"A Heart fo Copper" Review

"A Heart for Copper"
by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Publisher: SilkWords
Release Date: May 9, 2014
Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

An automaton created by an inventor's son, Copper has finally been given a heart by her young master. Her choice of whether to keep the key or give it to him will determine what happens next in this "pick your path" steampunk fairy tale.

Will she join his family in their English country manor, where she'll be forced to consider the question of whether she's really human? Or will she search out the quirky alchemist responsible for giving her life? Will her master hold onto her heart, or will she be tempted by the charms of an automaton man?
My Review:

"A Heart for Copper" is an interactive short story, it's done in the style of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. As the reader, you get to choose Copper's path, including romance! The story was very well-written, and I instantly felt for Copper. How difficult it would be to be silently in love with someone, unable to tell him or show him how she feels. When she does get her heart and she becomes human, she faces more questions than she ever dreamed of. She's so different from anyone else, what kind of life should she choose to lead now that she has the choice?

I found this story to be really fun and fast-paced. It's short, but I found myself going back and choosing all of Copper's different paths, in order to see how things could have come out differently. I really enjoyed the steampunk world that the author built. I could really see all of the characters living in this alternate history. The character of Copper is a great blend of vulnerable and strong, and she actually changes depending on what choices you make as the reader. 

This particular story is very sweet and appropriate for an adult or YA reader in my opinion, but be advised that there are a lot of varying heat levels in the stories featured on the Silkwords website, so be sure to choose your book accordingly! You can find the "Sweet" stories here.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: The reader decides Copper's fate in this fast-paced steampunk adventure and romance.




Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Her Highland Fling" Review

"Her Highland Fling"
by Jennifer McQuiston
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: Jan 27, 2015
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Let the Games Begin …

William MacKenzie has always been protective of his Scottish village. When Moraig's economy falters, he has the perfect solution to lure wealthy Londoners to this tiny hamlet: resurrect the ancient Highland Games! But for this to work, William knows he needs a reporter to showcase the town in just the right light.

A female journalist might be a tolerated oddity in Brighton, but newly minted reporter Penelope Tolbertson is discovering that finding respect in London is a far more difficult prospect. After receiving an invitation to cover Moraig's Highland Games, Penelope is determined to prove to her London editors just how valuable she can be.

Penelope instantly captures William's heart, but she is none too impressed with the gruff, broody Highlander; however, as she begins to understand his plans, Penelope discovers she may want more from him than just a story. She's only got a few days … but maybe a few days are all they need.
My Review:

This novella is a quick, fun, historical romance. I think the 'fling' in the title is very fitting. It's nothing too deep, just a really fluffy, quick romantic tale. The characters are sweet, but nothing extraordinary. Just a fun afternoon read.

I think I was drawn in the most by the heroine's stuttering. The first time we meet Penelope, we learn that she has a stutter, and she even feels like William is making fun of her (he isn't, don't worry!). Seeing that vulnerability right off the bat, just made me really pull for her as a character.

William is a fun leading man, but at first, I had trouble differentiating him from his brother (I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I assume his brother was the lead in another book). It was difficult for me to keep them straight at first and I think that hampered my understanding of William's character for the rest of the story.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This short and sweet novella really is a Highland Fling! What are you waiting for? Kick your feet up and enjoy a lighthearted Highland romance!




Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Nightbird" Review

"Nightbird"
by Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

An enchanting novel from bestselling author Alice Hoffman: a charmed New England village, a family secret, and a friendship destined to defeat a witch.

"Some things could only be found in Sidwell it seemed: pink apples, black owls, and my brother, James."

Twelve-year-old Twig's town in the Berkshires is said to hide a winged beast, the Monster of Sidwell, and the rumors draw as many tourists as the town's famed pink apple orchards. Twig lives in the orchard with her mysterious brother James and her reclusive mother, a baker of irresistible apple pies. Because of a family secret, an ancient curse,Twig has had to isolate herself from other kids. Then a family with two girls, Julia and Agate, moves into the cottage next door. They are descendants of the witch who put the spell on Twig's family. But Julia turns out to be Twig's first true friend, and her ally in trying to undo the curse and smooth the path to true love for Agate and James.
My Review:

"Nightbird" is simply a lovely story. Written for middle grade readers, I think it can be read and enjoyed by all ages. The author's writing is superb, and the atmosphere in Sidwill is almost dreamlike. It was easy to get swept away in this world. The mix of fantasy and realism is blended exquisitely.

Twig is so lonely at the beginning of the book. Her loneliness practically melts off the page. She still has hope and great attitude, but the tone at the start of the book is pretty melancholy. It's not long before we learn why she and her brother and mother isolate themselves from the rest of the town, and friends are hard to come by for Twig. But that is before sisters Julia and Agate move in next door. The sisters show Twig what true friendship is, as they work together to help her brother, James.

I love that Julia and Agate love Twig and James with the unconditional love of true friends. No matter how much Twig and James push them away (as they do with everyone in town), Julia and Agate just keep coming back with their support and friendship.

The witch's curse just adds the perfect amount of magic to this tale. I love that no one is shocked by the presence of magic in the book, it just exists.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5

Romance: 5/5

Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line: I loved this magical tale of a lonely girl finding friendship and strengthening her family bond at the same time. The lush atmosphere and writing made this book a joy to read.




Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Thirty Days to Win His Wife" Movie Star Cast!

Today, I'm happy to welcome Andrea Laurence to In the Hammock to celebrate the release of her book, "Thirty Days to Win His Wife"! Andrea will share with us her dream cast for a movie version of her book!

THIRTY DAYS TO WIN HIS WIFE
By Andrea Laurence
Harlequin Desire; February 3, 2015
$5.25 US; 192 pages


(Synopsis from the publicist)
Even with a baby on the way, Amelia's holding out for the perfect husband. Tyler has 30 days to prove he's the one.

Best friends Tyler Dixon and Amelia Kennedy eloped to Vegas on a whim. But before they can deal with their quickie divorce, she confesses: she's pregnant. Now there's no way Tyler will agree to go their separate ways. He wants them to stay married, raise their child together, share a house—and a bed.

Yet Amelia has always dreamed of a perfect marriage and she doesn't think this self-made millionaire is lifetime material despite their friendship. She's given him just one month to prove her wrong.


Movie Star Cast
for
THIRTY DAYS TO WIN HIS WIFE
By Andrea Laurence

Whenever I start a new book, I start a new Pinterest board. I like to collect images that inspire the story, including the characters, the settings and the clothes, then I use them to send to my publisher to help them with the cover design. You can check out my Pinterest board for THIRTY DAYS TO WIN HIS WIFE here:  http://www.pinterest.com/aclaurence/thirty-days-to-win-his-wife/

For Tyler, my inspiration and movie star cast choice would be Chris Pine. There’s just something about those blue eyes and perpetually scruffy chin that suited him perfectly. For Amelia, I chose the buxom redhead Christina Hendricks. There’s something undeniably sexy about those curves and Tyler was just the man to handle them.
Andrea


Buy the book here: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=56556

ANDREA LAURENCE has been devouring books since she learned to read at the age of 3. An old portable typewriter got her started writing in her room at 8 and she's been writing ever since. Her practical nature led her to pursue a master's degree and a career that would pay the bills, but the writing bug continued to bite. She started working ferociously in her spare time to become a published author and has become an active member of her local RWA chapter, Heart of Dixie. After eight years and 11 completed manuscripts, she finally made the leap and got "the call" from Harlequin Desire on May 31, 2011.
A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, Andrea is working on her real-life "happily ever after" with her boyfriend of 10 years and their collection of animals including two cats, two mutts and a Siberian husky that sheds like nobody's business. 


Check out the other two featured Harlequin Series Romance books this month!

"Carrying His Secret"
by Marie Ferrarella
(synopsis from publicist)
USA Today bestselling author Marie Ferrarella’s 250th book, gets readers’ hearts pounding with a tale of love and murder. When a woman finds her boss murdered, she learns she may be the next target. The victim’s son will do anything to protect her—she’s pregnant with his baby after a steamy one-night tryst.

Buy here:  http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=56791
 

"Delucca's Marriage Contract"
by Abby Green
(synopsis from publicist)
USA Today bestselling author Abby Green enchants readers with a tale of a hunky entrepreneur’s practical plan to convince an heiress to marry him as a part of a business “arrangement.” But what he didn’t account for is that his reluctant bride’s feisty defiance would seduce him more than he had planned.
   



Disclosure: I received copies of the books from the publicist in exchange for this post.

Spotlight: "The Girls of Mischief Bay"

"The Girls of Mischief Bay"
by Susan Mallery
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: Feb 24, 2014
Source: sent by publisher


Summary from goodreads.com:

Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there's a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she's never seen. He won't even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time at her Mischief Bay Pilates studio. Can she say enough is enough without losing the man she loves?

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg rose to become vice president in her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she can have it all. And if she can, does she want it?

Although Pam Eiland has a beautiful house and a husband she adores, she feels… restless. She wonders who a stay-at-home mom becomes after the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise her husband brings the heat and the humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she'll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, three very different women will discover that friends can become family, and that life is richer with sisters at your side.
Book #1 in Susan Mallery's new Mischief Bay series!

Find out more about the book here


Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this post.

"Mayhem" Review

"Mayhem"
by Jamie Shaw
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Release Date: Jan 20, 2015 
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

When college freshman Rowan Michaels meets gorgeous, up-and-coming rock star Adam Everest, she knows a player like him is the last thing she needs after her ex-boyfriend shattered her heart. But she can't stop thinking about the kiss they shared on his tour bus.

On the first day of school, Rowan is stunned when Adam saunters into her French class. He's soon failing miserably, and, on a whim, she offers to tutor him. But Adam doesn't recognize her as a makeup-free, glasses-clad college student—a far cry from the beautiful, mysterious "Peach" he met at his concert.

During a wild weekend on tour with the band, Rowan can't help falling for the sweet guy buried beneath Adam's rocker persona. Yet she knows she could never compete with the girls constantly throwing themselves at his feet. She'd just end up hurt … again.

Peach is all Adam thinks about, though, and when Rowan realizes this, she has a decision to make: stay just friends to protect her fragile heart … or reveal the truth about the night they met and admit she's fallen completely, hopelessly in love with him.
My Review:

"Mayhem" is a really fun, and also really sweet take on the New Adult rock star romance. The writing flows so well, and I found myself caught up in the story really quickly. Sure, the subject matter is a total fantasy, and a bit cheesy at times, but I love that type of escapism in books, especially romance! I loved that the book is fun and doesn't get caught up in a lot of sex scenes like some books in the New Adult genre.

It took awhile for me to warm up to Adam, at first I was thinking he was too aloof and a stereotypical rock star. But as soon as Rowan goes on her weekend getaway with the band, I started to really like Adam. He actually does some really sweet things and treats Rowan really well. It was just the initial stage when Rowan was worshipping him from afar in which I didn't really care for his character.

Rowan was a great lead heroine. I love love love that she spent most of the book in her glasses and dressed down so that Adam wouldn't recognize her as Peach. And Adam fell head over heels for her even without all the fancy clothes and makeup! Of course, Rowan becomes complete BFF with most of the band, which is a bit far-fetched but totally fun. Why not just embrace the escapism, it's fun!


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5

Romance: 5/5

Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line: For a fun, light-hearted, and sweet romance with a rock star, look no further! Jamie Shaw is a great new voice in New Adult romance!



Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday Shout Out 60


Recently, I introduced a new feature here at In the Hammock on Sundays. It's called "Sunday Shout Out" and it's a place where I can give a special shout out to those publishers and authors who have sent me books over the week, as well as those bloggers who have hosted contests that I've won! I'll also be giving shout outs to any other cool books, blogs or bookish news that I've spotted during the week.


For Review
I'm playing a bit of catch up this week, I didn't receive ALL of these books in one week! There's more catching up to come next week as well!

 "Chase Me" by Tessa Bailey
 

"The Shopkeeper's Daughter" by Lily Baxter
 
"The Elusive Lord Everhart" by Vivienne Lorret

"Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to President's Tailor" by Martin Greenfield with Wynton Hall
"Duct Tape" by Forest Walker Davis

"500 Tangled Artworks" by Beckah Krahula

"Only in My Dreams" by Darcy Burke

"Various States of Undress: Georgia" by Laura Simcox

"Her Highland Fling" by Jennifer McQuiston

"When Good Earls Go Bad" by Megan Frampton

"Love in the Time of Scandal" by Caroline Linden

"Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch" by Emma Cane

"Bad for Me" by Codi Gary

"Royally Ever After" by Loretta Chase

"Nightbird" by Alice Hoffman
     

      

What books did you receive this week?