by admin | Jan 27, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I don’t think I have ever read a novel by Johnnie Alexander but I can guarantee that “Where She Belongs” will not be the last one. I did not expect the wonderfully complex plot filled with mostly lovable characters. Naturally, there were a couple of them I did not like at all but even one of them gradually changed his stripes before the end.
I loved the small town setting where everyone knows everyone else but secrets are held closely. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship between AJ and Shelby grow as she finally realized he was not the enemy she thought he was.
“Where She Belongs” is a wonderful mixture of family, romance, secrets, and faith that held me captive until the very last page. A sneak peek included at the end informed me that the next book will feature one of those characters I did not like very much. I can’t wait!
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can love redeem a broken past?
Shelby Kincaid is ready to move forward after the death of her husband left her devastated. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family’s homestead, Misty Willow, so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she has her work cut out for her.
AJ Sullivan never wanted Shelby’s family homestead in the first place. His grandfather left it to him as punishment for not following his wishes, and he’s let it fall into ruin. AJ’s more than happy to unload it to this spitfire of a woman. But even after angry exchanges over the state of the house, he can’t get her off his mind.
With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and family history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home–and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Jodie Westfall Photography
Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.
by admin | Jan 26, 2016 | Books, England, Romance, World War 1
MY REVIEW:
A gorgeous cover hints at the story found inside the third volume of Turansky’s Edwardian Brides series. Rich with history and romance, “A Refuge at Highland Hall” details life there as Penney and her sister Kate, along with a number of orphans take refuge with Julia and William to escape the German bombs falling on London. I found myself caught up in life within the walls of Highland Hall as I renewed my acquaintance with characters from the previous books of the series.
Although the story was a tad slower moving at first, I learned a number of facts about WWI that my high school history books failed to convey. As the book progressed, the pace did pick up a bit with several exciting scenes, especially those of Alex’s battle experiences. The romance between Penney and Alex had plenty of ups and downs and at times even seemed to be doomed. A secondary romance added some extra interest and I also liked the two characters involved very much. Each character was faced with circumstances that forced them to learn to trust in the Lord for their very lives.
With plenty of history, romance, danger, romance, and even a touch of mystery and suspense, “A Refuge at Highland Hall” was a satisfying conclusion to the series.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France.
Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.
Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.
As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout form those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bestselling Inspirational Romance Author Carrie Turansky has written more than a dozen historical and contemporary novels. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award; and been a finalist for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the ACFW Genesis Award.
by admin | Jan 26, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
It was with mixed feelings that I closed the final pages of Susan May Warren’s final book in her wonderful Christiansen Family series. I was happily satisfied to see the conclusion of Owen’s story resolved so well yet I was also sad to know that I had reached the end of time spent with this special family (unless I go back and read the series again).
Susan writes stories with characters and situations that are so realistic that the reader can easily identify. Many of her characters are people with whom I would probably enjoy spending time. One thing I like about them is that they are not perfect – they make mistakes (sometimes big ones) like the rest of us. And sometimes it takes them some time to own up to their mistakes and make things right.
Of all the Christiansen family, Owen was probably the most stubborn and rebellious. The funny thing was that although he had run far away from family and friends, he was totally unaware of his all-time biggest mistake. I loved how Owen met his match in Scotty, an equally wounded soul and how each of them eventually found the forgiveness, healing, and restoration needed to move forward in their lives. It was also a bit ironic how Casper, the brother Owen thought could do no wrong, was the one who ended up with BIG problems in this book. But family ties are strong and despite the conflict between the two brothers, Owen stepped up and did everything he could to prove Casper’s innocence.
As I stated earlier, I really hate to see this series end but also eagerly look forward to whatever Susan has planned next for her readers. If you have never read one of her books, by all means start with this series. You could read “You’re the One That I Want” as a stand alone but it would be far better in my opinion, to start at the beginning and work your way through it.
This book was provided for review by the Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.
Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after—especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama—and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.
But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.
Read an excerpt from “You’re the One That I Want” here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan May Warren is the bestselling, Christy and RITA Award–winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church.
Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women’s events about God’s amazing grace in our lives.
For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
by admin | Jan 17, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Mississippi Nights” is a gritty and down-to-earth story that probes some pretty deep emotional waters. The family bond between the two Boyette brothers is broken when David cannot forgive Jeremy for letting his fiance die in a fiery accident. Jeremy cannot forgive himself and has returned home after several years away with a secret. Pastor’s daughter Maggie becomes an important person in Jeremy’s life but is her love enough to free him from his personal demons?
Not only is this book an emotional roller coaster ride, its quickly moving plot is also filled with lots of action and surprises. At times it was difficult to read because the anger between the brothers was so realistic but I appreciated the way they showed their anger without profanity. Several tense scenes had me holding my breath and hoping for a positive outcome. Character development is so natural that I found myself often disliking David and Jeremy while rooting for them at the same time.
Some tough subjects are covered including child neglect and alcoholism in all its ugliness. Despite all its gritty reality, “Mississippi Nights” is a clean and redemptive tale that left me with a positive feeling at its end. It is a story that will stay with me for awhile. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This book was provided for review by The Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two brothers, one death–the bond of brotherhood faces its greatest challenge against resentment and guilt. Can the love between two brothers eventually win against pain and guilt?
When Firefighter David Boyette’s fiancée perishes in a car fire, he blames his brother, Sgt. Jeremy Boyette, for her death.
Three years later, David returns home with a dark and devastating secret. With the help of family, a woman’s love, and a small child’s devotion, can David overcome insurmountable odds as he and Jeremy face the bitterness that enslaves him?
Together the brothers must decide if the bond of brotherhood is stronger than resentment and hate.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daphne Self, writing as D.M. Webb, is the author of 30 Days: A Devotional Memoir (2013), Mississippi Nights (2012), and I Lost My Hat (2009). Her children’s devotional, Balaam and the Donkey, appeared on www.devokids.com (April 2013). Between her writing the next novel, marketing her published works, and reviewing books on her blog, Rebel Book Reviews, she volunteers as an ACFW judge for First Impressions, Genesis, and Carol Awards. Her travels and life with her family makes life interesting and provides plenty of material for storylines.
by admin | Jan 14, 2016 | Books, Edwardian, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I knew I was going to love “After the Rain” from its very first page. The absolutely magnificent descriptions pulled me right into the story and kept me there until the very end. What an excellent assortment of characters! From the kind-hearted and determined heroine Louisa and the perfectly gallant yet down-to-earth Jackson, the author has provided other characters for the reader to either love or hate. Other than the two primary characters, I thoroughly enjoyed Louisa’s two aunts who were both loving and humorous.
Be warned, “After the Rain” is quite lengthy. It could easily have been divided into two separate novels but I am so glad the author chose to keep the story together. I would have hated to wait for the next volume. At any rate, the plot moves along at a steady rate with ample drama, humor, and of course romance to hold my attention. Just as I thought everything was ready to wrap up, something new would happen to take things off in a different direction. Quite a few surprises were in store but I kept rooting for Louisa and Jackson, even when it seemed that a permanent relationship would be impossible.
What more can I say? I loved “After the Rain” and would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy historical Christian romance with a few twists. Even at 570 pages, it ended much too quickly for me.
This book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit.
After the Rain is a 570 page novel in the Christian historical fiction genre and was released on September 29, 2015. Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Book
He becomes the love of her life. She becomes his biggest challenge.
It’s 1908, a year in the Edwardian Age, the year J.M. Barrie’s play What Every Woman Knows, premiered in Atlantic City and the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. It is a year when the world faced one of its worst disasters in history, when the New Year would heal the wounds of loss. Louisa Borden lives a privileged life in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a new and thriving community on the outskirts of Washington, DC for the well-to-do. Against the wishes of her domineering grandmother, she retreats from the prospects of a loveless marriage and instead searches for what she hopes is her calling in life.
When her horse is spooked along Rock Creek, she is thrown from the saddle—an embarrassing situation for any affluent young lady. Soaking wet, bruised and humiliated, she is carried up the muddy bank to safety by Jackson O’Neil, a stranger to the city, who changes the course of everything, including the lives of all those around her.
About the Author
 |
Rita Gerlach is a best-selling author of inspirational fiction with a romantic bent, including The Rebel’s Pledge, Thorns in Eden and The Everlasting Mountains, Surrender the Wind, and The Daughters of the Potomac Series. She lives in Maryland near the Catoctin Mountains with her husband Paul. |
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by admin | Jan 13, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Medical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
It has been awhile since I read a book by Candace Calvert and after reading “Step by Step” I have to wonder why. I really like the author’s down-to-earth portrayal of medical personnel who actually have real lives outside of the hospital. I also like the way she gives her readers an up-close-and-personal look at what goes on behind the scenes. In this case, I learned quite a bit about the people on crisis teams who are available to support family members in the midst of or after traumatic events.
Widowed ER nurse Taylor Cabot has checked off nearly every item on her survival list and her target deadline is quickly approaching. She believes that she will regain a normal life once again if she can just check off the final item – fall in love again. That objective is looking absolutely possible because the handsome and single plastic surgeon on staff is in hot pursuit of Taylor. He would be the perfect husband – wouldn’t he? When her friend and former crisis team mentor, chaplain Seth Donovan shows up in San Diego, Taylor tries to avoid him because he revives too many memories of her husband’s death. It becomes very evident that Taylor is not nearly as healed emotionally as she thought.
Love is definitely in the air but how will this love triangle play out? And just what part does spiteful ER nurse Sloane have to play in it? “Step by Step” is a gripping story filled with drama, tragedy, and romance that will keep those pages turning far into the night if other readers are like me. A box of tissues close at hand might be helpful, especially if you are a dog lover. There are some poignant scenes with Taylor’s aging and ailing dog.
I loved “Step by Step” and am eagerly looking forward to the next book featuring Sloane.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determined to move on, checking off one item after another on her survival list. Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point?“fall in love again.” At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband’s death.
While in San Diego to train community volunteers, Seth hopes to learn why Taylor is backing away from the crisis team and from their friendship. But nothing prepares him for the feelings that arise when he sees Taylor again . . . and sees her moving on with another man.
When a community crisis hits home and puts lives at risk, emotions run high and buried truths are unearthed. Will hope make the survival list?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Former ER nurse, wife, Mom and proud grandmother, Candace Calvert believes that love, laughter, and faith are the best medicines. Her popular medical fiction offers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding drama, romance, humor, suspense–and a prescription for hope. Think, “Grey’s Anatomy finds its soul.” She is . . .
A Northern California native who spent several years in Hill Country Texas–where she learned to check her shoes for scorpions and plucked an armadillo from her swimming pool. Thinks cruising is the best way to travel: honeymooned in Venice, swam with stingrays, rode a camel at the pyramids, and sang (badly) with a Newfoundland country band. She’s passionate about cooking, loves bird watching, gardening, and gets goose bumps when her handsome husband hits the low notes at karaoke. She writes inspirational fiction because . . .
God blessed her with a quirky wit, buoyant optimism, and a contagious sense of fun–but she didn’t come to know him until after the Triple Whammy that turned her life into a bad country song. A painful and unexpected divorce, the Northern California floods of 1997, and (just when she was coping like a champ, no problem) an equestrian accident that left her with fractured ribs, a bleeding lung, broken back, neck fractures and a spinal cord injury. She’ll tell you that God took drastic measures to get her attention.
In the months of rehabilitation, Candace healed in body and spirit. And came to fully understand the difference between being a strong woman and a woman of strength. The difference is faith, and that lesson has been her biggest blessing. Her story, “By Accident,” appears in Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, and launched her writing career. Now . . .
She is honored to bring readers medical fiction that offers exciting entertainment and a healthy dose of hope.
