by admin | Oct 7, 2018 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
After agreeing to review A Contradiction to His Pride I decided to purchase a copy of Leaving Independence to read first. I enjoyed it but have not managed to fit a review into my schedule. I wish I could make myself write one for every book I read but obviously I enjoy reading more than reviewing. I finally got around to reading A Contradiction to His Pride and found it even more exciting than the previous novel.
I did have a bit of a problem at first with the age difference of James and Corrine but his behavior was always proper and respectful toward her as is fitting in a Christian novel. By the time the story got into full swing, that was no longer an issue. I was too busy keeping up with all the danger and action that was taking place. It seemed that the characters went from one dangerous situation to another. And what characters they are! Corrine, Harry and Tam Sims trying to catch up with James and Charlie to warn them about the outlaw determined to kill James, each of them a picture of bravery in their own right. Then several others get involved and the plot gets more twisted by the minute leading up to a major showdown near the end.
So this may be considered a Christian romance novel but it rivals any of the shoot-em-up westerns I watched with my dad as a child. I think it would be perfect for a movie. Anyone who enjoys Christian western novels should pick up a copy of A Contradiction to His Pride as well as Leaving Independence. I would love to see more novels in this vein.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the moment James met Corrine as they traveled the Oregon Trail, in Smith’s best-selling debut novel Leaving Independence, he couldn’t resist trying to win the sharp-mouthed beauty’s affections.
Now, as the core group of pioneers in Colonel Dotson’s wagon train begins to settle in Baker City, Oregon and build homesteads, James is restless to make his fortune so he can stake his own claim and win Corrine’s hand with honor.
But when James takes Corrine on an outing designed to impress her, things go tragically wrong. James foils a bank robbery and unwittingly sets a series of events into motion that shatter Corrine’s heart and now threaten her life, along with his and her older brother Charlie’s.
Soon there are several folks heading back down the trail–James, Charlie, Corrine, Harry and Tam Sims, the Baker City Sheriff, a newspaperman, a notorious criminal family, and Hoke Mathews–all set to collide in a final showdown in a Colorado mining town as outlaw Duke Walden seeks to make James pay for his heroic actions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leanne W. Smith is a writer and professor. Her books include Leaving Independence, On a Dark & Snowy Night (short story), and A Contradiction to His Pride. She also teaches business courses at a university in Nashville. Smith and her husband have two creative daughters and a son-in-law who make the world a more beautiful place through their art, design, photography, singing, songwriting and mandolin-playing.
WEBSITE: leannewsmith.com
BLOG: leannewsmith.com/blog
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_INmFNwsmI
by admin | Oct 7, 2018 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
A Defense of Honor is an entirely different Regency novel than what I usually encounter. Many novels are a series of fancy balls and flirtations as the heroine hopes to find a proper husband. In this tale, readers see another side of the wealthy society – the women taken advantage of by men who abandoned them and did not acknowledge the children produced by the relationship. Under most circumstances the women were left in disgrace and often children were doomed to a life of servitude if not death. Determined to make a difference, Kit FitzGilbert and two friends take it upon themselves to provide a home and education for as many of the unwanted children as possible and perhaps saving their mothers from scandal. Despite their personal sacrifice, providing for these children required funding and Kit’s unconventional methods of acquiring money came close to landing her in trouble more than once. When Lord Wharton enters her life, Kit finds it difficult to keep her secrets but the children’s future could depend on her silence.
I loved everything about this book. It was fun watching the relationship develop between Kit and Graham and gratifying to witness her change of heart about her methods of collecting funding and learning to depend on the Lord to provide. An excellent plot with wonderful characters and several unexpected twists, A Defense of Honor held my attention throughout. I look forward to more titles by this author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she’s forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend’s missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she’s telling.
After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can’t matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and to raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. But as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, the risk of revealing the truth may come at too high a price for those she loves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristi Ann Hunter is the author of the Hawthorne House series and a 2016 RITA Award winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.
by admin | Oct 5, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21 ESV
Summer Plans and Other Disasters is a light-hearted romance that contains an important lesson. The story revolves around Callie Stevens a school teacher who believes she has heard from God about what she should do over summer vacation and has planned accordingly. The only problem is that her plans seem to fall apart at every turn and Callie begins to doubt if she heard God correctly. Perhaps she just took the ball and ran with her own interpretation of what she heard.
Other characters include Callie’s older brother Jack, his best friend Ryan, Callie’s old flame Kyle, and her new friend Stacey. The narrative is related through several points of view and it is evident the characters are not always on the same page. Intelligent, accomplished Callie who does everything accordingly to plan is a disaster in the making which definitely adds quite a bit of humor to the tale. Jack is the perfect big brother, level-headed and competent except when he’s around a certain young lady. Ryan is a perfect leading man but then Kyle is not too bad either. The problem is will Callie figure out which one meets God’s plan for her or will she carry through with her own plans?
I mostly enjoyed this book even though at times Callie could be just a bit exasperating. Her education and accomplishments were in direct contrast to some of her quirky actions. Nevertheless, Summer Plans and Other Disasters is a great novel for those times when one wants to read something light and humorous. I would be open to reading a sequel, especially if it is about Jack.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Audra Jennings PR. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track. Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right?
Trying to figure out God’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best laid plans were truly God-inspired.
Now available from Elk Lake Publishing!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karin wrote her first novel in 2007 to cope with her husband’s cancer diagnosis (no worries – he’s cancer free now!). With the support and encouragement of her family, she submitted that manuscript. That particular manuscript has not been published yet, but Summer Plans and Other Disasters, her first published book, releases in September 2018.
Karin writes contemporary and speculative fiction stories with a healthy dose of romance, but she’s also expanded her repertoire: she writes feature stories for the local paper, copy material for businesses, and blog posts for herself and others. She even edits (offering copy editing, fiction editing, and critiques through Write Now Editing Services) and teaches (she’s the Substantive Fiction Editing instructor for the PEN Institute and can be found around the country teaching writing and editing courses at conferences and at her local college).
When Karin’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys cooking and baking. She plays the piano and sings (the key of E, please). She kayaks with her husband in the summer, watches football in the fall (Go Blue!), and enjoys Christmas lights all winter long. Shy but extroverted, Karin adores her nieces and nephew and loves spending time with her family. Learn more about Karin at: karinbeery.com.
You can also follow her on:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/karinbeery
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/
by admin | Oct 4, 2018 | Books, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I discovered Heather Blanton’s books due to my love of Christian fiction with historical western settings. Her novels meet that requirement perfectly. Ms. Blanton tends to tackle subject matters that many avoid and for that reason they are usually quite realistic and sometimes gritty. Nevertheless she manages to keep them clean with an emphasis on faith which I appreciate.
To Love and to Honor features a married man who has lost his leg due to a war injury only to be abandoned by his wife. He meets a young, unmarried woman on the stage who has been abandoned by her lover when he discovered she was expecting his child. With no other options, the young lady is reluctantly returning home to a father she expects will be less than welcoming. Although he feels defeated, Joel Chapman is still enough of a gentleman to try to help Angela temporarily. Neither expects what happens next.
Yes, neither of these characters is the ideal hero or heroine of a Christian novel but yet they are because this story is one about redemption and restoration and how the Lord uses others to rescue hopeless situations and make them new again. I loved this book and always look forward to new ones by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Joel Chapman’s spirit is dying a slow, painful death. An amputee, he can no longer fulfill his duties as a cavalry soldier. According to his wife, without two good legs, he can’t fulfill his duties as a husband and provider. In a world of able-bodied men, it seems honor and faith don’t count for much. Angela Fairbanks is the daughter of a cattle baron known for his iron fist and cold heart. She has no doubt once her father learns she is carrying an illegitimate child, he will banish her from the ranch. A chance encounter with Joel results in a reckless but compassionate offer: for one day, he’ll play the role of her husband, and then “abandon” her. For the sake of the baby, Angela agrees to the ruse. But when love weaves itself into the lie, Joel and Angela will discover there’s much more at risk than just their hearts. Faith. Honor. Love. Which one will they sacrifice?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Best-selling author Heather Blanton is a former journalist and avid researcher who endeavors to seamlessly weave actual history in among fictional storylines. She loves exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. She has walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw’s note in her hand.
Her novels are all Christian Western Romance because this is the genre that lets her write about feisty pioneer women who struggle to find love and keep their faith. Like all good, old-fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and often a touch of suspense. Of course, romance is always a strong element in her stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God and a perfect reflection of how he loves us: sacrificially and lavishly. Her work is inspired by authors like the great Louis L’Amour, Francine Rivers, and Linda Lael Miller, to name just a few.
She grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. Her most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to her daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! Her daddy also taught her to shoot and, trust us, she can sew on buttons with her rifle.
She is a proud member of Western Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.
by admin | Oct 4, 2018 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Author Karen Witemeyer writes such wonderful books. Within their pages one usually finds ample humor, romance, action, and sometimes mystery to satisfy most readers but I also often find an important lesson about life and faith woven into a delightful story. More Than Meets the Eye is such a book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The strong ties of three children forced to rely on each other for survival joined them together into a family of sorts that followed them into adulthood. It was heartwarming to see how they cared for and looked after each other. Each of the characters had unique traits that made them all the more realistic. Evangeline was such an optimist that she encouraged everyone. Despite his own health problems Seth was determined to do his part in taking care of their home. And big brother Zach felt responsible for them all and sacrificed more than they knew to make sure they had what they needed.
Then into their lives rode Logan Fowler, a man bent on revenge against the man he believed destroyed his family. The poor man had no idea what he was in for or how his interactions with this unusual family would change his life and theirs forever.
If you have never read a book by Karen Witemeyer, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of More Than Meets the Eye. I know you will enjoy it at least almost as much as I did.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Her Family Is Threatened, She Doesn’t Expect Falling in Love to Be Their Best Defense
Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes–one bright blue, the other dark brown–Evangeline has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world’s judgments, and Evangeline has two–Seth and Zach, fellow orphans she now counts as brothers.
Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father’s death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. And when Hamilton’s unique sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time they cross paths, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?
Read an excerpt here.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
by admin | Sep 25, 2018 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance
Welcome to the JustRead Publicity Tour’s BLOG TOUR for
Christmas with the Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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Title: Christmas with the Cowboy
Series: Big Heart Ranch, Book 3
Author: Tina Radcliffe
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: September 18, 2018 |
Home for the holidays
A second chance at love on Big Heart Ranch
Former Navy SEAL Zach Norman has been avoiding his ranching roots—and the woman he couldn’t have. Back to visit his brother’s widow, Emma Maxwell Norman, and her adorable toddler twins, the bah-humbug cowboy is roped into helping prepare the ranch for the holidays. Working side by side, can Emma and Zach overcome their troubled past…and receive the greatest Christmas gift of all—love?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Book Depository | BAM! | Book Bub
EXCERPT FROM CHRISTMAS WITH THE COWBOY:
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 to read an excerpt from Christmas with the Cowboy |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency (a branch of the NSA) stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. Her move to Colorado led to a career as a library cataloger. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina manages Seekerville, 13 author blog which is starting its tenth year. Seekerville is a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award winner.
Tina is a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, a 2014 Golden Quill finalist and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. In 2016 Safe in the Fireman’s Arms was a Holt Medallion Merit Award finalist and a Detroit Bookseller’s Best finalist and a NERFA finalist. She has won first place in over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. Tina is also a short story writer and has sold over twenty short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. She currently resides in Arizona where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.
TO CONNECT WITH TINA: website, facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, Book Bub
Tina also have a great newsletter filled with fun facts and great giveaways for her newsletter subscribers. Sign up for her newsletter HERE.
GIVEAWAY
Tina has graciously offered (1) winner an awesome Christmas with the Cowboy prize pack that includes:
- An autographed copy of Christmas with the Cowboy
- LED Christmas Bulb Necklace
- $50 Amazon gift card.
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Complete prize open to US mailing addresses only. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
TOUR SCHEDULE
Launch Page @JustReadTours
Launch Page @JustCommonly
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
