by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Buttermilk Sky” is a warm and nostalgic novel set in Kentucky during the early 1900’s. The primary focus is on Mazy, a mountain girl eager to experience more from life in the big city where she is enrolled in a secretarial school. Another major character is Chanis, the sheriff back home who is in love with Mazy and hopes to marry her.
The plot details Mazy’s struggles with her studies, interaction with fellow students, and the possibility of a romance with Loyal, a wealthy young man who lives in Lexington. Meanwhile Chanis dreams about a future with Mazy as he goes about his duties as sheriff. The story is at times quite humorous, especially some of the situations in which Chanis finds himself. In the end, Mazy comes to realize that things are not always what they seem and the grass is definitely always greener elsewhere.
I enjoyed “Buttermilk Sky” and hope to read more novels by Jan Watson soon. 
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she’ll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change—and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.
But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she’d ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she’d left firmly behind.
Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy’s cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants.
Read an excerpt from “Buttermilk Sky” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jan Watson won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for her first novel, Troublesome Creek. Her other awards include being named the best Kentucky author in 2012 by Kentucky Living magazine, a nomination for the Kentucky Literary Award in 2006 and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Jan has published seven novels. As a registered nurse for 25 years at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, she incorporates her nursing experience in the hospital’s mother/baby unit into her novels. Jan resides in Kentucky.
by admin | Sep 22, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical, Native American, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Beneath a Navajo Moon” is the first novel I have read by Lisa Carter. I guarantee it won’t be the last one! I chose it from Amazon’s Vine for All rather than my personal queue. Although I purchase Christian fiction almost exclusively, I have yet to be offered any in my personal queue. I wish Amazon would pay a bit closer attention to what I actually buy.
Without knowing anything at all about the author, I would probably pick up this book based entirely upon its gorgeous cover. The colors and title arrangement are just perfect. Once I opened the book, I quickly became immersed in the story which moved smoothly back and forth from present time to the early 1900’s. The characters were engaging with just the right amount of tension between them. I do not know a great deal about the Navajo culture so I cannot verify the accuracy of details included within the story. The plot contained a well-blended combination of drama, action, humor, suspense, and romance and some unexpected twists. The uncompromised message of faith was appreciated and I personally did not think it was too preachy.
“Beneath a Navajo Moon” kept me reading much too late into the night and I reached its end much too soon. I am looking forward to reading “Under a Turquoise Sky” in the near future. I really liked this novel and will be checking out Carter’s other ones.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine Reviewer Program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Discover what happens when love and danger collide deep in the heart of the Navajo Nation.
The search for a woman who disappeared in 1906 has lead cultural anthropologist Erin Dawson to Cedar Canyon, where the iconic terrain of red rock walls and mesas keep Navajo traditions—and maybe criminal evidence—well hidden. When Erin’s search leads her to cross paths with tribal policeman Adam Silverhorn, it’s hardly love at first sight. But everywhere she turns, Adam is already there.Fighting their feelings for each other, the two are suddenly thrust into a battle far more dangerous—a common quest to rout an insidious drug cartel that has spawned the recent rise in gang violence on the reservation. Adam’s position of authority gives Erin a rare glimpse into Navajo life few outsiders like her ever see—and into a crime ring that no one dares to imagine. As danger mounts, Adam and Erin begin to wonder if they will live to tell how they really feel.
You can purchase a copy of “Beneath a Navajo Moon HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Carter is the author of Carolina Reckoning and Aloha Rose, and a writer and teacher whose articles have appeared in FamilyFun, Thriving Family, MomSense, and Christian Parenting Today. She is a frequent speaker and vocalist at women’s ministry events and has taught at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. Lisa is a member of ACFW, RWA and Sisters in Crime. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling, quilting, and researching her next romantic adventure. She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit her online at LisaCarterAuthor.com.
by admin | Sep 19, 2014 | Books, Historical, Native American, Romance, Texas, Western
MY REVIEW:
I thoroughly enjoyed Caryl’s first novel, “Vow Unbroken” so I eagerly accepted her offer of “Hearts Stolen” to review and hoped it would be as good. I was not disappointed. “Hearts Stolen” was every bit as good and even included several characters from the first book. Of course a few of them had grown up a bit. I especially liked catching up with the adult versions of the featured children of “Vow Unbroken”. It took me a bit to make the connection (too many books read in between) but when I did I loved it!
Sassy had been a captive and wife of Indian chief Bold Eagle for nearly five years when she was rescued by Texas Rangers. During the long trek back home, she and Levi Baylor fall in love, although she assumes she still has a husband waiting for her return. Both Sassy and Levi fight their attraction and faithfully honor her marriage vows despite temptation to do otherwise. I have to admit that once again the primary characters were upstaged by a child. Sassy’s four-year-old son Charley who is such a hoot!
I loved everything about “Hearts Stolen”. The plot engaged me from the very beginning and held my interest until the end. Ample drama, danger, and romance filled its pages along with more than a surprise or two – not all good ones. I admired the integrity of both Sassy and Levi and the fine example they provide for the reader.
I look forward to the next installment of this excellent series. I am thinking seriously about purchasing printed copies of each of the books to add to my keeper shelf. Somehow a digital copy just won’t do. Caryl has definitely been added to my growing list of favorite authors.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Unbeknownst to loved ones, a headstrong young wife is snatched off the prairie by two Comanche braves, carried north of the Red River, and traded to their war chief for ponies. After five years, a small detail of Texas Rangers rides into camp, and she determines that day will bring freedom or death. She’ll remain captive no more.
Sassy Nightengale almost gives up hope until a company of Texas Rangers rides into Bold Eagle’s peace camp. She learns they’ve come for the negotiated exchange of stolen white women, except her name isn’t on their list. Purposing in her heart to escape captivity with her blue eyed, four- year-old that day, she does everything she can to be noticed. Famed Texas Ranger Levi Baylor spots the red headed beauty and agrees to the war chief’s price adding his personal horse and weapon to the Republic agents’ offerings.
The trade propels the couple on a trail of joy and sorrow. Sweet love blossoms but must be denied. His integrity and her faith in God keep them at arm’s length, not allowing even a kiss. Sassy’s still married to her son’s father, and Levi’s honor bound to deliver her home—to her husband. Can their forbidden love be made holy? God hates divorce. Is it wrong to hope, expect Nightengale to relinquish his wife and son? Will Sassy and Levi find the redemption they seek for their troubled souls?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Caryl has always loved to write and is excited with her first historical Christian romance VOW UNBROKEN from Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, set in 1832 Texas. For every good blessing – including 10 children (4 by birth, 6 by marriage) and 14 grandchildren – she gives God the glory. Caryl lives a country-life with Ron, her husband of forty-six years and four grandsons, outside Clarksville, Red River County Seat, located in far Northeast Texas
by admin | Sep 19, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The gorgeous cover alone would make me want to take home a copy of “Love’s Fortune” but having read the previous two volumes of the Ballantyne Legacy, I knew a fine reading experience would be in store for a few hours of my time. I forced myself to let this novel sit untouched on my shelf until I had fulfilled prior obligations on my review calendar. At long last I was able to settle into my chair with anticipation and I was definitely not disappointed. Although the third installment of the series, “Love’s Fortune” can easily stand alone but why deprive oneself of the pleasurable experience of reading “Love’s Awakening” and “Love’s Reckoning”?
“Love’s Fortune” is Rowena Ballantyne’s story. “Wren” is the only child of Silas Ballantyne’s son Ansel. She has been isolated from the wealth and societal obligations of her Pennsylvania relatives but is suddenly forced to participate in an environment alien to her. Preferring the simple life to which she was accustomed, Wren struggles to fit in and only the friendship of family friend and trusted employee James Sackett offers her any peace. Expected to marry well in order to help promote the family busineses, Wren finds herself falling in love with a thoroughly inappropriate man.
The entire Ballantyne Legacy has been a wonderful reading experience. The author’s attention to detail and historical facts including those that were not covered in my own American History classes, brought our history to life. The characters were quite life-like and it was so easy to either love or dislike them – yes a few of them were very detestable. Although obviously a Christian novel, the spiritual element was not overbearing but was a natural part of the lives of the characters. I liked the characters of Wren and Robert very much. I liked her willingness to do what was required of her yet her determination to think for herself was evident. Robert was a perfect hero – loyal to a fault, honorable, and determined to protect Wren at all times if possible.
I highly recommend “Love’s Fortune” as well as every one of Laura’s other novels. If you haven’t read them, you are missing a blessing.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With two very different horizons stretched out before her, one young woman stands on the cusp of an unknown future.
Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena “Wren” Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas’s vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Wren makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world–family members she’s never met, dances she’s never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew.
As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes’ shipping line. Even with his help, Wren feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?
With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty.
Read an excerpt from “Love’s Fortune” HERE.
Endorsements:
“Laura Frantz surely dances when she writes: the words sweep across the page with a gentle rhythm and a sure step. Her characters in Love’s Fortune are sympathetic yet flawed, making them oh-so-easy to care for, ache for, cheer for. Her historical details are well chosen, and her sense of time and place rings true. Above all, it’s Wren’s journey that engages our hearts and makes the pages turn. Well done, lass!”–Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night
“You’ll disappear into another place and time and be both encouraged and enriched for having taken the journey.”–Jane Kirkpatrick, bestselling author of All Together in One Place and A Flickering Light
“Laura Frantz portrays the wild beauty of frontier life, along with its dangers and hardships, in vivid detail.”–Ann H. Gabhart, author of The Blessed
“Frantz paints a vivid picture of the tough life out in the wild, and yet her characters demonstrate that it was possible to have a wonderful life.”–RT Book Reviews for The Colonel’s Lady
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Frantz is a lover of history, is the author of The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel’s Lady, and currently lives in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.
by admin | Sep 18, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I have always enjoyed Mary Connealy’s unique combination of western history, humor, and romance that is often peppered with some action and suspense as well. “Tried and True” lived up to my expectations and more. Mary’s books usually feature strong, independent women and many times, the heroes may be in a position to need their aid. In “Tried and True”, Kylie Wilde is a young woman forced by her family to pose as a man to homestead property against her wishes. Her sisters are more skilled in “manly” skills but all Kylie desires is to live close to civilization where she can shop and attend afternoon teas. Land agent Aaron Masterson seems to come to Kylie’s rescue at every turn. When her homestead is threatened, he finds himself more interested in protecting Kylie than in tending to his work. A strong hero figure who is always ready to rescue Kylie, he also helps her to realize that she is stronger and more capable than she thinks.
Although the owner of a large ranch is determined to take back the homesteads from land he considers part of his ranch, the expected range war is not in this story. In fact, Coulter seems to be an honest and decent, if determined man. Other integral characters other than Kylie’s family include Matt Tucker and Sunrise, a Shoshone woman. “Tried and True” has plenty of action, loads of humorous situations, and a spicy romance. It is a fine example of family loyalty that in turn questions just how far that loyalty should extend. Also a theme of the need to forgive, the story includes a strong example of the disastrous effect unforgiveness, hate, and bitterness can cause the person who refuses to turn it all over to the Lord.
I look forward to the future installments of this series. I’ll admit that I peeked at the preview for “Now and Forever” and can’t wait to read Tucker and Shannon’s tale. I am in hopes that Coulter will be featured in an upcoming installment also.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tried and True, Book One in the Wilde at Heart series.
Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!
Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister–and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk–they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”–but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.
Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?
Learn more and purchase a copy at Mary’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Connealy writes fun and lively “romantic comedy with cowboys” for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie’s Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.
Find out more about Mary at http://maryconnealy.com/.
Kindle HDX Giveaway and Live Webcast Event with @MaryConnealy!
Don’t miss the first book in Mary Connealy‘s Wild at Heart series. In Tried & True, Mary is back with her signature humor and heartfelt story-telling.
Mary’s celebrating by connecting with readers during a live webcast event and giving away a Kindle HDX.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle HDX
- Tried & True by Mary Connealy
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 23rd. Winner will be announced at the Tried & True LIVE webcast event on September 23rd. Connect with Mary for an evening of swoon-worthy book chat, fun trivia, laughter, a sneak peek at the next book in the Wild at Heart series, and more! Mary will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of Tried & True and join Mary and friends on the evening of September 23rd 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 by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!
by admin | Sep 12, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I almost always enjoy a good mail order bride story and “A Bride in Store” was no exception. Because of the subject, the reader can expect some similarities to other stories but I have found that most have fairly unique plots. While some aspects of “A Bride in Store” may have been vaguely familiar, there were several distinctive situations and characters that I have not run across in my years of reading more books than most people even think about. I really don’t think I’ve read about a bearded lady before!
The plot of “A Bride in Store” was very well paced and both Eliza and William were well-rounded characters who grew spiritually and in maturity as the story progressed. Eliza was very focused on success at the beginning but she was also compassionate and unjudgemental toward others. William was accused of a lack of ambition but his care and sacrifice for others was actually what kept him from achieving his dreams – and loyalty to a friend was the very thing that kept him from acting on his attraction to Eliza. Several unexpected twists and surprises began early in the story and kept things interesting. A bit of action and danger, a touch of humor, and a sweet romance rounded things out to make reading “A Bride in Store” a satisfying experience.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Impatient to meet her intended groom and help him grow his general store, mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell sets out on her travels a week early. But her plan goes sadly awry when her train is held up by robbers who steal her dowry and Axel, her groom-to-be, isn’t even in town when she finally arrives.
Axel’s business partner, William Stanton, has no head for business and would much rather be a doctor. When his friend’s mail-order bride arrives in town with no money and no groom in sight, he feels responsible and lets her help around the store–where she quickly proves she’s much more adept at business than he ever will be.
The sparks that fly between Will and Eliza as they work together in close quarters are hard to ignore, but Eliza is meant for Axel and a future with the store, while Will is biding his time until he can afford medical school. However, their troubles are far from over when Axel finally returns, and soon both Will and Eliza must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to chase their dreams–or if God has a new dream in store for them both.
Read an excerpt from “A Bride in Store” HERE.
Purchase a copy of “A Bride in Store”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Jagears, an ESL teacher by trade, is a stay-at-home mother on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. She’s a member of ACFW and CROWN fiction marketing, and her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly. A Bride for Keeps is her first novel. Find her online at www.melissajagears.com.
