Tag Archives: Kristi Ann Hunter

August is National Romance Book Month!

13 Aug

It’s almost half way through August, but I’d be remiss not to post about Romance Book Month. I have seen bookstore and author celebrations across social media, so I knew I needed to get on board. Today, I am featuring some fun contemporary romances. These books are sweet and sassy with characters you will LOVE! Check them out!

For The Love of Joy by Janet Ferguson

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood.

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success.

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies.

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

A hollywood hair stylist

Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic. 

The silver screen’s latest heartthrob

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship–something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

A love that goes off script

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

Memory Lane by Becky Wade (book 1 in the Sons of Scandal series)

After surviving a trauma several years back, Remy Reed relocated to a cottage on one of Maine’s most remote islands. She’s arranged her life just the way she wants it, spending her time working on her wood sculptures and soaking in the beauty of nature. It’s quiet and solitary—until the day she spots something bobbing in the ocean.

Her binoculars reveal the “something” to be a man, and he’s struggling to keep his head above water. She races out to save him and brings him into her home. He’s injured, which doesn’t detract from his handsomeness nor make him any easier to bear. He acts like a duke who’s misplaced his dukedom . . . expensive tastes, lazy charm, bossy ideas.

Remy would love nothing more than to return him to his people, but he has no recollection of his life prior to the moment she rescued him. Though she’s not interested in relationships other than the safe ones she’s already established, she begins to realize that he’s coming to depend on her.

Who is he? What happened that landed him in the Atlantic Ocean? And why is she drawn to him more and more as time goes by?

There’s no way to discover those answers except to walk beside him down memory lane.

Pixels And Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood.

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success.

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies.

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new–country, food, or experience–and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home–and the future–isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

Stealing Magnolias by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

When Wren Frazier heads south to honor her grandmother’s final wish, she finds five unexpected challenges, one grumpy (but handsome) neighbor, and maybe—herself.

Although an artist, Wren packed away her brushes and paints and sought a practical career as an interior designer in Chicago. She’s always put herself last, happy to please everyone around her. But with a team of dedicated co-workers and a small town of quirky characters supporting her, she’s forced to give herself a little attention. As her artistic heart starts to awaken, Wren finds herself rediscovering the joy of creation and living authentically.

But while she’s exploring the enchanting Georgia Low Country, creating beautiful paintings, and taking a chance on love, she uncovers a secret that shakes the foundation of her newfound happiness. With the revelation threatening to ruin the delicate balance Wren has only begun to realize, will she give up her fairytale and return to her reality?

Top 10 Tuesday — Georgia Authors!

6 May

Happy Tuesday! This week TTT bloggers are spotlighting authors that live in their states. Georgia has a lot of great authors! The book festival that is held in my hometown has been blessed to host some wonderful Peach State authors. Choosing only 10 was challenging, so I expanded to a dozen. I think I’ll have to do a part 2 at a later date in order to feature all the great authors who live in Georgia. My list consists of author who write adult fiction in a variety of genres — I hope you find one to love!

To find authors from your state, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Peach State Authors

Lindsey Brackett — Still Waters

Kimberly Brock — The Fabled Earth

Denny S. Bryce — The Other Princess

T. M. Brown — The Last Laird of Sapelo

Valerie Burns —Icing on The Murder

Clint HallSteal Fire from The Gods

Kristi Ann Hunter — Frankly, My Dear Clara

Rosey Lee — The Gardins of Edin

Elizabeth Musser — From The Valley We Rise

Lindi Peterson — Their Surprise Second Chance

Cindy Kay Stewart — Abounding Hope

Jayna Breigh — The Hunted Heir

First Line Friday — Frankly, My Dear Clara

7 Feb

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of the funniest people I know. So it’s a real treat that she has written one of her trademark Regency historical novels with a fun rom-com twist. I picked up a copy of Frankly, My Dear Clara at the Turning A New Page Book Festival in Perry, Georgia two weeks ago. I can’t wait to dig in!

Here’s the first line:

London, 1816

Miss Clara Woodbury was in possession of the customary solitary head which could only reasonably wear one hat at a time.

Every little boy grows up imagining he will one day be called upon to save the damsel in distress, but Mr. Hugh Lockhart is certain the enemy in his imagination has never been a kite. He knows that support from a wealthy aristocrat is all he needs to get his own clock-making shop, but rescuing Viscount Eversly’s cousin from a child’s toy isn’t how he thought he would gain that attention.

Miss Clara Woodbury knows she should be thankful her aunt is willing to sponsor her for a London season, but she doesn’t want to have any part of the decadence and dissolution of London. Knowing she must marry and wanting to please her family, she sets her sights on a younger son bound for the church.

As life continues to throw Clara and Hugh into each other’s paths, their conversations begin to challenge everything they thought they knew about what they wanted in life. When they finally discover that what they need is each other, will it be too late to change decisions already put into motion?

Top 10 Tuesday — Quick Reads!

6 Feb

When time is short, but you still want to read, I think the best choice is a novella. I don’t read a lot of novellas; I really prefer a full length novel. But I do appreciate a quick read during those busy times of life. Novellas and novella collections have been my go-to for a quick reading getaway from all the hustle and bustle of life. A novella is also good when you want to try out a new author. My list includes novellas in a variety of genres, so no matter what you are in the mood for, there’s a book for you.

For more quick reads from bloggers, head over to That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Quick Reads

Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters

The Christmas Heirloom (novella collection) by Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and Becky Wade

Her Country Gentleman (novella collection) by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly

Medical Mystery by Richard L. Mabry, MD

Protecting Tanner Hollow (novella collection) by Lynette Eason

The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey

Targeted (novella collection) by Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, and Natalie Walters

The Unbroken Song by Jennifer Q. Hunt

Book Review: Pixels And Paint

18 Jan

Pixels And Paint, a contemporary rom-com, is a departure from the Regency romance Kristi Ann Hunter is known for. It’s fresh and witty with insights into relationships of all kinds. I really enjoyed it! Find out more below.

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood. 

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success. 

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies. 

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at http://www.kristiannhunter.com.

My Impressions:

Pixels And Paint, a contemporary rom-com, is a delight! There is plenty of humor and sweet romance to be sure, but the strength of this novel by Kristi Ann Hunter is the message of being true to oneself. Emma Trinket lives a compartmentalized life — work, friends, and family boxes rarely overlap. She has developed this system over the years to make everyone happy, except herself. A programmer with serious skills, she is curious about how the world works, but is bored when it comes to the arts — all arts. Carter, a very successful artist, finds Emma intriguing, and interactions with this seemingly contradictory woman spark his creativity. The two have great chemistry as they navigate their differences. But this book is so much more than what I have described. Emma is a complex character who has stifled her true nature to please others. Carter is lovable, but perhaps arrogant in his own ideas about how the world should be viewed. I loved how Hunter stretched and prodded and pushed both characters. Carter and Emma’s friends and family call them out and hold them accountable — isn’t that how it should be in real life?

The easy style of Pixels and Paint made the book a fast read. I smiled, I LOL-ed, and I teared up a bit — basically I had a great reading experience. There is another Trinket sister waiting in the wings for her chance to take the stage, and I am eager to see what adventures and revelations Hunter will take her through.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

First Line Friday — Pixels And Paint

17 Nov

Happy Friday! Today I am featuring Pixels And Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter. A contemporary rom-com is a departure from Regency romance, but this novel looks to be so much fun.

Krisit will be joining the Words with Friends panel at the Turning A New Page Book Festival scheduled for January 27, 2024 in Perry, Georgia. She, along with Kimberly Duffy, and Lindsey Brackett will entertain and inform on the writing journey shared with friends. If you live anywhere near the middle Georgia area, you need to check it out!

Here’s the first line:

A bag of peanut butter M&Ms is not worth the agony I will endure over the next hour as the sights before me burn through the backs of my eyes and imprint themselves in my brain.

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood. 

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success. 

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies. 

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at http://www.kristiannhunter.com.

Top 10 Tuesday — Historical Romance

22 Aug

Happy 4th Tuesday of Read A Romance Month! Yes, August is officially read a romance month, and for my TTT genre freebie post I am featuring historical romance authors. I love the variety of time periods I can travel to in these novels. They are well-researched, filled with rich historical detail, and feature a happily-ever-after — something that history by itself does not always offer. 😉 I hope one of the books on my list sparks your interest.

For more great genre lists by bloggers, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Historical Romance Authors And Their Books

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

A Heart Adrift by Laura Franz

The Mark of The King by Jocelyn Green

A Return to Hawthorne House by Kristi Ann Hunter

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah Ladd

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

The Pelican Bride by Beth White

Happy Release Day — Pixels And Paint

4 Jul

Happy release day to Kristi Ann Hunter! Pixels And Paint is a departure from her Regency romances, but early reviews point to another winner by this talented author. Find out all about it below.

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood. 

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success. 

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies. 

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at http://www.kristiannhunter.com.

Top 10 Tuesday — Summer TBR

20 Jun

Happy Tuesday! Have you gotten your Summer TBR planned? If not (or even if you have 😉 ), I have some new releases for you to add. Don’t worry they are spread across the summer, so you will have plenty of reading time. LOL!

For more Summer TBRs, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Books for Your Summer TBR

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

Always by My Side by Iola Goulton

He Should Have Told The Bees by Amanda Cox

The Lies We Believe by Lisa Harris

The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

Pixels And Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter

Top 10 Tuesday — Smiling Faces

7 Sep

Happy Tuesday! Today I am taking this week’s Top 10 topic and putting a spin on it — big surprise. LOL! The books I am featuring have smiling faces on their covers. Do you know how hard it is to find book covers with full on faces, let alone those that are smiling? There are plenty of covers with the backs of heads and others in which the models look determined or pensive or something other than happy. I picked books that I have reviewed and went a ways back in the archive. There are full on smiles, plenty of hints of a smile a la the Mona Lisa, and a couple of smirks. 😉 I hope you find a cover and a book to love.

For books that make us smile, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Covers with Smiling Faces

Above The Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel

A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter

For The Love of Joy by Janet W. Ferguson

Let It Be Me by Becky Wade

More Than Meets The Eye by Karen Witemeyer

My Dear Miss Dupre by Grace Hitchcock

Star Rising by Janet W. Ferguson

Stay with Me by Becky Wade

Summer Plans And Other Disasters by Karin Beery

An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz