REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Chance of Rain by Amber Lin

Chance of Rain

by Amber Lin

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BLURB:

The only things Natalie Bouchard wants to change are the weekly specials in her Gram’s diner. So when her high school sweetheart strolls back into Dearling, Texas, she allows herself to indulge in a little flirtation, but that’s as far as it goes.

Navy SEAL Sawyer Nolan has returned to sell his father’s land and get the hell out, no matter how enticing he still finds Natalie. Until a storm rolls over the Texas hills, stranding them together at the farm…and the memories of their steamy past  lead to a reunion filled with hot days and long nights.  

Soon Natalie’s so far under Sawyer’s skin he can’t imagine being without her. But he has a lot of history in Dearling he’d like to leave behind, and Natalie is practically married to this town.  If Sawyer wants to be more than just another person who leaves Natalie, he’ll have to give his hometown—and himself—one more chance.

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Excerpt :

She flipped the switch, and lights blinked off unsteadily down the long tiled ceiling. Only at the end of each day did it dawn on her how large the place was. Large in both its physical size and the space it took up in her life. Though unassuming and maybe unconventional, it was a legacy. Hers to keep. Hers to maintain.

She headed into the back office and gathered the papers. She returned through the swinging doors leading to the dining area with a stuffed manila folder. And ran smack into the broad chest of Sawyer Nolan with an oof.

“What are you doing here?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Having dinner.”

“We’re closed.”

“Door was unlocked.”

He wore the shadows well. The darkness seemed to enhance his handsomeness, lengthening his planes and sharpening his angles. He seemed more at ease here in the quiet dark than the bustling brightness of morning.

“I hadn’t gotten to that yet. No one usually comes around this late.”

“Guess that means no dinner.”

His voice was neutral, but it had to be a disappointment. He was hungry, and everywhere else would be closed. Unless he wanted a cold sandwich from the gas station on the outskirts of town. She wasn’t heartless enough to send him there, not when carefully packaged leftovers sat in her fridge.

Anyone else she would have invited back to the kitchen table, but not him. Oh, no. He could eat in the dim, impersonal void and count himself lucky if she even chatted with him.

She gestured to the bar stools. “Have a seat. I’ll heat you up something.”

His face cracked into a smile. “Thanks, Natalie.”

Man, he looked so genuinely happy just for that. Just for her to feed him. Her heart squeezed. Maybe she’d give him double helpings. He was broad and tall enough to need them anyway.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amber Lin writes edgy romance with damaged hearts, redemptive love, and a steamy ever after. RT Book Reviews called her debut novel, Giving It Up, “truly extraordinary.” Amber married her high school sweetheart, gave birth to a kid who’s smarter than she is, and spends her nights writing down her dirty thoughts. In other words, life is good.

Website: http://www.authoramberlin.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/authoramberlin

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authoramberlin

Amazon    http://www.amazon.com/Chance-of-Rain-ebook/dp/B00EFPNV5C/   

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chance-of-rain-amber-lin/1116394180?ean=9781426897320

Amber will be awarding a $15 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/12/virtual-nbtm-review-tour-chance-of-rain.html

February 17: Long and Short Reviews - promo
February 24: Musings From An Addicted Reader
March 3: Sarah Says Read Romance
March 10: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
March 17: Queen of the Night Reviews
March 24: Lustful literature
March 24: Erzabet's Enchantments
March 31: Storm Goddess Book Reviews and More
March 31: Brooke Blogs
April 7: Zee Monodee - Author's Corner
April 7: Good Books and Good Coffee

  

Sarah's Review: 
Thanks to Goddess Fish and Amber Lin for giving us the chance to review this story.  I was intrigued mainly because the male character is a Navy SEAL. 

When Sawyer returns to his hometown to take care of his father's estate and sell off the land, he wasn't prepared for Natalie to return to his life.  For that matter, Natalie wasn't prepared either.   

For me, this story shows how small town life can be a good thing and it can be a negative thing.  It all depends on how you view it.  As someone that grew up in a small town, I hated growing up there because the cliques were strong and hateful if you were not part of it.  As an adult, I know that I would never be able to live in that town again. 

For Sawyer, he has the idea set in his mind that people compare him to his father.  When he realizes just how much Natalie means to him and the town begins to advocate on his behalf, he realizes how wrong he is.          

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: A Very Scandalous Holiday

  

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A Very Scandalous Holiday

Includes:

 Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser

 An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh  

 Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

Blurb:
England, late Regency

After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister, Sidony Harbeck. However, she might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter…at least, none he ever sent.

Erin's Review:

  Feeling jilted and hurt, Sidony thinks she can rebuff Hale upon his return from sea. Hale on the other hand, wagers Sidony she will marry him within 3 days, at Christmas, all he needs to do is prove to her he loves her.
 Sidony is stubborn but cannot deny she still loves Hale.  He has changed. He is older, more mature, and yet has the audacity to show up after three years without word.
 Hale only wishes Sidony would see everything he did, he did for her. He did to establish a life so he can give her what she deserves.
 The reader cannot help but cheer on Hale while sympathizing with Sidony. These two are meant to be, they both just need to get out of their own way first. Wonderful story with wonderful characters and a perfect Christmas setting.

 Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh


Blurb:
 1944 Ardennes, WWII

Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

Erin's Review: 
 In the midst of WWII Ruth is serving her country as a nurse, as a proud Jewess. She has lost family in Poland at the hand of the Nazis and she wants to prove that they cannot strip her faith. Joe, on the other hand, is more reserved. He feels that by practicing his religion openly it is inviting trouble, and he feels it best to lay low.
Joe and Ruth are such a sweet couple. His concern for her when the war hits a little to close for comfort is endearing and her take charge attitude towards him is refreshing and shows fierceness and determination.
 One can only hope her father gave them his blessing and they are now, living in Texas with a brood of children lighting the candles on each night during Hanukkah remembering how it all began.

 Erin's Gift by Nancy Fraser

Blurb:
Chicago 1920

Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara—his sister’s best friend?


Erin's Review: 
 Erin O'Mara did not have love in mind when she got arrested with her best friend Abby at an illegal speakeasy. Abby's brother, Seth, comes to their rescue. Erin is fortunate the judge gives her a warning, but she she lost her job and her home because of the ordeal, after all, proper ladies wouldn't be caught in a speakeasy.  Seth just happens to be without a nanny and with the insistence of his mother, hires Erin. Erin has a gift with children and her and his young son Ben bond immediately. She also cannot deny her heart flutters every time Seth is near. 
 After the death of his wife, Seth never entertained the thought of loving again, but Erin 's sweet nature is too sweet to resist.
 You will fall in love with Seth and Erin. This story is sweet as a sugar plum and the Christmas setting is only fitting for a new beginning for the couple.

 An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

Blurb:

England 1833

The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago—he left her with a son. His return rekindles their passion, but only a Christmas miracle will convince the town surgeon to believe in his promises of eternity again.

Erin's Review:
 Andrew, the Duke of Sharrington left for reasons only known to him. Rebecca was left pregnant, and only had unkempt promises to remember him by.   The state of the village is diplorable and the people do not trust their Duke. He has been absent for so long, they have learned to deal with things on their own. A freak accident with his daughter brings the Duke face to face with his true love, Rebecca.
 Rebecca, now the village surgeon, has a 6 year old son. She is convinced his father, Andrew, wants nothing to do with him. When she is summoned to the big house at the end of the lane she readies herself to face him. She was unprepared for the rush of feelings that would flood her the second she looked at him with his daughter.
 This is a beautiful story of second chances. Andrew and Rebecca, even though from different stations in life, are meant to be., and you cheer for them throughout the entire story.  He just has to convince her that his love is real. A wonderful Christmas story with characters you will fall in love with.


Don't forget to leave your comments! Sophia Garrett will be awarding one lucky commenter a $15 Starbucks gift card during the tour! So get your comments in and Happy Reading!