One Perfect Spring - by Irene Hannon

About the book:

Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line--until a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.

As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding requests for donations. But the girl isn't asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become--nor how unusual the results will actually be. Who could have guessed that a child's kindhearted request would bring love and hope to so many lives . . . including his own?

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers this tenderhearted story that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms come only after the harshest winters.

My review:

This is a compelling story that really kept my interest!  I loved that there were two romances going on in two different generations and the interesting complications that went with them.  This story touched on a lot of issues, from workaholism and adoption to cancer and abuse, yet managed to do so without being depressing or heavy.  Both romances were sweet and I liked how they developed.  It was also interesting seeing the different places the characters were in spiritually.  The story was paced well and ended with an intriguing twist.  I would definitely recommend this book to those who like contemporary or romantic fiction!

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

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of over forty-five books, including That Certain Summer. Her romance and suspense fiction has won many awards, including two coveted RITAs, a Carol, two HOLT Medallions, a National Readers' Choice, a Daphne du Maurier, a Retailers Choice, and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

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The Pelican Bride - Gulf Coast Chronicles 1 - by Beth White

About the book:

She's come to the New World to escape a perilous past. But has it followed her to these far shores?
It is 1704 when Frenchwoman Geneviève Gaillain and her sister board the frigate Pélican bound for the distant Louisiana colony. Both have promised to marry one of the rough men toiling in this strange new world in order to escape suffering in the old. Geneviève knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of persecution for her outlawed religious beliefs.

When she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer-turned-farmer whose checkered past is shrouded in mystery, Geneviève realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. Trouble is brewing outside the fort between the French colonists and the native people surrounding them. And an even more sinister enemy may lurk within. Could the secret Geneviève harbors mean the undoing of the colony itself?

Gulf Coast native Beth White brings vividly to life the hot, sultry South in this luscious, layered tale.

My review:

This was an interesting, well-written story about an area of history I'm not familiar with.  I learned so much about what was happening in America at the time, from the political to spiritual to cultural changes taking place.  It was also interesting to learn about the Huguenots/Protestants and the Catholics and the persecutions that happened.  I loved the strong female characters from both the French and Native American cultures, along with Tristan and his brother. However, Genevieve's sister drove me nuts and was one of my least favorite characters. The story was told from multiple perspectives, which I enjoyed.  I thought the romance seemed quick and they didn't know each other very well.  The humorous banter between Tristan and Genevieve made me smile.  There was a lot of action and excitement, along with intrigue, that kept the story moving quickly.  I would recommend this book if you like historical fiction.

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

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Defy the Night - by Heather Munn & Lydia Munn

This is an amazing, intense story I couldn't put down!  It's told from the point of view of Magali, a fifteen-year-old girl living in France in 1941 when the French government is helping the Nazis, though the country is still free. They have created internment camps for Jews, Gypsies, etc. with barbed wire, armed guards, and not enough food to eat.  People are dying there every day and Magali wants to do something so badly to make a difference and fight back.  When she meets Paquerette, she finds her calling.  Paquerette works for an aid agency, who are allowed to go into the camps legally and have permission to take children out, as long as doctors and parents and the authorities agree.  She doesn't want to leave even one child behind who is allowed to go so she asks Magali if she would be willing to come help her.  They travel by multiple trains, watching over children of all ages, babies to teenagers. It's exhausting, terrifying work and Magali loves being the hero.  However, when she takes it too far and she puts lives at risk, will the people she cares about survive and will she ever be able to forgive herself?

This was such a fascinating story about true events you don't hear much about.  I loved learning more about what was happening in France at this time and what the whole atmosphere was like.  I felt I could relate to Magali's desire to do something to make a difference and I really admired her bravery and determination. She wasn't perfect, by far, and it was interesting to see her learning about the world and about herself as she not only grows up, but lives during such a harrowing time.  I think the fact the story was told in first person made it feel more personal and the feelings more intense because you feel like you're experiencing what Magali is.  There's a lot of action and excitement mixed in with intense emotions, which makes for a very gripping story.  It felt very realistic that Magali struggles with her faith and trying to understand how such horrible things can happen.  I definitely recommend this book and think it would be a great one for teens to read as well!

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

Win a “Women Helping Women” $200 Shopping Spree from @TheQuiltsofLove & @Emily_Wierenga | “A Promise in Pieces” Giveaway & Review!

About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love 

series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

About the book: A baby quilt touches many hearts as it travels from family-to-family and through generations.

After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women's Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier's last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she's not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier's baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.

Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child's name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie---and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt---years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.

Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.

My review: This was such a touching, enjoyable story!  I loved that the story's written as if Clara is telling her story to her family and moves between the 1940's and '50s and 2000.  Her life was incredibly interesting, from being a nurse in France during World War II to delivering babies to deciding to help grieving mothers with the quilt as she raises her family.  She struggled with understanding her parents and being afraid of losing someone you love and wanting to do something to make a difference, feelings I think a lot of people can relate to.  She was easy to like and admire.  I also liked being able to see what her life was like all those years later.  She had a sweet and unique love story with her husband; he was an incredible guy, too.  I found my eyes filling with tears a few times during touching moments in the story.  It was wonderful watching Clara grow in her faith as she struggled with understanding suffering and life until you see her strong faith and wisdom in her later years.  I definitely recommend getting this very enjoyable first novel from Wierenga and hopefully she'll write many more!

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

More reviews here at Litfuse!

About the Author: Emily Wierenga is a former editor, ghostwriter, freelance writer and staff journalist, a monthly columnist for The Christian Courier, and the author of Save My Children (Castle Quay Books, 2008), Chasing Silhouettes (Ampelon Publishing, 2012) and Mom in the Mirror (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). Emily resides in Alberta, Canada. This is her first novel.

Learn more about Emily at: http://www.emilywierenga.com

The latest Quilts of Love release, A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga is receiving glowing reviews.

Emily is celebrating the release of her debut novel with a "Women Helping Women" shopping spree giveaway.

  One winner will receive:

• $200 to spend at Emily's favorite shops, Noonday Collection & Vibella (Click through to learn more about how these companies exist to make a difference in the lives of women!)
• A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga
• A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson
• Rival Hearts by Tara Randel

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 10th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog on May 12th. Then be sure to stop by the Quilts of Love Facebook page on May 29th for the "Quilting Bee" Facebook party with Emily and other Quilts of Love authors. RSVP for an evening of book chat, quilting tips & tricks, prizes, and more!

Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.