, and wit cultivates over time as he appraises the history of man and religious lore. The Serpent who is also on a journey of self-discovery to learn the meaning of that ill-fated encounter and the purpose of his own life.

Come to know the unsung story of one who lived through creation, survived the great deluge, witnessed a mass exodus, and the rise and fall of exalted kings of men. Could such a tale, as told by a forked tongue, be the end of lies, and the beginning… of the truth.

Review:

Originality at its best!

Truth and The Serpent by J. Rutledge is an outstanding novel and work of fiction that examines the creation story with an intriguing twist. In this excellent tale, the author explores a different take on creation by telling the story from the Serpent’s point of view on the whole matter. The Serpent’s interesting, and very informative narrative of his revelation and personal experience regarding the story is very different than what humanity has been taught and what we read in the bible.

This story, for religious purposes, could be viewed as a somewhat controversial read. However, the author was able to create a work of fiction, and keep it centered and easy, for both the right and left sides to enjoy.

Rutledge has created an authentic and different narrative that follows the biblical timeline. The reader accompanies the Serpent, after the Garden of Eden as he lives throughout the remarkable events recounted in the bible.

This is an invigorating tale where the story portrays the Serpent and a modern day man discussing the biblical events. It begins in the Garden of Eden, but instead of focusing on Adam and Eve, the witty Serpent recalls his own version. He talks about and believes the events that took place in the bible have formed and made humanity what it is today.

I was so impressed by the manner in which J. Rutledge was, so brilliantly, able to put such depth and detail into developing the Serpent’s character. He is fully developed and uniquely contrasting to most of the one dimensional characters we read about in books. J.Rutledge is talented, creative, and an obvious, deep thinker. Brilliant!

The aptitude of his composition and the imagery encompassing his well penned words, kept me turning the pages while envisioning the scenery.

The writing of this book is exceptional and worthy of praise. Its originality, along with the adventure the author takes the reader on is exhilarating. The storyline is so very unique and well thought out, while the language flows naturally and distinctive. The book is engaging and thrilling, and the sentences and prose roll out nicely and clearly.

With an excellent and thought provoking ending, J. Rutledge challenges the reader with intriguing ideas that are positive, inspiring and deep.
This is J. Rutledge’s first novel and it is sensational and beyond words of description.
We are anxiously anticipating his second inspirational and exciting novel.

Everything about this book is great!
Highly recommended!

Purchase Truth and The Serpent Now

Connect with J. Rutledge
J. Rutledge on Facebook:Twitter: @writerJRutledge