Saturday, February 28, 2015

Paper Hearts - by Courtney Walsh

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About the book:

Abigail Pressman would never have guessed that love notes penned on paper hearts by an anonymous couple could restore her belief in love. As a business owner in a quaint town at the base of the Rockies, she’s poured everything into dreams of expansion . . . and resisting the matchmaking efforts of the Valentine Volunteers, who gather in her store to continue Loves Park’s tradition of stamping mail with the city’s romantic postmark.

When Abigail is unwillingly drafted into the Volunteers, she encounters the paper hearts, a distraction that couldn’t come at a worse time. A hard-to-read doctor has become Abigail’s new landlord, and he’s threatening to end her lease to expand his practice.

As she fights a growing attraction to this handsome man crushing her dreams, Abigail is inspired to string the hearts in her store, sparking a citywide infatuation with the artsy trend. But when a new batch of hearts reaches the Volunteers, it appears something tragic has happened to the couple. Will uncovering their story confirm Abigail’s doubts about love, or could it rescue her dreams . . . and her heart?

My review:

I really enjoyed this love story about finding your dreams and the power of forgiveness!  I absolutely loved the setting of this charming town and the cozy bookstore.  I really felt like I could relate to Abigail, both personally and professionally, as we had some of the same personality traits and I worked in a bookstore that closed and was my dream job.  I can also understand not wanting to get hurt and cutting yourself off from people.  This book inspired me to trust God more with my future and my dreams.   I liked Jacob a lot, but was more frustrated with him for the way he let his business partner, Kelly, push him around and for the way he held on to his grief and blamed himself and God.  While I liked that we got to see Jacob's struggle with trusting God after he felt like God let him down and Abigail's struggle to let God be in control, I wished it would have been made clear to the other where they were in their faith journeys since that should be the most important thing in a relationship.  They weren't shown as discussing that at all.  I also felt that it got a little repetitive talking about wanting to save the store.  There were some cute moments where they noticed each other, but  I wanted the romance to start a little earlier than it did.  The Valentine Volunteers were pretty amusing and spunky!  I liked the other characters, too. The suspense was drawn out well as we aren't told right away what happened between Jacob and his wife.  Elements of the story reminded me of You've Got Mail, which is one of my favorite movies.  This was a wonderfully written  novel and I highly recommend it!

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


Check out the book trailer here:

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Check out the author's Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theatre director, and playwright. Her debut novel, "A Sweethaven Summer," hit the "New York Times" and "USA Today" e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written… Read Full Bio  


Friday, February 27, 2015

Lift the Flap Bible (Candle Tiny Tots) - by Karen Williamson, Illustrated by Louise Anglicas

This is a fun, colorful book for 10 months and up!  It has eight popular Bible stories, from Noah and the ark to Daniel and the lions' den to Jesus' birth.  There are three to four flaps to lift per story.  Each story is only a few sentences long.

The artwork is wonderful, very bright and colorful with lots of animals featured.  There are also a variety of races, which is cool to see.  The stories are very basic, with pretty much just the facts and no background or explanation, which I suppose makes sense for the ages it's intended for.

I would recommend this fun hardcover!  It would make a great gift.

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

Thursday, February 26, 2015

New from Debra Clopton | ‘Betting on Hope’ Kindle Giveaway & Review!

Betting on HopeBetting on Hope (Thomas Nelson, February 2015)
A bet gone wrong. A small town’s meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.
Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it’s beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie’s bosses know this is the opportunity she’s been looking for to launch her career—and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.
Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he’d like, but he knows it’s the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru’s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do—for her own good.
In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

My review:

I really enjoyed this sweet cowboy romance!  It had some humorous moments, especially when Maggie was being clutzy or Maggie and Tru were getting on each other's nerves.  There were some great romantic moments and I loved getting both of their viewpoints so you knew what each one was thinking in a given situation.  There were a couple of interesting twists, such as the pregnant teenager Maggie helps and befriends who she feels a real kinship with because of her own past.  They both had faith and attended church, but not much is said about Tru's faith.  There's a little bit more about Maggie's with a comment here and there.  There's not really any spiritual growth in the story.  I really liked Maggie's optimistic viewpoint and how she was determined to keep on and overcome.  Her attitude was really an encouragement to me to not be defeated by whatever you're going through.  I liked something she said, about not every day being good, but every day having something good in it.  This looks to be the start of a new series and I'm excited to hopefully see stories about Tru's brothers.  I would recommend this book if you like romance!

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

More reviews at Litfuse!

Learn more and purchase a copy at Debra’s website.


Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.


Saddle up for a new romance from novelist Debra CloptonBetting on HopeIn Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

Enter to win a Kindle Fire HD 6 to celebrate the release of Betting on Hope

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One grand prize winner will receive:
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  • A copy of Betting on Hope
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on Debra's blog.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Trouble With Patience - Virtues and Vices of the Old West 1 - by Maggie Brendan

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About the book:

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.

Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this "hanging lawman," Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye--and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.

With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.

My review:

I thought this story was okay.  It had some sweet romantic moments, but about halfway through I found myself losing interest.  I liked the main characters a lot; Patience was very relatable to women because she felt self-conscious about her larger size and plain looks.  Jedediah also felt like he was no prize so it was interesting to see how they viewed each other.  Sometimes it seemed like he was a little pushy, especially since they weren't even courting.  They did start out on the wrong foot, which was amusing.  I thought the description was a little misleading because he doesn't actually get around to helping her fix up her boardinghouse.  There's another man in the mix, cattle rustling and murder that lent some suspense to the story.  Patience had a strong faith, while Jedidiah believed in God but didn't attend church much or really seem to think about it much.  Patience's mother was very demanding and critical, but seemed to suddenly change without a reason.  It also seemed like the cattle rustling and murder plots got wrapped up a little too easily.  I did like that some of the characters and events really happened in real life.  If you like historical romance, you might like this story.

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

 The Author

  1. Maggie Brendan

    Maggie Brendan

    Maggie Brendan is the bestselling author of several books, including the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series. Winner of the 2013 Laurel Wreath Award, she was a 2013 finalist for the Published Maggie Award of Excellence, a 2013 finalist...
    Continue reading about Maggie Brendan 

Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Crimson Cord (Rahab's Story) - Daughters of the Promised Land 1 - by Jill Eileen Smith

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About the book:

Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution, she despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime.

In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.

Under Jill Eileen Smith's talented hand, the familiar story of Rahab bursts forth in high definition. Immerse yourself in a world of dark and dusty streets, clandestine meetings, and daring escapes as a mysterious biblical figure claims her full humanity--and a permanent place in your heart.

My review:

This was an interesting and realistic view of what Rahab's life could have been like.  The book's divided into three parts, with the first part about Rahab's marriage and how she ended up in prostitution.  This section angered me because of how she was treated by her husband and the circumstances that led to her prostitution, and then what she had to suffer while a prostitute.  I felt this section went on for quite a while with no hopeful parts except you know how the end will be.  I liked parts 2 and 3 a lot more, with the actual saving of the spies and then her living at their camp.  I thought the issues Rahab struggled with were very realistic, the main one being her distrust of men.  Salmon, too, would struggle to accept her because of her profession.  I thought the themes of forgiveness, pride and realizing we're all sinners in need of grace were wonderfully done.  The romance had some sweet moments as they're drawn to each other, but both throw obstacles in the path due to fear and pride.  There was also a pretty cool twist in Rahab's story at the end, though I believe that was made up.  I thought Jill did a good job of bringing her story to life, though you have to read this knowing the parts not included in the Bible are not fact, but a best guess as to what her life could have been like.  I recommend it if you like Biblical fiction!

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

 The Author

  1. Jill Eileen Smith
    © Amanda Matilla Photography

    Jill Eileen Smith

    Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and the ebook novella The Desert Princess, book 1 in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research has taken her from the Bible to...
    Continue reading about Jill Eileen Smith 

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Saturday, February 21, 2015

The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God's Love from Today's Most Popular Writers - Edited by Dawn Camp

Cover Art

About the book:

This is your invitation . . .
to slow down,
take a deep breath,
and know that
you are loved.
In this hectic life, it's easy to forget that God is always near at hand, even though He sends us frequent reminders. The beauty amid the mess, a well-timed word of encouragement from a friend, the memories that won't let go of our hearts--they're all ways God extends an open hand to us. But if we're not paying attention, we can miss it.

Combining heartfelt stories from some of today's foremost writers with Dawn's stunning photography of God's incredible creation, The Beauty of Grace is your haven of calm contemplation amid the chaos. This inspiring collection includes stories of cultivating friendship, waiting on God, choosing joy, staying connected, learning to trust, and much more.

If you're in need of a little peace, a little quiet, a little beauty, find comfort in this: you're invited to experience them all within the pages of this soul-stirring book.

My review:

This was a beautiful, encouraging hardcover book that would be great to read as a devotional or just when you can find a few minutes in a hectic day.  Each chapter is short, from 2-4 pages, and divided into 7 section, such as purpose, surrender and trust.  There was a lot of truth to ponder in this book, reminders that we don't have to have it all together or be superwomen.  God wants to use us in our weakness;  He just asks us to be willing.  I was challenged to be fearless, to trust, to know that He's with me always.  I was reminded of how much He loves me.  Some of the stories made me laugh and some cry.  Some told a story and others felt like a friend baring their soul.  A couple were even more like poems.  Most included a Scripture verse, but some had a quote at the end.  The photographs were beautiful, but would have been even more so in color.  I also wasn't familiar with most of the women, but it seems like they all have a blog and some have written books or are involved in other ministries.  I highly recommend this book to all women!

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

  The Author

  1. Dawn Camp

    Dawn Camp

    Dawn Camp is the camera-toting, homeschooling mother of eight children. A featured blogger at (in)courage, her beautiful photography previously graced their monthly calendar and currently decorates the desktops of women around the world. Camp blogs at...
    Continue reading about Dawn Camp 

Friday, February 20, 2015

A Love Undone - by Cindy Woodsmall

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

 This was a wonderful story about the power of perseverance and the beauty of contentment.  Jolene Keim was about to be married when disaster struck and she spent the next ten years of her life taking care of her family.  When she meets Andy Fisher, a horse trainer and single father, she starts to fall in love again.  She believes he is a widower, but doesn't realize that his wife left him years before and he's a grass widower and is unable to divorce or remarry.  They like spending time together as she helps him train horses, but he thinks she knows the truth about him.  

Jolene struggles with not really letting anyone in.  She's had to be strong for her family and doesn't really share her pain or frustrations.  She's also bottled up her feelings concerning her ex-fiance and how that situation played out.  Andy encourages her to be truthful and say how she feels.  She also loves to paint and the bishop in the Old Order Amish community she lives in believes it's wrong to create any graven image, so she's had to hide that sanctuary she escapes to all these years.  She starts to not worry so much about what others think.  However, when their feelings are exposed, will they act on them or trust that God has a plan?

I worried that this book might be depressing because of a failed relationship and the prospect of another one in her future.  Instead, it was hopeful and encouraging to see how Jolene persevered through life and took care of her family.  She had a strong faith and learned to be content whatever her circumstances.  I liked how she stood up for herself and her bullied brother.  It was very interesting to see how her brother, who had been struck by lightning as a boy and still suffered some mental effects, struggled with making right choices and not being too impulsive.  I liked the various viewpoints, from Jolene to Andy to her brother and the depth of emotion they portrayed.  I appreciated that they all struggled to do what was right;  they weren't perfect by any means.  Jolene and her brother really grew emotionally and it was wonderful to see.  I did wonder why Andy didn't try to find his wife or hire someone to find her.  The horse training aspect was interesting, too, as they're trying to train abused horses and earn their trust.  Andy and Jolene both struggled with their faith and why God would bring them together only to tear them apart, but ultimately their faith was strong.  I would recommend this book if you like Amish stories or stories that tug at your emotions.

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


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Return to Exile - The Carthage Chronicles 2 - by Lynne Gentry

About the book:

Return to Exile (Howard Books, January 2015)

How far would you go to save the ones you love?

Six years ago, impossible circumstances forced Dr. Lisbeth Hastings to leave behind the love of her life, not just in another country, but in another time. Her work as a top-notch epidemiologist and parenting her little girl helps alleviate the pain, but at night when her exhausted head hits the pillow, images of her beloved Cyprian haunt her sleep.

Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He's lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage, but when Cyprian's true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept Lisbeth and Cyprian apart created too wide a chasm to bridge? In the midst of a new epidemic and rising oppression, will their love be the most costly fatality? Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this spell-binding adventure of star-crossed lovers captivates with every turn of the page in this electric continuation of The Carthage Chronicles.

My review:  

This was an intriguing story, but I wish I would have read book one first.  I planned to, but ended up not having enough time.    I figured out what must have happened in book one based on things said in this book, but experiencing Lisbeth's first trip to the third century and seeing how her relationship with Cyprian develops would have added a lot more meaning to the continuation of the story.  I liked many of the characters in the book and felt for the horrible situations they found themselves in, from persecution for their faith to an epidemic threatening to take down the whole city of Carthage.  It was interesting to see how Lisbeth brought her medical knowledge from modern times to life back then and how she worked to stop the spread of disease.   It was amazing to see how the Christians tried to live out their faith by caring for not only the poor and sick, but also the wealthy who treated them horribly and could even betray them.  Ruth and Magdalena, especially, were women to admire for their faith and the sacrifices they made.  Not all of the characters had a strong faith, however, as Barek and Cyprian struggled with loss and turned away from God for a time.  Many of the Christians also were being led astray by a man claiming to be a Christian, but tricking them into compromise.  It was truly a perilous time to be alive.  It's fascinating to read about time travel and it's ramifications and to think about the effect Lisbeth going back again had on others and on the future.  The story ends with a cliffhanger and the third book is due to come out this summer.  I would recommend it if you like historical, medical or time travel fiction.

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

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

About the author:

Lynne Gentry
has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.


Find Lynne online: website, Facebook, Twitter




Monday, February 16, 2015

Where Rivers Part - A Texas Gold Novel 2 - by Kellie Coates Gilbert

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About the book:

Success too often comes with a price. Juliet never imagined it could be so high.
Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her considerable scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions--and affording her plenty of perks along the way. It's not the path her estranged father would have her take, but then Juliet finds it difficult to maintain respect for a man she cannot trust. She's on her way up in the world, and she's not going to let anything drag her down.

But when a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal, lives are at risk--including those of some of the people closest to her. As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with the one who has hurt her most in order to expose a far-reaching conspiracy.

Like a mighty river with twists and turns and hidden rocks, this engrossing story will sweep you relentlessly along as it fearlessly explores the seduction of success, the fear of giving up control, and the redemptive power of learning to forgive.


My review:

This was an interesting story about a topic you don't see often in Christian fiction.  I thought the food safety angle was intriguing, but I thought Juliet was pretty naive to think that the company she worked for cared more about safety than their bottom line, especially since she hadn't worked there long and didn't really know her co-workers or boss well.  I also wondered how she could be with a guy who would be dishonest in his work life because why wouldn't he be in his personal life, too?  I did like her and felt stressed out myself with all the stress she was under!  I could understand the tense relationship she had with her father and why she had trouble forgiving.  Her mom had a strong faith and it was inspiring to see how it affected Juliet.  This book lost momentum for me as it seemed like not enough was happening and I thought there would be more to the conspiracy angle.  I'm just not as much of a fan of the corporate setting, either.  I did find the investigation interesting.  I liked the little bit of romance there was.  You might like it if you like seeing how women survive under pressure and find corporate politics interesting.

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


 The Author

  1. Kellie Coates Gilbert

    Kellie Coates Gilbert

    Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal who investigated the largest cattle fraud case in US history. Her legal experience gives her an insider's view into how people react under pressure. Gilbert explores the complexity of...

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Saturday, February 14, 2015

New from Elizabeth Camden | ‘Beyond All Dreams’ Kindle Fire Giveaway and Author Chat Party + Review!

About the book:
Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?

Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?

My review:  This was a fascinating story with great characters and a wonderful message!  I loved that so much of the book took place at the Library of Congress.  It was interesting to see what Washington was like back then.  I also liked learning more about the Spanish-American War.  The historical detail was wonderful and really made the story come alive.  Anna and Luke were such interesting opposites with painful pasts that shaped them and while Anna had forgiven someone who'd hurt her terribly, Luke was still hanging on to his anger.  Forgiveness and moving on from the past were the main themes and I'm glad it was clear that we need to forgive others because Jesus forgave us and that we all make mistakes and no one's perfect.  I really felt for Luke and his struggle to control his temper; he desperately wanted to be different from his father, but felt like he was turning into him!  I wonder if we all feel like we're turning into our parents sometimes.  I liked that there was a bit of a mystery as Anna tries to discover what happened to a lost ship.  The romance was great and it was a lot of fun to see how different Anna and Luke were from each other, but also how well they complemented each other.  I really enjoyed this well-written novel and I highly recommend it!

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


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

About the author: Elizabeth Camden is the author of six books and a RITA and Christy Award winner. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida.


Find Elizabeth online: website, Facebook






Travel back in time to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress in Elizabeth Camden's newest release, Beyond All Dreams. From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?

Elizabeth is celebrating the release of Beyond All Dreams with a Kindle giveaway and Facebook party on February 17.
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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • One copy of Beyond All Dreams
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/17. Winner will be announced at Elizabeth's 2/17 Beyond All Dreams Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Elizabeth and historical fiction fans, as well as for the opportunity 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 17th!