Sunday, November 30, 2014

I Have Seen God - by Klaus-Dieter John

About the book: I Have Seen God: The Miraculous Story of the Diospi Suyana Hospital in Peru (Monarch Books, October 2014)

The miraculous founding of a top class hospital for some of the world's poorest people

Klaus-Dieter and Martina John---both brilliant, talented, and highly qualified doctors---turned their backs on lucrative careers to follow their dream to open a first-rate medical facility for the Indians of the Peruvian Andes, some of the world's poorest people. The Peruvian Andes natives suffer appallingly from the diseases of poverty and, although they make up approximately 40 percent of Peru's population, are ignored by the authorities.

Having studied at the universities of Harvard, Yale, and Johannesburg during his training as a surgeon, Dr. Klaus-Dieter John together with his wife, Dr. Martina John, a pediatrician, developed a concept for a modern hospital in the Peruvian Highlands.

Turning down other offers, including a professorship, they set themselves the task of raising the millions of dollars needed. God opened the hearts and consciences of individuals and companies to create not just a health center, but a fully equipped hospital. Their story and vision has captured attention around the world and today they have the backing of 180 corporations and 50,000 private supporters.

The hospital's name, Diospi Suyana, means "we trust in God" in Quechua, the native language of the people it serves. It is a testament to their experience that with God the impossible can happen. The incredible conviction and profound faith of the Johns will refresh your heart and stir your spirit.

My review:  This was an amazing story of what God can do!  Time and again, Dr. John and others prayed and asked for donations and people and companies came through and ended up donating millions of dollars, both in money and equipment.  Many times they were told no by a company, but Dr. John persisted and showed them the presentation on the hospital and their minds were changed.  He shared some of his growing-up years and his training to be a doctor and it was interesting to read his back story and that of his wife and family.  I got a little bogged down with all of the names and companies, but I understand they needed to be included for the full story to be told.  It was frustrating to read about the red tape and ineffective bureaucracy in Peru and how they faced so many obstacles, but amazing to see how God led them to the right person at the right time who could cut through all of that.  There were many miracles that occurred.  This story was truly inspiring!

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

Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/DtGoz

About the author: Klaus-Dieter John studied at the universities of Harvard, Yale, and Johannesburg during his training as a surgeon. He and his wife Dr. Martina John, a pediatrician, have dedicated their lives to the establishment of the hospital in Peru.
Find Klaus-Dieter online: website






Saturday, November 29, 2014

Free Kindle Books!

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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

International Suspense! {Kindle Fire Giveaway!} Review of The Brothers' Keepers.

About the book:

The Brothers' Keepers | RidgeRoute Press (November 2015)

A friend's deception. A family's dilemma.

While cataloging looted antiquities in Brussels, archaeologist Grace Madison learns that her daughter has disappeared in France, and daughter-in-law has been attacked in Switzerland. But before the Madisons can save themselves, they must rescue an old friend---if he'll let them. Navigating a deadly, four-thousand-year-old artifact trail that crosses three continents, they jeopardize hearts and lives against a foe as old as time---as time runs out.

Because choosing what's right is all that's left.

My review:

This story had a lot of action.  I felt a little lost at the beginning because some events that happened in book one are mentioned and I haven't read book one.  I liked learning more about church history and archaeology.   I also liked the sense of place, with all of the descriptions about where they were in France.  I was there a few years ago and could picture some of it, so that was cool.  Grace amused me and I admired her and the other strong women in the story, her daughter and daughter-in-law.  There are some references to faith, but it didn't seem like there was a lot of spiritual growth.  Grace and her family seemed to all be Christians.  There's some romance with some cute moments between three different couples: Grace and her husband, her son and daughter-in-law, and her daughter and a man she's interested in.  I liked that she included foreign words in the story to make it feel more authentic and especially that there was a glossary included in the back.  Overall, I had a hard time staying interested in the story and keeping track of all of the characters.  The story seemed slow when there wasn't a lot of action.  You might like it if you like action and international intrigue.

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

Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/EfxWh  

About the author: After an award-winning detour through journalism and marketing and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, NLB Horton returned to writing fiction. She has surveyed Israeli and Jordanian archaeological digs accompanied (twice!) by heavy artillery rounds from Syria and machine gun fire from Lebanon. Calmly tossed a tarantula from her skiff into the Amazon after training with an Incan shaman. Driven uneventfully through Rome. And consumed gallons of afternoon tea across five continents. Her first novel, When Camels Fly, was released in May, 2014.The Brothers' Keepers her second in the Parched series, will be released November 17, 2014. The third in the series will release in the fall of 2015.

Find NLB online: website, Facebook

Don't miss NLB Horton's The Brothers' Keepersinternational suspense at its best. While cataloguing looted antiquities in Brussels, archaeologist Grace Madison discovers her daughter has vanished in France, and her son's bride has been attacked in Switzerland. After the Madison family unearths a relic whose taproot pierces the Ancient Near East, they realize before they can save themselves, they must rescue an old friend . . . if he'll let them.

Learn more about book one in the series, When Camels Fly, and enter to win a Kindle Fire.
brotherskeepers-400

One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • When Camels Fly and The Brothers' Keepers by NLB Horton
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 7th. Winner will be announced December 8th on NLB's blog.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

The Amish Blacksmith - The Men of Lancaster County 2 - by Mindy Starns Clark & Susan Meissner

book title front

About the book:

New from bestselling authors Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner, The Amish Blacksmith (Book 2 in The Men of Lancaster County series) explores the men of an Amish community in Lancaster County, how their Amish beliefs play out in their unique roles, and the women who change their lives.
Apprenticed blacksmith Jake Miller is skeptical of Priscilla Kinsinger’s innate ability to soothe troubled horses, especially when he has own ideas on how to calm them. Six years earlier, Priscilla’s mother died in an awful accident at home, and Priscilla’s grief over losing her mother was so intense that she was sent to live with relatives in Indiana. She has just returned to Lancaster County.

Not that her homecoming matters to Jake, who is interested in courting lighthearted Amanda Shetler. But Jake’s boss is Priscilla’s uncle, and when the man asks Jake to help his niece reconnect with community life, he has no choice but to do just that. Surprisingly, he finds himself slowly drawn to the beautiful but emotionally wounded Priscilla.

Jake then determines to prove to her that it’s not her fault her mother died, but what he discovers will challenge everything they both believe about the depth of love and the breadth of forgiveness.

My review:

I really enjoyed this story with a twist!  I liked how the story was told from the viewpoint of Jake, who thought he had his life all figured out.  His spiritual and emotional growth were wonderful and really made the story compelling.  There was also a slight mystery as the circumstances surrounding Priscilla's mother's death weren't clear.  Priscilla was very interesting as I never knew what she would say or do next and neither did Jake!   I felt like I had a lot in common personality-wise with both Priscilla and Jake and could relate to them a lot more than Amanda.  It was fascinating watching him gentle horses and the techniques he employed, but it was especially interesting getting Priscilla's insights.  I also found it interesting to learn more about the blacksmith trade.  There were a couple of cute romantic moments, but there really wasn't much to that aspect of the story and I wished there had been.  I didn't want to put this book down!  I think men would like this story just as much as women and I especially recommend it for lovers of Amish fiction, romance, or horses.

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

Mindy Starns Clark

Mindy Starns Clark

Mindy Starns Clark is the author of many books, which include the popular Smart Chick Mysteries, Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, and Under the Cajun Moon. In addition, Mindy’s plays and musicals have been featured in schools and churches across the United States.


Susan Meissner

Susan Meissner

Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker, and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008 and a Carol Award winner. She is a pastor’s wife and the mother of four young adults. When she's not writing, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at her website: www.susanmeissner.com, on Twitter at @SusanMeissner, or at www.facebook.com/susan.meissner.

Friday, November 21, 2014

The Christmas Cat - by Melody Carlson

Cover Art

About the book:

He felt his face flushing as Cara opened the door. Wearing a garnet-colored knit dress and with her dark hair pinned up, she looked even prettier than he remembered. Suddenly he wished he'd thought to bring a hostess gift. Like a cat.

After years abroad, Garrison Brown finds himself at the home of his beloved grandmother who has just passed away. He must sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While he hopes to dispense with the task quickly--especially since he is severely allergic to cats--his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends.

Can he match the cats with the perfect new owners? And is it possible that he might meet his own match along the way?

My review:

This was a cute story that put me in the Christmas spirit!  I thought it was unique that the main character was male, with only his point of view.  It was amusing that he didn't like cats and had to find homes for them and be picky about the homes at that.  It was sweet how they grew on him.  I really liked his character, too, that he would try his best to honor his grandmother's last wishes even though he made a girl he liked upset.  The friendships he formed with an older man and a younger man who helped fix up his house were nice, too, especially how he was trying to mentor the younger one.  I liked that the couple were in their thirties and that Garrison had had this wonderful life experience of being a missionary for many years. However, he didn't seem to show much faith and made a couple of dumb decisions, though they were somewhat understandable based on an experience he had in the past.  There's a bit of a romance to the story that was sweet, but I did wish for more to it.  Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it if you like Christmas stories!

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


 The Author

  1. Melody Carlson

    Melody Carlson

    Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas...

    Continue reading about Melody Carlson 

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Look Inside the Time of Jesus - A Lift the Flap Book - by Lois Rock, Illustrations by Lorenzo Orlandi

  This is a colorful and informative Bible storybook that also tells interesting facts about the time of Jesus.  Every couple of pages has a paragraph that summarizes a Bible story.  It starts with the birth of Jesus and shares some of what his childhood would have been like, his preaching, visiting Zacchaeus, His trial, crucifixion, and the empty tomb.   There are many flaps to open on each page with names given to items, explanations of what people are doing, and descriptions of the culture such as what a meal would have been like or what was happening at the temple.

The pages are a durable board material instead of thin paper and I think this would be a good book for toddlers to around age 7.  There are a few harder words so I'm not sure if it would be ideal for beginning readers.  I also thought a comment that Jesus was angry that a poor widow felt obliged to give an offering seemed wrong.  I remember from the Bible that Jesus pointed out in admiration that this woman gave out of the little she had while the religious leader didn't give much in comparison.  I think kids who want to learn more about the time of Jesus would like this book.

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

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Thief of Glory - by Sigmund Brouwer

Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer

This was at times a fascinating book and at others a bit slow.  It tells the story of ten-year-old Jeremiah Prins, a boy growing up in the Dutch East Indies when the Japanese invade during World War II.  There he meets and immediately feels a connection with nine-year-old Laura while at the same time meets an enemy who will work to make his life horrible.  Soon the men and teenage boys are rounded up and shipped out to work and his life changes forever.  He now becomes responsible for his three younger siblings and mother, a job even more important because of his mom's mental illness and the dark periods she suffers.

They struggle to survive for a while by selling off household items until they're taken to an internment camp and made to live in very cramped quarters with too little food.  The constant stress of dealing with hunger, not to mention the sadistic leader of the camp, takes its toll on everyone.  Jeremiah must use his wits to not only survive, but save others.  Years later, he tells the story to his daughter and tries to reconnect with those from his past.

I really enjoyed the parts of this book that showed what life was like in the camp and how smart Jeremiah was in figuring out how to accomplish his goals, not to mention the way he wanted to help others.  I really admired how selfless he could be.  He was also practically a genius about some things.  I knew nothing about what happened in the Dutch East Indies during this time and thought it was very interesting.  Other parts of this book got a little too detailed, such as the descriptions of the marble games or how things worked, for example.  I loved the strong faith Laura's grandmother and a doctor in the camp had and how they were willing to stand up for what they believed.  They really showed Jeremiah the way to live.  There was a lot of sadness in the story without a lot of happiness to offset it, though the story did end well.  There's one point in the story with questionable language where someone is called a horse's a**, which I don't think was needed.  This was an emotional story and not always easy to read, but it didn't get graphic.  There was an interesting twist in the story, too.  I would recommend this story for men or women who like historical fiction, especially war stories.

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

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Surprised by Love - The Heart of San Francisco 3 - by Julie Lessman

Cover Art

About the book:

She can turn the head of the man who spurned her--but can she turn his heart?
When Megan McClare left San Francisco to study in Paris, no one would accuse her of being poised and pretty. But on the other side of the Atlantic, this wallflower blossomed into a beauty with big dreams. When she returns to California and accepts an internship at the district attorney's office, she's thrilled that her life is taking shape. But the exciting opportunity quickly loses its glow when she discovers she'll be working alongside Devin Caldwell, who mercilessly mocked her at school--and with whom she was hopelessly enamored.

Bram Hughes is the best friend to whom Megan has always turned for support and advice. But when she seeks his counsel about working with Devin Caldwell, Bram's vision is clouded by his sudden unwelcome attraction to a girl he had always thought of as a little sister. He advises forgiveness, but can he forgive himself for pushing the woman he loves into the arms of another man?

Author Julie Lessman draws a romantic triangle that will touch your heart in this glittering Gilded Age tale of transforming love.

My review:

Julie Lessman has another winner!  I think this may be my favorite of the series.  I absolutely loved Megan and Bram in the previous books, but even more so after getting to know them better in this one.  I loved that they both had such a deep faith.  It was beautiful to see how wonderfully Bram treated Meg, before and after her transformation.  He was truly a Godly man to admire.  It was so fun to see a makeover and the aftereffects on everyone, especially Bram.  It was wonderful to see her new confidence and the way she came into her own.  Seeing Bram denying his attraction and planning to court someone else out of duty was frustrating and when her old crush and school bully Devin entered the picture, I wondered for a while who she would end up with.  I also loved how the relationship between her widowed mother Cait and uncle Logan played out, with Logan really having to turn to God in trust and putting Cait's happiness ahead of his own. It was cute how Meg helped a coworker with her own makeover and crush. The romances were wonderful, with some passionate kisses but nothing too extreme.  The spiritual messages were wonderful, with trusting God, forgiving others, the importance of prayer, blessing your enemies, and accepting God's will.  I especially liked the discussion about accepting God's will because we believe He loves us and knows what the best thing is for us rather than just resigning ourselves to His will believing He's harsh and doesn't care.  It was also interesting to see how the family was working to clean up the Barbary Coast, an area of brothels and gambling dens.  I really hope Lessman continues the story of this wonderful family because there are still a couple siblings who need a story.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romance!

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

 The Author

  1. Julie Lessman

    Julie Lessman

    Julie Lessman is an award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston series and the Winds of Change series The recipient of 14 Romance Writers of America awards, as well as many other accolades, Lessman was chosen as the #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in...
  2.  Continue reading about Julie Lessman 

Where Treetops Glisten - by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putnam and Sarah Sundin

About the book: 

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime
Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas
Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.
In Cara Putman's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements---until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.
Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew?
In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.
The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for a future?

My review:

This was a wonderful collection that really put me in the Christmas spirit!  I loved that each story focused on a sibling at Christmas and the different problems they struggled with.  I liked the focus on helping people, whether it was a stranger, a person you used to bully, soldiers on the front lines or Jews in danger.  The faith elements were wonderful as Abigail struggles to trust God with her future instead of living in fear of losing another person she loves, Pete tries to forgive himself for past mistakes and learn to be who God wants him to be while keeping God first, and Merry needs to learn to forgive and pray for an enemy.  There were cute romantic moments in the first two while Goyer's was a little different with the characters already having a relationship and taking a while to meet up.  I loved that the Christmas songs of the titles were incorporated into the story.  This is one of my favorite time periods to read about and I loved the details that made the stories so authentic.  I wish there had been a little more interaction with the couple in Goyer's story and while I enjoyed all three, I probably liked Sundin's best for the plot line of a reformed bully trying to make good and for the precocious little girl who made me smile.  These stories aren't the fluff of some romances, with each character dealing with real grief from loss, especially due to the war they're in the midst of.  Even though the stories deal with death and grief, they also manage to have joy and happiness and made me close the book with a satisfied smile.  I definitely recommend this book for those who like historical romance!

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


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/BwVP9

About the authors: 


TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including Chasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger. 

CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books including Shadowed by Grace. She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction. 

SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

The One Year Hearing His Voice Devotional - by Chris Tiegreen





This is a wonderful, insightful devotional I really enjoyed!  It consists of reading one page a day for a whole year with a verse written out at the beginning, the devotional, and then a prayer at the end.  Some of the devotions are written as if God is speaking directly to you and others use personal experiences or that of Biblical characters or Christians in history to show what someone else has experienced as they learn to listen for God's voice.

The author points out in the beginning that we need to believe that God still speaks in order to hear His voice. He also points out that when God speaks, it usually comes from within because that's where the Holy Spirit resides. He also says if you focus too much on trying to hear God's voice rather than focusing on God and your relationship with Him, you'll probably end up frustrated.  By putting the relationship first, everything else will fall into place.

Those are just some of the good points the author makes among so many.  This book is rich with insight and helpful information.  He continuously points the way to God and keeping our focus on deepening our relationship with Him.  I highly recommend this awesome devotional!

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

Saturday, November 8, 2014

At Bluebonnet Lake - Texas Crossroads 1 - by Amanda Cabot

Cover Art

About the book:

Her life is set to warp speed. His is slowing to a crawl. But love has its own timing.
Marketing maven Kate Sherwood's world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is grind to a halt at Rainbow's End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. Still, she cannot deny her ailing grandmother's request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week fifty years ago. There, Kate meets Greg, who appears to be the resort's unassuming handyman. But there's more to Greg than meets the eye--billions more, in fact.

Kate isn't looking for romance, but she can't deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate's long-sought promotion take her back to the big city?

Amanda Cabot invites you to step into a place away from the pressures of the day. You might be surprised by what you find at Rainbow's End.

My review:

I liked this story mostly because of the way the characters grew throughout.  I found it interesting to watch workaholic Kate struggle with taking a vacation and how former workaholic Greg tries to open her eyes to really living.  They both had issues to deal with and I enjoyed seeing how they helped each other.  I especially liked how they both cared about helping other people.  There were many likable characters in the story besides Kate and Greg, including Kate's wonderful grandmother and an adorable little girl.  I liked the secondary romance between her grandmother and a man she met at Rainbow's End.  The romances were sweet.  There was some conflict occurring with Kate having to figure out her priorities, health issues, an unexpected visitor, and the worries about saving Rainbow's End.  Sometimes the story felt a little slow.  The setting was beautiful and relaxing.  I enjoyed how faith was portrayed, with Greg having a strong faith and wanting to follow God's will while Kate struggled a bit more with that.  I would recommend it if you like contemporary romance.

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

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Review of BECOMING BEA By @LeslieJeanGould | Kindle Giveaway and Facebook Party!

About the book: Can Bea and Ben Turn Rivalry Into Romance?

Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows.

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

My review:  This was an interesting story based on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, where misunderstandings ensue between Bea and Ben on their way to love.  I liked Bea and felt like I had a lot in common with her as far as her introverted personality went.  Seeing her grow and change into a better person reminded me of Cate in the first book; I really enjoyed her positive attitude. There's a lot of day-to-day details in this story, with Bea helping to take care of triplets and the adults, too, babies crying and needing to be fed and changed all of the time.  It got to be a lot of the same.  I found the relationship between Bea and Ben interesting and it had its cute moments, but I got frustrated over a huge misunderstanding between them and annoyed that they had such a hard time working it out.  Why don't people just tell the truth!? There were some faith elements, with Bea praying for patience and trying to trust God with her future.  Each story can be read alone in the series, but the characters still feature prominently in each book.  I liked this story more than the last one in the series, but I have to say it was just okay.  If you like Amish fiction, you might like it.

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


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/Dcnfl

About the author: Leslie Gould is the coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 CBA bestseller The Amish Midwife, a 2012 Christy Award winner; ECPA bestseller Courting Cate, first in the Courtships of Lancaster County series; and Beyond the Blue, winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She and her familyl live in Portland, Oregon.
Find Leslie online: website, Facebook, Twitter


Leslie Gould is back with the latest book, Becoming Bea, in her Shakespeare-inspired series, The Courtships of Lancaster County. Don't miss the other books in the series, Courting Cate (retelling of The Taming of the Shrew), Adoring Addie (inspired by Romeo and Juliet), and Minding Molly (inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Leslie is celebrating the series with a Kindle giveaway and a Facebook party on November 11th.
becomingbea-400
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • One copy each of the entire The Courtships of Lancaster County series: Courting CateAdoring Addie, Minding Molly, and Becoming Bea.
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 11/11. Winner will be announced at Leslie's 11/11 Becoming Bea Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Leslie and Amish fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!
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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!



Sunday, November 2, 2014

Review of THE PROMISE, Kindle HDX Giveaway from @BethWiseman!

About the book: 

Mallory's search for happiness leads her to a faraway place. There she finds heartache, betrayal---and danger.
Mallory Hammond is determined that no one will stand in the way of her goal---to save a life. She had that chance years ago, and she failed to take it, leaving her adrift and in search of the real meaning of her life. Finally, she meets a man online from a volatile corner of the world who offers her the chance to find that purpose. But she will have to leave everyone she loves behind in order to take it.
Tate Webber has loved Mallory for many years. He understands that Mallory will never be happy with him until her deepest heart's desire is satisfied. When Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dreams, Tate begs her not to go but tries to give her the space she needs. Mallory embarks on her dangerous journey only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray that she will make it out alive.
Inspired by actual events, The Promise is a riveting love story that asks the question: how far will we go for love?

My review: 

This was a very interesting story, but also very frustrating.  I couldn't believe how naive Mallory was to trust a man she didn't know, though I admired the lengths she went to to save a life.  Since it's inspired by actual events, I can't complain too much about the plot or her choices.  For spiritual content, the story had Tate and his mother as Catholic and talked about prayer and God a lot, yet Tate and Mallory were sleeping together. I was disappointed in that conflict between his faith and actions.  There were some Muslims who were more radical and others who picked and chose what they wanted to believe.  One couple was sleeping together and another husband was abusive.  It was very clear the sort of attitude the radical Muslim had toward women.  I didn't like that the word b**ches was used, but I'm glad that the story didn't get graphic.  I liked that there was a discussion about some of the differences between Christianity and Islam and that Allah and God are not the same god.  I liked learning about what life and culture was like in Pakistan. The story got pretty suspenseful near the end when Mallory realized what kind of situation she had gotten herself into.  Overall, I thought it was okay.  You might like it if you like realistic stories.

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


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/CP8sr 

About the author: 

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.3 million books, her novels have held spots on multiple Bestseller lists. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series--Seek Me With All Your Heart--was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth lives in Texas with her family.

Find Beth online: website, Facebook, Twitter

In a daring new novel, Beth Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by actual events, this is the book Beth has been working toward for a long time.

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Curious? Click here to read the reviews, and be sure to enter Beth's Kindle HDX giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • The Promise by Beth Wiseman
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 9th. Winner will be announced November 10th here.
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