Hey, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Anne Shaw and her new book, “Silver Bells”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.
Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Anne and to increase your chances of winning!
Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!
Silver Bells
by Anne Shaw
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GENRE: Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:
Alice had to act, and she had to act fast: a girl’s life depended on it.
A series of coincidental events leave Alice with more questions than answers. Could the sick little girl in need of a bone marrow transplant be the daughter she gave up for adoption ten years before? To become close to the girl without revealing her identity, Alice develops a plan to cast the girl’s uncle, a chocolatier, as a contestant on a live Christmas Eve show.
A television cooking competition was never in Niko’s plans, but when his sick niece expresses her wish for him to compete on the show, he reluctantly agrees. His past as an MMA fighter taught him to guard himself from punches being thrown his direction, but he wasn’t prepared for the fallout of letting his emotional guard down for Alice.
When sparks fly between Alice and Niko in and out of the kitchen, will the secrets Alice keeps shatter the budding relationship?
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EXCERPT TWO:
Chloe let out a piercing little girl scream, and the whole crowd instantly quieted. She brought a pale hand to her mouth, her eyes shimmering with excited tears.
A man rushed into the area behind the counter and stopped by the glass display case, his frantic stare locked on Chloe.
Chloe looked from the man to Alice and pointed. “Uncle Niko, you’re gonna be on 3Square. You’re gonna be on the show!”
Charcoal-grey eyes rimmed with black lashes turned in Alice’s direction and her heart beat a little bit faster. Niko Stavo straightened his tall frame and shifted a motorcycle helmet from his left to his right hand, confusion furrowing his brow. Instead of a chef’s jacket, he sported a black leather vest over a black long-sleeved T-shirt, and leather chaps over a pair of jeans.
Brooke was definitely right; there was something to be said about a man in chaps.
Niko looked in her direction, lifting one heavy eyebrow, its thickness disfigured by a scar. An ex-Mixed Martial Arts fighter, there was no denying the raw masculinity that he exuded.
The rebel in her responded to the call of the sexy man, alarm bells ringing in her head. Caught staring like some love-struck teenager, she lowered her gaze, set down the CG cups, and retrieved a business card. “I’m Alice Carlson with the EN Channel, and I’m the producer of 3Square. Our studio executive was so touched by your application question, he decided to create a Christmas special featuring only desserts.”
Niko leaned his hip against the counter. “There must be some mistake. I didn’t ask to be on any show.”
Alice’s stomach plummeted to the dark hardwood floor. There was no special without Niko Stavo. And without the special, she couldn’t stay in Seattle. And if she couldn’t stay in Seattle, she’d have to postpone the tests that might save a girl’s life. Possibly the life of the little girl right next to her. She risked a glance at Chloe, and a rock formed in her throat. The little girl who might be her own.
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book was such a fun, exciting, spirited, adorable, hopeful, and delicious holiday themed treat!!
I absolutely loved the creative, intriguing story line concept!
As soon as I read the book blurb, I was instantly hooked! I couldn’t wait to start reading and this book did not disappoint one bit! I was quickly drawn in while the story unfolded and kept completely captivated ‘til the last page!
I really liked Alice, Niko, and Chloe. These strongly developed characters were likable, realistic, and genuine. I adored Alice and Niko together! Their attraction was undeniably intoxicating! I really liked that this book had a reasonable love story timeline between Alice and Niko that didn’t feel fake, rushed, or unrealistic.
Niko definitely has some walls up and as a former MMA Fighter he knows how to protect himself. At first, he is distant and guarded, but it doesn’t take long for Alice to win him over. Alice is clearly dealing with her own issues over giving Chloe up for adoption and her decision to keep those secrets from Niko. These character struggles made them feel even more raw, practical, convincing, and true to life. I love when authors can build such multi-dimensional characters that are so easy to relate and connect with; and Shaw proves page by page she clearly has this skill.
As this book focuses on Chloe’s leukemia cancer diagnosis, I felt such a strong connection to this story line as I had just very recently had a bone marrow biopsy as my cancer team believes I may have bone marrow cancer (still undetermined). My procedure was one of the most painful experiences I have ever had in my life and it is barely a fraction of what Chloe has had to go through! I connected with this book on so many levels and couldn’t help but get completely wrapped up in the story!
I love TV Cooking Competition Shows so I was so intrigued by this plot theme! Even though this wasn't the focal part of the book, it was still well received and felt accurately written.
I truly appreciate the author’s extensive amount of in-depth research she conducted while constructing this book. Her ability to provide elaborate details on a vast array of topics from Chocolate Gastronomy and cooking competition shows to bone marrow transplants and childhood cancers to the adoption process and their state laws to everything in between only added credibility and authenticity to the story.
I also really liked the author’s impressive writing style that kept me engaged throughout the story!
This book is pleasantly satisfying with a HEA ending that this reader enjoyed, appreciated, and approved of!
This was such a perfect holiday read that got me totally excited for the holidays!
The only tiff that I have to say and it’s not about the writing or the content, it’s about the aesthetics. I really liked the previous book cover. It was fun, flirty, catchy, romantic, and playful! It definitely caught my attention! It’s what got me to read the blurb and quickly sign up for the tour! And if I had been in a bookstore and seen that original cover, I am sure I would have stopped to check it out - if not bought it on the spot. The new cover, I like, but definitely not nearly as much. Plus, this new book cover looks wayyyy less holiday-ish, with just snow and a distant tree in the background. Again, I still totally love the book, just honestly preferred the author’s original book cover choice as I felt it really captivated Alice and Niko’s fun and playful relationship.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still some unexpected twists and turns that you won't see coming!
This book is listed as part of the A 3Square Christmas Romance Series. This book can be read as a standalone.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all contemporary romance readers and holiday romance fans will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Did you find this review helpful?
If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2MKD17C7PB4TF
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AUTHOR BIO:
Anne Shaw is the author of both contemporary and historical romances. She lives in western Washington with her four-legged friend Larry, a quirky cat who stares at her for hours on end while she loses herself in a world where a sexy hero, and bold heroine face unsurmountable odds to reach the ultimate goal, a happily-ever-after. If you like rom-dramedies, then visit www.Anne-Shaw.com.
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CONNECT WITH ANNE:
Website:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anne.shaw.501151
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/anneshawcom1
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1423794.Anne_Shaw
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55672547-silver-bells
Amazon Author Page:
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon Kindle eBook:
Amazon Paperback:
The Book Depository Paperback:
https://www.bookdepository.com/Silver-Bells-Anne-Shaw/9798672869988
BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:
https://www.booksamillion.com/product/A16383181127
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Anne will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a
purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this
blog. This does not cost you anything,
it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**
Anne ~ Good morning! Welcome to FAB! It is so great to have you here! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking time to share your book with us and it's always a pleasure in our family to learn about a new one.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your gracious review of Silver Bells! In the book, I combined two of my favorite things, chocolate and romance. My guilty pleasure is binge watching cooking/baking competitions during the Christmas season, hence the backdrop for the book. I hope your readers will enjoy the story as much as you. I also wanted to thank you for sharing your personal story. I hope you have a successful recovery.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely, romantic book. I love the cover!
ReplyDelete