Veronica's 'Views

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Free and Sale E-Books!

Free from multiple vendors until 6/30! Loved it! Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

1.99 until 5/6!
Many other books I've already shared at the link. Just scroll down to the cover Loved this one, too!
& click, then pick the vendor you want.
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse/ebook-specials-from-bethany-house

Free for kindle! This one is wonderful as well!

Amazon

Free for kindle! Haven't read this one yet, but looking forward to it!

Amazon

Saturday, March 29, 2014

First Kisses - Inspy Kisses Collection #1 - by Linda Goodnight, Janet Tronstad, Debra Clopton, Margaret Daley, Camy Tang & Lacy Williams

About the book:

A new anthology from some of your favorite inspirational authors.
Enjoy this collection of love stories with a theme of FIRST KISSES. The First Kisses collection includes:

The Rambler’s Bride by Linda Goodnight
In 1870’s Kansas, Widow Esther North will do most anything to save her land from her powerful cousin and the coming railroad-even kiss a stranger! The kissing cowboy, Jericho North is bent on revenge from his brother’s widow, and the will hidden in his pocket is all he needs to make it happen. But he hadn’t reckoned on a baby...and neither he nor Esther had reckoned on love.

Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Cafe by Janet Tronstad
USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author, Janet Tronstad, pens a brand-new Retro Café Sweet Romance starring a 1950’s truck driver (Buddy) and a waitress (Penny) who both have enough trouble without everyone in Webster’s Crossing thinking they are falling in love.

Her Mule Hollow Cowboy by Debra Clopton
Rescuing a beautiful cowgirl from being trampled has professional bull rider, Cliff Masterson, dreaming of romance, home, hearth and that first kiss...but Maddie Rose has had enough people in her life leave and she’s not willing to risk her heart on a rambling cowboy—Sparks fly when these two are near. Can the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow help this couple find their happily ever after?

Deadly Hunt by Margaret Daley
All bodyguard Tess Miller wants is a vacation. But when a wounded stranger stumbles into her isolated cabin in the Arizona mountains, Tess becomes his lifeline. When Shane Burkhart opens his eyes, all he can focus on is his guardian angel leaning over him. And in the days to come he will need a guardian angel while being hunted by someone who wants him dead.

Necessary Proof by Camy Tang
Alex Villa became a Christian in prison, and because of his efforts to help stop a gang producing meth in Sonoma, he has been set up for the death of a cop. Can computer expert Jane Lawton find the evidence that will prove his innocence before the gang eliminates them both?

Kissed by a Cowboy by Lacy Williams
Former shy-girl Haley Carston is back in Redbud Trails, Oklahoma, to care for her dying aunt. She didn’t count on cowboy Maddox Michaels, her high school crush and the man who might just bring her dreams of marriage and family back to life…

My review:

This is a wonderful collection of sweet romances with a little bit of everything, from the old west to modern day, ranching to computers, small towns to edge-of-your-seat suspense! Some of the stories have a little bit of a faith element while others have a strong one. For being short stories, they were well-written and fleshed out nicely. I loved the romantic elements and some stories were also more romantic than others, but all clean. The Tronstad story was unique in that it's completely from the male perspective, which I haven't seen very often in romantic fiction. I've read almost all of one author's books and had heard of a few others and I will definitely be looking for more of all of their books in the future. Don't miss out on this great collection!

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

Friday, March 28, 2014

Summer of Joy - The Heart of Hollyhill 3 - by Ann H. Gabhart

About the book:

As summer draws to a close Jocie's world seems serene--but is it just the calm before a storm?
Unbeknownst to Jocie Brooke and her family, two people are making their way to the small town of Hollyhill, Kentucky. One everyone thought was gone for good and the other no one's ever heard of. Still, one thing is sure--they promise trouble. The past is coming to call, threatening to destroy strong relationships that everyone has simply taken for granted.

The summer of 1964 may be winding down, but the controversy in this little community where nothing ever seems to change is just heating up.

Bestselling author Ann Gabhart invites you to Hollyhill for a story both exciting and enduring that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

My review:

This is a wonderful end to an enjoyable trilogy! It was great catching up with Jocie and her family after having read book one, which I loved. Unfortunately, I haven't read book two yet, but I'm looking forward to it as it sounded like Jocie had another huge adventure. One thing I thought was weird was the title. Most of the book takes place from November to June and only the very end is in the summer. I loved all of the quirky characters in this series and it was especially great to see Jocie's father's relationship progress with Leigh. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's him. I love his wise advice and how he tries to follow God in everything. I loved that we got to see different characters' perspectives, but I loved Jocie's the best. I really wish I could see Jocie as a grown-up because she'd be even more of a force to be reckoned with than she is at fourteen. The story's well-written and kept my attention and I'm glad we got some closure. I highly recommend this series!

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

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, Scent of Lilacs, and Orchard of Hope. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

A Heart's Rebellion - London Encounters 2 - by Ruth Axtell

About the book:

In a world governed by unspoken rules, one young woman is about to break them all . . .
Dutiful Jessamine Barry is tired of waiting patiently for a man to decide her future. So even though Lancelot Marfleet, second son of an aristocrat, is taking an interest in her during the London season, she refuses to consider him as a suitor. Instead, she's ready to take fashionable society by storm--and finds a rakish young man all too willing to help her do it.

Can Jessamine trust her heart to lead her to a love that proves true through thick and thin? Or will her rash actions close the door on the life she really desires?

Lose yourself in Ruth Axtell's sumptuous story of discovering one's true self and finding true love.

My review:

I loved this well-written romance! The characters were wonderful. It was frustrating to see Jessamine make some bad choices, but understandable as she was dealing with a broken heart. I loved that we got both Jessamine's and Lancelot's perspectives. I also loved that they both wore spectacles! The plot was great and it was fun to see them drawn to each other and yet fighting it. Lancelot was a very strong Christian and had been a missionary to India and the portrayal of his faith was wonderful. Jessamine chose the wrong guy as so many women do in order to feel love and acceptance, but also needed to accept grace and forgiveness from God, man, and herself. The romance was very sweet and I have to say that while I really liked the first book in this series, I loved this one a lot more! It worked well as a stand-alone, but we saw a lot of the characters from book one and I think that story really contributed to understanding Jessamine better. I really hope there are more books to come!

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

Saturday, March 22, 2014

A Bride for Noah -Seattle Brides 1 - by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith

About the book:

Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, beloved authors of the Amish of Apple Grove series, team up again in an exciting new series for devoted fans and new readers.

It’s 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she’s ever known and sets out for the Northwest.

There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he’s looking for is a bride…so why can’t he get Evie out of his mind?

In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.

My review:

I really enjoyed this interesting historical romance! I liked the characters, though Evie wanted her own way a little too much and was a bit too pushy, to my way of thinking. I admired her determination and perseverance, though. It was interesting learning about the beginnings of Seattle, from the logging business to Chief Seattle's dealings with the new settlers. I was amused by Evie and the other three ladies that came with her to start a restaurant and wondered what new escapade they would get into next. There were a few romantic moments, but the focus seemed to be more on the historical aspect of the story. I was somewhat disappointed that there wasn't a stronger Christian message in the story, though both main characters seemed to be Christians. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!

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

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Quilts of Love | Review of A SKY WITHOUT STARS by Linda S. Clare – Kindle HDX Giveaway & “Spring Fling” Facebook Party!

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: In 1951, Frankie Chasing Bear is a Lakota caught between cultures. She wants to raise her son Harold to revere his Lakota heritage, but she knows he will need to become as a white man to succeed. After his father's killed in a barroom brawl, Harold and Frankie move to Arizona, where she begins a Lakota Star pattern quilt for Harold with tribal wisdom sung, sewn and prayed into it.

She distrusts Christians, as her own parents were forced to convert at an Indian School, until she meets BIA agent Nick Vandergriff, a half-Lakota who's also caught between cultures. Nick must convince Frankie that white men and Christians aren't all bad as he tries to win her heart in order to put the stars back into her sky.

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

My review: I found parts of this story interesting, but felt like the story fizzled out about halfway through. I liked learning more about what was happening during the 1950's with the Lakota and Navajo being forced to go to Indian schools and being made to act more white. I had heard about this, but this story really brought the whole horrible situation to life. I also felt really sorry for Nick, who couldn't seem to make anyone happy. There's some romance, which I liked. It felt like the story focused on her son running off all the time, though, and it didn't feel like much was happening in the story overall, so I found myself losing interest. If you like quilts or historical fiction, especially about Native American history, you might want to check it out.

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

More reviews here!

About the Author: Linda S. Clare is an award-winning coauthor of three books, including Lost Boys and the Moms Who Love Them (with Melody Carlson and Heather Kopp), Revealed: Spiritual Reality in a Makeover World, and Making Peace with a Dangerous God (with Kristen Johnson Ingram). She is also the author of The Fence My Father Built. She has taught college-level creative writing classes for seven years, and edits and mentors writers. She also is a frequent writing conference presenter and church retreat leader. She and her husband of thirty-one years have four grown children, including a set of twins. They live in Eugene, Oregon, with their five wayward cats: Oliver, Xena the Warrior Kitty, Paladine, Melchior, and Mamma Mia!

Learn more about Linda at: http://www.lindasclare.com

Don't miss this month's Quilts of Love book, A Star Without Stars, by Linda S. Clare. Linda is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway and joining her fellow Quilts of Love authors, Barbara Cameron and Joyce Magnin, for a Facebook "Spring Fling" party on April 1st.

One winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire HDX
Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron
A Sky Without Stars by Linda S. Clare
Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 1st. Winner will be announced at the "Spring Fling" Facebook Party on April 1st. RSVP today and connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Barbara Cameron, Linda S. Clare, and Joyce Magnin, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, prizes, and an exclusive look at the next Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of Scraps of Evidence, A Sky Without Stars, and Maybelle in Stitches and join Barbara, Linda, and Joyce on the evening of April 1st for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)