by admin | Jun 9, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, San Francisco
MY REVIEW:
What a great book! Characters were so well defined that they practically stepped off the page. I loved the authors unique descriptions and her deft blending of romance and history. I felt like I had a new understanding of early cancer treatment and x-ray technology as well as the absolute horror experienced by thousands during the great San Francisco earthquake. And in the midst of the mesmerizing story, I got a well thought out lesson in faith. I enjoyed reading about the x-ray treatments but kept wanting to tell them they shouldn’t expose themselves to it so much!
Heroine Abby has experienced so much heartbreak in such as short period of time. Her prayers seem to have been ignored and she has decided that God just doesn’t care and is convinced her prayers do not matter. In fact, she is probably more than a bit angry at Him. When Dr. Robert King enters the picture, Abby pins her hope for her sister’s recovery on him and his revolutionary treatment. When things don’t go as planned, Abby’s disappointment and anger is also directed at Robert. Only as hope seems dim and Abby sees answered prayer does she finally realize that God does not always answer prayer the way we want but that He still cares and wants the best for us.
I thought Robert was the perfect hero. He had just enough flaws to make him down-to-earth but was also sensitive, caring, and had integrity. The romance between Abby and Robert was paced well and had enough ups and downs to keep it realistic.
Absolutely loved “Out of the Ruins” and cannot wait for the rest of the Golden Gate Chronicles series.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Out of the Ruins | The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 1
Abby’s shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.
While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn’t expect, however, is for God’s answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.
As they work together toward a cure, Abby’s feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?
Learn more and purchase a copy at Karen’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Barnett is the author of “Mistaken” and several articles that have been published by “Guideposts” and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats. @KarenMBarnett
Find out more about Karen at http://karenbarnettbooks.com.
Enter to win a Kindle HDX & RSVP for 6/19 Facebook Party!
Don’t miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett‘s new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.
Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!
So grab your copy of Out of the Ruins and join Karen on the evening of June 19th 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 19th!
by admin | Jun 8, 2014 | Books, Colonial America, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Overall A Place in His Heart was a fairly interesting book with plenty of good historical information about life during that time frame, especially the different views of the Anglicans and Puritans and living conditions in the New World.
The book was very well written and it was obvious the author did her research. I loved all the details and even learned a few things. I did find it difficult to love the characters though. I thought Barnabas was a selfish jerk and never really understood why Mary loved him. His obsession with his late wife was extreme to say the least and his attitude toward Mary despicable. Despite my loss of patience with her for putting up with Barnabas, I did think Mary was a gem who went out of her way to demonstrate her love for others.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She could cross an ocean, but could she ever win his heart?
Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner. Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother.
With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed. But when Barnabas’s secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary’s world is upended. How could she possibly leave her papa and her dear sister?
And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband’s broken heart?
Read an excerpt from “A Place in His Heart” HERE.
Endorsements:
“This debut novel will pull you into love and loss, then sweep you across the English sea to the rolling landscapes of Long Island. Be prepared to have your heartstrings plucked to the music of God’s song of love in sickness and in health, and in times of richness and want. A Place in His Heart is a satisfying and compelling historical romance sure to win fans early for the entire series.”–Jane Kirkpatrick, bestselling author of One Glorious Ambition
“A tenderly told story enriched by the author’s own heritage, A Place in His Heart is sure to win readers’ hearts too. Rebecca DeMarino weaves a lovely spiritual message as old and new worlds collide and love thrives amid the challenges of early America.”–Laura Frantz, Christy Award finalist and author of Love’s Reckoning
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rebecca DeMarino is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Southold Long Island Historical Society. She was a 2011 Genesis Award semi-finalist. Rebecca is retired from a major airline and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Tom. Learn more at www.rebeccademarino.com.
by admin | Jun 8, 2014 | Books, Historical, Quilts, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed most of the novels in the Quilts of Love series so far but I have to be honest and admit that “A Stitch and a Prayer” fell a bit short for my personal preferences. For one thing, I was never really able to connect with the characters. They never quite came to life for me. I also had a problem with the way Florence’s husband Will left her virtually alone and pregnant to fend for herself in the wilderness in view of her previous medical history.
“A Stitch and a Prayer” did have a few moments of interest and historical background and I enjoyed the quilting details. I did like how other characters pitched in to support and take care of Florence and how her faith was strengthened as she was forced to depend on the Lord.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A quilt becomes a labor of love for a lonely wife mysteriously separated from her young husband.
After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage—even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life.
But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love-and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?
Learn more and purchase a copy at the Quilts of Love website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including “The Gift of Forgiveness” and “The Three Marys.” She currently teaches “writing your life story” classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for “A Stitch and a Prayer.”
by admin | Jun 6, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Set during the “Roaring 20’s” and the prohibition era, “The Hatmaker’s Heart” was particularly intriguing to me for its peek into what life was like during my grandmother’s younger years. Because of the vivid descriptions I could practically see the fashions of the day, hear the jazz musicians, and watch the dancers as they enjoyed a night out. I also got a pretty good look at the darker side of speakeasies and illegal alcohol as well as some of the more unpleasant men who frequented such places.
I really liked Nell, the principal character of “The Hatmaker’s Heart”. Not only was she extremely gifted at her chosen profession but she had a heart for others and made a concerted effort to believe the best about people, even to her disadvantage. Portraying Nell with a speech handicap was pure genius, especially the efforts she made to overcome it and the secrets about her past that were revealed during the process. I spent much of the book wanting to warn Nell about her despicable boss who was using her talent to make a name for his business. The author did such a wonderful job with his description that I personally detested the man.
I loved everything about “The Hatmaker’s Heart” and plan to give it a prime spot on my keeper shelf.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman’s best qualities. She knows she’s fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell’s fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stammer she’s had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.
But it seems Nell’s gift won’t be hidden by Oscar’s efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Carla’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of four novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.” She and her husband live in Tulsa and have four adult sons and six grandchildren (with one on the way!).
by admin | Jun 4, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Place in His HeartRevell (June 3, 2014)byRebecca DeMarinoABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rebecca DeMarino was born in Pensacola, Florida, the daughter of a Navy pilot. Her mother made a home for the family of six all over the map, including Virginia, Nevada, California, Washington, and Guam, before her parents put down anchor on a ranch in Oregon.
As the wife of a young Air Force officer, married life brought more travel. She relied on her mother’s example of how to make a home anywhere. Her three beautiful daughters were born in Florida, Alaska and Nebraska.
Retired after sixteen years with a major airline, she manages to fulfill her love of wanderlust with frequent family or research trips.
Rebecca grew up listening to her mother’s family lore of a great-grandfather from generations ago. Barnabas Horton sailed from England in the 1600’s, to Long Island, N.Y., on a ship called The Swallow. In 1999, after she found Horton Point, L.I., on a map, Rebecca and her mother made the journey to see the lighthouse named after their ancestor.
The legend goes that Barnabas brought a slab of blue slate with him from England, and had the epitaph he wrote himself engraved on it. The blue slate still exists in the Old Cemetery in Southold, L.I., with the Bible verse, “He being dead, still speaketh.” Much information was found about Barnabas, but none of his wife, save a mention in his will.
Her mother passed away in 2005, but Rebecca returned to Southold many times, drawn by her Puritan roots and English heritage. Each time she wondered about her ninth great-grandmother, a young woman who married a widower with two young boys and then followed them for the wilds of Long Island, leaving behind her home and family. What were her dreams? Her motivations? Her fears?
Rebecca’s historical romance novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, debuts with Revell, a division of Baker Publishing House, in June of 2014.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Puritan Barnabas Horton is still in love with his deceased wife and needs only a mother for his two young sons. And yet these two very different people with very different expectations will take a leap of faith, wed, and then embark on a life-changing journey across the ocean to the Colonies. Along the way, each must learn to live in harmony, to wait on God, and to recognize true love where they least expect to find it.
This heartfelt tale of love and devotion is based on debut author Rebecca DeMarino’s own ancestors, who came to Long Island in the mid-1600s to establish a life–and a legacy–in the New World.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of A Place in His Heart, go HERE.
Rebecca is hosting a Giveaway worth over $300.00 in prizes. There will be 8 winners! Scroll to the bottom of the post HERE to enter!!!!!
MY REVIEW:
Overall A Place in His Heart was a fairly interesting book with plenty of good historical information about life during that time frame, especially the different views of the Anglicans and Puritans and living conditions in the New World.
The book was very well written and it was obvious the author did her research. I loved all the details and even learned a few things. I did find it difficult to love the characters though. I thought Barnabas was a selfish jerk and never really understood why Mary loved him. His obsession with his late wife was extreme to say the least and his attitude toward Mary despicable. Despite my loss of patience with her for putting up with Barnabas, I did think Mary was a gem who went out of her way to demonstrate her love for others.
by admin | May 30, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I am quite fond of Robin Lee Hatcher’s novels and “The Heart’s Pursuit” just reinforced that fact. The plot got off to a quick start and hit the trail quickly. The protagonists were excellently portrayed and by the end of the book I felt like I knew them and had journeyed alongside them.
One character is determined to see that justice is served and the other is driven by the need for revenge. Traveling together against Jared’s better judgement, he and Silver are not always on the same page. Little does she realize that Jared has other goals more important to him than helping her find the man that left her at the altar and stole her father’s money. I enjoyed following Silver and Jared and seeing the changes in their lives during the course of their expedition. I liked Silver’s spunk and determination as well as her strong faith. I also enjoyed seeing the softening of Jared’s heart as he learned to trust God.
“The Heart’s Pursuit” has the perfect blend of action, danger, mystery, humor, and romance to make it a worthwhile and interesting read. Some might consider this novel a light read but certain details add some grim realism to the narrative. With a surprise or two and plot twists, the story had me in its grip and I didn’t want to put it down until I reached the end.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A jilted bride desperate to save her family from ruin.
A bounty hunter seeking vengeance for a ravaged past.
An arduous trek toward justice–or redemption.
Silver Matlock and Jared Newman know traveling together is a bad idea. Bad for Silver’s already tarnished reputation in her small Colorado town. Bad for bounty hunter Jared’s secret, single-minded mission for revenge. But Silver is determined to track down the rogue who left her at the altar and stole the last remnant of her father’s fortune. And Jared’s in a hurry to hunt down the murderer who destroyed his family–even if Silver is too distractingly beautiful for comfort.
The pair takes off over mountain and desert, past bleak homesteads and raw mining towns, hot on the trail of the two villains who took what wasn’t theirs to take. Soon supplies dwindle, secrets emerge, and suspicion leave Silver and Jared at odds when they need each other most. To confront an enemy deadlier than desert rattlesnakes and rocky cliffs, Silver and Jared must learn to forgive and trust and face the question they haven’t dared voice: What happens next?
Learn more and purchase a copy at Robin’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels.
Robin Lee Hatcher‘s latest novel, The Heart’s Pursuit, is receiving critical praise: “The Old West lives again in this inspirational romantic adventure. . . . Themes of forgiveness, justice and mercy dominate the story and add to the characters’ depth. Hatcher treats readers to a rich sensory experience—you can taste the desert dust and smell the smoke and stench of a crowded gambling hall.” (Publishers Weekly)
Robin is celebrating the release of her novel by giving away a $200 “Romantic Weekend Getaway.”
One winner will receive:
- A $200 Visa cash card (Get away for the weekend with that special someone!)
- The Heart’s Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 8th. Winner will be announced June 9th on Robin’s website.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin’s blog on June 8th to see if you won.
