Love on the Slopes review

About the book:

Jessa Hartley is haunted by memories of the night she threw herself at her childhood crush, Dominic DeRenzi – and he turned her away. Years later, Jessa has managed to put the past behind her and climb up the ranks as head instructor of the ski lodge she one day hopes to purchase. Only her plans take a nosedive when the smooth talking Italian shows back up in town. Even worse, he’s planning on purchasing her lodge.

After surviving a disastrous marriage, Dominic DeRenzi returns to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hoping to make a fresh start for him and his six year old son by purchasing the old ski lodge. Until a chance encounter with Jessa Hartley throws his well laid plans off track. The once innocent girl from his childhood has grown into the beautiful woman he always knew she would become, and he is painfully reminded of the night he overstepped his bounds and kissed her. Then broke her heart by sending her away.
 
Rekindling the flames of their past isn’t part of the plan, yet Dominic and Jessa soon find they’re helpless to stop the fire that burns brightly between them. He broke her heart the first time he left, but can he make her see this time around he’s here to stay?
 
Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Generally I gravitate toward dystopian or fantasy books, but when I received the opportunity to review Amy Manemann's contemporary romance, Love on the Slopes, I took it. It was a refreshing genre change that quickly pulled me in and took me on an emotional roller coaster that only a love story can do.

Basically, a childhood crush develops into "more" when Dominic DeRenzi buys the ski lodge that Jessa Hartley works at. Dominic left Jessa when he was 18 to go into the family business. This caused him to leave the country. After an unplanned pregnancy turns into a failed marriage, Dominic and his son seek to put down roots and start a new life through this new acquisition. Jessa felt spurned when Dominic left, but the spark that was between them as teenagers rekindles into a flame. Both are hesitant to jump into a relationship, but when you have chemistry, it just becomes too difficult to deny mutual feelings. 
 
The story is told through a dual point of view. Mostly readers are in Jessa's head. The story will suddenly switch POVs to Dominic's without much distinction. I like that we received a taste of Dominic's mind throughout the book, but I wish that sections of the story were more defined by his perspective. I would love if we could have more info on his prior marriage. Maybe Manemann will write a prequel novella for us.
 
One small detail I thought was odd in the book involved a trauma scene. A skier had a crash and was unconscious. Jessa calmly took in the situation and directed Dominic on what to do. Dominic owns at least one other ski resort, maybe more. If he's involved in the ski resort industry, I thought he would have more "know how" than what he did. Jessa may be more familiar with handling accidents than Dominic, but Dominic should have been more proactive in that scene than just waiting for Jessa to tell him what to do.

Jessa's family's involvement in the story really added personality and tension. I loved when they were involved in scenes. Dominic struggles on how to tell her brothers that he and Jessa are an items. It is a black cloud looming over their relationship. The brothers are very distinctive and seem like guys you would love to hang around. I like to see if anything will develop between Jessa friend, Lucy, and her brother, Jett.

Just when you think the story is wrapping up, Manemann throws a little drama in. Someone from Dominic's past sneaks back into his life. Dominic must choose between love or family. Luckily his choice is a no brainer. Don't want to give spoilers here, so you will just have to read the book. 
 
Since this is a contemporary romance book, there is romance. Sexual situations between the characters is suggested. Manemann doesn't explicitly describe the actions. The scenes are cut short of the action, or described as a memory of the event.

Readers who love contemporary romances, especially when the setting is ski lodges, should check out Love on the Slopes. It is a light hearted, fun story. 

Love on the Slopes releases April 30, 2015!

About author Amy Manemann:

Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult paranormal romance, and dabbles in children's books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children.

When she isn't plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book. Her newest release, Love on the Slopes, is her first foray into contemporary romance and will release on April 30th.

Amy is also a site administrator for the World Literary Café, an online literary community for authors and readers. www.worldliterarycafe.com.

You can connect with Amy at www.amymanemann.blogspot.com or on Facebook

Tripp (The Life series #2) release day excerpt and giveaway!

Welcome to the release event for Tripp by Kristen Kehoe, a companion novel to Life Interrupted. Scroll down to check out some teasers as well as enter a giveaway of a necklace from Stella & Dot.  Tripp is a Mature Young Adult Contemporary Novel and is now available for sale!

About the book:
Because there are two sides to every story…

I’ve never been the guy who shied away from taking the ball. I’m an athlete; I thrive on the court, and I thrive in life because I don’t shy away from taking chances.

Except that one time.

Except with Rachel.

I fell in love with my best friend when we were ten, and she almost put her fist in my face when I tried to defend her against a fifth grade bully. I didn’t tell her that day that I loved her, or any of the ones following, because she had proved she didn’t need me, and even at a young age, I knew the opposite was true for me.

I needed Rachel with every breath I took, and it scared the ever-loving crap out of me.

Being the mature young man I am (cough), I tried to ignore it. I dated someone else; I stayed Rachel’s friend and watched her from afar because when you love someone who has the potential to break you into a million unrecoverable pieces, that’s what you do.  You watch from afar and you never reveal your true feelings because it’s safer to hide them than to admit them.

Until it’s not. Until the day you take a step forward and alter both of your worlds completely, only to discover that you’ll never, ever be over her.

This is my story – my story of Rachel and everything I did and didn’t do, everything I said and forgot to say, and everything I felt before and after we made our biggest mistake and walked away from each other.

She told her side – now it’s my turn. I’m including our past, holding nothing back from her ever again, so she better be ready for me.

Mature Young Adult

 ***This is the companion novel to LIFE INTERRUPTED (The Life series Book 1) released January 2014. It can be read as a standalone, as it is different from Rachel’s story.

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Excerpt:
“Tripp,” Stacy says. I snap to the present. “Are you ready?”

I wipe my palms on my jeans and nod. “What do you need?”

Following Stacy’s instructions, I walk down the hall into Rachel’s room. The light is on; I can see the small form under the blankets before I peel them away and scoop my arms under her even though she protests. I want her to fight, even prepare myself for it, but right away I see what Stacy’s talking about. There’s nothing inside of Rachel—even as she attempts to thrash in my arms, I barely have to tighten my hold on her while I carry her to the bathroom. The girl who has so often put me on my ass from one punch has no muscle, and worse, she has no spirit.

Nothing about the girl in my arms right now is the Rachel I’ve always known. The lack of fight worries me more than the lack of weight.

Stacy’s already pushed the shower curtain back. I put Rachel inside, ignoring her half-hearted protests as I turn the water on cold and high. When she screams—the real-deal scream full of terror and anger—the vise on my chest loosens a little and I’m so grateful I could break down and weep. My hands are full because she’s putting much more effort into fighting me than she was a second ago. I forget about how cold the water is on my skin, or the fact that she looks like a ghost with dark circles under her eyes and a pasty pallor to her normally warm skin, and I talk to her while I hold her there.

“That’s right, Rachel, fight me. You fight me and you come back. Do you hear me? We need you, Rachel. We need you to fight.” She screams more, shoving at me with her hands, but I don’t budge. I encourage her as I see the color start to slowly seep into her cheeks. “Come on, baby, come back to us. Come back to me.”

I whisper the last part. I don’t know if it was the words or the fact that she’s finally opened up enough to feel the weight of it all, but she breaks—the dam cracking and flooding. Instead of being angry, she’s devastated.

My heart cracks and my lungs seize; she falls into a sobbing heap. I turn the water off and start to lift her into my lap. Whatever I promised her sister, I can’t do it; I can’t watch her break like this.

Don't miss out on Life Interrupted (The Life series #1), available now for only .99 cents for a limited time!

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About author Kristen Kehoe:

I am a writer of YA/NA contemporary novels. I write about those crazy ages of 18-23 because there is nothing scarier than being told to grow up and decide what to do with your life and who to be so suddenly. I write about love because it’s my belief that love, in one form or another, saves us all at some point in our lives. I am married to a man who understands and believes in me, and mother to a beautiful baby girl and a neurotic Great Dane Puppy.

Find Kristen:  Website   Facebook   Twitter

Giveaway:

Enter to win a necklace from Stella & Dot. Open to US addresses only. Ends May 6

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know cover reveal & giveaway

I'm excited to help reveal the cover for What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know 10 Secrets to Connect Moms & Daughters . Check it out below and see what people are saying about it. Don't forget to enter the giveaway! 
 

About the book:
Is your daughter asking questions about friends, peer pressure, school, and even her weight?

As a mom, are you wondering how to answer them?

Welcome to the club. But you can relax. Because we’ve asked real sixth-grade girls to dish on their top secret questions. And, we’ve provided time-tested real-life answers that work. Add to that an enjoyable format.

The “Just for Girls” section speaks right to your daughter in words and ways she understands. The “Just for Moms” section talks straight to moms, giving you information, resources, and easy-to-share answers.

We include tips for how to start, handle, and enjoy the conversations no matter the situation. Create connected conversations with your daughter as you explore these life questions together. Get plain facts and jump start questions. Discuss the provided scenarios so she can practice responses to use in real-time. Download decorative cards with positive statements and fun fill-in sentences. Use What Every Girl Needs to Know About 6th Grade to make it happen. Together, answer questions and create connection. You got this.

Enter the Goodreads 3 Book Giveaway

Praise for What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know 10 Secrets to Connect Moms & Daughters:
 "At a time when so many barriers are straining mother/daughter relationships, and our daughter's esteem is being attacked from every side, “What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know” gives mothers the tools they need to communicate (even about the tough stuff). It gives daughters the confidence to know that they have what it takes to survive the unique transitional years. Whether your relationship with your daughter is strained, or you want to strengthen what is already strong, use this smart and savvy information. You and your girl(s) will learn how to thrive through the teen years.” --Heather Ann Johnson M.S. Adjunct Faculty, BYU, Mother to 5 girls

“With conflicting messages today, it's easy for moms and daughters to get confused and overwhelmed. This book bestows all the wisdom you want to pour into your daughter's heart and mind in a fun, non-threatening way. Dread turns into confidence as you realize you have the tools to face those teenage years TOGETHER and have a ball doing it.” --Rachel Skinner, Mother of nine, Social Worker

 “This book provided a wonderful bonding experience for me and my daughter. As parents we always think we know how our child is doing. Then we get into a deep conversation and realize that compared to what we thought, they are doing either so much better or are suffering so much more. But they hold those feelings back to protect us. Sometimes they fear that talking about it means more pain, but this books shows that talking is healing, especially when we know how.” —Karrie Glazner, Mother of Three Wonderful Kids

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About author Connie E. Sokol:
Connie E. Sokol is a mother of seven and a favorite local and national speaker for over fifteen years. She is a core contributor on KSL TV's “Studio 5 with Brooke Walker” and a national blogger for "Motherhood Matters" at www.ksl.com. She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications and newspaper and magazine columnist.

Mrs. Sokol is the author of twelve books including Faithful, Fit & Fabulous; Create a Powerful Life Plan; The Life is Too Short Collection; 40 Days with the Savior; and Caribbean Crossroads. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats.

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About author Rachelle J. Christensen:
 Rachelle J. Christensen is a mother of five who loves connecting with her children and wrote this book in answer to questions from her two daughters. She also has an amazing husband, three cats, and five chickens.

An award-winning author, she has written several mystery/suspense novels, and she solves the mystery of the missing shoe on a daily basis. Rachelle graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a music minor. She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and, of course, reading.

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 Giveaway:
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ends 5/1/15 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 Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.