Review Time: An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden

An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden

Nickolas & Gwen – 1805

I first read this book this Summer (2019) and fell in love with the characters in it. I found Sarah M. Eden to have brought a whole new twist into your traditional proper romance novel. This is a mash up of romance, drama, fantasy. It has joy, humor, sadness, and a touch of scary. The characters are warm and inviting. You feel them and their emotions very vividly in this novel. It includes tones of love, hate, betrayal and action among the various other facets in a book.

Nickolas inherits wealth and an estate and is forewarned of a resident ghost. Gwen is the ghost who has haunted the estate for nearly 400 years. Nickolas finally has the backing to woo Miss Castleton, the belle of the London Season. He sets up a house party to court Miss Castleton but resident ghost, Gwen, has different ideas. While Nickolas attempts to charm not only Miss Castleton but other guest Gwen does everything in her power to get Nickolas and his guest to leave her sacred domain in peace. Nickolas starts getting to know Gwen and affection grows between them. But what future does a living man and a ghost have when they are worlds, or is it dimensions, apart? The answer is closer than you think!

Can Nickolas and Gwen find their Happily Ever After? Can Nickolas possibly give her up and how can Gwen face an eternity without him?

This book was one I could not put down. I loved following this mystery of a love story. It was a very well written novel and put a new spin on your typical romance. Sarah M. Eden kept it pure and wholesome in this Proper Romance. I was quickly hoping that somehow, someway Gwen and Nickolas would find a future where they could be together. Personally I like to guess what the outcome will be and was pretty quick to have a good theory on the plot with this one. It had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I would, and have, recommended this book and others of Sarah M. Eden’s to family, friends and strangers on all walks of life. You will fall in love with Nickolas and Gwen as you read their story.

There is nothing impossible when it comes to love and you will just have to read this book to find out what possible ending these amazing characters have together!

If you love a little drama, action, fantasy, romance, and an overall heart warming story. This one is for you! It keeps you on your toes as you take an amazing adventure into a new and refreshing type of story! I recommend reading any and all Sarah M. Eden novels.

Check out reviews and purchase options for this book on the following websites
Bartlett Books Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BartlettBooks/
Amazon -  https://www.amazon.com/An-Unlikely-Match/dp/B01MCVCAXA/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=An+Unlikely+match&qid=1568674241&sr=8-2
Good Reads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15830812-an-unlikely-match?ac=1&from_search=true
Book Bub - https://www.bookbub.com/books/an-unlikely-match-by-sarah-m-eden
Library Thing - https://www.librarything.com/work/13098568/book/173379999
Twitter - https://twitter.com/JamieAnnBartle1
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/bartlettjamie18/bartlett-books/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamieann1987/


~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~
As Always,
The Bartlett Family

Facebook Page! We Set It Up! Bartlett Services!

As part of the process of transitioning working outside the home to work from home doing things we love we have set up a Facebook Page for our business: Bartlett Services which includes the link to this Blog!

I have included services such as baking, photography, and writing. These are just a few of the services we offer as we move into this new phase of life.

By working from home I am also going to be able to get back to writing my books again and hopefully get some of my works published in the near future. Keep your eye out for me and my books!

Shawn will continue working outside the home but he will also be providing services through our company.

To access our Facebook page follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/BartlettSJRA/?view_public_for=115886153125216

We hope you come check us out and take a chance on Bartlett Services!

~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~ As Always, The Bartlett Family

Author Review: Sarah M. Eden **SPOILER ALERT**

**PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILERS INCLUDED IN THIS POST**

So typically I would review a single book. However, as I have recently discovered a specific Author whom I love her books I decided I would do a review on the Author rather than an individual book even though I will maybe review a book or two of hers in a later post.

A little history on me and reading Sarah M Eden. I have recently returned to activity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in doing so knew that if I were being honest and faithful with myself I really needed to get rid of the 'Bad' romance novels I read and owned and focus more on finding wholesome romance novels since I love a good love story. I began following a Facebook page: Proper Romance Series and someone posted requesting suggestions for Authors to read. Sarah M Eden was one of those mentioned in the comments and upon doing a little research into her novels I figured out where to start and began reading (For those of you wondering the order in which they should be read check the bottom of this post for a list of her books in order of story Chronologically).

I had actually previously read one or two of her novels and had loved them but I had not focused on the Author at the time so when I realized those books I had previously read were hers I was even more excited to read her books.

I started with reading her Hope Springs series which is about a young Irish woman who ends up being hired on as a housekeeper for a man living in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory. However, upon entering the town she comes to realize that it is a town torn between the 'Red's' and the "Irish" and is on the edge of disaster. As she tries to fit into the town and find her place there she is faced with the problem of liking two different men. As tempers flare in the small town over 'Katie' and the Reds thinking she doesn't know her place there are problems that arise. Under all this trouble she is already facing she holds herself back due to a tragic accident which happened when she was a child that shaped her future. Can she overcome the past, choose which man to love, and find her place in the town of Hope Springs? Dare she attempt a return to Ireland in search of a family who may or may not welcome her back?

Here I go reviewing books within a post. But I think this will be a good thing as it will give insight into Sarah herself.

I soon found myself out of books in the Hope Springs series (She just completed her first draft of the next book in the series). So I moved on to her next books. I found myself starting new books and realizing there was another book between the last one I had read and the new one I had just started (this is the reason for my list at the bottom of this post showing the order which I would read her books in).

In reading her books I found adventures in not only Wyoming Territory but also the Regency period in England. I followed the Lancaster/Boyce family as well as the Jonquil family on adventures and stories of love. I found some characters were revealed as opposite of the mask they wore. I came to know the depth of a son's heartache due to abandonment as a child, the joy and overwhelming, at times, humor of another gentleman. I met and fell in love with characters that were well formed and had a depth to them that I had not found in previous books by other authors. I found that Love and Humor can go hand in hand, and really should. I found that accidents happen and that our past should not shape our future or hold us back from loving those who long to love us in return.

Sarah's books are full of so many different emotions, settings, stories, and then just when you think you figure out who you love most and who you love to hate you read another of her books and find that there is more depth to a character you previously loved to hate, or depth to a character that you already love that makes you love them even more, and then other times when you find yourself falling for a new character and story.

I have not been disappointed once with any of Sarah's books and I look forward to any and all books yet to be released.

Her most recent book, set for release tomorrow, is The Lady and the Highwayman. Upon reading this intriguing novel I found my favorite of all her books. Again, not that I don't love them all but this book spoke to my heart as no other book has before. I never figured I would find myself so involved in a book as I did with this book. Starting this book I figured nothing would surprise me with this due to having read so many books before. But then I found that this book is actually three books in one, not like your typical multi-novella book. The three books are spread out from start to finish and play upon one another. This book is about Elizabeth, the headmistress of a young women's school in 1865 who writes 'good - upstanding book's' for the upper-class but also writes under an assumed name for the 'penny dreadful's', a set of books that is frowned upon by most of the upper class. Then you have Fletcher who is a man who grew up as a street urchin but through his writing books for the 'penny dreadful's' has found a financial security of his own. But his reign as the top selling author of the penny dreadful books is being challenged by a mysterious author 'Mr. King'. Miss Elizabeth Black, is the one who Fletcher seeks out since it seems she may know information about this 'Mr. King'. But can she reveal her secret, that she is 'Mr. King', which she knows could impact her standing in society as well as her position as headmistress? Can she trust Fletcher? In between the chapters on Elizabeth and Fletcher, we get a glimpse of the books they are each currently writing for the penny dreadfuls. Each author inserts some of themselves into their own novels and we get to know them through their works.

Sarah captures my attention with her style of writing, her humor, and the depth of her characters. I will forever recommend my friends and family, even strangers really, to read her books.

I had the amazing chance to meet Sarah M Eden at a Meet and Greet last month in Salt Lake City and was overjoyed to be able to offer my services, and be accepted, as a proofreader/reviewer for her future novels. She also signed two books I purchased that night - "Heart of a Vicar" and "The Lady and the Highwayman". I cannot wait for her next books to come out. She also has another new release which I have purchased which is a collaboration of four authors novella's. Sarah M Eden continues with the Lancaster/Boyce family in this Christmas Novella and does not disappoint, in fact I was brought to tears at the new depth of two characters I have come to know and love. One of the characters was one I was inclined to Love to Hate in one of the first books they were introduced in. But not all characters are the people that their 'mask' make them out to be.

So if you are wanting to find adventure, love, joy, humor, and so much more take a chance on Sarah M. Eden and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Many of Sarah's books cross over each other not only according to the plot time frame but also in shared characters between the different series so I am placing them in order according to the story and not necessarily according to the series lineup itself:

Book List (In the order I would read them as well as by setting date in novel : Title & Setting Date):

~ An Unlikely Match - 1805
* Seeking Persephone  - 8/1805 - L
Courting Miss Lancaster - 8/1806 - L
~ Glimmer of Hope - 12/1807 - (Main Character is prominent in For Love and Honor)
Romancing Daphne - 4/1812 - L
~ The Kiss of a Stranger - 4/1812 - L/J (Characters are prominent in other L/J Books)
* Friends & Foes - 12/1814 - J
Drops of Gold - 12/1814 - J
As You Are - 4/1815 - J
A Fine Gentleman - 4/1815 - J
~ For Elise - 5/1815 -J (Characters included in J Series)
For Love and Honor - 10/1815 - J
Loving Lieutenant Lancaster - 8/1816 - L
The Heart of a Vicar - 10/1816 - J
Christmas at Falstone Castle - 12/1816 - J/L (All Hearts Come Home For Christmas)
My Dearest Love - 1860 -  HS (Hope Springs prequel Novella)
* Longing for Home - 1870 - HS
Longing for Home - Hope Springs - 1870 - HS
Love Remains - 8/1871 - HS
Long Journey Home - 3/1873 - HS
* The Sheriffs of Savage Wells - 1875 - SW
Healing Hearts - 1876 - SW
* The Lady and The Highwayman - 1865 - PDS
~ Ashes on the Moor - 8/1871


*First book in the individual series
~ Stand Alone

Denotes Series -
J - Jonquil's
L - Lancaster's

HS - Hope Springs
SW - Savage Wells
PDS - Penny Dreadful Society (I just found out through a Facebook Live Video from Sarah Eden that The Lady and The Highwayman will in fact be the first in the Penny Dreadful Society Series)

There are many other collaborations which Sarah M Eden has been included with novella's but I have not read them all and I believe they can be read in any order but if in my reading I come upon novella's in these that relate to any of the above books or even books within another collaboration I will be sure to let you know!

 ~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~ As Always, The Bartlett Family

In Times of Trial - Learn To Be Patient

Well this week has been interesting to say the least. I had planned on posting several times this week and even had a post mostly completed when my computer decided it'd had enough. So after several days of trying to reset my computer without actually deleting files or downloaded programs I finally had to give in and just do the reset with keeping my files. So I am finally back. I am downloading the programs I lost in the reset and we are off and running.

I have a new item on my Wish List : New laptop. I have actually found the one I really want and its not super expensive and I have loved the brand for many years. I just have to get paid to get it. But that is for later.

So during this trial I have had to learn to be patient in the extreme. I had so many thoughts and ideas running rampant through my brain and thankfully reading and social media kept me sane (I Think?!).

We have had some up and down this week as we have been adjusting to a old but new reality. I may have mentioned previously that my health is making it impossible to continue working outside my home so even though I have thought about this problem in the past I have been stubborn and independent. I kept thinking if I could just keep pushing I would make it but since I was discharged from the Army in June of 2008 I have held many positions and fought for a job that I could keep and unfortunately none of those jobs has lasted for a full six months (and only two of them made it even close). Most of them were from 2 weeks to a month. I would end up either having to quit or be fired due to my inability to perform the job requirements. My latest job has been working at Beehive Clothing in American Fork and early last week I threw out my back and right hip. I am still struggling almost a week later with constant pain and spasms in my hip and occasional spasms in my back. The odd thing is that my right hip was the better of my hips when I was discharged from the Army but now it is worse. Perhaps due to overcompensating for my left hip. That is what lead to my hip problems in the first place is overcompensating for my knee problems (Repatellar Pain Syndrome and Bursitis in both knees). You would think I could figure out in 11 years that overcompensating simply leads to more problems.

Another thing we figured out was on Thursday. We had eye exams and I found out my glasses (from February of this year - 2019) were made wrong. I have been dealing with headaches around my left eye for all those months and didn't question it thinking it was just another issue I had. But after speaking with Doctor Pugh he helped me realize that the reason I had not really paid attention to my terrible vision in my left eye is that the dominant eye (my right eye) was overcompensating (I do that a lot) for the severe lack of vision in my left eye. I noticed the problem more during the exam when he blocked the vision in my right eye. It was a simple mistake which stemmed from the difference between the + and - on my vision prescription in February. So we ordered our new glasses and Dr. Pugh gave me enough contacts to last through this week until our glasses come in. I did not go with contacts because my vision is the lowest prescription they make for contacts among other reasons (Shawn's is beyond the highest they make for contacts, LOL).

Life is and always be an adventure but this week we learned that we need to be patient when we face trials as they will always be there!

~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~ As Always, The Bartlett Family

What's In A Name?!

To understand us you have to know us and to know us is to know our names! In our family names are very important and have made a world of difference in our lives.

Most people struggle with their given names at one point or another. Some struggle for their entire lives.

I was born Jamie Ann Taylor. I later became a Johnson. Even later I became a Bartlett. (There is a story there which will come later). I grew up with a variety of nicknames some I loved and some I hated. I was James, James and the Giant Peach, Peaches, Dandy-long-legs, Sadie (All of the females on my Taylor side were Sadie to my Grandpa Vern! Those are the nicknames I loved. I was also called many names during my elementary years which I generally disliked due to bullying I went through.

I struggled a little with my name growing up, not because I didn't like the name Jamie, but because I wanted everyone to call me Jamie Ann. I did have occasions (these were rare) when I disliked Jamie but only when my name was used in bullying or when I had the short phase where I found out Jamie was more popular as a boys name....however, I was something of a tomboy so eventually I came to really love my name.

My husband is Shawn Joseph Bartlett. Lucky guy never had to worry about changing his name...hahaha. He was called Bubba, Shawny, Shawnathon. He never struggled with his name like most do..instead he simply corrected people on the spelling much as a Troll corrects people on their grammar or spelling. He always has to let people know its S-H-A-W-N. Another point to this post is the association of his last name - Bartlett. Bartlett, as most know, is a type of Pear.

Herein comes the significance of names that ties us together. I grew up with the nickname Peaches and Shawn as a Bartlett was a Pear. So right from the start of our relationship we had this saying: "She is My Peach!" - "He is My Pear!"

I grew up as Peaches due to my extreme fondness for canned peaches. My mom often lamented the lack of canned peaches when she needed them for a fruit salad. Peaches were not my only go to. I honestly love all canned fruit but peaches were by far my favorite. So my sister, Sara, bless her heart decided one day to give me a new nickname, 'James and the Giant Peach'. I am pretty sure this name came about shortly after the movie of the same name was released. I honestly loved it (don't tell her I said so!).

So many names and so many stories behind the names. The question we then ask ourselves...'What's In A Name?!'

Shawn was given his middle name for Joseph Smith, the first Prophet of the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was given my middle name to carry on a traditional name in my mother's family. Ann - I am Jamie Ann. My mother is Sue Ann. Her mother was Margaret Ann. There are many instances when this name either as Ann or as Anne has been passed down through many generations on both sides of my family. I too will have a daughter with the middle name of Ann.

A name can mean so many things and come from a random source, from deep within a family line, from a favorite character - author - movie star - etc, or many other places. Everyone is given a name at birth, whether it is on record or not. I mention names of record or not because I have found in recent years during research or Indexing for The Church that in generations past if a child was stillborn or similar they were not given a name of record. Mostly I believe this was due to not having rites performed before their death. It was a sad truth that I faced and the reason I mention names without record is because I have Angel Babies myself whom I have carried, lost, and named but there is no record of their life on this earth. I struggle with fertility issues (keep checking back for future post about this struggle). Infertility is never fun, it can shatter hearts, but the healing that come with naming a lost child is beyond imagination.

But, as always there is so much more rattling around in my brain just waiting for the moment it gets to be shared. This is it for now though.

~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~ As Always, The Bartlett Family

Labor Day! Fun In The Sun!

It's Labor Day 2019! I did not work so Shawn and I slept in....if you can call it that when you are up at 8:45 with the sun. But seriously, it was actually sleeping in considering I usually get up at 5:45 to go to work. Our new house, yes we just moved, has a lot of natural light due to so many windows. So even with curtains it gets bright in the house early. When Shawn and I got up we spent some time on Facebook and the Internet. I actually applied for two job openings with ancestry.com based out of Lehi. I do love working at Beehive Clothing but really want to get working in the Genealogy Field.
We had breakfast hash, the recipe for which is below. Then we ran to Ace Hardware to fill our propane tank to use with our 'new' (at least to us) BBQ for dinner. We stopped in at the Walmart Neighborhood Market and picked up some low priced steaks, some garlic, and cheese. We came home and I started this new blog.
For all intents and purposes this Blog is a step in the right direction to my Freelance work.

So back to Labor Day!
We purchased a small kid pool at Ace while we were there for Propane. We brought it home and filled it. We soaked our feet while the dogs played a little in it as well. It was refreshing to cool down that way after the hot day we had.

We prepared dinner: Steak, Baked Potatoes, and Creamed Carrots! Yummy!
Instructions are below (keep in mind I don't usually measure things when I cook so amounts are to your preference).

For the Creamed Carrots I simply cut the ends of the carrots, peeled them and cut each carrot into 3 sections then cut those sections in half. I put them in a pan covered in Milk with 2 tablespoons of butter and Salt and Pepper to taste. We boil those until they are soft.

For the Baked Potatoes we simply washed two slightly larger than medium potatoes, poked a couple holes in them, wrapped them in tinfoil and tossed them on the hot BBQ.

As for the steak I first put some olive oil, steak rub, Italian Seasoning, Onion Powder, Salt & Pepper, and Parsley on a plate and coated the sides of each steak in the mixture. They marinated for about 20-30 minutes on the plate then went directly on the grill. Once they reached an internal temperature of 160*F I brought them inside to my cast iron skillet where I added a tablespoon of my garlic butter mix (instructions for garlic butter are below) to each steak to finish up the cooking. We have all the right toppings for the Baked Potatoes and they do take the longest to cook so get them cooking ahead of time.

Garlic Butter Mix

1/2 C. Butter (softened)
2 T. Minced Garlic
1 tsp. Parsley
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. Onion Powder

Mix all ingredients together then roll in Parchment paper and place in the freezer. Use desired amount as needed in cooking. *Can be used for Garlic Butter Steak, Baked Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, etc.*

Finished Products! It was so yummy!

It has been an awesome weekend spent with the husband, even the moving although I am not a fan of moving but we are in an actual house now so I can't complain so much about this move.

Recipe for Breakfast Hash

2 Medium Potatoes - Peeled and cubed into 1 cm squares.
1/3 pkg of bacon cut into 1 inch squares.
1/2 roll of sausage
2 Small Zucchini - Cut lengthwise then sliced to form half moons.
1 Small green pepper - diced
approximately 1/4 C onion - diced
4 Lg eggs - Scrambled with milk, salt and pepper and parsley to taste.
Seasonings (I used Turmeric, Salt, Pepper, Parsley, Italian Seasoning, and Garlic Powder)
2 Tbsp Butter
4 Tbsp Flour
1 to 2 cups of milk

Cook onions, green peppers, sausage and bacon with seasonings to taste. Add Potatoes and cook until softened. Add Zucchini and cook until softened. Add Butter and let melt. Sprinkle flour over everything and mix it until well mixed. Add milk and stir until gravy forms. Add scrambled eggs and cook until eggs are done. Serve with Toast or in Tortilla, or over Biscuits...or simply eat it by itself.

Check back later for more recipes, reviews, tips and tricks. Thanks for checking in with us and we look forward to our next step on this journey!


~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~ As Always, The Bartlett Family

Introduction!

I am Jamie Ann. I married Shawn a little over a year ago. We have two adorable dogs: Ginger & Minnee. I am also the proud bonus mom to Shawn's two amazing kids R & A. Having to mix a family together is a lot like baking: you need the right ingredients! It hasn't been the easiest road but then life never is. I am hoping you can take a little journey with us as we share what we know and a little about ourselves as well.
My intentions with this blog is to include the following items: a post about us, a baking/cooking post, a literary/reading/book post, an art post, and an organization post. So keep checking back often for a little bit of us in your life.
From the Beginning our lives have been an adventure. Stick with us and we can enjoy this journey together! 

~*~ Adventure Like There Is No Tomorrow! Family Is The Key To Happiness So Tell Them You Love Them, Hug and Kiss Them, and Hold Your Kids A Little Closer!~*~ As Always, The Bartlett Family