by admin | Mar 7, 2016 | Books, Historical, Pirates, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Every time I open a book by MaryLu Tyndall, I am reminded of just how much I love them. “Charity’s Cross” definitely reinforces that sentiment. From the opening paragraph to the very end, I was held captive by the dynamic characters and the fast-paced plot.
Despite her innocence in her abusive husband’s accidental death, Charity Westcott know she will be held responsible. Her desperate flight places her in the path of Elias Dutton who decides to help her even though he knows she is hiding something. If you have ever read one of Marylu’s books, you know that this is where the adventure begins. Beautiful tropical destinations, storms at sea, pirates, danger, treachery, and (did I say pirates?) are all entwined in a story that would not let me put it down.
One thing I really love about MaryLu’s books is that I can always expect to find a story filled with the Holy Spirit – filled with redemption, restoration, and miracles. “Charity’s Cross” had them all and I felt so blessed to be one of its reviewers. Character connections with two of Tyndall’s earlier series made it all the more enjoyable.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Suspected of killing her husband, Charity Westcott flees on the first ship out of Portsmouth, England heading for the colonies. Loathing all men after her abusive marriage, she hopes to reunite with her family in Charles Towne, but the ship ends up in Nassau. When she spots her husband’s brother, who is intent on seeing her hang, boarding her ship, she jumps overboard.
Elias Dutton, preacher and son of the famous pirate, Rowan Dutton, must get to Barbados as soon as possible. His sister is in danger, and his parents have charged him with her safety. He cannot let them down—again. But after rescuing a madcap woman from the bay, he now finds himself tricked into masquerading as her husband so they both can procure passage to Barbados.
Pirates, storms, shipwreck and betrayal threaten to delay the couple in their journey even as sparks fly between them. With her brother-in-law in fast pursuit, the last thing Charity wants is help from a man, especially a religious one, but she has no choice. After Elias’ heart was broken by a sordid woman who nearly ruined his life, he seeks a godly woman pure as the virgin sands of the Caribbean. He believes he has found such a woman in Charity. Until he discovers she is a murderer and is now faced with two choices: letting her go or turning her in to the authorities.
Purchase a copy of Charity’s Cross here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author MaryLu Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida’s Coast. With more than seventeen books published, she makes no excuses for the spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee and Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award winner, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, two grandchildren and several stray cats on the California coast.
CONNECT WITH MARYLU: website, facebook, twitter
Giveaway
Enter the Charity’s Cross giveaway here.
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by admin | Mar 4, 2016 | Books, Historical, Montana, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
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.
by admin | Feb 22, 2016 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingRobinWings of Hope Publishing Group (November 15, 2015)byJulane HiebertABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julane is first of all a child of God. She is also a wife to Bob, mother to two living sons,Kip and Rob, two daughters in heaven, two wonderful daughters-in-law, Becky and Tami, and grandmother to six perfectly wonderful grands, as well as an additional three ‘other grands’. She lives with her husband in a wee cottage by a small lake nestled in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas.
Though encouraged by many to pen the story of raising two daughters with an incurable disease, she has chosen to incorporate the lessons learned into the lives of her not-too-perfect characters. Her passion is to present the promises and hope found in God’s Word in down-to-earth, everyday experiences through her stories.
Julane loves reading, decorating, junking, antiques, and chocolate! No particular order, but one would be safe to insert chocolate between all other interests.
ABOUT THE BOOK
In 1877 the Wenghold sisters inherited an overwhelming debt with their father’s passing. An uncle they’ve never met offers a solution—come help on his Kansas cattle ranch. The oldest sister, Robin, agrees to go.
Ty Morgan has suffered through a year of misery after being jilted by the town beauty a few months before their wedding. But a tornado whirls an unexpected breath of hope into his heart when he rescues Robin, his neighbor’s newly arrived niece, and a small boy who was orphaned by the storm.
Robin’s crippled leg prevents her from being a real help to Uncle John, but she seems to be exactly who Ty needs to heal his broken heart. Until his former fiancée returns and a mysterious, elusive stranger casts worry over the entire community.
A woman determined to honor her obligations, a man entangled in a long ago-made commitment, an orphaned child in need of security . . . Can God guide these three souls to peace and fulfillment together?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Robin, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I had never read a book by Julane Hiebert and was unsure what I would find when I opened the cover of “Robin”. It was not long at all before I found myself captivated by the story and finished reading it within a day.
Robin had been born with a crippled leg but that didn’t stop her from living life to its fullest. Her inner beauty and caring spirit drew others to her and they couldn’t help loving her. In fact, before the book was over she had two men wanting to marry her. I loved all the other characters, especially rancher/preacher Ty Morgan, Uncle John, Emma, and little Jacob.
With plenty of action, drama, humor, romance, and even a bit of mystery, “Robin” moved along at a good pace and also contained a strong message of faith. I thought the series title “Brides of a Feather” was clever and look forward to reading Wren and Lark’s stories.
by admin | Feb 22, 2016 | Books, Depression Era, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Room for Hope” is a powerful novel that I could not put down. Sawyer is an author who is not afraid to tackle tough issues and always manages to handle them beautifully. In this particular story set during the depression, a young mother learns of her husband’s death and at the same time also learns that he had another wife and children in another town. Not only must she deal with his betrayal and loss but she is also expected to take in his other three children to raise.
Filled with emotion, the story illustrates how Neva and her twins deal with the aftereffects of Warren’s death and the impact Neva has on the lives of others in their town, especially two men, Arthur Randall and Jesse Caudel. I’ll admit that I was rooting for Neva and one of the men to marry but by the end it seemed that she may have chosen the other one. I am still hoping for things to turn around in the next book of this series. I can’t wait to find out.
I really loved “Room for Hope” and its characters. Neva’s generosity was inspirational in the way she gave and gave of herself despite her own problems. Jesse’s wisdom, protectiveness, loyalty, and love of children made him special and Arthur’s gradual change of heart was endearing. Then there were the children, each unique in his or her own way and each added depth to the story.
“Room for Hope” is an uplifting story of forgiveness and faith, love, mercy, and grace. I strongly recommend this book.
This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?
Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.
When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”
Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?
Read an excerpt from Room for Hope here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling award author with more than one million copies of her books currently in print. Awards include the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Sawyer lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.
by admin | Feb 15, 2016 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I always enjoy a historical novel that includes mystery and suspense as part of its story line. Debbie Lynne Costello has provided just that in the first book of her Charleston Earthquake Series, “Shattered Memories”. Most of the story takes place during the aftermath of the Charleston earthquake of August, 1886.
Doctor Andrew Warwick and Olivia Macqueen are the primary characters and the story is told from both points of view. Prior to the earthquake, Drew and Olivia were close to being engaged but injuries sustained during the quake left Olivia with memory loss of events of the past year. To further complicate matters, she believes she is still engaged to another man who may not be the upstanding person Olivia thinks he is.
“Shattered Memories” is a page-turner with plenty of romance and mystery to keep me reading. Unique twists and surprises added to the well-paced plot and I was sorry to reach the end. Details about what took place during and after the quake seemed to be very well researched and enhanced the already good story. A strong message about turning your problems over to the Lord was also appreciated.
My first book by this author, “Shattered Memories” certainly will not be my last one. I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit Publicity Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Charleston earthquake has left destruction like nothing Doctor Andrew Warwick has ever seen. On a desperate mission to find the lady who owns his heart, he frantically searches through the rubble. He finds her injured and lifeless. After she regains consciousness, the doctor’s hopes are quickly dashed as he realizes she doesn’t remember him. Things only get worse when he discovers she believes she’s still engaged to the abusive scoundrel, Lloyd Pratt. Now Drew is on a race with the wedding clock to either help her remember or win her heart again before she marries the wrong man.
Waking in a makeshift hospital, Olivia Macqueen finds herself recovering from a head injury. With amnesia stealing a year of her memories, she has trouble discerning between lies and truth. When her memories start returning in bits and pieces, she must keep up the charade of amnesia until she can find out the truth behind the embezzlement of her family’s business while evading the danger lurking around her.
See what other bloggers think about SHATTERED MEMORIES.
Purchase a copy of “Shattered Memories” on AMAZON.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Debbie Lynne Costello is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Sword of Forgiveness, a medieval romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina where she has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children’s Director. When not spending time with her husband, four children and grandchildren she hangs out with her Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.
by admin | Feb 12, 2016 | Books, Europe, Political, Suspense, World War 1
MY REVIEW:
One thing I have always admired about Davis Bunn is that whatever the subject, the characters, the location, the time frame, etc. I can always count on the fact that he has done his research. While I am enjoying his story, I also seem to be absorbing some facts I didn’t know before. What a delightful way to learn!
During the days following World War 1, as the world is beginning to rebuild, Muriel Ross joins Senator Bryan in Paris ostensibly to photograph antiquities. Little does she realize that she has been groomed for this task by her training at the Smithsonian. She soon discovers the true reason she has been summoned and finds herself in the midst of an adventure that takes her from the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris to the U.S. Embassy in Constantinople and more danger than she could imagine.
The story is woven around the search for a fragment of the true cross and is filled with political intrigue between nations and the danger of a country on the verge of revolution. Faced with conflict and life-threatening events, Muriel is forced to choose if she will stand firm in her beliefs.
As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Fragment”. My only complaint is that it ended much to soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Franciscan Media in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It’s 1923, and a resilient Paris is starting to recover from the ravages of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic.
Enter Muriel Ross, an amateur photographer tasked with documenting the antiques that her employer, U.S. Senator Tom Bryan, has traveled to France to acquire.
Although she’s exhilarated to have escaped her parents and the confines of their stifling Virginia home, Muriel has lingering questions about why the senator has chosen her for this grand adventure. Nevertheless, she blossoms in her new surroundings, soaking up Parisian culture and capturing the sights and sounds of Paris on her camera.
But events take a dangerous turn when she discovers that the senator is on a mission far more momentous—and potentially deadly—than a mere shopping trip.
At the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Senator Bryan asks Muriel to photograph an astonishing artifact: a piece of the True Cross, discovered by Empress Helena—a historical figure familiar to readers of The Pilgrim.
When rumors surface that another fragment has been unearthed, Muriel becomes enmeshed in a covert international alliance dedicated to authenticating the fragment—and protecting it from those who will stop at nothing to steal and discredit it.
The Fragment releases February 19, 2016, from Franciscan Media Books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies.
His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction and his 2014 induction into the Christy Hall of Fame.
Davis divides his time between Florida and England, where he serves as Writer In Residence at Regent’s Park College at The University of Oxford. Visit Davis at http://www.davisbunn.com/
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