by admin | Mar 20, 2020 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The Merchant’s Yield is the second book I’ve read by Lorri Dudley and I’m definitely a fan. Looks like another author has been added to my must have list! I was thoroughly entertained and captivated by her first book The Duke’s Refuge so I opened this one with great expectations. I was not disappointed. Once again the author has given readers exemplary characters who practically walk off the page. Her frequent touches of humor act as a welcome counterpoint to some very serious circumstances throughout the plot.
Amelia was my kind of heroine. Always dominated and criticized by her mother, the one time she rebelled against her mother’s unreasonable expectations, Amelia found herself innocently in what looked to be a compromising situation. It wasn’t long before she was married to an unwilling but honorable husband and on her way to the Leeward Islands. I so enjoyed watching Amelia and Nathaniel get to know each other despite their awkward circumstances. It was so heartening to watch Amelia step into her own strength and dignity with a steadfast spiritual confidence.
The Merchant’s Yield has it all – action and romance along with danger and betrayal and pirates. What more could a reader ask? I honestly did not want to put this book aside for anything! I can’t wait for The Sugar Baron’s Ring, third book in the Leeward Island series. If you love historical Christian romance, please give this new author a try. I don’t think you will be sorry.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Wild Heart Books. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It was a marriage of inconvenience…
Charlotte Amelia Etheridge has cowered to her mother’s sharp tongue and endless demands for the last time. In a fleeting moment of rebellion, she recklessly asks the last person her mother would ever consider appropriate, a foreigner from the Leeward Islands, for a dance. However, her courageous act ends in disaster when an innocent mistake lands her in a compromising position with the islander. Forced to wed a stranger, Lottie leaves the only home she’s ever known to sail across the Atlantic to the isle of St. Kitts.
Life has a wicked sense of humor…
Nathaniel Winthrop’s troubles are mounting. The rumors of him being cursed are spreading, and his merchant ships have been raided. The last thing he needs is a wife to care for. Especially when he discovers Lottie had been confined to a sick room most of her childhood. Her weak constitution will never survive the hardships of island life. The fever has already claimed the lives of his mother and sisters. Nathan guards his heart against falling in love with this gentle beauty, knowing that, for Lottie, island life will be a death sentence.
The meek shall inherit the earth…
No longer under her mother’s scrutiny, the newfound freedom of the island rejuvenates Lottie’s spirit with fresh wind. She is tired of being told she’s too ill to enjoy life. If her days on this earth are limited, then it’s time she lives it to the full. Lottie must prove to Nathan that God is more powerful than any curse, and that even though Nathan was forced to marry her, she is the one he can’t live without.
Freedom isn’t the absence of struggle; it’s the presence of God.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
“Why I write…
I believe readers should be led on a heart journey. Romance should allow for an escape from everyday life. It should also lead us to a better understanding of the human condition and how God views us. I believe readers, like the heroines and heroes of stories, are not static creatures and can discover different aspects of themselves through empathizing with characters’ comical mishaps and dramatic misunderstandings. I believe romance novels can depict a fallible human heart that can be made whole again by a merciful creator and remind us of the hope for the same.”
Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone-filled household.
by admin | Mar 10, 2020 | Books, Colorado, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I am loving Mary Connealy’s latest series, Brides of Hope Mountain. Aiming for Love was great but I believe Woman of Sunlight is even better! The saga of the Nordegren sisters continues in book two approximately where book 1 ended.
Ilsa’s character is so much fun. Her true innocence leaves her wide open to one misunderstanding or misinterpretation after another when she encounters the world below Hope Mountain. Despite their dislike of each other and many disagreements that took place in book 1, Mitch and Ilsa find themselves having to depend on each other – maybe for their very lives.
Woman of Sunlight was filled with Connealy’s typical humor and romance so it was such fun to read. The story was kicked up a notch or two by quite a bit of action, danger, and suspense laced with more than one surprise along the way. The growth of the relationship between Mitch and Ilsa was beautiful to witness and I enjoyed both characters immensely. I saw some hints that one of the bad guys might be having second thoughts about his involvement in crime and am hoping my suspicions about a possible featured role in the next installment are correct. Whatever the case, I loved this book and can’t wait to read the final installment of this series. It promises to be every bit as good.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
He’s Seen the Entire Country.
She’s Never Been Off Her Mountain Home.
When Danger Comes, This Unlikely Couple Will Need to Rely on Each Other.
After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. But with the arrival of added danger, it may cost them the only life they’ve ever known.
Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when Mitch follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten with a strong-willed, dark-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood and defends herself better than most men.
Mitch is intent on helping his family reclaim their land but doesn’t realize the risks his past has brought. Hired killers are tracking him, and he’s determined to draw them away before anyone else gets hurt. But that means a journey to the city–and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on an adventure they’ll never forget.
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.
by admin | Mar 6, 2020 | Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I thoroughly enjoyed The Road to Happenstance, the story of a town by the same name that somehow feels like it is in an alternate universe. It is a town with delightfully quirky inhabitants who manage to bring much needed healing to the soul of widower Matthew Sadler who feels beat up by his own world.
I loved how easily Matthew became involved in the lives of the elderly Barlow sisters who quickly pull him into various projects around town. He soon learns that when he helps others his own troubles seem to disappear. Life in Happenstance is not without its problems though. Matthew finds himself drawn to a woman who reminds him strongly of his late wife but the more he is around her the more something just seems to be off about her. The plot is filled with wonderful characters, some of whom are a tad shady, a bit of mystery and deception, but most of all an enchanting and whimsical tale with a strong message of hope.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
One man running from his past, two women he’s attracted to, and a peculiar town that won’t let him go. Matthew Sadler rides his ’77 Harley into Happenstance, intent on passing through, but people and events conspire to prevent his leaving. The elderly Barlow sisters consider Matt their knight on a motorcycle. Matt is entranced by Roni, the other lodger at the Happenstance Hotel, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Matt’s beloved, deceased wife. The young doctor in town, Paula Percy, adores Matt’s motorcycle. However, she is suspicious of the woman from the hotel.As the days pass, the quaint little town, with its unique residents, begins to show its sinister side. When evidence of multiple thefts leads to Matt’s door, he must deal with a mystery and yet more false accusations. Do the old diaries of Amanda Rutherford Barlow hold the answers Matt so desperately seeks? Will Happenstance finally let him go, or does he have a reason to stay?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice L. Dick has been writing since 1989. Her first two historical novels, Calm Before the Storm and Eye of the Storm, won first place in the historical fiction category of The Word Guild’s Canadian Writing Awards. The third novel in the series, Out of the Storm, was short-listed for the same award. These three novels, currently out of print, will be re-released under her own imprint, Tansy & Thistle Press, in the near future.
Besides historical fiction, Janice also writes long and short contemporary fiction, book reviews, blogs and non-fiction articles.
Janice is the first winner of the Janette Oke Award, presented by InScribe Christian Writer’s Fellowship in 2016.
Janice writes from her farm home on the Saskatchewan prairies of Canada. She and her husband love farm life and enjoy their family of three married children and their spouses, and eleven grandchildren.
See more about Janice and her writing on her website at http://www.janicedick.com.
by admin | Mar 6, 2020 | Books, Historical, Romance, Suspense, True Crime
MY REVIEW:
Each and every book I have read from the True Colors series has been excellent. I have enjoyed the historical tales based on true American crimes. Some of them are almost too strange to believe but it is obvious that the authors have researched their chosen subjects well.
The Green Dress is a somewhat disturbing addition to the series. The story itself is very good with well developed, three dimensional characters who practically leap off the pages of the book. Even the villains of the story showed more than one side of their personalities. The disturbing thing is the very idea that such evil people exist in our world and the depths of their lack of conscience and depravity. The fact that the story is based on a true crime is indeed unthinkable.
I tend to enjoy suspenseful novels. The Green Dress contained just the right touch of mystery and suspense to hold my interest and keep me turning the pages. I found Harriet and Michael to be perfect heroes with their loyalty, determination to find the truth, and resolve to help. It was not too much of a surprise when the truth was exposed but satisfaction that the horror had been stopped. I found it particularly interesting when the role of the green dress was revealed.
I highly recommend The Green Dress as well as the entire True Colors series. I don’t intend to miss a single book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: The Green Dress
Author: Liz Tolsma
Genre: Christian Historical Suspense
Release Date: June 2020
Click here to get your copy!
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Death Seems to Follow Harriet’s New Friend
Book 6 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History
When Harriet Peters came to Boston in 1882, the Robinson family took her in like one of their own, and Harriet became closer to Lizzie Robinson than her own siblings. Now, four years later, Lizzie is deathly sick, failing quickly just like several others in her family have done over the past few years. How can so many in one family die from the same mysterious illness? Harriet doesn’t have answers, but she is determined to help the family, bringing in a new-to-the-neighborhood doctor, Michael Wheaton.
As Harriet and Michael close in on the answer, putting their own lives at risk, can the cause be found before anyone else dies?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liz Tolsma is a popular speaker and an editor and the owner of the Write Direction Editing. An almost-native Wisconsinite, she resides in a quiet corner of the state with her husband and is the mother of three. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When she gets a few spare minutes, she enjoys reading, relaxing on the front porch, walking, working in her large perennial garden, and camping with her family.
MORE FROM LIZ:
We’ve all been there—started a letter or an email or even a list, didn’t like what we had, crossed it out or hit the delete button, and tried again. Now imagine that happening when you’re writing a novel.
That’s what occurred with The Green Dress. Finding the perfect place to start a novel can be tricky, but when you’re trying to balance fact with fiction, it’s even harder. I needed the fictional heroine, Harriet Peters, to have a good reason to come into contact with and become close to the factual Robinson family. And I needed for the hero, Michael Wheaton, to meet Harriet early on. So I dove into the story. Five chapters later, the hero and heroine hadn’t yet met. The book wasn’t working.
I scrapped those chapters and started at a different point. At first, it seemed to be going better. I was happy. Until I got to the fifth chapter, when I realized again that the book wasn’t working. Frankly, it was boring. So those ended up in the virtual trash bin. Meanwhile, the clock was ticking on my deadline. I was desperate to find the right starting point, at a place with high tension. Finally, I had an “aha” moment, and the story flowed from there. That’s how the first five chapters (and the rest of The Green Dress) came to be.
—Liz Tolsma
BLOG STOPS:
| The Power of Words, June 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26
deb’s Book Review, June 26
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 26
A Reader’s Brain, June 27
Rebecca Tews, June 27
For Him and My Family, June 27
Texas Book-aholic, June 28
Back Porch Reads, June 28
Inklings and notions, June 28
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 29
Genesis 5020, June 29
Emily Yager, June 29
Christian Bookaholic, June 30
Robin’s Nest, June 30
To Everything There is A Season, June 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 30
Blogging With Carol, July 1
Bigreadersite, July 1
Read Review Rejoice, July 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 2
Life of Literature, July 2
Connie’s History Classroom, July 2 |
Betti Mace, July 3
Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 3
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 3
Stories By Gina, July 3
For the Love of Literature, July 4
Remembrancy, July 4
Reviewingbooksplusmore, July 4
Godly Book Reviews, July 5
Splashes of Joy, July 5
Vicky Sluiter, July 5
Older & Smarter?, July 6
Through the Fire Blogs, July 6
Daysong Reflections, July 6
amandainpa, July 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 7
Pause for Tales , July 7
Just the Write Escape, July 7
Hallie Reads, July 8
Where Faith and Books Meet, July 8
Blossoms and Blessings, July 8
Spoken from the Heart, July 9
With a Joyful Noise, July 9
Artistic Nobody, July 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline) |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fcd8/the-green-dress-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jan 23, 2020 | Books, England, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is an engrossing tale that to me is a cross between a Regency and a Gothic novel. Julia Twetheway’s visit as a house guest of her aunt and uncle does not begin at all well and after several other incidents, she begins to wonder if the stories about ghosts in the manor might be true. The only redeeming factor is that she has two new friends, twins Matthew and Isaac Blake, who run the local copper mine. As the heir Matthew appears to be the best match but her heart is drawn toward Isaac.
With vivid descriptions and well defined characters, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor offers a steady plot with ample action, intrigue, betrayal, and romance along with a few surprising twists along the way. I enjoyed observing Julia as she compared the obvious differences between Matthew and Isaac and her determination to stand up for herself in the face of threatening circumstances. I would love to see a followup book about a certain character who made some very poor choices – one in which we see those choices redeemed.
I am trying very hard to avoid spoilers so let me just say that I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good Regency novel with a bit of mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Genre: Regency Romance
Release Date: January 7, 2020
Click here to buy your copy. |
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In this sweet Regency romance, Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?
Cornwall, England 1818—Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. Lanwyn Manor is at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks in the home’s ancient halls.
As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and the livelihood of those around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made his intentions to court the lovely guest clear. And Isaac knows his place.
When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and items go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their own best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. Visit her online at SarahLadd.com; Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor.
READ AN EXCERPT:
Click here to read an excerpt from the book. |
BLOG STOPS:
| Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13
Genesis 5020, January 13
A Baker’s Perspective, January 13
For Him and My Family, January 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14
Inklings and notions, January 14
Bigreadersite, January 15
For the Love of Literature, January 15
Texas Book-aholic, January 15
Through the Fire Blogs, January 16
Pause for Tales, January 16
Wishful Endings, January 16
deb’s Book Review, January 16
Betti Mace, January 17
KarenSueHadley, January 17
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, January 17
Robin’s Nest, January 18
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18
The Christian Fiction Girl, January 19
Remembrancy, January 19
Books, Life, and Christ, January 19 |
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, January 20
My Devotional Thoughts, January 20
Hallie Reads, January 20
Blogging With Carol, January 20
Kat’s Corner Books, January 21
Life of Literature, January 21
Danielle Lozada, January 21
She Lives to Read, January 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 22
Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 22
By The Book, January 23
Blossoms and Blessings, January 23
SPLASHES of Joy, January 23
My Precious Bits and Musings, January 24
Mary Hake, January 24
Back Porch Reads, January 24
Daysong Reflections, January 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 25
Mamma Loves Books, January 25
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 25
Hookmeinabook, January 26
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 26
Simple Harvest Reads, January 26 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng) |
*No Giveaway for this Celebration Tour
by admin | Jan 22, 2020 | Books, Historical, Romance, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I always hesitate a bit before requesting a review book from a new-to-me author. What if I don’t like it? I really don’t like leaving negative reviews and sometimes it’s just plain difficult to leave a tactfully positive one if I don’t care for the book. Yet I have added quite a few new favorite authors to my must read list so I usually like to take a chance. Rachel Scott McDaniel is one of those new-to-me authors and I am pleased to say I am writing a genuinely positive review for her new book Above the Fold. I liked it so well that I will definitely be on the lookout for her next novel.
Above the Fold is a romantic mystery set during what is known as the Roaring Twenties. My grandmother was a young woman during that era so it is always fun to read about the times she lived in during her younger years. The story was everything I love in a book. Not only was it romantic but it was witty and suspenseful and blended with a perfect touch of faith. I enjoyed the characters, especially Elissa and Cole who both came to life on the pages of this story. I was impressed by their integrity and their dedication to finding and reporting the truth and the way each of them was willing to lay down their own ambitions for the other.
Details about the newspaper business were interesting as were the descriptions of Pittsburgh during the twenties. I can’t wait to read more from this delightful author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: Above the Fold
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Click here to get your copy. |
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Confined behind a secretarial desk at her father’s struggling newspaper, Elissa Tillman longs for her father and the world to take her seriously—not just as a suffragette, but also as a full-fledged journalist.
Cole Parker regrets the day he’d abandoned Pittsburgh to chase a high-profile journalism job in New York, but now he’s returned to the steel city to amend his mistakes and win back the woman he once spurned.
The murder of a millionaire offers the perfect chance for Elissa to nab the headline and prove her skills. But there’s a catch. To get her story above the fold, she must compete for it. Her rival is none other than Cole Parker, the very man who shattered her heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms.
MORE FROM RACHEL:
What does the classic movie His Girl Friday, famous mystery writer Agatha Christie, and my husband’s grandfather all have in common? They were all used as inspiration for my debut novel Above the Fold.
His Girl Friday is one of my favorite stories. This movie captures the thrill of the newspaper world—that drive within the reporter’s heart to get the scoop, that hum of activity from the newsroom to the firing of the presses, and that inescapable pursuit to beat out the opposing paper. But what I loved most about this movie was the chemistry between the two main characters. They share a romantic history. In turn, there is major tension, but man oh man is there spark! So this triggered my creative mind. What would happen if I switched the roles and had the heroine be the one that gets jilted? What if I set this story in the 1920s when the profession of journalism was male-dominated? What if I add some more mystery? Cue Agatha Christie.
My husband and I love Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series. Did you know that she wrote over 74 books? That’s staggering to me. My mind reels at how intricate and varied all her plots are. My husband and I would try to guess who the murderer was at the beginning of a story and more often than not, we were wrong! On one particular night we were watching a PBS version of Miss Marple and an idea struck me. What if I changed my story to go this route? What if I made this person the villain instead of that one? The idea that came to me had nothing to do with the story we’d been watching, but one thing that’d been said flickered a light in me. I love it when that happens! And I also love it when I can incorporate pieces of my personal life into the book. This brings me to the biggest inspiration of the story—my husband’s grandpa.
Grandpa Jay Lewis had two loves in his life—his wife and the newspaper press. He’d started working for the local newspaper during his early teens and made his way up the ranks until he became the press foreman. Here’s a picture of Jay when he was in his early 20s. The hat shown was made of folded newsprint paper and worn to keep the ink from dripping on his head. But the expression in this picture says it all—the press was his happy place. He’d worked with the presses for over five decades, until he no longer had the strength. In 2004, he passed away, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of many. So in tribute to Jay and his great passion for the newspaper world, I included him in the cast of characters. I only hope I was able to capture his zeal.
So there you have it. Inspiration came to me in a myriad of ways, but they all worked together to bring you a story that I pray delights your heart.
BLOG STOPS:
| April Hayman, Author , January 14
Robin’s Nest, January 14
Godly Book Reviews, January 15
Where Faith and Books Meet, January 15
Just the Write Escape, January 16
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections, January 16
Through the Fire Blogs, January 17
mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 17
Betti Mace, January 18
All-of-a-kind Mom, January 18
Texas Book-aholic, January 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 19
janicesbookreviews, January 20
Emily Yager, January 20 |
She Lives to Read, January 21
For the Love of Literature, January 21
Inklings and notions, January 22
Life of Literature, January 22
Daysong Reflections, January 23
For Him and My Family, January 23
Stories By Gina, January 24
Jacquelyn Lynn, January 24
Hallie Reads, January 25
Beauty in the Binding, January 25
Back Porch Reads, January 26
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 26
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 27
Batya’s Bits, January 27 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her giveaway, Rachel is giving away the grand prize package of an Autographed Paperback copy of Above the Fold, A Custom Newspaper-Themed Book Cozy, An Above the Fold vintage-style bookmark!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f46d/above-the-fold-celebration-tour-giveaway
