Monday, June 30, 2014

Review of A MOTHER’S SECRET | Kindle Fire giveaway from @AmyClipston

About the book: 

Book two in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.
Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever?
Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother's farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin's father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her.
His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn't convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter.
When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance.
After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family-and the unconditional love-she's longed for?

My review:

This is an interesting story about a situation you don't read too much about in Amish fiction.  I felt for Carolyn and the judgment she's endured from her brother and her community.  I could understand Carolyn being afraid to tell Joshua that Benjamin's her son, but it drove me crazy that she kept putting it off and wondering how he would respond when she finally told him.  I also couldn't understand why she was considering Saul when she wanted to marry for love and didn't think she could love him.  Her son is fifteen and I could understand her thinking about marrying for her son's sake when he was a little kid, but why now?  I probably liked Joshua the best of all the characters and thought he was incredibly patient with his mother, who was very pushy and controlling, even mean.  The relationship between Joshua and Carolyn was sweet.  I was surprised that though Joshua's widowed sister-in-law left the Amish to marry an Englisher and it's mentioned she was shunned, that Joshua and his family didn't shun her.  It seems like it should have been explained why that was, unless it was in the first book which I didn't read.  This story did work very well as a stand-alone.  I liked the emphasis on praying and asking God for direction, but I didn't like that they believe Carolyn's being baptized into the church was what washed her sins away.  The writing sometimes felt like it was aimed towards a teen audience, though that's not the case.  It also seemed like everything wrapped up a little too perfectly.  If you like Amish fiction, you'll probably like it.

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/xlHpQ 

About the author: 

Amy Clipston holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, and two sons and four spoiled rotten cats.


Amy can be found at: website, Twitter, Facebook






Don't miss the newest offering in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston, A Mother's SecretAn unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life. The novel received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was chosen as a Top Pick.

Amy is celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway.
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 One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Books 1 and 2 in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series, A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret.
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 6th. Winner will be announced July 7th on Amy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Amy's blog on July 7th to see if you won.



Sunday, June 29, 2014

Seasons of Tomorrow - Amish Vines and Orchards 4 - by Cindy Woodsmall

Seasons of Tomorrow

I really enjoyed this wrap-up to the series as we see closure come to relationships and struggles.  Rhoda Byler has realized she is truly in love with Samuel and he reciprocates, but they have hurt his brother deeply and so don't feel able to move on with their relationship until he has forgiven them and moved on himself. Samuel has also helped her to see her intuition is from God and she starts to get nudges about a way to find her neighbor's grandchild.   She starts to reach out and follow God's leading instead of fighting it or being afraid.

Jacob needs some space and goes back to traveling and working construction, trying to figure out how to move past the betrayal he feels.  When he meets a young married Amish woman he has a lot in common with, he starts to realize maybe there could be someone out there for him other than Rhoda.  After a tragedy at the orchard, he realizes he needs to come back and help the community make it through.  English Landon and Amish Leah decided to date, but when their relationship becomes known outside of the Maine community, everyone has a choice to make about where they stand.  Will they fight to stay together or is there too much against them?

I had read book two in this series and missed book three, but there is a synopsis of each book in the beginning to catch you up if you missed anything, which helped a lot.  I do wish I hadn't missed any of the books as each story continues from the next one with the same characters.  I really liked the characters in this series and found it intriguing to see how Rhoda comes to understand her intuition.  I liked the multiple story lines and relationships shown, especially the one involving Jacob.  The romances were interesting and I liked to see the varying problems they struggle with.  I thought the details about the orchard were a little excessive. I also got frustrated with a couple characters, especially Leah's father.  I would recommend this book if you like Amish fiction.

I received this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Check out more info on the book!




Saturday, June 28, 2014

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Review of SEAGRASS PIER | Pre-order @ColleenCoble’s NEW book for just $4.99. Enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

About the book: 

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger's memories . . . before they cost her everything.
Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.
But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks---and vivid dreams of being strangled---she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder.
Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked---by a man she's only met in her nightmares.
The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter.
Of course, he doesn't know about that. Yet.
Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there's no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her---before she remembers too much.

My review:

I really enjoyed this suspenseful, romantic story!  The idea of cell memory, where a donor recipient can have memories from the donor, fascinates me.  They can even start to like and dislike the same things.  Elin had a lot going on, from confusion and fear that she was turning into someone else, to her mixed-up feelings for Marc, to worry about her mom's dementia and a killer targeting her! There was always something happening in this story!  I loved how Elin was determined to find the killer; the investigation was very interesting.  The little romantic moments where Elin and Marc started to fall for each other were done well.  I liked that they both had a strong faith, though Elin had a harder time forgiving herself for what had happened with Marc.  There were many suspects and it was hard to figure out who the killer was;  I loved the twist!  I also liked the setting, the peek back in time and the multiple viewpoints in the story.  I haven't read the first two books in the series and it did feel like I was maybe missing something in the beginning, but I think overall it worked fine as a stand-alone.  I definitely recommend this wonderful story!

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xAP8O

About the author: 

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Colleen can be found at: website, Twitter, Facebook


Don’t miss Colleen Coble‘s latest release in the Hope Beach series, Seagrass Pier. The book releases July 1st, and Colleen's publisher is offering the ebook at a special pre-order price of just $4.99 between now and 6/30 everywhere ebooks are sold.

PLUS . . . between 6/9 – 6/30 Colleen will be hosting a Kindle giveaway.
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One winner will receive:
  • A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
  • Seagrass Pier and the rest of the Hope Beach series by Colleen Coble
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced on Colleen's blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Colleen's blog on July 1st to see if you won!



Face to Face with Jesus: A Former Muslim’s Extraordinary Journey to Heaven and Encounter with the God of Love - by Samaa Habib and Bodie Thoene

Cover Art

About the book:

It starts as a story ripped from the headlines of the war-torn Middle East. An extremist faction of Islam bombs a church during a service. The one door in the back isn't big enough for five hundred people trying to escape.

Some are killed.

But after the chaos and fire and smoke, one young woman comes back to life.

In this thrilling true tale, death does not have the final word. From the first time Samaa heard the Lord Jesus calling her out of Islam into faith in Him, till she met Him face to face in heaven, her life is marked by God's supernatural love and power. Full of hope and encouragement, and overflowing with Jesus' love, her riveting account reveals the power of God to break through any circumstance--and is a moving reminder that, in a place beyond what we can imagine, we have a Savior waiting to welcome us face to face.

My review:

Wow!  This story was amazing!  She starts out with the explosion happening at her church, then goes back to her birth that almost wasn't.  I loved learning about Samaa's life as she grew up having an ideal childhood and then the contrast when the civil war happened.  It sounded like such a scary place to be a woman and the many miraculous times her and her sisters or friends were saved from being raped and murdered were truly amazing.  She explains how she got saved and the persecution she was under from her family as she boldly witnessed to them.  I especially liked how she showed how the members of her family each got saved. She showed what happened with some of her sisters afterwards, which was very interesting, too.  Her dedication to prayer and fasting was inspiring and the many miracles that happened as a result were amazing.  Sometimes, the story felt a bit disjointed when it would jump around, but overall it was very interesting and definitely challenged me to be bolder about my faith.  I would definitely recommend this if you like true stories about persecution and miracles, especially from a charismatic viewpoint.

I received this book free from Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Blind Trust - Port Aster Secrets 2 - by Sandra Orchard

Cover Art

About the book:

Kate's not sure how deep this deception goes--but she'll do whatever it takes to find out.
Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money and can't believe that it came from her sweet elderly neighbor. Or that it has landed her in the middle of another of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and one that strikes too close to home for comfort.

As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But then will it be too late for her and Tom?

My review:

This was an interesting story with more than one mystery to solve!  I did guess some things right, but others had no idea.  I liked seeing Tom and Kate's relationship grow even though both fought it.  The romance was cute to watch and I'm anxious to see where it goes from here.  I found the focus on herbs and plants to aid in healing interesting to learn about.  I loved the small-town feel as neighbors look out for each other and Kate goes the extra mile for hers.  I did feel the book got a bit long and while I liked Kate, she seemed a bit ditzy and overly emotional sometimes, not to mention she kept taking unnecessary risks!  I really liked Tom and how he tried to do the right thing.  Both characters had faith, and while Kate questioned God when bad things started happening to her, there didn't seem to be a real struggle with it.  If you like mysteries with a touch of romance, check it out!

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Review of FOREVER AMISH from Kate Lloyd! Enter to win a Kindle and an Amish-made prize pack!


About the book: 

The latest book in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

It's the Last Thing She Expects to Find

Sally Bingham needs some time away to sort through the changes in her life and to rethink her upcoming marriage. Despite her ailing father's hesitations, she takes off for a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County for a weekend away. But her best-laid plans leave her in a near collision with a bishop's buggy and in the home of a mysterious Amish woman named Lizzie. Lizzie introduces her to a different perspective on life, a charming farmhand named Armin--- and opens a Pandora's box that will forever change Sally's life.

My review:

This was an entertaining and interesting story about a woman who has some choices to make, though I really didn't see why she would still want to marry her fiance!  The plot felt a bit scattered or maybe it was more that Sally seemed that way, with her emotions all over the place.  She's upset at her fiance, then her father, and she's falling for an Amish man, who seems to move quickly, and it seemed like a lot of changes happening all at once.  I really liked the focus on finding her mother and learning the truth about her origins, though I felt it was mentioned a lot.  This story definitely has quite a bit  happening throughout.  I liked that forgiveness was discussed, as Sally had quite a lot of people to forgive in order to move on. I haven't read the first two books in the series, but I didn't feel lost starting with this one.  I would recommend it if you like Amish fiction.

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xxswg

About the author: 

Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.


Kate can be found at: website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest


The latest book in Kate Lloyd's Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish, introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

Kate is celebrating by giving away an Amish-made prize pack!
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  One winner will receive:
  • A brand new Kindle Fire
  • A Qillow (A pillow with a lovely surprise inside! It opens to a 40” X 60” quilt ideal for traveling, sports events, and home.)
  •  A Center Diamond wall hanging (Hand-stitched by Old Order Amish quilter Emma Stoltzfus of E.S. Quilts in Lancaster, PA. It measures 42” x 42” and is a traditional Old Order Amish design.)
  • Darling Amish-made faceless dolls (Hand-crafted in Lancaster County, PA. Each measures 12 inches and is individually named. Meet Martha and Henry!)
  • Forever Amish and the rest of the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy by Kate Lloyd
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 29th. Winner will be announced at Kate's blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Kate's blog on July 1st to see if you won!



Free E-Books!

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle through June 26th!

Amazon

Voyage with the Vikings Free from multiple vendors through June 30th!

http://www.tyndale.com/ebookextra/

Friday, June 20, 2014

Review of FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS – Win an iPad Mini & rip-roarin’ Facebook Party!

About the book: 

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He's resolved to change Molly's mind about him---as an editor and as a man.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie's mind?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive---or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case---until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

My review:

I loved this fun, romantic collection of stories!  They were very well-written; the stories felt fleshed out and the characters realistic even though each story wasn't very long.  I loved the strong heroines and the tough men who met their match.  The stories made me laugh out loud, but they also had their serious side as the women found themselves in tough predicaments and some of the characters were dealing with past hurts or distrust.  I especially found it interesting to see how the legal process worked, or didn't work,  in Colorado in the 1800's.  All of the main characters had some level of faith, from struggling to believe during harsh circumstances to a steady faith.  There were some very cute moments between each couple.  The romance was definitely the best part of these stories!  I definitely recommend this collection if you like romance, especially historical romance.

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy:  http://bit.ly/1qTiFK2

About the authors: 

Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than thirty novels. Her books have won numerous awards and has written for a TV soap opera. @margaretbrownley 

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. She is the author of over seventy novels and her work often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher 

Mary Connealy is an award-winning author of romantic comedy with cowboys. Mary and her Nebraska rancher husband have four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren. @MaryConnealy 

Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra's first book-to-movie aired on ABC Family and starred LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton
Four best-­selling romance novelists bring tales of feisty heroines, stubborn heroes, and unlikely love in the Wild West in Four Weddings and a Kiss. Don't miss the latest from the Western Brides Collection from Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.


The authors are celebrating with a "Sweet on Love" iPad Mini Giveaway and rip-roarin' Facebook party.
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  One winner will receive:
  • An iPad Mini
  • A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Kiss 
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 8th. Winner will be announced at the Four Weddings and a Kiss Facebook Author Chat Party. Connect with Western Brides Collection authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton for an evening of fun book chat, western-themed trivia, and prizes. The authors will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the collection!

So grab your copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss and join the authors on the evening of July 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!



Thursday, June 19, 2014

A Romance Rekindled - Heartsong Presents #1100 - by Kimberly Rose Johnson

A Romance Rekindled

About the book:

SUSAN HILL ISN'T READY TO FORGIVE

The small-town CPA can't forget how Blake Mitchell jilted her and left their hometown without an explanation. But when her first love returns to Leavenworth, the ruggedly handsome writer evokes conflicting emotions, especially when Susan meets the child she assumes is his daughter.

Since his parents' deaths six years ago, Blake's been raising his little sister on his own. But he's never forgotten the woman he left behind. Now, he can't undo the past, but maybe he can change the future…if he can convince Susan to give him one more chance.


My review:

This is a sweet romance about second chances!  I liked the characters and especially thought it was quirky that Susan dresses all in black just because it's easy.  I was a little surprised at Blake's reason for leaving Susan and annoyed that he made that decision for her, but I liked that he seemed to have changed.  I also could understand his sliding away from his faith, but it seemed like his sister didn't understand the gospel at all and I was a bit surprised that he wouldn't have felt more of a responsibility for her eternal destination.  I liked that there was a short gospel message included.  His sister was amusing and it was fun to see some characters from a previous story.  I liked the focus on forgiveness and trust and that we got both Susan and Blake's points of view.  I would recommend this book if you like romance!

I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

4 Free Kindle Books!

I've been looking for this book for years!  It was out of print!  It looks like the start of a fascinating series!  Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Monday, June 16, 2014

Review of OUT OF THE RUINS BY @KarenBarnettAuthor | Enter to win a Kindle HDX & RSVP for 6/19 Facebook Party!

About the book: 

Abby's shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.
While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn't expect, however, is for God's answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.
As they work together toward a cure, Abby's feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?

My review: 

I really enjoyed this wonderful historical novel with a great spiritual message!  There was a lot to like here, with great characters, plenty of action and a sweet romance.  I especially liked Abby's struggle to understand a God who doesn't always answer prayers the way we would like.  I think her questioning is something most, if not all, of us can relate to at one time or another.  I liked her feisty, awkward character and enjoyed the cute moments between her and Robert.  I found the parts about the treatment interesting as I didn't know much about early x-rays.  The suspense kept building as the days are counted down to the great San Francisco earthquake and I found it fascinating to follow Abby and Robert as they help people in the aftermath, then are separated and she struggles to survive on her own as the city burns down around her.  This story has a great message that God is always watching over us and goes with us.  I definitely recommend this first book to what looks like an exciting new series!

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlcaD 

About the author: 

Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats. 


Karen can be found at: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest
Don't miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett's new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.

Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.
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  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!
So grab your copy of Out of the Ruins and join Karen on the evening of June 19th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!



Sunday, June 15, 2014

A Place in His Heart - The Southold Chronicles 1 - by Rebecca DeMarino + giveaway through June 16th!

Cover Art

About the book:

She could cross an ocean, but could she ever win his heart?Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner. Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother.

With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed. But when Barnabas's secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary's world is upended. How could she possibly leave her papa and her dear sister?

And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband's broken heart?

My review:

I had a hard time getting through this book.  I found the idea of this story being about the author's ancestors intriguing and found some of the history interesting.  Not a lot actually happened in the book, though it would seem like there was going to be an event in the story and then nothing would happen.  There were some cute moments between Barnabas and Mary I enjoyed.  However, the dialogue felt stilted and the characters felt very flat.  I found myself very frustrated with Barnabas and how he was so stuck on his first wife that he couldn't move on.  It felt like this issue was constantly rehashed, even years into their marriage.  One of his sons was also very resistant for years to her and I thought that seemed a bit unrealistic for this boy to be this stubborn for that long.  I thought there would be more conflict to the differences in their faith, but that never seemed to be an issue.  There was a lot about faith and prayer and doing God's will, which I liked, but the husband acted like if we just do what God says, we will get pregnant, which bothered me.  If you like stories that have a more formal feel to them, you might like it.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Check out the giveaway!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, June 12, 2014

A SEASON OF CHANGE - Seasons in Pinecraft 1 - Lynette Sowell

About the book: 

An Amish widower finds love in unexpected places.
Amish widower Jacob Miller believes it was a mistake to visit the Amish village of Pinecraft for winter vacation, especially after his daughter is struck by a car. Stranded in Sarasota until his daughter recovers, Jacob grows increasingly wary of events that unfold in his unfamiliar surroundings---including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett.
Natalie never thought her circus career as an aerial silks artist would end with a blown-out knee at the age of 25. She also never knew her late mother had a secret---that she was once Amish.
When Natalie meets the Millers at the Sarasota hospital, she is attracted to their warm hospitality and simple ways---and soon wonders if they can help her find her mother's family. As Jacob and Natalie fall in love, their worlds collide. Will their differences tear them apart? Or will their love be strong enough to blend their clashing cultures?

My review:  If you're looking for a unique Amish story, look no further!  Not only is the setting a little different than most, but a character who's a former circus performer is pretty rare for any type of book!  I really liked the more relaxed atmosphere where there's a mix of English, Amish and Mennonite cultures.  I found Natalie's life to be very interesting, from her job teaching at a circus school to her search for her Amish family.  Jacob and Natalie have a reluctant relationship where they're drawn to each other, but know it could never work, at least how their lives are now.  I did think it seemed a bit soon for Jacob to be interested in another woman since it had only been six months.  I liked some of his honest struggles about wondering if his wife was in heaven and the discussion he had with a Mennonite friend about faith vs. works.  I enjoyed the various perspectives in the story and this definitely kept my interest throughout.  You should check it out if you like Amish stories!

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/x6Wsl

About the author: Lynette Sowell is the Carol Award-winning and ECPA best-selling author of more than 15 titles, including A Season of Change and Tempest's Course. When Lynette is not writing, she works as a medical editor and part-time newspaper reporter. She makes her home in Copperas Cove on the doorstep of the Texas hill country. 

Lynette can be found at: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Quaker and the Rebel - Civil War Heroines Series 1 - by Mary Ellis

book title front

About the book:

Bestselling author Mary Ellis presents The Quaker and the Rebel, Book 1 of her brand-new Civil War historical romance series, which tells the stories of brave women in times of testing and the men who love them.

Emily Harrison’s life has been turned upside down. At the beginning of the Civil War, she bravely attempted to continue her parents’ work as conductors in the Underground Railroad until their Ohio farm was sold in foreclosure. Now alone, she accepts a position as a governess with a doctor’s family in slave-holding Virginia. Perhaps she can continue her rescue efforts from there.

Alexander Hunt is the doctor’s handsome nephew. While he does not deny a growing attraction to his uncle’s newest employee, he cannot take time to pursue Emily. Alex is not at all what he seems—rich, spoiled, and indolent. He is the elusive Gray Wraith, a Quaker leader of Rebel partisans. A man of the shadows, he carries no firearm and wholeheartedly believes in Emily’s antislavery convictions.

The path before Alex and Emily is complicated and sometimes life threatening. The war brings betrayal, entrapment, and danger to both of them. Amid their growing feelings for each other, can they find faith in God amid the challenges they face and trust in the possibility for a bright future together?

My review:

This was an entertaining story featuring a strong, sassy heroine who was easy to like.  She was both opinionated and brave, but also could be incredibly self-conscious and awkward, so she felt incredibly human.  I liked Alex, too, but he was more of a rake in the beginning and I liked him more as he started to change.  He really had fallen away from his faith and I wished there would have been more in the story showing his return and showing Emily's faith as personal rather than being all about being a Quaker.  Their arguments were amusing and if ever there was a case of opposites attracting, this was it!  I also enjoyed her banter with the maid, Lila.  The plot seemed a bit scattered, with her as a governess and then the girls being sent away, and with the household moving quite a bit back and forth.  I liked the historical elements woven into the story and it definitely had enough happening to keep my interest. This is my first Mary Ellis book and I believe her first outside of the Amish genre and I'll definitely be looking for the next in the series!

I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Happy to be Alive, Because - by Chelsea Jacobs


About the book: 

Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom and her that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building.
Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive.

My review:  This is a funny, but also heart-wrenching story that made me both laugh and cry.  I love the theme of living life to the fullest and not taking the little things for granted.  I can't imagine experiencing a loss so profound and I'm very close to my mom as Avery was, so it was too easy to see how I might feel if I was to lose my mom.  Avery thinks a lot and there is a lot of sorting through emotions and feelings in the story.  I liked her a lot, especially her quirks and I loved the group of friends she meets.  Major is hilarious and so is his sister.  They really came alive and I loved how they treated her and especially how sweet and understanding Rob was with her.  I love the ocean and I so want to move to this beach town!  I did wish we got to see Rob's perspective of their relationship.  There's a little bit about faith, but it seems very vague and I found it sad that Avery doesn't seem clear on if there's a Heaven or where her mom is.  I was hoping for more of a spiritual message.  This was more of a clean read than a Christian book.  There's an interesting couple of twists as it seems Rob is keeping a secret and her mom was, too.  I would recommend this book for girls from teen to young adult!

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlD3V

About the author: 

Chelsea grew up with an immense love for words---both reading them and writing them. She obtained her degree in English and has spent the time since then getting married to her high school sweetheart and chasing adventure so she'll have something to write about. When she's not drinking copious amounts of coffee while writing, she spends her time reading, playing with her puppy named Gatsby, and dreaming, always dreaming.


Chelsea can be found at: website, Twitter

Monday, June 9, 2014

New from @RonieKendig | Review of Raptor 6 - Quiet Professionals 1! Enter to win a Kindle HDX.

About the book: 

His mission.
His team.
Captain Dean Watters keeps these parts of his life in laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing-which if opened, would give America's enemies a blueprint of US military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn't an option.
Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She's also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers' deadly game. They're coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.
Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost.

My review:  This story hits the ground running and does not let up!  It has non-stop action and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat.  I did not want to stop reading.  I loved the humor and relationships between the team members.  It was fascinating to see behind the scenes of secret missions and frustrating, too, to see the politics and ego that can get in the way sometimes.  I liked the glimpses we get of Dean's background and the baggage he carries and how that impacts his relationship with Zahrah.  There are some very heart-wrenching scenes, too, with one of  the team member's wives dying of cancer and the horrible situation Zahrah goes through.  Her faith was incredibly inspiring;  the fact that she could keep trusting God through everything just blew me away.  She reminded me of my favorite fictional character, Hadassah, from Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series.  I really liked the discussions about faith as Dean tries to understand her.  There were some very sweet moments even amid the horrible reality of what was happening.    There's a little bit of a romance to the story.  The harshness was shown without being too descriptive, for which I was glad.  I can't wait for the next book in the series!  I would definitely recommend this to both men and women who like good suspense!

I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xoyE1

About the author: 

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with four children and a Maltese Menace in northern Virginia. Author and speaker, Ronie loves engaging readers through her Rapid-Fire Fiction.
Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.







Don't miss the first book, Raptor 6, in Ronie Kendig's new Quiet Professionals series. Ronie combines a dangerous romance and explosive action for a thrilling and satisfying ride. "Lock and load for this Spec Op, fighting under God’s 'rules of engagement.'" —Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and award-winning author

Ronie is celebrating with a Kindle HDX Giveaway!
raptor6-400-click

One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced June 16th on Ronie's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Ronie's blog on June 16th to see if you won.