Friday, December 25, 2020

CLOSED FOR NOW!

I apologize profusely if I owe you a review or a post. My husband has been sick since September with COVID-19. He may have only been 38 years old but his autoimmune disorder had already put his body through the ringer. On December 9th, Don Koelsch III, the absolute love of my life, died. I haven't been able to truly review properly since. I'm sure I'll get back to it but I'm currently devastated and pretty miserable. We have an 11-year-old daughter as well and she needs me right now.

Thank you for your patience as I figure out my new normal,

Sara



WINFIELD, MO- Donald (Don) Bennett Koelsch III, 38, formerly of West Dover, VT, died on Wednesday, December 9, due to complications from COVID-19. He was born April 2, 1982, in Carson City, NV, to Cathy and Donald Koelsch.  

Mr. Koelsch attended Dover Elementary School where his witty, quirky personality began to shine. From there, he attended Wilmington High School in Wilmington, VT, graduating in 2001. While in high school, he began working for Mount Snow in West Dover, VT, where he spent many years and truly loved the wide range of experiences he gained. It was in his first position, at Haystack Mountain in Wilmington, VT, that his passion for food and cooking, and his strong work ethic, began to flourish. In each of those years, he gained new skills and built strong friendships. He often spoke of his time spent at Haystack and as a groomer at Mount Snow. Throughout his life, he carried those skills and connections, ensuring that wherever he went or whoever he met, he was prepared with knowledge and great stories.
He set off to K-State Salina, in Salina, KS, to become a professional pilot. Before finishing his degree, he returned home to West Dover to work with Don Koelsch Builders and met his soon-to-be wife on his birthday in 2006. He also volunteered at the West Dover Fire Department.  
Mr. Koelsch had various hobbies and lived a joyous life. He grew up an avid skier and snowboarder, sharing the passion with his family. They traveled across the United States, skiing and riding some of the most popular mountains. During the summer, he could be found on the family’s boat on Lake Whitingham. His father and he worked together for many years building houses and doing carpentry jobs. Mr. Koelsch learned a great deal at his father’s hands and looked up to him until his last day.
Mr. Koelsch married his bride Sara on July 29, 2007. They had one daughter, Amelia, in 2009, who was the treasure of his life. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his girls. Every chance he could, he and Amelia played video games together, bonding over zombies. He loved being able to take both his girls out on his motorcycle and enjoyed the curves of a good Vermont back road.
Mr. Koelsch worked at a variety of jobs throughout his young life. He worked as a delivery driver at Blue Mountain Produce, and as a bank manager at People’s Bank, both in Wilmington, VT. He worked at Chimney Hill Rentals and received his real estate license. In 2019, he attended CDL school at Witte Brothers in Troy and spent the past year and a half working as an over-the-road truck driver. He found his true calling this last year and enjoyed every mile he put on his 18-wheeler.
Though his days on earth were short, Mr. Koelsch left a lasting memory on those he met. He was a dedicated father and doted on his only child. He was also a devoted, patient, and slightly unpredictable husband who always charmed his wife. He had a quick wit and a fun sense of humor that could put a smile on any of his family’s faces. 
He shared a love of cooking and often overused butter and bacon.
Mr. Koelsch is survived by his wife Sara; daughter Amelia; parents Cathy and Donald Koelsch Jr., of West Wardsboro, VT; sister Jana (Chad) Staro, of West Wardsboro, VT; brother Chad (DeeDee) Pressey, of Winona, MN; maternal grandparents Donald and Sylvia Johnson, of Red Bluff, CA; and several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wanda and Donald Koelsch Sr., of Wilmington, VT.
Due to the nature of Mr. Koelsch’s death and the pandemic, a celebration of his life will be planned for the summer of 2021 or as soon as possible.
To honor his memory now, wear a mask and stay home if you are sick. 
In lieu of flowers donations for medical and financial bills as well as condolences can be sent to SaraKoelsch@gmail.com (donations via PayPal) or directly to GoFundMe at https://gf.me/u/y9uybr.


Tuesday, December 8, 2020

REVIEW TOUR: Love Under the Stars by Kathleen Shoop


Love Under the Stars by Kathleen Shoop
Released September 20, 2020


1861, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Inspired by the true story of John and Phoebe Brashear who developed telescopes and lenses that are still in use today, Love Under the Stars brings the beginnings of their journey to life. Set against the steel mills of Pittsburgh, a young man has a mind for astronomy and physics, the gifted hands of a millwright, and the heart of a minister. Conflicted about which life path to take, he is further confounded when the love of his life shows up teaching Sunday school in the classroom next to his. 

Phoebe Stewart is headstrong, responsible, and meticulous about her role as baker and cook in her family's household. Despite her whip-smart mind, she understands that she will live a single woman's life with her family and revels in the caring and feeding fourteen household members. Then she meets John Brashear. He opens her eyes to a universe of heavenly bodies, a world of possibility beyond the walls of her home. 

Torn between the love growing between the two and Phoebe's devotion to her family, they navigate a path to where they can announce their plans to marry and buy a little home up on the South Side Slopes. It all seems to make sense… until it doesn’t. Can John and Phoebe fulfill their obligations while being true to their hearts? Can they make their dreams come true?

Available to buy from the following sites...




Seriously, who knew I would enjoy historical-type romances? Kathleen Shoop did, that's who. It doesn't matter the genre or the fluff that goes into her books. It's the love, the love and sense of family that Shoop really puts at the center of her stories.  Shoop is able mingle the history of the time into the burgeoning relationship between Phoebe and John. It's hard to not fall under their spell. With the immediate sense of love and longing, this story almost has a magical romantic feel to it. 

Shoop seems to carry the sense of family into all her books. There's overall a general theme of the main characters loved ones. In this one, Phoebe is struggling with this new intense feel of charmed love while still having that strong sense of family. So, beyond the sense of family, love is always hovering close by. Love Under the Stars emanates the pull of new love while struggling with family promises and the destiny of what may, or may not be.  

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.






NOW FOR THE 
AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY!!
 

 
Win $50 Amazon Giftcard
PLUS
Choice of paperback or ebook!
Ending on Sunday 13th December at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!


About Kathleen Shoop

Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. Kathleen coordinates Mindful Writing Retreats and is a regular presenter at conferences for writers.

I adore writing historical fiction (The Letter series, After the Fog and Donora Stories that are coming soon!) but am having a blast writing romance like Home Again, Return to Love and Tending Her Heart (Endless Love series). Thank you so much for the time you take to read.

Follow the author on the following sites...


Amazon Author Page   Bookbub



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Monday, December 7, 2020

COVER REVEAL: Caught in the Chase by Kacey Shea


Caught in the Chase
by Author Kacey Shea
Release Date: December 17, 2020
Cover Design: Sommer Stein
Cover Model: Jonny James
Photographer: Wander Aguiar



This summer I'm leaving my hometown for a fresh start. It's a necessary choice in my pursuit of a full and sober life. Besides, escaping to the Outer Banks isn't a hardship. This seaside town holds everything I need and more. 

That is, until I run into Chase Matthews. 

He's an arrogant, cocky, self-absorbed jerk who has already come between me and my best friend once. The smart thing to do is keep him at a distance, even if he seems lost and alone. 

Instead, I'm compelled to help him.

Chase is broken and beautiful in ways I fully understand. It's been months since I've indulged in a drink, but I've found a new obsession. 

He's everything I want and the last thing I need. 

Each day draws us closer, but I can't allow myself to get caught up in Chase. We were only meant to have the summer. A temporary fling. Yet my heart has other plans. I don't know how I'll ever walk away. Even if he costs me everything.



 


Enter to win a signed paperbackhttps://bit.ly/CITCPaperbackGiveaway





Kacey Shea is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance. She enjoys writing strong and smart heroines, heroes with hearts of gold, and stories that deliver a satisfying, well-earned happily ever after. 

Kacey has a free book for all newsletter subscribers along with bonus epilogues for her most beloved novels ➞ https://kaceysheabooks.com/newsletter-freebie
When she's not writing you will find her playing Uber to one of her three children, drinking iced tea by the gallon, or planning her next escape from the Arizona heat.


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Friday, December 4, 2020

TEASER: The Relationship Pact by Adriana Locke

  THE RELATIONSHIP PACT by Adriana Locke 

Release Date: December 17th   

  Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/6A5zx   

  Preorder: Amazon US: https://amzn.to/36HMIR2 
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fkga3q   

Sign up to receive an email when it's live: https://geni.us/AmazonAlert 
Or text the word Adriana to 21000 (US numbers only)   


  
     
Blurb: 

How hard can it be? 


That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend. 

It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all.

Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family. 

She hadn’t heard his laugh yet either.  

And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be. 

It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy. 

Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder. 

What they have isn’t love—it’s a relationship pactRight? 

  

About the Author: 

USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.  

  Connect w/Adriana: 



Thursday, December 3, 2020

RELEASE DAY: The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills

The Revenge Pact kicks off an all-new series, The Kings of Football, with an emotional and super-charged new adult standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!

River Tate is a god on campus.
The king of football.
A tattooed bad boy with gunmetal eyes that see right through you.
The only chink in his armor is her, the girl he pretends doesn’t exist, the forbidden one with the shy smile and lavender hair.

Anastasia Bailey is a nobody.
The queen of nothing.
An outsider with the face of an angel and a body made for sin.
The only chink in her armor is him, her boyfriend’s frat brother, the football player who hates her.

But when Anastasia’s life crashes down, River’s the one who sweeps in and picks up the pieces. Torn between loyalty, lies, and secrets, he battles the temptation to take everything from her when they make their revenge pact.

He can’t tell her no.
Because revenge (or love) is sweet, and once you get a taste, the craving never ends.

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/32SW1MS
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/RevengePact

Add The Revenge Pact to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/35CdX01

About Ilsa Madden-Mills

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake FiancƩe and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT
Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo
Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn
Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2s4j9ci
Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com
Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay
Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

CHECK OUT THE OTHER STANDALONES IN THE SERIES!

Best-selling authors Ilsa Madden-Mills, Meghan Quinn and Adriana Locke,deliver three stand-alone romances about college football players finding true love while on the verge of losing everything.

THE ROMANTIC PACT by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: December 10th

Synopsis:
I haven't seen her in three years.

I haven't talked to her since the kiss.

So why am I on a plane, flying across the world to spend a week with her in Germany?

One word: Pops.

My life’s a mess.
My possible football career is hanging on by a thread.
I'm driving the roads of Germany in honor of Pops with the one girl I can never have.
And I’m sharing a bed with her, the girl I've measured everyone else up to, while desperately trying to not to touch her.

We made a pact growing up, never to get romantic with each other - never fall in love.

And I'm about to break that pact. For good.

PREORDER NOW:
https://amzn.to/2KcbLUU

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54451134-the-romantic-pact


THE RELATIONSHIP PACT by Adriana Locke
Release Date: December 17th

Synopsis
How hard can it be?

That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend.

It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all.

Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family.

She hadn’t heard his laugh yet either.

And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be.

It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy.

Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder.

What they have isn’t love—it’s a relationship pact. Right?

Preorder Now:
https://amzn.to/36HMIR2

Add to Goodreads:
https://geni.us/6A5zx

Sign up to receive an email when it's live:
https://geni.us/AmazonAlert
Or text the word Adriana to 21000 (US numbers only)

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

REVIEW TOUR: Savage Row by Britney King

 
Savage Row by Britney King
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Release Date: November 19, 2020
 






The international bestselling author of Her and The Social Affair returns with another suspenseful thriller that very well could be set in the house next door.

Jack Mooney, a career criminal, has been in prison for nearly a decade, quietly nursing his hatred for the jurors who put him there. One in particular gets him through the endless days—the alluring Amy Stone.

When Mooney is granted early release, he makes Amy his first priority. To his delight, she’s even more enticing than before, and better still, she has a lot more to lose than he’d imagined.

As Mooney’s campaign of terror mounts, the police seem powerless to protect the Stone family, who must rely on their wits to survive a psychopath hell-bent on revenge.


Britney King is at it again! She had me cautiously looking over my shoulder, checking my car’s back seat… I might have been paranoid while reading Savage Row, and perhaps, after finishing it as well. King excels at bringing that creep-factor front-and-center! You know that feeling you get when you’re home alone and you’re looking outside where it’s all dark and you can’t see anything but IF someone was outside looking in, he/she can see you very clearly and you would be none-the-wiser. That feeling right there is what King channeled here… how talented is that?! Seriously, this author has skills! Savage Row is another must read from one of my favorite psychological thriller authors. King brings it! Every single time!


I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.







CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS




Hello. I’m Britney.

I live in Austin, Texas with my husband, children, a dog named Gatsby, one ridiculous cat, and a partridge in a pear tree.

When I’m not wrangling the things mentioned above, I write psychological, domestic, and romantic thrillers set in suburbia.

Currently, I’m writing three series and several standalone novels.

The Bedrock Series features an unlikely heroine who should have known better. Turns out, she didn’t. Thus she finds herself tangled in a messy, dangerous, forbidden love story and face-to-face with a madman hell-bent on revenge. The series has been compared to Fatal Attraction, Single White Female, and Basic Instinct.

The Water Series follows the shady love story of an unconventional married couple—he’s an assassin—she kills for fun. It has been compared to a crazier book version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Also, Dexter.

Around The Bend is a heart-pounding standalone, which traces the journey of a well-to-do suburban housewife, and her life as it unravels, thanks to the secrets she keeps. If she were the only one with things she wanted to keep hidden, then maybe it wouldn’t have turned out so bad. But she wasn’t.

The With You Series at its core is a deep love story about unlikely friends who travel the world; trying to find themselves, together and apart. Packed with drama and adventure along with a heavy dose of suspense, it has been compared to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Love, Rosie.

The Social Affair
is an intense standalone about a timeless couple who find themselves with a secret admirer they hadn’t bargained for. For fans of the anti-heroine and stories told in unorthodox ways, the novel explores what can happen when privacy is traded for convenience.

It is reminiscent of films such as One Hour Photo and Play Misty For Me. Classics. Without a doubt, connecting with readers is the best part of this gig. If you’d like to connect, shoot me an email. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, and occasionally on Twitter.



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