FULLY INVOLVED by Author Lindy Bell *REVIEW* *GIVEAWAY*

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome Author Lindy Bell and her debut novel, Fully Involved, to the blog. You can find all the stops for this tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway. The entry form can be found at the end of this post.

GENRE: Sweet Firefighter Romance

 

About the Book

Katie Garrett is madly in love with her dashing firefighter husband, Andy. When he is diagnosed with cancer, their entire world is turned upside down. Andy clumsily tries to protect Katie from the truth by not telling her, but her fear — and his increasing pain and tumultuous emotions — only feed her deep-seated insecurities, as they fight for Andy’s life and for their marriage.

While the fire station and its camaraderie are Andy’s refuge, station officer Lt. Mike Bentley wages a vendetta against Andy, making Andy more determined to avoid revealing weakness of any kind. In spite of Bentley’s despising Andy, the C shift crew rally to support Andy until events take a downward turn.

As she discovers Andy’s cancer was caused by exposure to lethal chemicals while on duty, Katie navigates the treacherous maze of uncertainty and grief to emerge a stronger, more confident woman who represents her husband and the fire service as an advocate for firefighter safety and protection.

Firefighters face a myriad of dangers, but the invisible dangers – his past, her fears -- can pose the greatest threat of all.  Will courage, duty, and love be enough to save Andy from these unseen threats? Will he come to recognize the far-reaching impact his life has on others? If the worst should happen, would his greatest legacy be the love of the fire service or the love for his wife?  In the end, the unforeseen might have the greatest significance of all.

Find Fully Involved exclusively on Amazon

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

Katie slipped her shoes off and swung them from the tips of two fingers as she walked down the hall. She stepped into their bedroom just as Andy came out of the bathroom, fresh from a shower. A towel around his waist but still beaded with water, his broad chest and muscular arms, flexed as he grabbed her in a wet hug. He smelled of soap, his damp skin still warm from the shower.

“Hey, beautiful!”

“You’re soaking wet!” Katie squealed as Andy lifted her up and swung her around. She laughed as she looked into Andy’s electric blue eyes, crinkling with pleasure. He set her gently down but before she could say anything, his warm lips covered hers, tenderly at first and then more intensely as he pulled her close, her body fitting willingly to his. Katie felt her heart race and her breath quicken as Andy’s strong arms held her so tight she could feel his heart beating.

Andy grazed her lips with another lingering kiss before leaning back and grinning into her flushed face.

“That was some welcome home, mister,” she sighed happily before opening her eyes.

Looking into Andy’s face, she could tell something was wrong. The smile on her face turned into a frown and then a look of concern.

“You look pale.”

Andy dropped his arms and walked quickly back to the bathroom. “I’m fine,” he said, an edge in his voice.

“You sure?” Katie ventured, peering into the steamy bathroom.

“I said I’m fine,” Andy said as he snapped a tee shirt over his head. “Why can’t you just take me at my word. I’m tired of being second guessed on everything.”  A sudden flush of anger covered his face as he turned on Katie.

Startled, Katie took a quick step back. “No one is second guessing you,” she tried to assure him in a soft voice. “You just don’t look like you feel well.” 

“Again, I am fine,” Andy snarled, brushing past her. “Don’t we have an open house to get to?”

 

My Review

3 ½ Stars

Fully Involved is an accurate depiction of life in a firehouse. It’s also a story of emotional turmoil, character growth, and heartfelt resolutions. I enjoyed watching both Katie and Andy deal with their issues and overcome them as best as they could given the tragic circumstances of Andy’s illness.

The book read a little slow for me in parts, especially in areas where the narrative ran a little long. But, then again, that’s my preference to more dialogue than narrative. The story is definitely a tear-jerker and, technically, well-written.

If you enjoy emotional reads on the sweet side, and accompanied by firemen, you’ll undoubtably enjoy this book.

 

Meet the Author

A project ten years in the making, Fully Involved is Lindy Bell’s debut novel and avidly reflects her admiration and love of the fire service. Thoroughly researched, the quest for accuracy for the book led Lindy to participate in the Plano Citizens Fire Academy, attend classes and accompany firefighters on ride outs. With a retired fire chief and a current paramedic/firefighter in the family, Lindy has witnessed firsthand the dedication and humbleness of first responders which fueled the impetus to convey the importance of the legendary fire service brotherhood and create cancer awareness and its growing effect on the fire service.

Lindy’s first book, Jane Austen Celebrates~Holidays & Occasions Regency Style, is a showcase Regency Era holidays and their impact on modern holiday celebration traditions. A member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Lindy has spoken to a variety of groups and taught Continuing and Adult Professional Education courses at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Lindy currently lives in Plano, TX and works from home for a governmental executive recruitment and training firm. As hobbies, Lindy enjoys supporting Plano Fire Rescue by volunteering with the Plano Fire Rescue Association, writing, reading an engaging novel and cross stitching.

Lindy's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

 

Enter the Giveaway

Lindy Bell will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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It’s been my pleasure featuring Author Lindy Bell on the blog. Please come back again tomorrow for another author, book, and giveaway.

Nancy

A RECIPE FOR FOREVER by Author Darlene Fredette

 

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is overjoyed to welcome fellow Rose, Darlene Fredette to the blog today. Here new book, A Recipe For Forever, is part of the Redford Falls series from The Wild Rose Press. We thought we’d start off with a few very important (okay, maybe nosey) questions.

 

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

 

Is your book based on real-life experience or a figment of your imagination?

All the stories I write are a figment of my imagination. However, I do add some real life. For example, in my book Hershey’s Choice, I wanted to write a book starring a Chocolate Labrador. One of my neighbours has a beautiful chocolate lab named Hershey. Hershey is adorable and I love the name, so I immediately made Hershey my star. As well, in A Recipe For Forever, the story takes place in a bakery. Since my daughter is a pastry chef, I had to write a story with a bakery setting.

 

If you could trade places with one of the characters from your book, who would it be and why?

In A Recipe For Forever, I would be the hero’s mom, Heather Cooper (again, I think I just aged myself, lol). Heather is a master baker, and she has the ability to read people. She has a gypsy like attire and personality. Heather is fun and quirky.

 

If you could trade lives with any other writer, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Not necessarily a particular writer, but an author who has had their book made into a movie. To have one of my books made into a Hallmark movie would be the ultimate dream come true. I already have the cast picked out! Lol!

Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

 

About the Book

 

She has one last hope – a small, family-run bakery that might just be baking up second chances. 

Dwindling finances has Jess Robinson running out of options. With a past filled with failures, she longs for a new beginning. Applying for a job she isn’t qualified for may be another crazy mistake, but at this point Jess has nothing to lose. 

Juggling two jobs, Travis Cooper has absolutely no time for a relationship and isn’t looking for one. But when his mother hires an unqualified baker, he has more to worry about than three-tiered wedding cakes and fighting fires. Will he break his own no-dating-employees rule and make a little room in his life for love?

Get A Recipe Forever everywhere!

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

 

Silky hair caressed his cheek. Wildflowers teased his nostrils. Warmth invaded his body. He resisted the urge to pull her closer. What have I done? He straightened, forcing temptation aside. He clasped his hands on her tiny waist and stepped backward.

Pink staining her cheeks, she glanced downward and smoothed the front of her skirt with a shaky hand. “You won’t regret hiring me.”

He cleared his throat, swallowing the anxiety her words caused. “When can you—”

“Tomorrow!” Jess pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry.”

“Okay.” Travis caught his mother’s grin. “Mom will give you the paperwork. She’s also in charge of training. You two work out the details.” He waved a hand toward the door. “Now, get out of my kitchen. I have a baby shower cake to make.”

He watched Jess follow Mom out of the room. The sway of Jess’ hips spiked his blood pressure. I’m doomed. Travis reached for a mixing bowl, hoping to lose himself in a world of desserts. He had to calm his racing heart and forget the sweetness he just hired.

Meet the Author

 

Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short, and the winters are too long. An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to develop the many stories coming to life in her head. She writes contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners.

When not working on her next book, she can be found with her husband, her daughter, and her Yellow Labrador. Darlene’s favourite pastime is taking summer daytrips to the Valley to soak in the small-town feel.

Visit Darlene’s Web Site

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As always, it’s been my pleasure hosting a fellow member of the Roses.

Please come back all next week for more authors, books, and even a few giveaways.

Nancy