Inside the Wong Mind

JustRead Review & Giveaway: Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson

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Crazy For You JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Crazy for You
Series: Deep Haven Collection #3
Author: Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2021

The problem with being related to everyone in town is that there is no one left to date…until now…but will this outsider survive his family?

Former soldier Veronica “Ronnie” Morales isn’t going to let her kid brother, Tiago, get pulled into the gangs of Minneapolis, so, seeking safety and a fresh start, she heads to sleepy Deep Haven on the north shore of Minnesota. She’s hoping to put down roots as the paramedic for the new Crisis Response Team, but it’s not easy to be the town outsider.

Fire Chief Peter Dahlquist is a peacemaker—he has to be. After he’s related to both of the Deep Haven dynasties – the Zimmermans and the Dahlquists, Deep Haven’s version of the Hatfields and the McCoys. Worse, Peter is the holdout vote for a landmark project, which also makes him the loneliest guy in town when both sides demand that he pick sides. The only one who seems to understand his plight is the newcomer in town…his pretty, street-tough paramedic.

When Tiago finds himself caught up in small town shenanigans and the town blames Ronnie for tragedy, Peter is forced to pick sides. But will his choice cost him the home—and the woman—he loves?

About the Authors

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Email

My Review

Crazy for You
by Michelle Sass Aleckson, Susan May Warren
Book 3 in the Deep Haven Collection
Rating: 4/5

Michelle Sass Aleckson has written Peter’s story and it’s about time! I have been loving these stories from Deep Haven and I especially enjoyed all the small town pros and cons that come up in this particular story.

Moving to Deep Haven was supposed to solve all of their problems. Veronica “Ronnie” Morales and her younger brother, Tiago, need a fresh start after all the bad influences in Minneapolis. Ronnie is sure that the small town of Deep Haven will be everything her former superior in the army, Cole, said it would be. Hired on a probationary basic, Ronnie must prove that her army medic background more than enough proves she deserves the paramedic position for the new Crisis Response Team. Her brother is her first priority but she quickly discovers she’s not very good at first impressions when it comes to working with the people of Deep Haven.

Fire Chief Peter Dahlquist is the peacemaker between the Zimmerman and Dahlquist families, which also makes him related to everyone in town. His indecision regarding a town project is making it more difficult to keep the peace. When Ronnie shows up as the new paramedic, she ruffles a lot of feathers and even gets a rise out of Peter. Can Ronnie’s straightforwardness help Peter make the right decision? When suspicious activities come up, will Peter believe what Ronnie and Tiago have to say?

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters from Deep Haven more. It was fun recognizing some of the new characters from the first two books in this series and seeing some of the older characters from Susan May Warren’s original books. I really sympathized with Peter and his family situation. I thought Ronnie was a little harder to relate to and she could be a bit annoying at times but then because of her background, you could understand why she was the way she was. The faith aspect of this book was sweet and rang true but it didn’t hit you in the feels the way Susan May Warren always does. However, the fact that this book is lighter on the faith aspects might be something you enjoy more depending on what you like to read. I really enjoyed seeing the family feud parts and also the parts with the teenagers. I’d love to focus some more on the youth in Deep Haven but that’s a whole other series.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romantic comedies with small town antics and a hint of mystery.

My thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Five Facts About Michelle Sass Aleckson You May Not Know

Although I can be bossy, I’m an atypical oldest child in that I’m NOT very organized or on top of things. I can’t even see my “writing desk” because I never write at it. It’s a great surface for my piles though! ⁠
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I’m an omnivert. I love connecting with people but I need my alone time too. My favorite people are my husband and four kiddos. We like to connect by going on road trips and playing games ⁠
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I’m horribly indecisive. I like a sampler platter so I don’t have to choose one thing. ⁠
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My hubby and I secretly plan on running away someday… preferably to the ocean. We love our small town but there’s just something about being on the sand and watching the waves. ⁠
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I am a big-picture person. Give me the main idea first, please. Details are not my thing. Thank goodness for editors!⁠

ALSO AVAILABLE

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Crazy for You ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 25, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 1, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

May 25, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Book Review: Curvy Girls Can’t Dance by Kelsie Stelting

Curvy Girls Can’t Dance
by Kelsie Stelting
Book 7 in the Curvy Girls Club series
Rating: 4/5
Release date: May 22, 2021

I am such a huge fan of this amazing series. Kelsie Stelting knows how to write entertaining and insightful stories about teenage girls growing up and she does not disappoint with this book. You will just gobble this story up and not want to stop twirling.

Adriel’s dancing is everything to her. When she gets kicked off her dance team and out of her studio, she is at a loss for what to do with herself. Having struggled with her weight despite eating a clean diet, Addy turns to a doctor for help who suggests strength training. Luckily, Addy’s stepfather, Ted, owns a gym. When Addy starts working out with a trainer every day, she finds that local bodybuilder talent, Carter, also works out there. Carter is the distraction that Addy doesn’t need but can’t help but feel drawn to. When Carter offers to help Addy enter the next dance contest to qualify for Nationals, she reluctantly agrees. Addy must figure out how to manage her growing feelings for Carter with her dreams of dancing as a career.

Adriel has some real health issues plus her issues with her father and stepfather which the author is able to address in an authentic way. Carter’s insecurities also shine some light into his past which affects his blooming relationship with Addy. I loved how the author also brought back a surprise guest near the end. I love this series and how inspiring the author is with all her characters. I love how encouraging and body positive the author is and cannot wait to read the next installment in this series.

Highly recommend if you enjoy YA sweet romance with a good message and lots of laughs.
PG-13 content.

My thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Get your copy here!

May 21, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Spotlight: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story by Christy Hoss

About the Book

Book: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story
Author: Christy Hoss
Genre: Middle Grade Novel
Release date: May 8, 2021

Foster kid Rocky “Roadkill” Espinosa, drummer for the Rubber Band, chooses Elvis for his 4^th grade living biography report. With little money to create a costume, Rocky believes he’ll be the worst Elvis impersonation ever, destined to fail.

When his ex-con father Eduardo, sneaks into his life demanding attention, Rocky’s best friend and lead guitar for the band, Eddie, comes to his rescue. Eddie involves the entire band in Rocky’s protection to be “secret service” and comedic chaos erupts.

After the Rubber Band performs its first set at the mayor’s 50^th birthday party, Rocky mysteriously disappears. The band realizes it’s no longer about fun and games. Friends and family are what matter most in life. The bond of the band demands that secrets be revealed.

Will friends, foster or blood family win the battle for Rocky’s future?

BOOK EXCERPT ONE

Principal Haymaker insists on making a big deal about our victorious debut by bringing the band up to the front of Monday morning’s all-school assembly.

“Wildwood Elementary, let’s welcome The RUUUBBBBER BAAAND!”

Principal Haymaker tries to imitate a radio announcer, but I think he should just stick to being a principal.

The five of us walk up front and stand facing the entire student body applauding and cheering, as they sit crisscross applesauce on the floor before us. I fix my eyes on the basketball hoop at the other end of the multipurpose room. Becca is enjoying the spotlight. The rest of the band is smiling while I hope this will be over soon.

When the noise calms down to a quiet whisper, Principal Haymaker puts us on the spot. “Sunday’s newspaper featured these talented students after they took second place in the Sun Valley Talent Contest on Saturday.”

More applause as he holds up the front page, displaying the photo of me drumming.

“I had no idea our little school hid such a talented band.”

I lose interest in the basketball hoop. Instead, my eyes fix on Mr. Dubrowski, the school’s band director.

READ ALL THE EXCERPTS

Excerpt One (Mine)

Click here to get your copy! The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christy caught the writing bug in second grade after winning a prize for a five-page story about her dog, Noodles. Mrs. Olson told her she was destined to be a writer and that dream never left her thoughts. After teaching elementary school for fifteen years, Christy fulfilled her childhood dream with her debut novel, The Rubber Band. She substitute teaches to support her writing career, deriving writing inspiration from the students and situations she encounters.

At age twenty-five, she was diagnosed with type-one diabetes but refuses to let it limit her. Her diabetic alert dog, Aiden, has saved her life uncountable times and will appear in future installments of The Rubber Band. Christy lives by this equation:

Living + diabetes = LIVE-abetes.

Christy is a freelance editor and writes children’s Bible stories for Focus on the Family ClubHouse magazine and has written articles for Guideposts. She is a featured speaker for conferences, retreats and special events.

Christy lives in Northern California with Kevin, the love of her life. They have three grown children.

The Rubber Band Stretches, Rocky’s Story is the second book in The Rubber Band middle grade novel series by Christy Hoss.

Connect with Christy Hoss: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

May 20, 2021 by Kim Spotlight

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.