by admin | Oct 21, 2014 | Books, Historical, Post Civil War, Romance, Southern
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFinding MercyDavid C. Cook (October 1, 2014)byMichael Landon Jr. and Cindy KelleyABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.
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Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Mercy abandons Captain Elijah Hale to search for her true identity, he goes after her. With the threat that bounty hunters might be hot on her trail, Mercy does all she can to stay ahead of the danger, frustrating both the bad men who are after her—and Captain Hale who wants to find her and escort her safely home. But when she stumbles upon clues that help her learn who she is and where she’s from, the danger escalates and she has to learn to keep her friends close and her enemies even closer—if she can determine which is which!
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Finding Mercy, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I just reread my review from almost exactly a year ago for “Traces of Mercy”, the first book in the Mercy Medallion series. A couple of things I mentioned were my impatience to read the next book and wanting to read more about Elijah Hale. Well, both wishes have finally been fulfilled. I enjoyed Finding Mercy just as much as I anticipated and Elijah played a prominent role in it.
As Mercy’s story continued, so did the danger, action, excitement, adventure, and mystery. In fact, the plot moved along at a pretty steady clip until the very end. Once again the authors provided plenty of unexpected twists and surprises. Those surprises kept right on coming almost to the end. I loved the fact that the reader is kept in the dark about Mercy’s past right along with her. I would have hated knowing things about her that she didn’t know – the suspense was part of what kept the story so special to me.
I also liked the fact that although romance played its part in Finding Mercy, it took a back seat to the real story and seemed to be a natural progression that grew through mutual trust and care. I do hate to see this series end but was happy with its conclusion. Well done! I hope to see more from these authors soon.
by admin | Oct 21, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Texas, Western
MY REVIEW:
The third volume of Tracie Peterson’s Lone Star Brides series, “A Matter of Heart” was an excellent conclusion to the series. In the previous book, Jessica Atherton was not a very likeable person and seemed to go out of her way to cause trouble for Alice Chesterfield and Robert Barnett. I did not like her even a little bit. Imagine my surprise to find Jessica the heroine of this novel!
Fortunately, Jessica has realized just how meaningless and miserable her life has become and finds that she only has herself to blame. There is quite a bit of introspection as Jessica examines her heart and attempts to turn her life around and make amends to those she has hurt. I enjoyed reading about her journey as she progressed from acknowledging her flaws to accepting the fact that she could not accomplish the changes she desired under her own strength but that she must allow the Lord to help her.
Of course in any Tracie Peterson novel there must be a little romance and a bit of mystery. “A Matter of Heart” is certainly not lacking in either with two (yes, two) men vying for Jessica’s attention and the continuation and eventual solution of the mystery that has carried over from the first two installments of this series.
“A Matter of Heart” could easily stand on its own but in my opinion, total enjoyment and understanding requires reading all the books of the series in order. Another Tracie Peterson novel added to my collection, “A Matter of Heart” is well worth the read.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Texas born and raised Jessica Atherton is a wealthy young woman whose heart was broken when the man she intended to marry wedded another. But her world is upended when two new men come into her life, and both manage to stir her heart.
Harrison Gable is a successful young lawyer with ambitions that match Jessica’s dreams. His warm, attentive manner and thoughtful gifts make her feel special.
Austin Todd, a former Secret Service agent, enjoys working now as a Texas Ranger cattle inspector. But after learning of forged gold certificates and missing printing plates, he’s drawn back into the world of intrigue and agrees to help solve the case. Jessica is drawn to his kind nature and the unspoken pain she sees in his eyes.
If Jessica follows her heart, where will it lead?
Read an excerpt from “A Matter of Heart” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Oct 18, 2014 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I first met Kate Ramsey in the pages of the first book of the Edwardian Brides series, The Governess of Highland Hall. At that time, Kate was pretty much a brat who was dedicated to making trouble for her new governess Julia, the heroine of that particular novel. I could not begin to imagine that Kate would become the focus of the next book in the series and that I would like her quite so much. Of course, brats do tend to grow up and usually mature both emotionally and spiritually. Fortunately Kate is one that did.
Turansky paints a vivid picture of Kate’s life in London as she is put through the rigors of her debut in proper society at the hands of her well-meaning but extremely overbearing Aunt Louisa. The author’s descriptions of all the wheeling and dealing involved in securing just the right husband for Kate was quite enlightening. Although primarily about Kate, the plot contained several subplots that when woven together created one captivating and exciting story.
I particularly enjoyed following Kate’s path as she grew from a self-absorbed young woman whose only desire was to marry a handsome and wealthy young man with the proper place in society into a compassionate person who found her true calling in helping others. Her spiritual growth from one who went to church and knew about God to one who became willing to trust Him with her life and future was compelling.
“The Daughter of Highland Hall” is a wonderful followup to The Governess of Highland Hall and I highly recommend both novels. I am looking forward to the next Edwardian Brides installment.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if the title, the estate, the life of security and splendor… what if it isn’t enough?
Book two in Carrie Turansky’s Edwardian Brides Series, The Daughter of Highland Hall, follows 18-year-old Kate Ramsey on a journey of self-discovery as she travels to London to make her societal debut. As Kate begins making the round of balls and garden parties, she attracts the attention of Edward Wellington, who seems to have all the qualifications on her list. Yet, is he the best choice? Will this lifestyle bring her true happiness? Will Kate have the courage to make an unpopular choice and to choose faith or will she give into an overbearing aunt’s expectations?
Strong-willed and beautiful, debutante Katherine Ramsey feels ready to take the London social season by storm, and she must. Her family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey, and her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut and find a proper husband. With her all-knowing and meddling aunt as a guide, Katherine is certain to attract suitors at the lavish gatherings, sparkling with Great Britain’s elite.
When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London’s East End. Here Katherine feels free from her predictable future, and even more so as a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of the life she always thought she wanted surface again. Torn between tradition and the stirrings in her heart for a different path, she must decide whom she can trust and love—and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served.
Learn more, read an excerpt, and purchase a copy at Carrie’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has written contemporary and historical romances, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and they have five adult children and four grandchildren.
Find out more about Carrie at http://carrieturansky.com.
by admin | Oct 16, 2014 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I enjoyed the first two books in Ladd’s Whispers on the Moors series so I opened “A Lady at Willowgrove Hall” with anticipation. Within the first page or two I was totally immersed and did not want to put the book down – even to sleep. Sarah has a special talent for drawing her readers into the story and making them feel a part of it.
“A Lady at Willowgrove Hall” is a story about secrets – secrets that seem to grow larger and more burdensome each day. The very lives of three of the characters have been grievously affected by these secrets. Cecily’s secret weighs her down with shame and feelings of unworthiness; Nathaniel’s has kept his secret in order to protect his mother and sisters; and Mrs. Trent has allowed her secret to cause her to grow bitter and unforgiving toward Nathaniel and his family despite their innocence.
I liked the way Cecily and Mrs. Trent grew to care for each other despite the negative warnings shared with Cecily when she first arrived at Willowgrove Hall. Nathaniel’s mother and sisters were special secondary characters who added depth and humor to the tale. There were moments when I was unsure whether Cecily would choose Nathaniel or allow herself to be swayed by Andrew, a man from her past. I think she made the right choice.
I loved the way Sarah handled the subject of secrets and how they gain control of one’s life as well as the freedom that comes after bringing the shadows of the past into the light. I highly recommend “A Lady at Willowgrove Hall” as well as the other two books in this series. I look forward to Sarah’s next series.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness.
His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.
Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could strip away everything she holds dear. But soon after accepting the position of lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she’s desperately hidden for years.
Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own – one that has haunted him from birth and tied him to his father’s position as steward of Willowgrove. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he’ll never be free to find his own way in the world. He’ll never be free to fall in love.
When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and build a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?
Learn more and purchase a copy at Sarah’s site.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. “The Heiress of Winterwood” was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance and a finalist in the Debut Author category of the 2014 Carol Awards. The second book in the series, “The Headmistress of Rosemere” (2013), was on the ECPA best-seller list for several months. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.
Find out more about Sarah at http://www.sarahladd.com.
New Regency from @SarahLaddAuthor AND a Kindle HDX giveaway!
Award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd examines how to escape the clutches of a tainted past in the final installment of her Whispers on the Moor series.
A Regency-era novel, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall cleverly shows that even though our pasts may be shameful or painful, God can take the darkest personal histories and turn them into the brightest futures.
Celebrate with Sarah by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd here.
by admin | Oct 11, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Romance, WWII
MY REVIEW:
What a treat – a collection of Christmas novellas by three of my favorite authors who write novels about the World War 2 era! Beginning with a brief prologue and ending with an equally short epilogue, “Where Treetops Glisten” features three siblings in the Turner family during the years 1941 through 1945. Each segment takes place during the days and weeks before Christmas of each year. From the gorgeous cover to the added bonus of recipes featured within the stories, “Where Treetops Glisten” is an absolute delight.
A common element in each of the novellas is that fear of being hurt again has caused Abigail, Pete, and Meredith Turner to avoid any possibility of romance. However it seems as if the Lord has other ideas for each of them as well as for Jackson, Grace, and David who also feel that marriage is not meant to be for them. I enjoyed reading each of their stories and seeing how learning to give to and help others resulted in healing and peace for themselves.
Each of the novellas flowed together as one cohesive novel so well that it was difficult to distinguish one author from the other. Character development was superb and I enjoyed reading about how their lives were affected by the war both at home and overseas.
I always enjoy these weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays because I have the opportunity to read and review many of the latest Christmas novels. “Where Treetops Glisten” has earned its place as one of my favorites ever. Its message of hope and faith during the uncertainty, loss, and deprivation of war is an encouragement for our own uncertain times. Be sure to pick up a copy. I can almost guarantee you will enjoy it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A trio of award-winning authors, Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin, unite for holiday-themed World War II-era love story collection in Where Treetops Glisten. Curl up in front of the fire with the perfect Christmas read.
The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime
Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas
Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.
In Cara Putman’s White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements—until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.
Abigail’s brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete’s friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he’s no longer the bully she once knew?
In Tricia Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, “Merry” to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that’s precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.
The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and His plan for a future?
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including “Chasing Mona Lisa,” and a speaker and blogger.
CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books including “Shadowed by Grace.” She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction.
SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.
Find out more about Goyer, Putman, at Waterbrook Multnomah.
by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I cannot think of a better way to begin to prepare myself for the Christmas season than with this short but sweet romance from Mary Connealy, the first installment of Barbour’s new The 12 Brides of Christmas collection. I was hooked from its opening line and read through it in one sitting.
Although character development was necessarily limited due to the short length of the novella, there was adequate information for me to quickly love Melanie, Henry, and Simon. I loved the symbolism of the puzzle box and how as each of its hidden compartments were opened, the corresponding hidden compartments of the characters’ hearts were also opened and softened as they found their way to Christmas and each other.
I am looking forward to the hidden treasures in each of the other eleven installments of The 12 Brides of Christmas collection. What a wonderful idea!
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Melanie Douglas attempts to connect with a troubled student using an advent box with hidden rewards. When Henry O’Keeffe sees a remarkable change in his son, he has to meet the new teacher. Will more than one prayer be answered in the small Nebraska town?
More About The Advent Bride with Mary Connealy
What is a puzzle box?
“I’ve wanted to use a puzzle box because I love the idea of hidden latches and drawers and secret compartments. I thought of Advent, with its set number of days and decided a puzzle box with the right number of drawers would be perfect,” Mary said.
Research sent her to Youtube where she spent hours watching videos on the intriguing and complex boxes. You can see one here:
The award-winning and best-selling author of many novels and novellas, Mary Connealy lives in Nebraska and has been looking for a story to set there for many years. The Advent Bride, located in a wind-swept Nebraska town, provided her with a place close to home.
But not too close. While Mary loves historical stories, she knows too much about what life must have been like from her own experiences.
“I love the modern world. I suppose it’s possible my inner pioneer toughness would be revealed if I was forced to live in the old west, but if it did, it would surprise everyone. I’m a wimp. I love air conditioning. I live pretty close to the soil here in Nebraska, on a ranch. I know how to do a lot of the things necessary to survive. Kill and clean a chicken, milk a cow, gather eggs, grow a garden, can food. I know enough about it to know its stinking hard work!”
Perhaps history intrigues her because her personal roots go deep into the American past.
“I had an ancestor come to America in 1638. I’ve got the paperwork to prove I could join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) I have Irish ancestors who came here because of the potato famine in the mid-1800s. Many pioneers in that group.”
Mary has written full length novels as well as novellas, and enjoys the challenges presented by both. As to her characters? Like many writers, she writes heroines with characteristics she admires.
“My heroines are all how I wish I was, tough, take charge, speaking their minds. I’m pathologically non-confrontational and I tend to apologize for everything….and I’m really sorry about that.”
Mary and her husband have four adult daughters and Christmas if filled with “faith, food and fun.”
As to The Advent Bride, Mary incorporated her spiritual life by using Advent as the theme. “As Christmas drew near my characters were on their own journey, just as Joseph and Mary were on their journey to Bethlehem.”
For further information on Mary, please visit her website at www.maryconnealy.com.
She regularly blogs at Seekerville and Pistols and Petticoats and Her Blog.
or see her on social media: Facebook and Twitter
Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.
When Mercy abandons Captain Elijah Hale to search for her true identity, he goes after her. With the threat that bounty hunters might be hot on her trail, Mercy does all she can to stay ahead of the danger, frustrating both the bad men who are after her—and Captain Hale who wants to find her and escort her safely home. But when she stumbles upon clues that help her learn who she is and where she’s from, the danger escalates and she has to learn to keep her friends close and her enemies even closer—if she can determine which is which!
