Tuesday, March 26, 2024

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer: Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway!

About the Book

 


Book: If the Boot Fits

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: March 12, 2024

One fateful night will change their destinies forever. . . .

Convinced that his stepmother and half brothers have been wrongfully evicted by cattle king Eli Dearing, Asher Ellis uses the cover of an extravagant ball to break into the Three Cedars’ ranch house to search for proof. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy’s cry compels him to make a daring rescue.

Spunky and independent Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother’s life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind–his boot–and resolves to find him herself.

When Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. Asher values family above wealth, a rare trait that opens her heart. Afraid she will discover his past misconduct, Asher tries to keep his distance, but when a series of suspicious accidents befall her, he vows to protect her, even though saving her life could mean losing her love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Review:


Wowza, what a fantastic historical romance from amazing author Karen Witemeyer! 
This author has an incredible way of sweeping the reader away to historical Texas, and If the Boot Fits was no exception! Samantha and Asher are fabulous characters and this story is a great twist on the classic Cinderella fairytale! 
I love this author’s books so much! Oklahoma! has always been one of my favorite movies, I love the mix of romance, suspense, humor, and the historical western setting, and Karen Witemeyer’s books always give me all the same feels. It’s impossible to be unhappy when reading a Karen Witemeyer book! 
Another thing I love about this book is how beautiful and organically the faith element was woven into the story! I also loved the high-stakes suspense and action that will keep you glued to the page! 
Highly recommend If the Boot Fits! If you love historical romance be sure to check this one out! 
(5 Stars!)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher!
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own

About the Author



Voted #1 Reader’s Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas.

 

 

More from Karen

Character Names and Word Games

One of my favorite parts of writing any book is finding the perfect names for my characters. Names are so important. They carry meaning and expectation. They add historical flavor and help create a picture in the reader’s mind about who that character is. They can also add hidden joy to a story for me as the author that may or may not be realized by the reader.

If the Boot Fits was inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. I give it a fresh western twist and mixed up the plot a bit, but it was important to me to fill this tale with subtle nods to the version I loved as a child. One of the main ways I did this was through the naming of my characters.

I worked hard to create names that would harken back to the original while still carrying meaning of their own. Instead of Cinderella, we have a hero named Asher Ellis—Ash being a synonym of Cinder, and Ellis playing off of Ella. For our heroine, I wanted something to play on the “charming” motif without being too on-the-nose. I ended up selecting Samantha Dearing—Dearing like endearing or charming. Samantha is the feminine version of Samuel which comes into play in the story since her father’s name is Eli. The three key older ladies of the story all of names inspired by royalty, as befits a fairy tale—Regina, Elizabeth, and Victoria. Asher’s step brothers are named Jonathan and Fergus. However, Jonathan goes by Jack, giving a nod to the mice from Disney’s Cinderella, Jaq and Gus. Asher’s horse is named Bruno in honor of the dog who saved Cinderella from the tower room. We have a cattle king with a foreman named Duke as well. Whether readers catch all of these nods or not, they made me as the author smile while writing the story.

Here’s another way to have fun with names and other key story elements. I’ve created a word search for you to enjoy. Have fun!

Click here to play.


 


 

 

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, March 13

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 13

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 14

Batya’s Bits, March 14

By the Book, March 15

Madi’s Musings, March 15

Texas Book-aholic, March 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

EmpowerMoms, March 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 17

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17

She Lives To Read, March 18

Where Faith and Books Meet, March 18

Blogging With Carol, March 19

Life of Literature, March 19

Simple Harvest Reads, March 19 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 20

lakesidelivingsite, March 20

Alena Mentink, March 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 21

Splashes of Joy, March 21

Betti Mace, March 22

For Him and My Family, March 22

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 22

Cover Lover Book Review, March 23

Holly’s Book Corner, March 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 24 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 24

Lily’s Corner, March 25

Wishful Endings, March 25

Pause for Tales, March 25

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 26

Just Your Average reviews, March 26

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 26


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of If the Boot Fits!! (US only)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a7a9/if-the-boot-fits-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, March 15, 2024

Review: Catch a Wave by Savannah Scott

 

🏄‍♀️🌊🏄HAPPY RELEASE DAY!🏄🌊🏄‍♀️


“Our kiss is a reunion, a reconciliation, a rebirth. We are coming home and moving on.”


I absolutely loved Catch a Wave by Savannah and it’s AVAILABLE NOW! 


My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


What an absolutely beautiful story! This book grabbed hold of my heart at page one and held me spellbound all the way until the end! Bodhi and Kalaine are amazing characters and it was an absolute joy to watch them rekindle their romance! Kalaine is such a strong and inspiring character, I wanna be besties with her! And where do I find me a Bodhi?! This man gets all the heart-eye emojis! Seriously, he is total swoon-worthy, knee-weakening book boyfriend material, and I totally happy-sigh just thinking about him! 

I also loved Shaka, he is such a fun addition to the story and never failed to make me smile! 

I loved that this story dove deep while still being light, funny, and swooniliciously romantic! 

Second chance and brother’s best friend are two of my favorite tropes and the author wove them both into this story brilliantly! 

The setting is absolutely stunning and made my heart long for summer. Can I move to Marbella Island? 

Reading this book felt like the first sunny day after months of clouds! 

Loved, loved, LOVED Catch a Wave!

I absolutely adored every minute of this story, and cannot recommend it highly enough! 

I seriously loved everything about this book and it is one of my favorite reads of 2024! 

Note: this is book three in a series and I have not read the first two (yet, I’m excited to go back and read them soon!) and I had no trouble at all following this one. So it totally stands alone! 



I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own 


Click HERE to purchase your copy!



#catchawave #secondchanceromance #lovetrippinseries #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #brothersbestfriend #surfromance #savannahscottauthor #marbellaisland #mavsandbodhi #catchawavebook #newrelease 

Friday, March 8, 2024

Review: Drive You Crazy by Jessica Kate

 

What a fun small town romcom! I love Jessica Kate’s writing and I’ve been eagerly anticipating this novel! 

Justin and Ashley are both great characters. I loved watching them grow as individuals and it was a joy to see their romance bloom. 

Amity Creek is a lovely setting with a host of delightfully quirky characters, and as a small town girl myself I really appreciated that the author showed the beautiful aspects of small town life, and that she also showed the imperfections and messiness that inevitably exist in small towns despite what Hallmark would have us believe! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story and cannot wait for this author’s next book! 

I highlighted so many favorite passages, and I absolutely loved the ending! 

If you are looking for a heartwarming small town romcom with depth and a great faith story be sure to check out Drive You Crazy 



I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Review: The Designated Valentine by Drew Taylor


What a lovely friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story! This was my first read from Drew Taylor and it will not be my last! I absolutely love this author’s writing style! 

Karoline and Mason were both wonderful characters who are delightfully flawed and relatable, and it was such a joy to watch their teenage friendship bloom into romance! 

I loved that Mason is a country singer, so awesome! And the way he pursued Karoline? Be still my heart! 

This book was such fun to read! Yes, it’s book two in a series and I have not read the first one yet, but I had no trouble at all starting with this one, it totally stands alone! 

I love a small town romance and the town in this book is absolutely delightful, I can’t wait to revisit! 

I highly recommend The Designated Valentine! This story made my romance loving heart happy and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! 



I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own 

Friday, February 9, 2024

Review: The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton by Susan L. Tuttle

 

 Susan L. Tuttle has penned a sweeping story featuring an international treasure hunt and an in-depth look at what it means to truly love others and allow others to love you! 

Will Everleigh find the Florentine Diamond that has been missing for over a hundred years? And will she let down her walls and open her heart to love? You’ll have to read the book to find out! 


Read this one if you like:


💜Contemporary treasure hunts

💜Historical mysteries

💜Soul-stirring faith journeys

💜Amazing character growth

💜Slow-burn romance

💜Women’s fiction 

💜Being reminded that you are a precious treasure to God

 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Review: One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey

 


🏜HAPPY RELEASE DAY!🏜

I absolutely loved One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey, and I most highly recommend it! 

Check out my full review below and don’t forget to grab your copy. Click HERE to purchase! 


My Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Wowza, Dani Pettrey has penned another winner that is chock full of adrenaline-pumping suspense, toe-curling romance, and a soul-stirring faith story!

I absolutely loved Andi and Christian, they are such a great couple and it is a joy to watch them fall in love! 

This author does an incredible of crafting settings that become a character in the story. Whenever I read a Dani Pettrey book I feel like I’ve gone on vacation to the setting because it is written so vividly, and this book is no exception! I love a small town setting and Jeopardy Falls has quickly become a favorite! 

The redemption story in One Wrong Move is absolutely beautiful and just might make you tear up! Dani Pettrey’s books are a master class in how to write realistic faith woven organically into the storyline, so so good! 

This author’s books are fast-paced and I’m always perched at the edge of my seat while I fly through the pages, but conversely there is also a relaxing quality to her books that makes me like I’m chilling in a hammock or some other comfy spot, and these are only two of a billion reasons why I love her books so much! 

Sibling series are my absolute fave! I’m already obsessed with the MacLeod family, and cannot wait for book 2! 

I’ve read everything this author has published and One Wrong Move is one of my favorites by her! I wish I could rate it higher than five stars!

I seriously absolutely adored every second I spent reading this book and most highly recommend it. If you only read one romantic suspense book this year, read this one, you won’t regret it! 



I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own

Friday, January 26, 2024

Review: The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair

 


Oh my stars! I loved this book to pieces! I’ve been eagerly anticipating Chevy and Val’s story and it did not disappoint! 

Val is an awesome heroine, I found myself relating to her a bit and I was cheering her on from beginning to end!  I’m in love with Chevy, he is the best, and he never failed to make me smile! 

Friends-to-lovers, and best friend’s brother are two of my favorite tropes and Emma St. Clair did a fantastic job with them! 

I adore Sheet Cake and all of its quirky (and hilarious!) residents! I binge listened to the series this month, and I’ve loved each book, but I think this one might be my fave! 

The Pocket Pair was such fun to listen to and I absolutely loved every minute of it! 

I most highly recommend The Pocket Pair! If you want to smile, laugh, and melt into a puddle of swooniness then this book is for you, and you do not wanna miss it! 

I also just have to say that the narration of the audiobook was amazing! 

(5 Stars!)



I received a complimentary audiobook copy of this book from the author and publisher!

My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own