Thursday, October 31, 2013

Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter



About the book: 

Alison wanted her cheating husband gone, not dead...

When 30-something housewife, Alison Monaghan discovers proof of her husband's infidelity in a photograph with a mysterious woman, she must decide how to confront Frank when he returns home from work. Despite the influence of her best friend Valerie, a strong Christian, Alison remains aloof from God and is determined to handle this crisis her own way. But Alison may not get that chance.

Frank never makes it home. Soon his body is found on a lonely back-country road in antebellum Weathersby Historic Park where Frank served on the board of directors and where Alison, with a degree in landscape design, was a volunteer garden docent. Homicide detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately puts Alison at the top of his suspect list. He finds himself drawn to her--and not just because she had motive for the crime. As an army veteran, Mike usually keeps his emotional walls high. And as a detective, he knows not to get involved with murder suspects. So why he is so attracted to Alison? Can he fight his feelings for her--and the stirrings in his heart toward God?  

My review:

I really enjoyed this whodunnit with so many suspects, it'll make your head spin!  I really liked Alison and Mike and I loved that we got both of their perspectives, along with her daughter's.  I liked that there were so many aspects to the story, from her grief to wanting to solve his murder to being torn between two men but also being terrified because of her shambles of a marriage.  I also liked that we got to see from the perspective of unbelievers who start to wonder about God and watch their relationships with God progress. There were some sweet romantic moments and a lot of suspense as Alison doesn't always think before she leaps!  I also love history, so the setting of a historic plantation being restored was great.  I highly recommend this book if you like suspense and mysteries and I look forward to reading more by this author!

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

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Whispers from the Shadows - Culper Ring Series 2 - Roseanna M. White

book title front

About the book:

This exciting and adventurous romantic spy novel is the second book in a new series from Roseanna M. White. Whispers from the Shadows combines fascinating cloak-and-dagger secrets with a tale of love and intrigue during the War of 1812.
Treachery causes Gwyneth Fairchild’s world to crumble. The daughter of a British general, she barely saves her life by fleeing London aboard a ship to America. Her goal is to find refuge with the Lane family in Maryland, having been told by her father she could implicitly trust Winter and Bennet Lane, even though their nations are once again at war. After meeting their son, Thad, she wonders how safe she truly is when she discovers that the Lanes trade in a dangerous commodity—espionage.

Not long after Gwyneth finds refuge in his city, Thad Lane experiences the tug of love, though he fears it may blur lines of loyalty. With family playing the part of enemies and enemies proving themselves friends, a future with Gwyn is uncertain. But at this moment, with the British advancing on Washington and Baltimore, they have only their shared faith in God as a shield about them.

My review:

I could not put this book down!  The characters felt so real and the story was well-written.  I loved the Lanes and it was great catching up with them after having read book one and now being introduced to their grown children was a treat.  This does work as a stand-alone, but I'd recommend reading the first one for the back story.  The banter and teasing were fun and clever and I wished I was a part of their family.  I could sympathize with Gwyneth and the grief she was going through and I liked how she had to realize she needed to turn to Jesus and not depend on anyone else for her happiness or stability.  I also liked that Thad had to realize he needed to trust God and not depend solely on himself.  There was not as much with the spy ring as in the previous book, but there was still intrigue and action, not to mention a wonderful romance.  I ended up liking this one even more than the first and I can't wait to read the next!

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

Monday, October 28, 2013

A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano

Cover Art
About the book:

For years, Miss Felicia Murdock's every thought and action have been in pursuit of becoming a minister's wife. When the minister she'd set her sights on has other ideas, she decides something in her life needs to change--and soon--before she wastes any more time pretending to be someone she's not. If that means spreading her wings and embracing a more lively way of life, who's to say nay?

Grayson Sumner, Lord Sefton, has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter an adventurous young lady with an unfortunate knack for stumbling into troublesome situations.

Just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in Felicia's life endangers her. As they work together to extricate themselves from this latest complication, will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?


My review:

This is such an amusing story!  Felicia is so crazy and unpredictable and I loved Grayson, also, along with the other characters.  They were a fun, close-knit group to hang out with.  I really enjoyed the banter and clever conversations they engaged in.  There was excitement and danger, but also wonderful romance, humor, and hilarious antics.  I liked the themes of being yourself and accepting forgiveness from God because there's nothing you could do that He won't forgive you.  I haven't read Jen Turano's other books yet, but I'm really looking forward to it, especially since those characters were featured prominently in this book as well.  The story does work great as a stand-alone, however.  I highly recommend it if you like historical romance or humorous stories.

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

Free E-Books Until Tuesday at Midnight!

The Jesus LifeColdwater RevivalCaught Off Guard
All free from multiple vendors until Tuesday at midnight!


David Cook



Saturday, October 26, 2013

Free Kindle Books!


Free pre-order for kindle!

Amazon


Free for kindle through Nov. 1!

Amazon

Review of The Bargain by Stephanie Reed | Kindle Fire ‘Bargain Bundle’ Giveaway Ends 10/27!


About the book: Book one in the Plain City Peace series.

It's 1971, and Betsie Troyer's peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but.

When their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret, praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth-a truth that may end all hopes of Betsie's marriage to Charley Yoder.

My review: This was a very interesting story and different than the usual Amish stories I've read.  Setting it in the 70's gave it a unique twist, with the Vietnam War and the hippie lifestyle quite at odds with the Amish one.  Betsie is trying to learn leather working for her cousin's new business so she's staying at an Englisher's house during the week and at her Amish one on the weekend, so you really see the differences between the lifestyles.  It was amusing to see her trying to learn new words and discovering new ways of doing things at the English house.  The English household was in chaos for most of the book, with the mom trying to find herself and the dad and son arguing with each other a lot.  Betsie tries to be a peacemaker and help the younger daughter and son while also wondering about her beliefs and how her future will be affected with Charley and her parents.  Check it out if you like stories about the Amish and life in the 1970's!

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

Read more reviews here: Litfuse

Purchase a copy here: http://ow.ly/ptivJ

About the Author: Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, "Across the Wide River" and "The Light Across the River."

Learn more at Stephanie's website: http://www.stephanielreed.com/




Stephanie L. Reed is celebrating the release of The Bargain, the first book in her new series, Plain City Peace, with a Kindle Fire 'Bargain Bundle' giveaway!
bargain-raffle-copter
 
  One winner will receive a 'Bargain Bundle':
  • A Kindle Fire
  • The Bargain by Stephanie Reed
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 27th. Winner will be announced at the Litfuse blog on October 28th.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to their blog {enter your email in the blog sidebar} and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox)!

Review of Gunpowder Tea & Enter to Win a Kindle Fire from Margaret Brownley and RSVP for “Tea with Margaret” on 11/7!

About the book: 

In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.

When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom---an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.

But she isn't the only one at the ranch with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective
Jeremy Taggart is working undercover as well. Their true identities may be a secret, but it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the sparks flaring between them.
Neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn't removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they get to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets---and no one on the ranch is safe.

The longer Miranda and Jeremy spend working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers-and their lives-depend on solving this case. Love will just have to wait.


My review:

I really enjoyed this clever, romantic story!  The banter between Jeremy and Miranda was great and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter were very amusing.  I really liked Miranda's determination and grit and the sparks between her and Jeremy.  I loved learning all the tips and tricks of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, not to mention trying to figure out who the Phantom was.  This is book three in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch, but it works well as a stand-alone.  I'm looking forward to reading the first two and learning about the women who tried to be an heiress before Miranda.  This is a well-written story you should check out, especially if you like historical romance!

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

Read more reviews here: Litfuse

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pS1iy


Meet the author: Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this---except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter at the time. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction." So that's what Margaret did. She's now a New York Times bestselling author and a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist with more than 25 novels to her credit. Her first non-fiction book Grieving God's Way: the Lasting Path to Hope and Healing has won much critical acclaim.  Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.

Learn more at Margaret's website: http://margaretbrownley.com


Margaret Brownley's latest release, Gunpowder Tea, is receiving high praise, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a "Tea with Margaret" Facebook party!
gunpowder-rafflecopter

  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea with Margaret" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 7th. Connect with Margaret and friends for an evening of book chat, prizes, and get an exclusive look at Margaret's next book!

So grab your copy of Gunpowder Tea and join Margaret on the evening of November 7th 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 today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 11/7!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Mistaken by Karen Barnett

Mistaken by Karen Barnett

About the book:

Laurie’s judgment about men has never steered her wrong. Until now.

Since alcohol and prohibition have made criminals out of every man in her world, Laurie Burke resolves to find at least one honorable man to fill her life.
Convinced that handsome newcomer Daniel Shepherd is connected with her brother’s rum-running gang, Laurie quickly scratches his name off her list. Federal agent Samuel Brown might be the answer to her prayers—or her worst nightmare.

My review: 

This was an interesting story set during Prohibition and the irony is that Laurie's father is a drunk.  I had never heard that a person could get a prescription for alcohol during that time, and that's one way her father got his alcohol.  I can't imagine how hard it would be to have to deal with a drunk parent, with cleaning up their messes and enduring their rages.  I felt pretty frustrated at her brother, father, and even Laurie at times, because of the bad choices they made and the lengths Laurie went to to protect them.  Sometimes you just have to let people make their own choices; Laurie also has to learn to trust when she finds a good man and forgive.  I liked the cute romantic moments, too.

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

Thursday, October 24, 2013

2 Free E-Books Until Friday at Midnight!

A Well-Worn PathA Portrait of Marguerite


David Cook





Giveaway on Oct. 26th & Review: The Journey of Josephine Cain - An American Tapestry - by Nancy Moser

About the book: When a socialite from the nation's capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.

A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.



My review: This is a very interesting and exciting story!  I really liked Josephine for her determination to do the right thing, even if she didn't always think through the consequences or the best way to go about it.  I could relate to her wanting to go on an adventure, too, instead of being stuck at home.  I really liked Maguire and Frieda and little Nelly.  Her aunt grew on me, too.  Her mother, however, was very hard to take. There's some danger, too, as Josephine gets involved with a man who hates her father, though she doesn't know that, not to mention traveling to the wild west.  I learned a lot about the railroad and what it was like for the workers building it as they dealt with long work days, friendly and unfriendly Indians, and lawlessness. I like that this series puts more history into their stories and that each one is a stand-alone.  I recommend if you like historical romance.

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


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pq47s

Meet Nancy: Nancy Moser is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.

Learn more about Nancy at: http://nancymoser.com/.



Check out more reviews: Litfuse


The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser follows the adventures of a D.C. socialite as she gets involved with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad right after the Civil War. Be sure to check out Nancy's fun Pinterest board for the book!

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

journeyofcain-rafflecopter

  Five winners will receive:
  • The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 26th. All winners will be announced October 28th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won one of the books!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Perfectly Matched - The Blue Willow Brides 3 - Maggie Brendan

Cover Art

About the book:

His life runs like clockwork. Hers is a spontaneous adventure.
But God's timing is always perfect.

Anna Olsen knows it's time to leave her sister's increasingly crowded house and start a life of her own. Following both sisters' examples, she becomes a mail-order bride, and after a short correspondence with clock maker and jeweler Edward Parker, she moves to Denver to become his wife.

Almost immediately it's painfully apparent that Anna and Edward are very different. Anna is a free spirit who would rather be painting and enjoying the company of friends than cleaning house. Edward is a consummate perfectionist who, on their wedding day, hands Anna a list of chores that need to be done around the house daily.

Can this mismatched couple see past their differences to a harmonious future? Or will their disparate passions create obstacles neither is willing to surmount?


My review:

I liked this story about two very different people falling in love after they get married.  They couldn't be more different and Anna's impulsivity and Edward's perfectionism definitely created a lot of tension.  Their flaws are very apparent, but I liked how they didn't give up.  It was interesting to see how they tried to make each other happy without compromising who they were.  I could relate to Anna's love for animals and liked that she decided to help those who were abandoned and mistreated.  It was also cool that some of the characters were real historical figures.  I haven't read the first two books about her sisters, but this one worked very well as a stand-alone.  I liked the main romance and also a romance between a couple secondary characters.  This love story was on the passionate side, so I would recommend for older teens and up, especially for lovers of  historical fiction.

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

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Salvaged Video Series

Picture

ABOUT SALVAGED

Attie Reed should have died in the wreck that stole the lives of her mother and best friend. But her life was spared. Why?

When Attie moves to Oklahoma to stay with the Bennetts for the summer, she hopes she has left her nightmares behind. But her battle is far from over, and Riley Bennett steps forward to help her fight the nighttime monsters. As the battle wears on, Riley begins fighting monsters of his own: his feelings for Attie. And Attie realizes she must begin to face the monsters of the night herself if she wants to conquer them for good. 

Can Attie's life be Salvaged?


My review:
I really enjoyed the first six episodes that I was able to watch, but I hope they are able to make many more!  Attie is a great, complex character and Riley is so supportive and caring; I loved both of these characters.  I thought their acting was great, too.  The show deals with some hard issues, but also has some humor in it.  The blossoming romance was sweet, too.  I thought the scenes where Attie talks to God were cool.  I think this is geared a little bit more toward girls because there's some girl talk, but guys and girls would probably both enjoy it.  I definitely plan on reading the book and checking out this author's other titles and hopefully watching more episodes if they're able to make more.


AUTHOR'S INTERVIEW: STEFNE MILLER


How did the Salvaged web series come about?
I was working with Director, Paul Morrell on a movie adaptation of my third novel, Collision. We had just completed the screenplay and were about to move in to the next phase, when I told him about an idea I had for Salvaged. I'd always believed that it would make a great teen drama series - either on television, straight to DVD or web streaming. He loved the idea and was interested in doing it. Within days, a friend that I mentioned it to, offered to pay to have a pilot/proof of concept reel developed. Less than a month later, I was in LA holding a casting call. Two weeks later, a cast and crew of 25 were in a rented house, shooting for five days. We decided to take the pilot episode and also release it as a web series so that we could introduce people to the story, characters and our quality of work. We believe that this can only help both the Salvaged and Collision projects.

What is the big goal?
The big picture goal is that a network or distributor would pick up the series. I've already written the scripts for eight 45 minute episodes or what could easily be turned in to a mini-series.

Who are you hoping to reach with this series?
Salvaged, the web series is based on my first novel by the same name. It is a young adult Christian fiction novel that was able to transcend the lines of Christian fiction and also move into the secular market. Salvaged was first picked up in the mainstream young adult fiction blogging world and the reviews and ratings landed me on the Goodreads.com Reader's Choice Awards finalist list for Debut Author of 2010. I am hoping that Salvaged will continue to reach out into various audiences and present them with a powerful story that has the ability to impact lives - no matter the way in which they receive it (book, web series, tv show, etc).

When does the series come out?
There are six episodes. The first was released on September 25th. The remaining episodes will release every Wednesday at 8 am (CST) through October 30th.

Where can viewers find the episodes?
Salvaged has it's own YouTube channel at: youtube.com/salvagedseries. The episodes will stay on the Salvaged YouTube channel for viewers to watch far into the future.

Where can we find out more about the series and the book? 

You can also learn more about the series on the official Salvaged web site at salvagedseries.com. You can read an except of the first chapter of Salvaged, the book, at my web site, stefnemiller.com, or purchase a copy online or at your local bookstores.

What are more ways we can get involved in the Salvaged Series blog tour? 

  • Post a comment on the Facebook page for this book tour - CLICK HERE
  • Join the Salvaged Series Blog Tour & watch new episodes - CLICK TO TWEET
  • Watch the weekly episodes on the Salvaged YouTube channel ... Post comments and give thumbs up - CLICK HERE

This blog tour is hosted by Christian Speakers Services.



Sunday, October 20, 2013

Review & Giveaway! Ends Oct. 22: Return To Me - The Restoration Chronicles 1 - by Lynn Austin

About the book: From the Acclaimed Author of Chronicles of the Kings

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true---King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God's renewed favor. For too long they've remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo's sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return---return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo's beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God's leading. Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah---and history---forever.

Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Me tells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

My review:

I enjoyed this well-written, epic story about the Israelites rebuilding the temple.  It was interesting to see the struggles they had, from hostile Samaritans to the physical labor to the temptation to compromise their beliefs so things would be easier.  They had many of the same questions we do today, such as wondering why God let someone die or wondering what His purpose is for our lives.  I felt like I could relate to each of the characters' emotions and struggles, from Dinah missing her family and resenting her husband to Iddo trying to follow the letter of the law without love to Zechariah being torn between doing the right thing or the fun thing.  I especially thought it was interesting to see how Zechariah handled being friends with a Jewish girl who was turning to astrology and the choice he had to make to follow God or stay with his family in Babylon.   I liked the hint of romance and it was fascinating to learn the differences between the Jewish and Samaritans' customs about marriage and other things.  It's amazing to see Biblical characters come to life, like Zerubbabel and Haggai.  I did get a little bogged down in all the talk of rebuilding, but I feel like I learned a lot about what the Israelites went through.  Check it out if you want to learn more about Jewish and Christian history!


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

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

About Lynn: Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

You can find out more about Lynn at http://www.lynnaustin.org/.

Check out more reviews here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/laustin

Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.
returntome-rafflecopter
 
  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Return to Me by Lynn Austin
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Return To Me" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 22nd. Connect with Lynn and friends for an evening of book chat, biblical trivia, prizes, and get an exclusive look at the next book in Lynn's Restoration Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd 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 today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

A Reluctant Courtship - The Daughters of Bainbridge House 3 - by Laurie Alice Eakes

Cover Art

About the book:

A woman without a prospect. A man without a homeland. Can love give them a future?
Honore Bainbridge has been courted by two men, one of whom turned out to be a traitor, the other a murderer. Banished to her family's country estate, where she will hopefully stay out of trouble, she finally meets the man she is sure is exactly right for her: Lord Ashmoor. Tall, dark, and handsome--what more could a girl ask for?

But he too is under suspicion because of his American upbringing and accusations that he has helped French prisoners escape from Dartmoor Prison. If he's to keep out of a British prison himself and secure his place in British society, Lord Ashmoor needs a wife beyond reproach--something the vexingly beautiful Honore certainly is not. Though they find themselves drawn to each other, family obligations may conspire to keep them apart forever.

For the sake of her heart, Honore determines to prove Ashmoor's innocence--even if doing so risks her own life.

From the first sentence, award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes thrusts you into high drama amid the rocky cliffs of Devonshire, England, and keeps you suspended there until the final page.


My review:

This is a wonderful, well-written story!  This book has plenty of excitement, adventure, and romance and this is one of my favorite time periods to read about!  I loved all of the characters, especially Honore and Ashmoor. Honore's courage and stubbornness are fun to watch, as are Ashmoor's confusion in high society and how he's supposed to act.   They are characters to admire, but also flawed, as they both struggle with trusting God and Honore feels she'll never be forgiven for past mistakes.   I haven't read the first two books about her sisters, but I didn't feel lost.  I can't wait to read them, though, as her sisters sound like they had quite the adventures, too!   If you like historical romance, you have to check out this book!

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Free E-Books, One Until Friday at Midnight!

The Reluctant Prophet  Free from multiple vendors until Friday at midnight!  This is an amazing book!

http://www.dccebooks.com/products/the-reluctant-prophet



Free for kindle!


Amazon


A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer Plus Enter to Win a Kindle Fire Through Saturday!



About the book: Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II---only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.

My review: I really liked this unique story and it's even  more special when you know it's inspired by a true story.  I can't imagine how hard it must have been to find out you weren't really who you thought you were, especially that you come from the English, outsiders to your Amish community.  I liked that she had to reexamine her life, her faith, and her attitudes not only because of this, but because of her fiance going to help in the war.  I was pretty frustrated with her attitude at first, because it was all about her, how she felt, how people viewed her, and she seemed pretty selfish.  At the same time I could understand, too, because we can all be like that.  When she finally started listening to the wisdom of her family and fiance, she was able to regain perspective.  It was interesting to see the effects the war had on her fiance and other men who had gone through it, both mentally and physically.  It reminds me how thankful we should be that these men went and fought for freedom, giving their lives in one way or another.  It was also eye-opening to see how the Amish viewed their own who went.  I loved the focus on adoption and that adoptees are chosen, just like God chooses to adopt us as his children.  Check it out, especially if you like Amish fiction!

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

Check out more reviews here: Litfuse

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

About Tricia: USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

You can find out more about Tricia at www.TriciaGoyer.com.


Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her first Christmas novella, A Christmas Gift for Rosewith a Christmas Gift giveaway! 

Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire HDX for you AND one for a friend!


christmas-gift-rose-rafflecopter

One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A brand new Kindle Fire HDX and one to give away to a friend!
  • A Christmas Gift for Rose, by Tricia Goyer for you and your friend!
Four second place winners will receive:
  • A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack (includes a recipe card, bookmark, a signed book plate, discussion questions, and a Gathering & Giving handout!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. All winners will be announced October 21st at Tricia's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Tricia's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Reichenbach Problem - by Martin Allison Booth



This is an unusual and interesting fictional story featuring Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.  Doyle is going on a vacation to Switzerland, hoping to escape his fame.  However, on the train he meets Holloway, a man who invades his space and decides to stay at the same place as Doyle.  Soon after they arrive, a guest of the hotel is discovered dead and Doyle is pushed into investigating by his new acquaintance. As he searches for clues, he begins to suspect almost everyone and when suspicion falls on him, he'll be lucky to make it out alive.

I liked the uniqueness of this story and that it featured a real author who I was aware of.  I like mysteries, too, so it was interesting to follow his investigation.  However, his mood swings were exhausting and Holloway incredibly frustrating.  Also, while he talks about how much he loves his wife, he practically falls in love/lust with two different women he just meets.  There are some good spiritual elements to the story, though Doyle is portrayed as not believing, even though he grew up in the church.  There was an odd scene where a seance is performed to conjure the spirit of Holmes, which I didn't like but at least a priest points out the danger in participating in such things.  There's also some talk about homosexuality, though nothing explicit.  The author writes that he tried to incorporate as much about Doyle's life and work as he could, so things that I disliked about his character could be true.  If you like historical mysteries, especially relating to Holmes, you might like this book.

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

Monday, October 14, 2013

Free E-Books, 2 Until Tuesday at Midnight!

"We're Just Friends" and Other Dating LiesThat's a Great Question

Both free until Tuesday at midnight!

David Cook


Amazon
Free for kindle!  I really enjoyed this one!


Free for kindle!
Amazon

Saturday, October 12, 2013

A Plain Disappearance - An Appleseed Creek Mystery 3 - by Amanda Flower



This is an enjoyable mystery centered around the Amish.  Chloe Humphrey is anticipating Christmas and spending more time with Timothy Troyer, an ex-Amish man who's started courting her.  When they discover the body of a young Amish girl on their first date, they decide to investigate since Chloe has already solved a couple of mysteries and Timothy knew the girl.  Unfortunately, they have to suspect a friend of Timothy's because of evidence found at the scene.  While they're looking for him, neither are convinced he's guilty and also look into some of the young men who had courted the girl.  A man who's harassed Chloe since she moved to Appleseed Creek continues to show up in unexpected places, but is he still a threat or not? There's also tension with Timothy's Amish family because Chloe's English and they still hope he might come back, but also his sister recently left the Amish and is her roommate.  Can their relationship grow and survive these various threats or are they just too different?

I haven't read the first two books in the series and I did feel like I was coming in on a story already in progress.  While this mystery is only in this book, the characters had already met and I did feel like I should have read the other two first.  I really liked Chloe and Timothy and the rest of the characters, especially Grandfather Zook. He was quite the character!  I loved Chloe's curiosity, but also her compassion and determination to discover the truth and make sure the dead girl's sister wasn't in danger.  I really liked the sense of community in Appleseed Creek, especially the Troyer family, and it was also fun to meet Chloe's friend, Tanisha, and to see how the English interact with the Amish.  I definitely plan on reading the first two books and looking forward to the next one!

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

Under the Blackberry Moon by Serena B. Miller

Cover Art

About the book:

Which wilderness is more treacherous--the one she must cross to find her home . . . or the one she must traverse to find love?
Just a few days after she gave birth alone in the northwoods, a recently widowed young Chippewa woman stumbled into a nearby lumber camp in search of refuge from the winter snows. Come summer, it is clear that Moon Song cannot stay among the rough-and-tumble world of white lumbermen, and so the camp owner sends Skypilot, his most trusted friend, to accompany her on the long and treacherous journey back to her people.

But when tragedy strikes off the shore of Lake Superior, Moon Song and Skypilot must depend on each other for survival. With every step they take into the forbidding woods, they are drawn closer together, until it seems the unanswerable questions must be asked. Can she leave her culture to enter his? Can he leave his world to enter hers? Or will they simply walk away from a love that seems too complicated to last?

Get swept into a wild realm where beauty masks danger and only the truly courageous survive in a story that will grip your heart and your imagination.


My review:

This story is fascinating!  Moon Song is such a strong character and Skypilot is a man to admire.  It was amazing to read about Moon Song's strength and ingenuity and to learn more about her Chippewa heritage. There is so much adventure in this story.  It felt almost epic as not only is there a romance, but also the story of the interactions between the Chippewa and the white man.  I was already familiar with some of it, but also learned a lot.  I liked that Skypilot's struggle over loving someone of a different faith was shown and how it was dealt with.  If you like historical fiction, you should definitely check it out!

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

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thursday, October 10, 2013