I always enjoy Tracie Peterson’s novels because I know I will be getting a pretty good history lesson within a romantic and often suspenseful story. “A Treasure Concealed” did not disappoint. Once again the author came through with strong primary characters and just the right blend of drama, romance, and humor.
The Carver family had followed Emily’s father from one gold camp to another as he was convinced the big strike that would make them rich was just ahead – except it never happened. Emily’s mother was dying and Emily was responsible for caring for their home, their livestock, and her mother while he father continued his fruitless labor. Emily’s fondest dream is to have a home of her own where she can spend the rest of her life. Caeden Thibault enters the picture when he camps on the Carver property while performing geological surveys for the government. Because of his family background, Caeden has no interest in marriage or settling down. As can be expected, these two totally opposite young people find themselves growing more and more emotionally attached. Will either of them be willing to give up their dreams?
As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed “A Treasure Concealed”. Caeden was the perfect hero who proved himself time and time again. Emily was a strong female protagonist who proved to be feminine despite the way she dressed to hide it. It was easy to picture life and hardships in the gold fields of Montana where even the weather could turn on its inhabitants. I also enjoyed the spirit-led conversations between characters. I look forward to the next book in The Sapphire Brides series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
There is more than gold to be found in these hills.
Emily Carver longs to have a home of her own, but instead she endures a transient existence in the gold mining camps of Montana, where her father’s hopes for riches lie endlessly buried. Promises of wealth from this wild land have brought only hardship and disappointment, causing Emily to wonder if her own modest dreams will ever see the light of day.
Caeden Thibault, a young geologist working for the government, is a man trying to escape the pain of his past, and the idyllic mountains of Montana serve his purposes well. In the course of his work, he has seen more than his share of starry-eyed gold seekers. So when Emily Carver catches his attention, he is intrigued by the fact that she isn’t pinning her hopes on striking it rich.
Will an unexpected discovery come between them or draw them together?
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.
A sucker for historical romance with a western setting, I have always enjoyed novels by Maggie Brendan. As expected, I found myself escaping for a few hours to old west Montana withing the pages of “A Sweet Misfortune”.
Although this novel might never win awards for serious literature, it certainly had its strong points. From the exciting “kidnapping” scene at the beginning until the conclusion, both Rachel and John’s characters grew on me. Although Rachel was fiercely independent, she had a compassionate heart and did whatever she could to help those around her, sometimes to the disapproval of others. John was overly ambitious and focused on building a small kingdom for himself in Montana. There was no time for involvement with Rachel, even if she was his best friend’s sister – not to mention the fact that there was just something about her that captured his heart.
I enjoyed “A Sweet Misfortune” with its steady plot and intriguing characters. I found just the right blend of drama, humor, and romance to make it worth my time. I am in hopes that I will find some of the secondary characters with primary roles in future books in this series.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rachel Matthews isn’t one to rely on others to take care of her. Homeless and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money to buy back the family ranch–even if she’s forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel’s brother, who is away mining for gold, sends a friend to rescue her.
Cattle baron John McIntyre is focused on acquiring as much land as possible in Montana and has little time to deal with a dance hall gal. Rachel isn’t sure she can take one more day in John’s home–especially once she discovers that he’s the one who holds ransom the key to her family’s future.
Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan’s delightful series set in the Old West.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maggie Brendan is the CBA bestselling author of the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series, as well as The Trouble with Patience. Her books have received the Book Buyers Best Award from the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America and the Laurel Wreath Award. A member of the American Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, and Author’s Guild, Maggie lives in Georgia.
Both Patience Cavanaugh and Sheriff Jedediah Jones have had bad experiences with love and neither has any intention of getting involved anytime in the near future. In fact, the pair clashed mightily during their very first meeting. During subsequent encounters Jedediah found Patience annoying and too outspoken for his taste – yet felt himself mysteriously drawn to her. Could God have plans for the two of them?
With a quickly moving plot, lots of action, plenty of humor, and of course romance, “The Trouble With Patience” is one more Maggie Brendan novel for my keeper shelf. I loved the way the author tied the story together with characters who were unknowingly connected in some way and how they discovered the connection. I also loved how well she was able to misdirect my suspicions about the identity of true villain of the tale – what a surprise!
“The Trouble With Patience” is a wonderful tale of compassion and forgiveness and the unfailing love of the Lord.
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.
Despite Patience’s desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this “hanging lawman,” Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye–and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.
With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.
Read an excerpt from “The Trouble With Patience” HERE.
Endorsements:
“Maggie Brendan deftly captures the flavor of the Old West in a sweet love story filled with suspense and well-developed, interesting characters that will surely capture the hearts of readers.”–Kathleen Morgan, author of the Brides of Culdee Creek series
“Maggie Brendan has created a wealth of memorable characters in this heartwarming story. Romance, mystery, and an intriguing plot all add up to a winning combination that’s sure to delight readers.”–Margaret Brownley, bestselling author of Gunpowder Tea and Petticoat Detective
“Brendan is a master at tender love stories that tug at your heart while touching the soul, providing rich historical detail and tension that races the pulse.”–Julie Lessman, award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maggie Brendan is the bestselling author of several books, including the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series. Winner of the 2013 Laurel Wreath Award, she was a 2013 finalist for the Published Maggie Award of Excellence, a 2013 finalist for the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award, a 2012 finalist for Inspirational Reader’s Choice award, and a recipient of the 2004 ACW Persistence Award in Atlanta. She is a member of the Author’s Guild; Romance Writers of America; Faith, Hope, and Love; and Georgia Romance Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, researching for her novels, and spending time with her family. You can follow her at her website www.MaggieBrendan.com, her blog www.SouthernBelleWriter.blogspot.com, and on Facebook and Twitter @MaggieBrendan.
I will admit that as a reviewer I sometimes almost get burned out by the plethora of Amish themed books I receive but I have found Tricia Goyer’s novels about the Amish community in West Kootenai, Montana to be refreshingly different. Although they necessarily have plenty of content about the Amish lifestyle, in many ways the stories could be about anyone. “The Promise Box” is no different. I found that the subject matter was quite relevant no matter which Christian path one chooses to follow.
Lydia Wyse had fled the Amish life after learning some unwanted truth about her birth. Not only had she turned her back on the Amish but she had grown quite distant from God also. After receiving word of her mother’s death, she returned to West Kootenai to help her father, fully intending to return to her job as an editor in Seattle. The small mountain town and its residents grow on her, especially Gideon, one of the bachelors there to establish residency in order to hunt in the fall. But what has the biggest impact on Lydia’s life is the small wooden box of promises left to her by her mother. As she reads the letters and scriptures in the box, Lydia is gradually wooed by the Lord back into a relationship with him and she find healing for the deep pain in her soul. Gideon too will find healing in the woods of Montana where the Amish and the Englisch live and work together without conflict.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Promise Box”, especially the sweet promises that drew Lydia back to God. What a beautiful reminder of everything the Lord intends for His children that are often overlooked in the daily quest for “correct doctrine” and the attempts to follow the rules. I would highly recommend this novel, even to those who do not ordinarily enjoy Amish fiction.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
With her heart – and her loyalty – on the line, can she let true love in her life?
Every year, 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! Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana to give comfort to her father after her mother’s death.
She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational ‘tell-all’ book about the Amish. Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. Will the pain of her childhood—and her potential betrayal of her community—keep her from committing her whole heart?
Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of six, grandmother of one, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.
In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Tricia, along with a group of friends, recently launched NotQuiteAmishLiving.com, sharing ideas about simplifying life. She also hosts the weekly radio podcast, Living Inspired. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
Welcome to the campaign for Tricia Goyer‘s latest novel, The Promise Box (Zondervan). Romantic Times says, “Goyer knows how to keep readers entertained, with twists and turns and surprises in her novels that readers will want to uncover. The second book in her Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series has something for everyone: romance, mystery and family secrets.”
Tricia is celebrating by hosting an Amish Baking Box Giveaway and connecting with readers during her June 12th Book Chat Party!
The Memory Jar and The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 11th. Winner will be announced at the “The Promise Box” Facebook Author Chat Party on June 12th. Connect with Tricia for an evening of Amish fun – book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tricia will also share an exclusive look at the next book book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of The Promise Box and join Tricia on the evening of June 12th 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 12th!
Having reviewed and enjoyed some of Tricia Goyer’s earlier books, I was a bit surprised to find that her newest, Beside Still Waters is about the Amish. To be honest, my first thoughts were not positive ones. Sometimes it seems as if I am surrounded by Amish novels on every side. I have already reviewed several during the past few weeks with at least one more before the end of April. However, I found Beside Still Waters to be a refreshingly different story.
Instead of a story about a young Englisch woman who falls in love with an Amish man and converts to the plain life or the Amish born person who for some reason has been raised Englisch and returns to the fold, Beside Still Waters is about an Amish family who leaves their familiar home to begin a new life in a small Amish community far away from the tragic memories that haunt them.
I particularly enjoyed the interaction between the Amish characters and their new Englisch neighbors. As they experienced the true love and compassion of their Christian friends, they came to realize that not only the Amish know the way to God.
Based on a true story, Beside Still Waters is a tender and emotional narrative that follows one family’s journey from despair to hope. The characters are realistically portrayed and description of the Montana mountains takes the reader there.
I recommend Beside Still Waters and look forward to the next installment of this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit www.triciagoyer.com for more info.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she’s ever known.
When Marianna’s family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.
As Marianna struggles to find “home”, she also encounters God in intimate ways.
Blog Tour Schedule:
See what other bloggers have to say about Beside Still Waters HERE.
Beside Still Waters Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers.
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Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.
Maggie Brendan is the CBA bestselling author of the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series, as well as The Trouble with Patience. Her books have received the Book Buyers Best Award from the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America and the Laurel Wreath Award. A member of the American Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, and Author’s Guild, Maggie lives in Georgia.
