Blog Tour: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford

Over the next few months, I will be reviewing 6 new novellas from the Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series.  It is a series of 6 clean novellas by 6 different authors.

“Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love.”

Author: Julie N. Ford
Publisher: self
Date of publication: March 2014

According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can’t even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never even held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She’s confident that her destiny is finally within reach.

When her affections are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she design a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.

Home Matters is the first novella in this series.  It was a quick read and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Olivia has lived her life with her mother telling her she is destined to be a star.  When she finally gets her big break, she realizes that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be. Reality TV isn't all that real and sometimes what you think you want in life isn't what will really make you happy.  Pete is the one person that sees more potential in Olivia than she seems to see in herself.  Personally, I was rooting for Olivia to realize how great Pete was because that star of the show was a a royal jerk.  I was also hoping that Olivia would follow her true heart and talent.  I loved Pete and his chemistry with Olivia.    What he did for her in the end was really cool. I definitely recommend this first on in the series.  I look forward to the next book in the series, Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin.  Be sure to come back on April 5th  to see what I thought!

Make sure to check out the tour page for Home Matters to see others are saying and make sure enter the great give away below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

About the author:

Julie is a forty-something, dangerously close to becoming a fifty-something, graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama, which has only made her better able to recognize the unhealthy, codependent relationship she has with writing. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a marriage and family counselor. She is the author of four women’s fiction novels, including Count Down to Love, a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she entertains delusions of being a master gardener, that is, when she’s not killing the unsuspecting plants in her yard with her good intentions. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, two daughters, a Betta named Bob, and a Scottish fold kitten, Ardweal.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour - No Holly for Christmas by Julie N. Ford

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Date of publication: November 2011

As Brian McAlister struggles to move past being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he's ever loved, he's all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the DA's office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker, Holly Cavanaugh Winter-and romance blossoms. 
Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart, Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst isn't due to her husband's untimely death the previous December 25th, but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid the coming Christmas.

Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for Brian and Holly when Holly gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and the powerful man who hired him to justice. 

No Holly For Christmas is the latest offering by Julie N. Ford.  It involves defense attorney, Brian McAlister, who was featured in an earlier book, The Woman He Married.  While I hadn't read that book, I never felt like I was out of the loop.  Ms. Ford did a great job of getting you up to speed on the Brian's background.  No Holly for Christmas works well as a stand alone book.  No Holly For Christmas is a romantic suspense.  I would say that there is probably more romance than suspense, since you know the bad guys right from the start.  The suspense was nail biting though and knowing the culprits didn't lessen my enjoyment of it.  

At the heart of this story are two people who have been hurt in the past who find a second chance in each other.  I will admit that I didn't like Holly at all when I first met her.  I thought she was superficial and snobby.  But, as Brian got to know her, I quickly changed my mind.   The outward appearance may be perfect, but as you get into the person she really is, you can see she is just a woman who is trying to survive.  I loved Brian and Holly together.  Brian's "a-ha" moment when he realizes what he is about to pass up is very sweet.     I also loved the end.  Just perfect.  

I definitely recommend this one.  It is a good clean romance.  I applauded Holly for sticking to her convictions about sex without marriage.  It was refreshing to read about a character who isn't swayed into changing her mind.

About the author:

Julie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in English Literature from San Diego State University. In addition, she earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She has worked in teaching, childbirth education and family therapy. 

She is the author of three women's fiction novels including, The woman He Married, and the most recent release, Count Down to Love. She is looking forward to the release of the follow-up novel to The Woman He Married, No Holly for Christmas, in November. 

Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one very feisty fish. 

Visit her at JulieNFord.com or JulieNFord.com/blog

Blog Tour - Count Down to Love

Author: Julie N. Ford
Publisher: Cedar Fort - Bonneville Books (July 2011)

Abandoned at the altar, Kelly Grace Pickens finds herself left holding not only the bouquet, but also the exorbitant bill for an A-list wedding. Homeless, a once-promising singing career floundering, and her life bearing an uncanny resemblance to one of her country music ballads, she reluctantly accepts a last-minute offer to appear on a reality TV show akin to The Bachelor. Pitted against silicon-enhanced supermodels in four-inch heels, Kelly feels confident that she will be among the first would-be fiancées to be excused. Only, when the mysterious bachelor from New York City, Dillon Black, invites her to stay, Kelly finds herself thrust into the vortex of a game she doesn’t have the first idea how to play. Nursing her hopelessly broken heart while avoiding the foils of her fellow contestants, Kelly is oblivious to Dillon’s affections as she wades through hurt and betrayal to discover, in the end, that she has landed firmly on both feet.

I'll admit, I have never seen The Bachelor or any of the other reality TV shows like it. But I was intrigued when I read the synopsis for Count Down to Love. I am happy I read it. I really enjoyed reading it!

Kelly Grace is is left at the alter by her slime-ball of a fiance. He has also left her with tons of debt and a lot of self doubt. To make some money, she agrees to help out her cousin who is a producer and goes on a Bachelor type show called Count Down to Love. Kelly has basically lived her whole life with people telling her who she is supposed to be. Her mother is constantly telling her she isn't good enough. Her ex- fiance led her away from her true passion in nursing to try to be a super star. Even her cousin makes her into a bimbo model type to be on the show. The only one that wants to see her for herself is Dillon.

I liked Dillon a lot. I think he was the only one who really saw through to the heart of who Kelly was inside. Their relationship was fun to watch. I thought they were great together and really brought out the best in each other. Over the course of the competition, Kelly really matures and grows into herself. Dillon learns a little something about himself along the way as well. I won't give away the end, but I thought it was just perfect.

I definitely recommend Count Down to Love. It was a really great and clean little romance that just makes you sigh with contentment when it is over.

--Kari

About the Author:

Julie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and a minor in English Literature from San Diego State University. In addition, she earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching, childbirth education and family therapy. Along with Who I Am, she is the author of two other Women?s Fiction novels due for release in March and November of 2011. Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one very feisty fish.