by admin | Apr 21, 2014 | Books, Historical, Quilts, Romance, WWII
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Promise in PiecesAbingdon Press (April 15, 2014)byEmily T. WierengaABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from the Author:
I’m Emily, and I’m honored and humbled to meet you, friend.
We’re all stumbling along on this journey and you can approach me about anything okay? I’m an open book, with dog-eared pages and a worn cover.
I’m mama to two boys, ages two and four, and married to a farm-boy-turned-math-teacher. We live in a small Dutch hamlet with three churches, one Co-Op and no stop lights. There are a lot of fields out here, there’s a lot of space and sky for breathing and running and writing.
We foster two boys in addition to our own two, and before I had kids, I took care of my Mum who had brain cancer. She fought back and has recovered, all glory to God, and my pastor-father still holds her hand while they go for daily walks.
I battled anorexia nervosa as a child, and then again as a newly married woman, and I write a lot about body image now and have a passion for women to learn to love themselves.
My husband and I have battled infertility and are currently trying to adopt our third child through the local Alberta government.
I hurt for the church, and believe in it, and pray for it, as I’ve grown up inside its walls and have heard its groanings.
I have a heart for Africa, particularly Uganda, and went there in January on a bloggers’ trip with World Help.
My favorite things to do are read literary novels, play guitar, snowboard, paint with oil and acrylics and hug my babies.
I am the author of two books on eating disorders, a novel releasing this spring, and a memoir coming out this summer.
I hope you’ll connect with me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/emilytwierenga, or if you prefer, Twitter: @emily_wierenga. I’d love to have a virtual glass of wine, or cup of coffee, with you.
Peace to you friends,
e.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women’s Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier’s last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.
Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Promise in Pieces, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
The legacy of a special baby quilt is told to a grandson by Clara during a lengthy family road trip to New Orleans for a special purpose. Clara’s story fills most of the novel but snippets of the present add contrast to the tale. A Promise in Pieces was a sweet story that chronicled most of Clara’s life complete with moments of joy, loneliness, tragedy, and grief. The characters were painted with a realistic touch and I particularly enjoyed reading about the loving relationship between Clara and her grandson. The story was well-written and should appeal to all who enjoy historical fiction as well as quilt lovers.
by admin | Apr 19, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Texas, Western
MY REVIEW:
While I have not read all one hundred (yes, 100!) of Tracie Peterson’s novels, I have read more of them than I can count – and I have enjoyed each and every one of them. I always like her stories set in Texas since I have secretly wanted to live in Texas my entire life. “A Sensible Arrangement” met all my requirements and I plan to read the future books in the Lone Star Bride series.
A story about a mail-order bride and a young bank officer who needs a wife, “A Sensible Arrangement” is not exactly the typical mail-order bride story. Both parties in this marriage have no expectations of love developing between them. They just want a “sensible arrangement” and their marriage will be mutually beneficial to them. Of course as all readers of historical romance know, there WILL be a romance despite their good intentions.
I personally found the historical background and the events that surrounded Marty and Jake to be of more interest than their romance. I would have liked to see a bit more interaction between them so that their falling in love would be a bit more believable. More conversations or time spent together would have been nice.
Secondary characters played strong supporting roles that added greatly to the plot. A bit of mystery, drama, and even touches of humor made the book quite enjoyable to read.
Marty’s habit of skirting or hiding the truth was somewhat disturbing at times so I was happy to see the author emphasize how it was wrong and had Marty eventually repent of her lies. As usual, Peterson deftly wove a message of faith and integrity throughout the pages. Fans of Tracie Peterson will not want to miss “A Sensible Arrangement”.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.
Answering an advertisement for a “Lone Star bride,” she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn’t know.
Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.
Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be wed. Together Jake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.
When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake’s yearning to return to ranching grows ever stronger, much to Marty’s dismay. But a fondness has grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.
What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways… and dreams and secrets collide?
Purchase a copy and learn more at Tracie’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
Visit Tracie’s Web site at www.traciepeterson.com.
Tracie Peterson celebrates 100 books with an iPad Mini Giveaway & A SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENT Live Webcast Event!
Welcome to the campaign launch for Tracie Peterson’s 100th book! A Sensible Arrangement launches Tracie’s new Texas-based series, Lone Star Brides, that’s sure to please. As a special treat, devoted fans will be able to catch a glimpse of several popular characters from previous series.
Tracie is celebrating by giving away an iPad Mini and hosting a LIVE webcast event on 4/29.
One winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the A Sensible Arrangement Live Webcast Event on April 29th. Connect with Tracie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tracie 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 A Sensible Arrangement and join Tracie and friends on the evening of April 29th 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 29th!
by admin | Apr 17, 2014 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have known readers who refused to begin reading a series before all its books had been released because they did not want to wait for the next volume to be published before they could continue reading. Jessica Dotta’s Price of Privilege series might actually be one that would make that practice seem like a good idea. After reading the first two installments of this series I can confirm that the second depends greatly on the first for background details. It has been awhile since I read “Born of Persuasion” with quite a few other books in between so it took me a bit to remember what had transpired in it.
In a style reminiscent of the best gothic novels I once devoured, “Mark of Distinction” carried a dark and brooding atmosphere throughout and revealed only enough details to keep me thoroughly confused about what was actually going on. Of course that is part of the attraction of this type novel and I loved wondering exactly who were the villains and who were the honorable characters. At times the lines between them were definitely a bit sketchy to say the least.
There was little not to like about “Mark of Distinction” except maybe the wait for the publishing date of “Price of Privilege”. Once again the characters were superb, the plot well-crafted, and the atmosphere and setting perfection. Then there was the surprise ending – I’ll admit I never saw that coming! I can’t wait to find out what will happen next.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.
Now under the watchful eye of Lord Roy Pierson, one of most influential men in England, Julia begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well, and he is eager to assert his claim over her.
Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan.
Read an excerpt from Mark of Distinction HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica Dotta has always been fascinated by England during the Regency and Victorian era. Her passion for British Literature fueled her desire to write in a style that blends the humor of Jane Austen and the dark drama of a Bronte sister. She lives in the Nashville area with her family and works as a freelance media consultant and publicist.
Visit Jessica Dotta’s website.
Jessica Dotta’s Facebook.
by admin | Apr 14, 2014 | Books, Historical, WWII
MY REVIEW:
Maybelle In Stitches is one of the latest additions to the Abingdon Press Quilts of Love series. Although I did have a bit more difficulty getting into the story, I found plenty to interest me once I did. The story takes place during World War 2 with a primary focus on the wives of soldiers fighting in the war. As these women waited for their husbands to return home, they not only managed their homes but often worked in factories to help the war effort. Maybelle and her best friend Doris both work as welderettes on ships but their evenings and weekends are extremely lonely and long. Working together on a quilt started by Maybelle’s mother, the friends and a few other military wives fill their free time putting together a quilt of hope.
The story manages to give the reader insight into the lives of these women as they experience life without their husbands and go through good times and tragedy together. A strong emphasis on the faithfulness of God no matter what the circumstance is present throughout the narrative. Another major theme is the importance of friendship in our lives.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Maybelle In Stitches | A Quilts of Love book.
Maybelle Kazinzki can’t sew. She was after all, the only girl in the seventh grade Home Economics class to sew the zipper in the neck hole of the A-Line dress they were supposed to make. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house she gets the crazy idea to finish it—somehow, come heck or high water. She thinks it will help fill the lonely nights while her husband, Holden, is serving overseas during World War II.
Her recently departed mother’s quilt is made from scraps of material Maybelle traces back to her mother’s childhood, her grandmother’s childhood and her own childhood. She tries to add one of Holden’s stripes to it but the sewing is not going well and neither is her life. After receiving some harsh news, Maybelle’s faith falters and she puts the quilt away and stops trusting God. But God is faithful- no matter what. And it’ll take a group of neighborhood women armed with quilting needles to help Maybelle believe that.
Learn more and purchase a copy at the Quilts of Love site.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Joyce Magnin is the author of the Bright’s Pond novels, including the award-winning The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. A member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship, Joyce is a frequent workshop leader and the organizer of the StoryCrafters fiction group. She lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Find out more about Joyce at http://www.quiltsoflovebooks.com/products/31/Maybelle-in-Stitches.
Win a NEW Spring Wardrobe from @TheQuiltsofLove | “Maybelle in Stitches” Giveaway!
Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Maybelle in Stitches, by Joyce Magnin. Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it.
Joyce is celebrating the release with a $200 Modcloth giveaway. Enter today for a chance to spruce up your spring wardrobe!
One winner will receive:
- A $200 ModCloth.com gift card
- Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron
- A Sky Without Stars by Linda S. Clare
- Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 19th. Winner will be announced on April 21st on the Quilts of Love blog!
Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER.
by admin | Apr 12, 2014 | 1960's, Books, Historical
MY REVIEW:
Many people are able to remember defining moments in their lives. In “What Follows After” Dan Walsh tells the story of the Harrison family and the traumatic event that would change their family forever. The fact that it took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis just made it that much more memorable.
A visit to an inherited house in Florida brings back those memories to an adult Colt as he contemplates whether to keep or sell the property that played such a pivotal role in the life of his family. His memories serve to relate the story within a story that is common in some of Walsh’s books. Once again I found myself viewing events through the eyes of a child – events powerful enough to shape the future of his family.
Walsh’s characters are marvelous. I loved Colt and Timmy and the two ladies who were so instrumental in helping rescue Timmy. Although the story was told through several points of view, I had no problem following it. With plenty of action, suspense and emotional scenes, “What Follows After” shares several important lessons for us all including the importance of truth, forgiveness, and some excellent pointers on how to keep trust in a marriage.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue to view Dan Walsh as one of my respected authors.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1962, life was simple, the world made sense, and all families were happy.
And when they weren’t, everyone knew you were supposed to pretend.
For the past year, Scott and Gina Harrison have been living a lie. While they show up at family get-togethers in the same car, they’ve actually been separated for over a year. To keep up the charade, they’ve even instructed their sons, Colt and Timmy, to lie–to their grandparents, their teachers, and their friends.
Colt, for one, has had enough, so he hatches a plan. He and his little brother will run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt’s house in Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents get back together. But when things go terribly, terribly wrong, Scott and Gina must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their marriage.
In this emotional story, bestselling author Dan Walsh takes you on a journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life–love, truth, and family. With profound insight into the heart of a hurting child, he reminds us that a time will come to look back on hard times and smile, because we’ll know that what follows after . . . is not what we expected at all.
“Dan is an artist and his canvas is the novel, where he uses different colors and hues of words to create a masterpiece. What Follows After is a story that will surely touch your heart and soul.”–John M. Wills, New York Journal of Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion, as well as The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol awards, and three of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year (2011-2013). Dan lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more.
by admin | Apr 11, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
“Claiming Mariah” contains all the elements I look for in a good historical western romance novel including cowboys, plenty of action, conflict, a bit of mystery, and of course, romance. I liked the premise of the story which had a strong, somewhat angry man on a mission to take back the ranch he believes rightfully belongs to his family. He just doesn’t expect to have second thoughts about how it will affect the current occupants.
I really liked Slade. Hidden by his tough exterior was a heart of gold filled with compassion and the need to protect those unable to protect themselves. Mariah was strong and hard working and put the needs of everyone else above her own needs. It was inevitable that the two of them would butt heads repeatedly. I liked how the author gradually introduced tiny clues along the way about the identities of those involved in the cattle rustling. My suspicions grew and it was fun to learn that my instincts had been correct. The story is filled with misunderstandings, revealed secrets, faith, and forgiveness.
All-in-all, “Claiming Mariah” is exactly the kind of western romance I enjoy and I look forward to reading more by this author. I am hoping she has one in the works featuring Slade’s brother Buck and possibly Mariah’s sister.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.
With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he unearths more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear. As the days dwindle until the rest of the Donovan clan arrives at the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed changes their futures forever.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove the Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of!
Learn more about Pam HERE.
Claiming Mariah released February 1st, and Pam Hillman is hosting a cool Giveaway during the month of April. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to sign up to win a Kindle Fire!
A Word from the Author:
