by admin | Jun 16, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Barefoot Summer” is a novel that touches the heart with characters whose joy and pain resonate with the reader. Lives shaped by tragedy are redeemed one step at a time as God’s plan slowly unfolds. Action and drama combined with a sweet romance and revealed secrets helped to keep the plot moving in this touching story of forgiveness and redemption.
Madison seems to be one of the favored people – daughter in a loving family who has had every opportunity in life but her fear of water and her insecurities have crippled her in many ways. Since the death of her twin brother ten years before, Madison has been haunted by nightmares that have left her so sleep deprived she can barely function. Angry at God, she has continued to attend church services with her family but has built a wall of protection around her heart against the Lord and those around her, yet she has never really allowed herself to grieve. If she can only win the annual regatta before her twenty-seventh birthday to fulfill her brother’s dream, then maybe she can find peace.
Handsome and charming Beckett grew up with an alcoholic father who spent plenty of time in jail so Beckett and his sister were raised primarily by their grandfather. Although he met the Lord and turned his life around, he continues to see himself as unworthy because of his background and the guilt he hides has added to his burdens. Former bad boy Beckett has loved Madison since high school but has always believed that there was no way he could ever be good enough for her. Suddenly circumstances place him in a position where he can spend hours of time with her weekly and it looks like his dreams are beginning to come true. Unfortunately Beckett carries a secret that could destroy the budding romance between him and Madison.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Barefoot Summer” but if you want to know more about what happens with Beckett and Madison, you will just have to get your own copy.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.
In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.
To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.
Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.
Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.
But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?
Read an Excerpt here.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
Learn more at Denise’s website.
by admin | Jun 14, 2013 | Books, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I believe that “Deadly Devotion” is the first novel I’ve read by Sandra Orchard. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the next installment of the Port Aster Secrets series.
With its skillfully woven plot and a diverse group of well defined characters, “Deadly Devotion” kept me guessing until the very end. Just like Kate and Tom, I found the suspects changing several times over the course of the book – there were so many with such good motives! As Tom pointed out more than once, “people are not always who they seem”. Once the true perpetrator was revealed it made perfect sense and so did the title of the book.
This review is intentionally brief because it would be SO easy to ramble and/or give something away. This is one book that suspense fans should grab quickly to see if their own detecting skills are up to the test presented by the author.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the first installment in the Port Aster Secrets series, Deadly Devotion weaves a web of intrigue around the sleepy town of Port Aster and the death of a research scientist. While police believe it to be a suicide, evidence mounts that leads Kate Adams to believe it had to be murder. Suspicions lead to danger as Kate struggles to uncover the truth. Full of suspense, Deadly Devotion will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Research scientists Kate Adams and her colleague Daisy are on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy suddenly dies. Kate knows that if it hadn’t been for Daisy’s mentorship, she wouldn’t have the job she loves or the faith she clings to. So when police rule Daisy’s death a suicide, Kate is determined to unearth the truth.
Former FBI agent Tom Parker finds it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gives him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom’s just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation of her friend’s death, he knows his job is at stake. In fact, despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate looks a bit suspicious herself.
Check out bonus book features for Deadly Devotion HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Orchard is an active member in American Christian Fiction Writers, The Word Guild, Romance Writers of America and a local writing group. She recently participated in the Writers’ Police Academy for hands-on training and simulations at a police training facility. She is the author of Shades of Truth, Critical Condition, which won the 2012 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for it’s series and Deep Cover, which won the Canadian Christian Writing Award for romance in June 2012 and was recognized as one of the top five novels of the year by Family Fiction magazine. Orchard has also received a Daphne DuMaurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in both the inspirational category and for best score overall. She lives in Niagara, Ontario, Canada.
To find out more, please visit www.sandraorchard.com.
Connect with Sandra on Facebook HERE.
by admin | Jun 13, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Southern
MY REVIEW:
Tish McComb grew up hearing wonderful stories told by her father about her great-great-great-grandmother Letitia and the ancestral home in Noble, Alabama. As Letitia’s namesake, Tish takes a detour home from Florida through Noble when she learns the house is for sale just for the chance to see inside. On a whim, Tish decides to purchase the house and soon finds herself resigning her job and moving from Michigan to the south where she is surprised to learn that the McComb name is not exactly favored in her new home. Tish runs across Melanie, a young homeless woman whose family has given up on and decides to share the house with her until she can get on her feet. George Zorbas makes frequent appearances as he chases down his deceased mother’s dog who can’t seem to remember that she no longer lives in Tish’s house. Everyone in town believes Melanie is a thief so Tish as two strikes against her for being a McComb and sheltering Melanie.
“Gone South” is a wonderful story with unique and sometimes quirky characters who soon won my heart. Tish is strong but after moving around her entire life, she wants a place she can call home. Melanie knows that she has messed up more times than she can count but desperately wants to do what is right and clear her tarnished name. George is a good guy, confident and caring and who becomes much more involved in Tish and Melanie’s lives than he ever intended.
The novel makes some strong points about how a person’s life can be affected by those who judge them without getting all the facts with Mel as a prime example. Some emphasis was placed on the faith of certain characters but it was not heavy-handed. I enjoyed watching the personal growth of the characters, especially Mel and was glad when some people realized that they had been wrong about her all along. I would definitely recommend “Gone South” to all who enjoy contemporary fiction.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The charm of the South drew her back to her family’s roots. But when the town’s old resentments turn the sweet tea bitter, can Tish find a welcome anywhere?
Leaving frosty Michigan for the Deep South was never a blip in the simple plans Tish McComb imagined for her life, dreams of marriage and family that were dashed five years earlier in a tragic accident. Now an opportunity to buy her great-great-great-grandparents’ Civil War era home beckons Tish to Noble, Alabama, a Southern town in every sense of the word. She wonders if God has given her a new dream— the old house filled with friends, her vintage percolator bubbling on the sideboard.
When Tish discovers that McCombs aren’t welcome in town, she feels like a Yankee behind enemy lines. Only local antiques dealer George Zorbas seems willing to give her a chance. What’s a lonely outcast to do but take in Noble’s resident prodigal, Melanie Hamilton, and hope that the two can find some much needed acceptance in each other.
Problem is, old habits die hard, and Mel is quite set in her destructive ways. With Melanie blocked from going home, Tish must try to manage her incorrigible houseguest as she attempts to prove her own worth in a town that seems to have forgotten that every sinner needs God-given mercy, love and forgiveness.
Click here to download chapter one of Gone South.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Meg Moseley is still a Californian at heart although she’s lived more than half her life in other states. Holding jobs that ranged from candle-maker to administrative assistant, Meg eventually contributed human-interest pieces for a suburban edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Contemporary fiction remains her real love, and she’s the author of When Sparrows Fall and Gone South. She lives in Atlanta near the foothills of the Southern Appalachians with her husband.
by admin | Jun 8, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed all of Irene Hannon’s suspense novels to date as well as many of her Love Inspired books so I was sure that her newest long contemporary romance “That Certain Summer” would also be good. I was not disappointed.
Skillful plot and character development paved the way for a most enjoyable few hours of reading. I liked the fact that all of the characters struggled with different problems and misconceptions about themselves. It was gratifying to watch as their personal interactions helped them to gradually understand the truth and how their lives changed for the better – even the manipulative mother of Karen and Val. Although Karen seemed to have the lowest self-esteem, she also had the most compassionate heart which influenced those around her. Val’s outward self-confidence hid a guilty conscience but she encouraged Karen to learn to stand up for herself. It was a joy to see the sisters relationship grow close as they cared for their mother together. The men who enter their lives are the perfect complement for each woman.
“That Certain Summer” is not only a wonderful romance novel but has a strong message on forgiveness and finding God’s plan for one’s life. I highly recommend it.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
New Contemporary Romance by Two-Time RITA Award-Winning Author
With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, celebrated author Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven and the complicated process of finding love.
Karen and Val are family – yet they’re anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town – and had a secret to keep – so coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.
Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their own relationship and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each sister learn how to forgive, how to let go and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier Award and two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. Booklist also included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. She lives in Saint Louis, Missouri.
For more information about her and her books, Irene invites you to visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.
by admin | Jun 5, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Karen Witemeyer since her very first novel and have read each and every one of them. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about them except the fact that each one comes to an end and I am forced to wait for the next one to be published. “Stealing the Preacher” lived up to my expectations and provided several enjoyable hours of reading as well as reinforcing my decision to make sure to obtain a copy of all future novels by this author.
I loved the idea of the reformed outlaw who decided to kidnap a preacher off the train for his daughter’s birthday. Silas did not realize that the primary reason she wanted another preacher for their church was to help her bring her father to salvation. Little did Silas suspect how that one decision would affect the lives of himself and his daughter.
I don’t believe that “Stealing the Preacher” was quite as humorous as some of this author’s earlier novels but it did have its moments. There was also a good balance of action, drama, danger, and romance to keep things moving along quite nicely. Crockett and Joanna complemented each other well and other characters added interest to the story, especially Silas, Jackson, and Bessie. I would mind seeing Bessie or Jackson turn up in future books with their own stories. It was also fun to read a bit about what was happening in the lives of the other Archer brothers and hope to see another Archer novel in the near future.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw’s daughter who wants to change his mind.
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can’t believe it when he’s forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He’s determined to escape–which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.
For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?
With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.
Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
by admin | Jun 3, 2013 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The second book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Days of Redemption series, Ray of Light continues the story of the Keim family that began in Daybreak. Various member of the extended Keim family have had some secrets, some of which came to light in Daybreak. Much to everyone’s surprise, even more family secrets are revealed in Ray of Light. Although distressed at first that their secrets are out of the bag, by book’s end, those who had their secrets exposed realize that hiding things from their family is actually more difficult than dealing with the past openly.
Then there is romance! Roman Keim who has been shouldering most of the farm responsibilities during his father’s absence takes a short vacation in Florida where he meets Amanda, a young widow and her daughter Regina. Roman quickly and unexpectedly finds himself head-over-heels with both Amanda and Regina but must return to his responsibilities in Ohio much too soon. Is it too much for Roman to hope that Amanda and Regina can ever be a permanent part of his life?
Ray of Light is a sweet romance that can be quickly read. It features New Order Amish who have telephones in their homes and vacation homes at the beach which is a different perspective than most Amish novels I have read. I enjoyed catching up with other members of the Keim family, especially Viola and Ed from Daybreak. Ray of Light is a must read for fans of Amish romance.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.
Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?
The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the “Sisters of the Heart”, “Seasons of Sugarcreek”, “Secrets of Crittenden County”, and Families of Honor series. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Learn more at Shelley’s website.
