Litfuse Publiicity: "Secretly Smitten by Coble, Billerbeck, Hunter, and Hunt Book Review

Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

Purchase a copy here.

Secretly Smitten by Colleen Coble
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
At first, I thought I might give this a four star rating.  After all, it is a romance with a bit of sappiness, and everything works out just as it should in a typical romance novel.  Nothing earth-shattering there.  It's written by four authors, and the book is a nice, clean Christian romance.  At first glance, the book is not a stand-out.  I figured it would be four short stories since each author wrote a certain section.

Here is what makes this book absolutely unique and makes it deserving of the rating I have given it.  Don't let the fact that four authors write this book together cause you doubt how wonderful the book is.  I believe the authors have accomplished something that very few authors (if any) could do.  This book does not read as four separate stories written by four distinct individuals.  Instead, it reads like a cohesive novel that was written by one person.  Somehow these four women have made it work.  I honestly could not tell the difference between writing styles of these authors, and the story made complete and perfect sense.

I have to admit the only truly negative thing I would say would be that I wish each romance had developed a little slower.  I realize the authors were working under a time constraint, but I think it could have been accomplished--or at least tried to do so.  If you like romances, small towns, and a little inspiration, this is a quick, easy read for you!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including "Tidewater Inn", and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. * Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include "A Billion Reasons Why" and "What a Girl Wants." * Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including "A Cowboy's Touch" and "Sweetwater Gap." She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. * Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

Be sure you know that the date of the webcast has been moved to February 28.  Read about that here.

For more giveaways:

http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com/2013/02/secretly-smitten-by-coble-billerbeck.html

Litfuse Publicity: "The Tutor's Daughter" by Julie Klassen Book Review (and a facebook party/giveaway, too)

Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• Downton Abbey, Season 3
• A Julie Klassen library (The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at "The Tutor's Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways - gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!

So grab your copy of The Tutor's Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie 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. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor’s Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall coast–a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions–where danger lurks, faith is tested, and romance awaits.

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems–and secrets–of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her…

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

Purchase a copy here.

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, I knew I recognized the writing style, but I couldn't place it until I noticed it was the same author as "The Maid of Fairbourne Hall."  And then I knew I was going to love the book, and that is a vast understatement!  This book reads like a classic.  The author loves Jane Austen and "Jane Eyre," and this comes through clearly in the style and the story.  Indeed, Julie Klassen has got to be one of the finest Christian historical fiction authors out there today, and I would love to read every single book she has ever written and ever will write.

This book has it all--romance, history, mystery, intrigue, and so much more.  I found myself so enraptured with the story that I did not want to put it down.  It is a 400-something page book, but it never dragged.  The characters were well-developed, and you couldn't help but love Emma and Henry.  I have to admit that I wasn't even sure how the romance would play out, but the ending was exactly as it should have been.  No sappy romance--just true love.  Oh, and it almost goes without saying--no sex scenes nor profanity.

The Christian message is woven expertly into the novel without beating you over the head with it.  This is always what I appreciate about well-written Christian fiction.  The gospel is never out of place in the book.  The characters are real and come to rely on God in a special way.  I would not think that this kind of book would appeal to any historical romance fans out there, and you are guaranteed a clean read.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Follow the entire tour!

"Kaleidoscope Summer" by Rita Garcia Book Review

Read more about this book here, and be sure to enter the giveaway here.

Kaleidoscope Summer by Rita Garcia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to say that I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.  I know that sounds bad, but let me elaborate.  I began the book, and it was fine, but I felt no connection.  That is until I had read about one third of the way into the book.  I suddenly got hooked, and I honestly did not want to put the book down.  This book has a little bit of everything--mystery, romance, and forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of the key elements in this book, and it truly made me stop and think about the consequences of unforgiveness.  Although the book deals with these issues from a Christian perspective, it is never preachy.  In fact, even the counselor in the book talks about other issues besides spiritual issues, and I was quite pleased to read about that.  I honestly don't think this book would offend anyone--even those who do not subscribe to the Christian belief system.

I am grateful to tell you that there are no sex scenes and no profanity.  The romance never comes across as being sappy nor cheesy.  This book even deals with the issues of mental illness and disability.  These are issues that many inspirational books don't tackle--at least, not in the fiction arena.  Though a small issue, I appreciate her short, manageable chapters.  As far as I'm concerned, books that have manageable chapter lengths are much easier to read.

There is only one thing I would change about the book.  The book is told form two different perspectives--Samantha and Logan.  It took me a good fifty pages into the book to figure out that the perspective changed each time a new chapter began.  That was somewhat unclear, and I think it would have been good for the author to point that out from the beginning.  But this was just a minor detail.  Overall, this book was amazing!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


View all my reviews

“A Christmas Homecoming” eBook – Just .99! Enter to win a Paperwhite Kindle from MaryAnn Diorio! (and a Review)

Grab a copy of MaryAnn Diorio's "A Christmas Homecoming" for JUST .99! MaryAnn is celebrating by giving away a Paperwhite Kindle! Details below!

One "merry" winner will receive:

• A Paperwhite Kindle
• A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 22nd. Winner will be announced on 12/23/12 at MaryAnn's Blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody’s departure, Sonia’s world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister’s destructive actions, has become rebellious.

Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter?

Jody Pettit O’Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her
departure, her world has been turned upside down. She’s been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago.

Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

Purchase a copy here

.A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The only thing that disappointed me about this story was that it was too short.  The idea behind it was very nice, and there are no issues with this--it is completely clean.  It is not a romance, but it is a feel-good Christmas story.  It is perfect for those who love happy endings, although I must admit it is not believable.  But I don't think that is the attention.

For a quick family read, this would be excellent.  I just wish it had been developed more.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio loves God, people, children, and dogs, in that order. She also is passionate about story and its power to transform the human heart. Dr. MaryAnn, as she is affectionately called, writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. She is Adjunct Online Professor of Fiction Writing for Regent University and coaches writers on their journey to publication. MaryAnn and her husband Dominic are the blessed parents of two wonderful daughters and a fantastic son-in-law.

Litfuse Group Presents "Courting Cate" by Leslie Gould Book Review

When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

But the sisters’ wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor–until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate’s hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.

Purchase a copy here.

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read plenty of Amish romances and fiction in recent times, and I generally love them and award them a 5-star rating with absolutely no trouble.  Well, let me tell you something. This is by far one of the best Amish romance I have ever read!  It was so different from the others I have read, and in a good way, too!  I was drawn into the book from the very beginning, and at times, I was so into the book that I forgot where I was!

This is a unique Amish story.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it will definitely keep you guessing at every turn.  While you can count on an ending being something you will enjoy, the journey is full of suspense at times.  There were times I just wanted to shake some sense into Cate or slap Pete upside the head, I was fully engaged in the story at all times.

I love the way the spiritual elements are seamlessly woven into the story line.  I always find that Amish fiction is consistently the best at accomplishing this.  Even if the people walk away from God, they always seem to come back.  And you will see that in Cate, and I found it very inspiring.  And God works in the lives of everyone else as well, and by the end of the book, everyone is serving God!

If you like Amish fiction and/or clean romances, this is definitely the book for you!  I can't recommend it highly enough.  

View all my reviews

{MORE ABOUT LESLIE GOULD}

Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

Find out more about Leslie at http://www.lesliegould.com/.

http://www.facebook.com/lesliegouldauthor

http://twitter.com/#!/lesliejeangould
http://pinterest.com/lesliejeangould

Read more reviews from the tour here.

"A Merry Little Christmas" by Anita Higman Book Review

Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds.

Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who’s preparing to spend the holidays alone…again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny’s farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she’s more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart—that sometimes love comes when you’re least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

Purchase a copy here.

A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, I wanted to give this a rating of a three or four--I promise, I did.  After all, it is your typical romance, and there is little doubt how it will end.  It has the typical poor, independent woman and the rich, robust man, and they fall head over heels in love at first sight.  It even takes place on a farm.  And the author sprinkles some wonderful Christian principles in there as well.  This is typical, so what would possess me to rate it so high?

Anna Higman is smart author.  She has written a romance that is sweet and clean but tackles some difficult issues.  Have you ever had a dream that others ridiculed and did not support?  What about racism in the 1950's?  And, of course, any time a book adds the elements of music and Christmas, it just doesn't get much better than that.  And when you add in romantic, humorous dialogue, well, I just have to give a five-star rating!

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Make the yuletide gay, from now on our troubles will be miles away."  Yes, God does transform people, and there are some miraculous things that occur in this book.  You know they have to happen, but it is still neat to see God change people.  And by the end of the book, this song does ring true.  No spoilers--read it yourself!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Now, how would you like to win your very own copy of this book?  Author Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale.

Anita is spreading the Christmas cheer by giving away FIFTEEN COPIES of the book.

To enter to win A Merry Little Christmas, just head over to THE CONTEST PAGE at Anita’s website and fill out the short form. Be sure to put BLOG CONTEST in the Subject Line. That’s it.

Winners will be announced on the Litfuse blog (and notified by email) on 11/9.

Win an Amish Kindle Gift Pack from @TriciaGoyer and RSVP for her “Memory Jar” Author Chat Party on 11/7 and a Book Review

Celebrate with Tricia by entering her Amish Kindle Gift Pack Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on November 7th. (And be sure to catch the fun video trailer or try your hand at one of the simple, keepsake crafts Tricia has put together on her website.)  
One fortunate winners will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Custom-made Memory Jar Kindle Cover
• Amish-made decorative items {Wall hanging, horse/buggy and Amish houses}
• The Memory Jar {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 6th. Winner will be announced at the "Memory Jar Author Chat Party on 11/7. Connect with Tricia for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of The Memory Jar and join Tricia on the evening of the 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. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

Book One in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series

Every year, 30–40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive ‘resident’ status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love.

Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she’s also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. Now she’s met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?

The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This review should not surprise anyone who knows how much I rave about Amish fiction, and this book is no exception to the rule.  When I say that this book is a fantastic, clean, Christian romance, you can know that I am sincere.  No profanity, no sex, and really no preachiness either.  All you will find is everything that makes the Amish people wonderful and hard-working and a sweet romance to boot.

I love the fact that this book shows how things have been changing in some Amish communities.  Even our heroine, Sarah, sees that.  And Jathan hopes that Sarah will be the one who can help him change.  This book celebrates the things that make the Amish people so endearing--baking, woodworking, etc.  And whenever they don't understand, they turn to God for direction.  Their faith is simple but strong.

The messages of this book are universal.  Follow your dreams no matter what.  When a loved one dies, you cannot stop living.  You have to face your past, or you will not be able to move on with your life.  You will find these messages and more--something for everyone.  Oh, and there are a couple of twists along the way, so don't think you have it all figured out!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

Purchase a copy here.

Make your own Memory Jar and other crafts.

Follow the entire tour here.

"Queen of the Waves" by Janice Thompson Book Review/Giveaway

Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

{MORE ABOUT QUEEN OF THE WAVES}

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

Order a copy here.

Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What could be better?  Reading a book that takes place aboard the Titanic with a wonderful Christian message.  And a little romance on the side!  This is my kind of book, and I absolutely loved it!  I have been fascinated with the Titanic for most of my life, and in light of the anniversary celebrated concerning this disaster just this year, this book could not be better-timed.  There were times I was so drawn into this book that I forgot where I was (which isn't good when you have a room full of students).

I was touched by the pathos of the story and the inspiration of the characters.  Tessa was absolutely captivating, and Jaquie certainly needed a "come-to-Jesus" meeting throughout most of the book.  I don't think she always lived in reality.  I loved seeing each character develop and be changed by the Lord, and there were even some things I hadn't considered about the sinking of this famous ship.  I really don't want to give it away, so I won't say any more about that.

The Christian message was woven into this story in expert fashion.  I can only hope that this author will choose to write a sequel because I would absolutely love to see what the characters did next.  Although the book has an obvious conclusion, there were still a few loose ends to tie up.  I am happy to report that profanity and sex scenes did not exist within this book, so it is a clean romance.  And the Christian message was appropriate and not overdone.

So if you just can't get enough of the Titanic, this is the book for you!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

{MORE ABOUT JANICE THOMPSON}

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

Find out more about Janice at http://janicethompson.com

https://www.facebook.com/JaniceHannaThompson

https://twitter.com/booksbyjanice

Follow the entire tour here.

"Where the Trail Ends" by Melanie Dobson Book Review/Giveaway

Celebrate with Melanie by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Where the Trail Ends and  Queen of the Waves and join Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1842 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. But whom can she trust with her heart?

For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.

Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone? Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.

Order a copy here.

Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am partial to books where the setting is the Pacific Northwest.  The Oregon Trail is always a fascination for me, and it was nice to read a well-researched book that took place during the time of great Westward expansion.  It was also nice that this is a clean romance with Christian principles--always a plus.

I liked Samantha--nice, strong Pioneer woman.  And her brother, Daniel, was the typical boy who often got himself into scrapes.  Then you had Alex, the English gentleman who prefers the "Wild West."  The characters were the typical stereotypical characters for this kind of romance, but at least they were well-developed.  The author even threw a few surprises into the plot that made things interesting.

I appreciated the fact that there was no sex nor profanity.  I could have done with a little more about God and Christianity.  Yes, Christian principles were there, but sometimes I didn't see the characters' faith as well as I would have liked to.  I also didn't see the romance budding between the characters in the same way I would like to, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book.

The Pacific Northwest landscape in the book was truly a joy for me to read about.  To read about Fort Vancouver, the Willamette Valley, Mt. Hood, and the Columbia River was truly a nice treat.  When you live in the Pacific Northwest, it's nice to read about such familiar areas.  There are enough books written about New York, California, and England, but very few about my neck of the woods!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside's Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense). Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years. Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

Ready to follow the entire tour?  Click here.

"When Hope Blooms" by Kim Vogel Sawyer Book Review

Summary (from goodreads): Sweet Contemporary Story Set in an Old Order Mennonite Community 

Amy Knackstedt moves with her children to Weaverly, Kansas, to escape the speculation surrounding her husband's untimely death.
She hopes the new location will provide a fresh start for them all. But her neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have a Mennonite
family living next to his apple orchard. When the children try to befriend him, he resists. Tim left the Mennonite faith years ago and doesn't want any reminders of his former life. Yet Amy and Tim find their paths colliding far more than either could have foreseen. Will this tentative relationship blossom into something more?
When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I picked up this book, I was expecting to read about Mennonites as I understood them--ones who were not that different from me.  I was always of the opinion that the Mennonites were more "normal" than the Amish.  But I quickly learned how wrong I was.  There is such a thing called "Old Order Mennonites," and this book prompted my doing some searching on my own, and I discovered that the Amish and Mennonites came from the same source, and I felt like this book pushed me to learn more about these fabulous groups of people!

Lest you think that this is just an informational book, you are wrong.  I knew that I had read one other book by Kim Vogel Sawyer, but I couldn't remember which one it was.  And then I discovered it was one I didn't like--"Song of My Heart."  That was a sappy romance that was very forgettable for me.  This book is nothing like that!  This book has depth, love, romance, humor (I love it when books make me laugh out loud), and real spiritual lessons.  I was incredibly inspired as I read this book!

The characters in the book are 3-dimensional, and I found myself connecting with the story on several levels.  I think that Tim, the male interest in the story, helped me understand another man in my life.  I am always amazed when God uses fiction books to speak to me, but why not?  After all, God can use everything, and I am pleased to say that God spoke to me through Kim Vogel Sawyer.  While I would never want to be a Mennonite, I am already to go visit a community.  They sound like such wonderful people, and they believe in truly taking care of each other.  I never felt that the rules they had to follow ever came across as legalism.  My hat goes off to people like this, and I can recommend this easy-to-read, feel-good, clean Christian romance to everyone!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


View all my reviews

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren. She invites you to visit her Web site at www.kimvogelsawyer.com for more information."

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"Shadows of Suspicion" by Ashley Dawn Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway

Book Blurb:

Revenge is the agenda...

"Find my sister."

Rick Reiley's words were what drove Luke to search mercilessly for Kerry. He is in a race against time to find her and will have to face more than a criminal mastermind to get close to her. He is prepared to give his life for her, but what about his heart?

"...I would like you to meet....My wife."

Those words from her enigmatic rescuer threw Kerry more than anything else that had happened to her in the last few days...and that was saying a lot! Kerry's simple life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped and dragged to the middle of nowhere by a madman. She trusts Luke with her life, but can she trust him with her heart?

As Luke fights to keep Kerry safe, the chemistry ignites and the danger gets closer.

Will God protect them while Luke tries to sort out his heart....and capture Kerry's?


Shadows of Suspicion by Ashley Dawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It never ceases to amaze me that the books that sometimes don't "hook" me at the beginning become some of my favorite books.  And this book is no exception.  I review so many books that I didn't even remember this was a Christian book, and that interested me from the beginning.  But I never give a book a good rating on that point alone.

As I read the first half of the book, I was only mildly interested in Kerry and Luke.  I kept wondering if I would give it a rating of a 3 or a 4.  I just didn't feel I could truly connect with the characters and the story.  Sure, Kerry is an independent woman, and she is a school teacher.  I liked that.  And Luke was absolutely hopeless--typical guy for sure.  but there was nothing special about this book.

Once I passed the halfway point, I found myself connecting on a real level with the characters.  And I found myself getting caught up in the mystery and intrigue of the story.  The Christian message of the book was coming through loud and clear, and thankfully, it was woven into the framework of the story in a wonderful way.

As the ending of the story was looming, I found myself absolutely enjoying the banter between Kerry and Luke.  As far as relationships go, I could identify with their relationship.  I connected so deeply with the story that I found myself getting emotional and almost crying.  Not every book can do that.  God reminded me of so many things, including His faithfulness.  Trying to figure out whether to give this a rating of a 4 or 5 got pretty easy.

Okay, I know there is some "sappiness" to this love story, but it was easy to connect with.  I didn't feel that the characters were creating idealistic situations and whispering sweet nothings to each other.  In fact, they were often at each other's throats, imagining what it would be like to be in each other's lives permanently.  Thankfully, there was no profanity and no sex scenes--period.  This is clean romance in the truest sense!

So if you would like a light-hearted romance with some mystery and adventure thrown in for good measure, be sure to check this book out!  It was the most uplifting book I have read all week!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was no financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


View all my reviews

About Ashley Dawn
Author Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent's office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant. Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years and has three published books. Her first book, Shadows From The Past, was originally published by Tate Publishing and is considered more of a traditionally published book while the second, Shadows of Suspicion, was published by self publication using AuthorHouse. Both have since been published in ebook form through Suspense Publishing along with her third book Shadows of Pain.  She is currently working on multiple projects including the fourth in her ‘Shadows’ series entitled and also a standalone mystery about a serial killer that remains untitled. Ashley also has a review blog to share her love of reading, Ashley’s Bookshelf, where she reads and reviews books of all genres. (http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com) She and her family make their home in Texas.

Links:

Website:  AuthorAshleyDawn

My Blog: Ashley's Bookshelf

amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Suspicion-Shadow-Series-ebook/dp/B004Q9U59W/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1344435005&sr=1-2

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-suspicion-ashley-dawn/1029602981?ean=2940012221889&format=nook-book

Smashword: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/42324

To follow the entire tour, click here.

And there is a giveaway that will end very quickly.  Two people will win e-book copies of the book.  It is open worldwide, and it ends September 24th!

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