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Friday, April 8, 2022

Avocado Toast by Nancy Fraser - Book Blast - Book Sale - TWO Book Reviews!! - BONUS Book Series Cookbook - Author Donating Proceeds to SPCA - Exciting New Book Series Details - Giveaway - Enter Daily!!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Nancy Fraser and her new book, “Avocado Toast,” which is Book One of her exciting new book series, "The Orchard Brides," here on FAB!!  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 $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Nancy and to increase your chances of winning!!

This eBook is on available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited during the book tour!!  See below for more details.

In addition, “Treats From the Orchard: A Companion Cookbook to the Orchard Brides Book Series,” eBook is on SALE for ONLY $0.99 during the book tour!!  Plus, this eBook is also available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited during the book tour!!  See below for more details.

Furthermore, Nancy is donating all net proceeds from the sale of this cookbook to benefit the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)!!  As if there wasn’t already a fabulous reason to buy this cookbook – now the money you spend will be going to help all animals live a life free of cruelty and suffering!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Avocado Toast

The Orchard Brides Book Series

Book One

by Nancy Fraser

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance, Inspirational

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BLURB:

The last place Andrew (Drew) Morgan wants to be is back on the family avocado farm in Plentiful. If he had his way, he’d still be active military and deployed someplace far, far away. Unfortunately, he rarely gets what he wants. And, being back in the orchard is just the latest in a long list of disappointments.

Single mother, Chloe Taylor has relocated from Fresno to the rural area of Plentiful, California to build her marketing business beginning with the local agriculture co-op. It’s her job to convince the local farms to invest in a major overhaul of the co-op’s publicity campaign. A mixture of modern operations, and older, family-owned farms, only adds to her frustration.

At the moment, her biggest challenge is bringing the owner of Plenty Good Farms in line with the others. The fact that the old curmudgeon of an owner, Samuel Morgan, has brought his nephew in to run things gives her hope. Surely, the younger Morgan will be more amenable to her progressive ideas.

When Chloe first presents her plan the Morgan men, it’s Drew who throws a monkey wrench into his uncle’s agreement to sign the necessary contract. What she doesn’t realize is that Drew’s reluctance has more to do with his uncle’s health issues, and the possibility that he won’t be able to talk the man who raised him into retiring.

When Drew is forced by the military medical team into choosing between a desk job or retirement, he shares his frustrations with Chloe and she helps him find a new purpose outside of being a full-time farmer. It also helps that their attraction is growing. Drew has definitely fallen for the independent woman, and her adorable daughter.

Will Chloe’s faith and determination help her lead Drew through his difficult decisions and bring them what they both need... a love that transcends their everyday challenges.

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EXCERPT TWO:

Chloe Taylor sorted through the last few co-op contracts, happy to see three of the five holdouts had finally signed on the dotted line. If they were going to make this work—rebrand and revitalize an area that was far off the recognition map—everyone had to come on board.

Even Sam Morgan.

The grumpy relic was her staunchest naysayer, a man badly in need of being dragged by his thumbs into the modern world of marketing.

She doubted Mr. Morgan even owned a computer, much less had internet out at that farm of his. If he could only see what she’d created. Appreciate the hard work she’d put into revitalizing the entire county, and especially the area known as Plentiful, then maybe he’d fall in line with the others.

Rumor around town was that his health was failing. Madelyn Pickard, bookkeeper for the co-op, had mentioned Sam’s nephew was coming back to Plentiful to help him out with the spring harvest.

Perhaps the younger Morgan would be more amenable to her sales pitch. Maybe he’d hold more sway with his uncle than—what had Sam called her—a prissy city girl with high falutin ideas.

Who even talked like that anymore? Obviously, a man still stuck in the early to mid-twentieth century.

“Mom! Where’s my backpack?”

Chloe turned away from her computer and met the frantic gaze of her eight-year-old daughter, Jessi. “Last time I saw it, the straps were draped over the arm of the chair in the family room.”

“I just looked,” Jessi assured her. “It’s not there.”

Chloe pushed herself to her feet intent on helping with the search. “I thought you’d finished your homework already.”

“I did. But I left a granola bar and half a cheese sandwich in there, and I don’t want it to get all gross.”

Navigating an immediate U-turn, Chloe made her way to the corner of the spare bedroom. Jessi followed closely on her heels.

“There’s your culprit.”

“Boomer, no!” Jessi screeched. “Not my new backpack.”

Strips of red corduroy material lay spread out on Boomer’s dog bed. The only remaining sign of Jessi’ cheese sandwich was the plastic baggy. The wrapper from the granola bar was torn to pieces with no more than a few crumbs left clinging to the shiny silver paper.

“That’s the third one this school year,” Chloe pointed out. “You’ve really got to be more careful what you leave in your bag, and where you hang it up when it’s not in use.”

“I’m sorry, mom. I’ll use my birthday money to buy a new one.”

“How about we split the cost?”

Eagerly, Jessi accepted. “That would be great. Thanks, mom.”

“Go set out your clothes for church in the morning. Then, take your bath and get into your pajamas. We’ll watch a movie before you go to bed.”

“Can we have popcorn?”

“We’ll see. Now scoot while I clean up this mess and pack away my laptop.”

Once she’s discarded the remnants of Boomer’s thievery, Chloe returned to her desk in the cramped den and gathered up the signed contracts, adding them to the files for the Plentiful Fresh Food Cooperative. The two unsigned contracts were placed in her briefcase for her scheduled Monday meetings.

Her hard work on the co-op’s website had finally turned Abel Marks around and she expected he’d sign at their nine o’clock appointment.

Then, with everyone else in place, she’d make yet another appeal to Sam Morgan. Surely a man who’d been in business for what seemed like forever wouldn’t want to be left out in the cold to fend for himself when everyone else was benefiting from her aggressive campaign. Would he?

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MY BOOK REVIEW #1:

This book is an inspiring, uplifting, romantic, and heartfelt read!!

Award-winning author, Nancy Fraser is back showcasing her unique, and talented storytelling capabilities with another top-notch read!!

This book follows the story of Drew Morgan, who has recently returned home to his uncle’s avocado farm to help run things as his uncle’s health has begun to decline.  While Drew does have many fond memories of the family farm, this is clearly the last place he wished he was.  After coming off recent active duty and being disappointedly placed on medical leave, it seems his life is not quite turning out the way he planned, but perhaps this recovery time on the farm is exactly what he needs to find his roots and rediscover what he’s been missing out on.

This book also follows Chloe, a sweet, hard-working single mom that is trying to build her marketing business and re-establish a small farming community that is much in need of a savvy publicity campaign to bring back business and put them on the map.  However, many of the locals are resistant to change and modernized advancements, including the Morgan avocado farm.  With this one last farm holding out can Chloe finally find a way to convince the Morgan’s that change isn’t always bad.

This book is a quick, fast read at only 77 eBook pages.  I started reading this book while waiting in the lobby of a doctor’s office and for once did not mind that they were running about 45 minutes behind as I was completely caught up in the book.  I think I was even a bit disappointed when they finally did call my name and I was only a few chapters away from finishing this book lol.  So quickly after the appointment, I just sat in the car so I could finish reading it lol.  This was one book I did not want to put down!!

One of my favorite things about Nancy’s writing, and this book is no exception, is her ability to create such realistic, genuine, and relatable characters!!  Her characters are so well-developed and multidimensional it’s hard not to fully become invested in them and find yourself rooting and cheering for their success!!  Even more so, it’s hard not to find similarities between these relatable characters and people you actually know.  Many times, I could have sworn she was writing about my Uncle Brad or my Grandpa Bob, or even one of my friends.  Nancy’s unique ability to capture such well-written character’s is a big part of the reason her books are so easy to read and why the reader becomes so wrapped up in the characters outcomes.

As always with Nancy’s books, I loved the main characters!!  Chloe was funny, smart, sweet, beautiful, caring, and considerate.  Her daughter, Jessi was bright, adorable, kind, friendly, and outgoing.  And of course, their dog, Boomer, the backpack destroyer was hilarious!!  Drew was strong, hard-working, handsome, humble, reliable, and sincere.  Uncle Sam was stubborn, grumpy, old-fashioned, direct, sarcastic, and outspoken.  He embodies the mantra, “if it ain’t broken…” LOL as he repulsed any changes, especially social media and modern technology.  He was definitely on the end of many LOL moments in this book – especially when he was talking to Drew about Chloe wanting him to use “the Twipper and Intstagripe,” and even more so with Drew’s response of saying, “At least she hasn’t asked you to create a TikTok. Yet.” LOL!!

This book is Book One of The Orchard Brides Book Series.  This book can easily be read as a standalone.  This book is a fantastic start to what I’m sure will be a very promising and successful new book series!!  I can’t wait to read the next book, “Apples for Ashley,” which is Book Two in this new series, and is set for release next week on April 11th, 2022 (yay on my birthday!!)  It looks like this new book series is to be comprised of TEN books!!  Also, it appears that Nancy has teamed up with her author friends to create this exciting series as each book is written by a different author and with all TEN books to be released over the next couple months.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!!  I think all contemporary romance readers, sweet romance readers, and inspirational book 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/R21TBZTW7G28HW

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AUTHOR BIO:

Nancy Fraser is a best-selling and award-winning author who happily jumps across multiple romance genres with gleeful abandon.

She's also the granddaughter of a Methodist minister known for his fire-and-brimstone approach to his faith. Nancy has brought some of his spirit into her Christian romances. And, her own off-beat sense of humor to her clean & wholesome books.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

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CONNECT WITH NANCY:

Website:

http://www.nancyfraser.ca

Blog:

https://romancesweetreads.blogspot.com

Newsletter:

http://eepurl.com/bxkKvD

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.ca/fraser425

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/romauthor_nancyfraser

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA

BookBub Author Page:

http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/avocado-toast-the-orchard-brides-book-1-by-nancy-fraser

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60391097-avocado-toast

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2twAFAA

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:

**The Avocado Toast eBook is available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited during the book tour!!!**

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/372Vhd8

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3DxF4ZN

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Avocado-Toast-Orchard-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B09RF6KWPX

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Avocado-Toast-Orchard-Brides-Book/dp/B09WHJGXX5

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BONUS!!! BOOK SERIES COOKBOOK:

Nancy has released a companion cookbook to The Orchard Brides Book Series!!!

All net proceeds from the sale of this cookbook will benefit the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Enjoy favorite recipes from the authors of The Orchard Brides, sweet/inspirational romance series, including:

Yam and Apple Casserole ~ Papersack Apple Pie

Apple Caramel Jam ~ Apple Muffins

Apple Butter ~ Waldorf Salad

German Pancakes with Apple Filling ~ Apple Cobbler

Avocado Walnut Toast ~ Avocado Summer Salad

Peach Crisp ~ Peach Cobbler

Pear Butter ~ Pear Salsa

Mini Poached Pear Pies ~ Pork Chop and Pear Casserole

Savory Spiced Pecans ~ Texas Pecan Cake

Lemon Meringue Pie ~ Lemon Squares

*****

And, because twenty recipes weren't enough...

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Lasagna

Holy Guacamole

Peach Candy Fruit Gelee

Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup

Candied Pecans

Lemon Curd

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/treats-from-the-orchard-a-companion-cookbook-to-the-orchard-brides-series-by-annee-jones-and-farrah-lee

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60537429-treats-from-the-orchard

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MY BOOK REVIEW #2:

As a fan of Nancy Fraser and with the proceeds of this book being donated to SPCA, there was no hesitation in placing an order for this exciting book series cookbook!!

While I am not the best cook, having had a few “small-ish” kitchen fires while demonstrating my cooking talents LOL, I still dabble in the kitchen hoping one day to be able to make more than boxed mac and cheese LOL!!

I loved the variety of this cookbook that features many sweet, homestyle, country/farm recipes!!  This book includes easy no bake meals like, “Pear Salsa,” from Regina Walker and “Avocado Summer Salad,” from Nancy Fraser; to savory treats like, “German Pancakes with Apple Pie Filling,” from Jessica Parker, and “Peach Crisp,” from Kandice E. Geddes; to twists on the classics like, “Apple Muffins,” from Lucinda Race, “Texas Pecan Cake,” from Linda Carroll-Bradd, and “Lemon Meringue Pie,” from Farrah Lee.

Some of my favorite recipes included, “Avocado Walnut Toast,” from Nancy Fraser.  While I am a huge fan of avocados, especially avocado toast, however, I had never thought to drizzle honey and chopped walnuts on top.  I am very excited to try this next time!!

I also liked the “Lemon Squares,” recipe from Farrah Lee.  I love pretty much anything lemon, so I am looking forward to trying this one!!  This recipe seems easy to follow, with only seven simple ingredients, so there’s a good chance that I might be able to pull this one off!!

I also really liked the “Glazed Pork and Pear Casserole,” recipe from London James which looked and sounded mouth-watering!!  While this one may be a bit over my basic cooking skills, I might have to text this one to my mom for family dinner night lol.

I loved that each author in this exciting new book series included at least one recipe inspired by their upcoming book.  In addition to the recipes, each author has included book blurbs and details about their corresponding book, as well as their contact info to learn more about them and their other works.

Also included are some “Recipes Too Good To Ignore,” which feature six additional recipes, such as “Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Lasagna,” “Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup,” and “Lemon Curd.”

All in all, this cookbook features a large array of recipes that are sure to excite many readers and home cooks.  The recipes seemed straight forward and listed all the ingredients you will need.  I think anyone with basic cooking skills will be able to easily follow these recipes.  I also think there are plenty of additional recipes for those of us not so kitchen friendly that we can still try and enjoy.  I look forward to trying many of these recipes out while reading their inspired by book!!  I would absolutely recommend this cookbook to homestyle country/farm cooking fans and of course to the readers of The Orchard Brides Book Series.

Right now, this cookbook is on SALE for ONLY $0.99 and the book sale proceeds are going directly to SPCA!!  Thank you to all the authors in this new book series for coming up with a fun cookbook and donating the proceeds to such a great cause!!  Readers – don’t hesitate – just buy now with one click on Amazon!!

Did you find this review helpful???

If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/RPBAX88MX4VYZ

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:

**The Treats From the Orchard: A Companion Cookbook to The Orchard Brides Book Series eBook is on SALE for ONLY $0.99 during the book tour!!!  In addition, this eBook is available for FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited during the book tour!!!**

**All net proceeds from the sale of this cookbook will benefit the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)**

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3LEV52V

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3NEbeap

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Treats-Orchard-Companion-Cookbook-Brides-ebook/dp/B09TNBFSLT

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Treats-Orchard-Companion-Cookbook-Brides/dp/B09TN373DF

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THE ORCHARD BRIDES BOOK SERIES:

Check out this exciting new book series!!

This new book series is comprised of TEN books and each book is written by a different author.  While the featured book, Book One, “Avocado Toast,” by Nancy Fraser is available NOW the other NINE books will be released over the next couple months!!  These books will be available on Amazon and will be FREE on Amazon Kindle Unlimited!!

Avocado Toast

Book One

by Nancy Fraser

Available NOW!!

Apples for Ashley

Book Two

by Annee Jones

Available April 11th, 2022

Pecan Blossoms and Photographs

Book Three

by Linda Carroll-Bradd

Available April 15th, 2022

Love and the Pear Pie Wars

Book Four

by London James

Available April 18th, 2022

Apple Blossoms in Montana

Book Five

by Lucinda Race

Available April 22nd, 2022

Falling for the Paige Under the Peach Tree

Book Six

by Kandice E. Geddes

Available April 25th

Picking Pears with Piper

Book Seven

by Regina Walker

Available April 29th, 2022

A Legacy of Love

Book Eight

by Lynn A. Coleman

Available May 2nd, 2022

Lemon Drop Kisses

Book Nine

by Farrah Lee

Available May 6th, 2022

Apple Tree Kisses

Book Ten

by Jessica Parker

Available May 9th, 2022

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Nancy will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) 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 fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

9 comments:

  1. Hey, Ally, it's great to be back. Thanks so much for hosting this stop on the last day of my tour, and for taking the time to review. I'm glad I could help you pass the time in the doctor's waiting room.

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    1. Nancy ~ Good morning!! Welcome back to FAB!! We always enjoy having you here!! Congrats on your new book, the new book series, and the corresponding cookbook!! You certainly have been busy!! As always good luck on the book tour!! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy!! :) I also purchased the cookbook, read and reviewed it too!! Thank you and the other featured authors for donating the proceeds to SPCA!! Happy to support such fabulous authors and a truly great cause!! <3

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  2. Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.

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  3. Love this! I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful series!

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  4. Thank you so much! What a lovely post about this series. I'm so glad to be part of this lovely group of authors.

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  5. Thank you so much for featuring our series on your beautiful blog!! I'm blessed to be a part of it!! Warmly - Annee Jones, Author of Apples for Ashley, The Orchard Brides Book 2

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  6. Nice review! Thanks this sounds fun.

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