A Flying Affair

Best-selling author Carla Stewart is rising to my must read list! Everything that I have read of hers have been beyond phenomenal and is always on my list of books to recommend to anyone looking for a great novel. In her latest, A Flying Affair, gives readers a look at the role of women aviators like Amelia Earhart when aviation was just taking flight. As we all know the rise for women in any career isn't easy and despite what her parents want for her, Mittie Humphrey's believes she is being called to the skies. Aside from sitting in the cockpit of some of the bi-wing planes, she occasionally takes the controls, but not in a true formal sense. When she learns that Bobby York, a man visiting from Britain whom her mother had hoped she would settle down with, also shares a love for flying. He plans on opening a flight school and Mittie believes she has found just the right door to walk through.

She has always dreamed of doing what men like Charles Lindbergh have done with their setting world records in the sky. She finds her heart drawn to Ames Dewberry, a member of the barnstorming team called the Patriots who travel around offering paid rides as well as wing walking and aerial stunt maneuvers at the local airfields. She is drawn to his handsome good looks and confidence and it certainly has its benefits when the two meet up at his sister's wedding. Mittie will have a hard time coming to terms with what is best for her life, a love of the horses she grew up with and assisting her father in the family business or will Mittie find her wings in the skies above her childhood home as she dreams of life she could have not tied down to anyone her mother wants her to marry.

I received A Flying Affair by Carla Stewart compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from a free copy of the book from the publisher. This is such a great novel because it showcases the advancement of women aviators like Amelia Earhart and others who at first entered simple flying competitions and height record setting before men could take them seriously. It also highlights just how dangerous flying was, especially when men set up to tamper with their planes in order to show that women were incapable of flying. It's one of the true great stories from history and one I think Carla Stewart did an admirable job at bringing to life inside the pages of this novel. It gains a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and can't wait for more from this amazing and talented author.

For more information about A Flying Affair, Carla Stewart, or where you can get a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Flying Affair by Carla Stewart

You can find Carla Stewart on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Flying Affair, please visit Faith Words website. 

The Hatmaker's Heart

For fans of Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge, you will absolutely adore the latest novel from best selling author, Carla Stewart, The Hatmaker's Heart! With extraordinary talent and coming from a wealthy family background in London, milliner Nell Marchwold is making a name for herself with her unique and sought after hats under the Oscar Field's brand. Hoping that one day she might have her very own label, she knows that patience will be required working as an assistant designer for Mr. Fielding. He seems pleased that her hats are flying off the shelves and buyers are increasing their demand for them in private consultations but realizes that Nell is a virtual goldmine to his millinery and without her, he would be penniless. He will do whatever it takes to ensure her permanent employment even if it means less than scrupulous management techniques to keep her there.

When a fashion designer spots Nell's uncanny talent, he offers her a chance of a lifetime to showcase her hats alongside his dress designs at a fashion show. Even though he wants to spotlight Nell's designs, Mr. Fields wants to ensure that these hats can be purchased at Oscar Field's Millinery and no where else. He seems a bit fearful to let Nell to gain any popularity for her hats but when a royal wedding in London requests hats to be designed by Nell, she will have to leave the comforts of New York City and head to London. Nell will have to face her long lost childhood friend, Quentin and hopes that she can find a place in his heart as more than a friend. Mr. Field's has other plans in store for the time Nell will be spending in London and that will have very little time for visiting with Quentin or even her ailing grandmother. Will Nell make the right decision or will she have to place her dreams on hold for love?

I received The Hatmaker's Heart by Carla Stewart compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Being a fan of historical fashion, I loved Carla's attention to detail in capturing the very essence of New York City during the 1920's at the height of the jazz movement when styles were constantly changing. Nell's character undergoes quite the transformation from being a women with a beautiful talent that she can't appreciate because of a stammer she developed as a child. While she struggles to overcome adversity and find self acceptance both in the working world and as woman in the 20's, she has a longing for love and strong commitment to her family that will be tested in profound ways. This is a must read for those that love fashion, historical and romantic fiction! I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for her next novel A Flying Affair to debut!

For more information about The Hatmaker's Heart, Carla Stewart or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Hatmaker's Heart by Carla Stewart

You can also find Carla Stewart on Facebook so you don't miss out on any of her novels.

To read more reviews on The Hatmaker's Heart and to check out the Jazzy giveaway that Carla is offering, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page.

Sweet Dreams

"Some scars are written on the heart. You might not be able to see them but they're there."

After the death of her mother, Dusty Fairchild has always dreamed of going to college to study Geology, but her father, Flint Fairchild, self made owner of Fairchild Oil has other plans. He wants her to spend a year attending Miss Fontaine's Finishing School for Girls in East Texas. Dusty can't seem to understand how that will benefit her but she is willing to go as long as her childhood best friend and cousin, Paisley Finch is allowed to attend with her. Just how will young girls born and raised on a ranch fit in among the wealthy young women who will be their roommates for the year. Seems like things are about to get real interesting!

Amid learning about manners, etiquette, setting up social functions and parties, and learning French, Dusty and Paisley attempt to fit in as best as they can. But Paisley has spent her life living on a tour bus while her mother Edie has been searching for fame and fortune in the many nightclubs and bars they frequent. However, Paisley has been receiving far more attention from her mother's boyfriends than she could ever ask for and finds spending the year at Miss Fontaine's will be the break she is looking for. It provides stability and security she never had traveling on the road, never knowing where they would wake up next. She considers her life like that of a traveling gypsy.

As the year progresses and the girls begin making holiday plans, Dusty is anxious to get back to her father and the young banker, Jack she met before leaving. It is what every girl dreams of, falling in love with a handsome young man, who can provide stability for a future wife and family. She only hopes Jack feels the same way as she does after being away at school. Paisley on the other hand, has been invited by her roommate Alexandria to head to Houston in preparation for her engagement party and visiting the wealthy elite. It is a chance to see a side of life she has never seen before, if only she can find a way to fit in and not embarrass herself in the process. What she doesn't plan on is falling quite literally for Jack before she heads out for the winter break. How will she be able to manage her feelings for her cousin and her feelings for Jack?

I received Sweet Dreams by Carla Stewart compliments of Faith Words, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. This is a coming of age story of two young girls set in the 1960's in Texas. One from a life of influence and the other from a life of living on the road. While they can often times compliment one another, those very different qualities often create tension as Paisley attempts to fit in with the majority of the girls who come from affluent families. Paisley resists trying to be someone she isn't and it is something Dusty looks up to, her strength and determination to achieve what she wants in life. But for Paisley she isn't sure just what the future hold for her, where as Dusty struggles to gain the approval of her father to allow her the freedom to make her own choices regarding her future. I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and it does contain a Reader's Discussion Guide for Book Clubs at the end of the novel.

For more information about Sweet Dreams, Carla Stewart, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Sweet Dreams by Carla Stewart

You can also find Carla Stewart on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Sweet Dreams, please visit Faith Word's website. 

Chasing Lilacs Book Review and Giveaway

It's the summer of 1958 and here we find ourselves immersed in the life of 12 year old Sammie Tucker whose ambition in life is to have a local newspaper. Here she will tell about the people that live in the town of Graham Camp.

Her BFF, Tuwana, wants nothing more than to spend the summer practicing to be a cheerleader as they prepare to enter Junior High next year. Her hopes are to make the squad and be one of the football players girlfriends. Isn't that what all cheerleaders do?

Sammie's life isn't the easiest for any 12 year old, who lost her sister Sylvia in a blizzard when she was an infant. Since then her mother hasn't been the same and Sammie finds herself wondering if her mother really loves her at all anymore. Her mother spends the days in her old bathrobe, popping pill after pill, hoping to rejoin the family once more. Sammie finds it her responsibility to care for her mom, while her dad rotates from day shifts to graveyards shifts at his job at the oil refinery.

What Sammie really wants is to have her old mom back again. The mom who used to bake cookies and brownies with her. Stay up late talking about everything. Yet the story is about to take a tragic turn and Sammie suddenly will question everyone who has been a part of her life and wonder if her life is really worth it after all.

I received this heartwarming book, compliments of Hachette Book Groups, Faith Words division, and found it tearful and mesmerizing at times. It's easy to put yourself in Sammie's shoes and see life from her perspective. You see her struggle with trying to be a 12 year old enjoying her summer and the adult trying to take care of her mom. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a wonderful and fantastic summer read.

For more information about the book, the author and where to purchase a copy, please click on the links below. You can even get a sneak peek at the first chapter which will hook you from page one. This book is available in paperback and eBook formats.

http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780446556552.htm

To make this a great summer giveaway, Hachette Book Groups is allowing me to giveaway 3 copies of this wonderful book. This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes, please. Here are the rules for entering this giveaway, be a follower of mine, and tell me about one great summer memory of yours. The giveaway will end on June 30th.