by admin | Dec 1, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Raelynn Rivers grew up being told that she was born to sing so she dreamed of a career doing what she loved. One day she left her family home in the mountains of Virginia and her best friend/fiance Lane behind to pursue her dream. Sure enough, Raelynn reached the top and became the “Country Music Queen” but fame was not all it was cut out to be and she broke under the stress of it all. After a few years at the top, Raelynn found herself opening for her own former opening acts. A mining accident sends Raelynn running home to her family and realizes just how much she has missed the mountains and Lane. Their relationship appears to rekindle but Lane has a secret that could change everything.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Silver White Winters” and barely put it down until I had read it all. Both Raelynn and Lane are characters I could easily picture in my mind. The plot was well paced and emotionally satisfying. Lane’s particular secret is one I have not run across in my extensive reading but I felt that Candice handled it well and helped me understand that particular challenges of a person in Lane’s situation. I liked the way the author worked the importance of faith into the story and felt it played an important role in the outcome.
As a somewhat visual person, I have to mention that I think the cover is gorgeous. In my opinion, I believe you can often judge a book by its cover and this one made me want to read what was inside.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Raelynn Rivers dreams of reviving her floundering career. The “Country Music Queen” hasn’t had a number one hit in six years, and her song-writing ability has vanished. But Raelynn’s hopes are derailed when tragedy strikes. Returning to her home town forces her to confront her past—Lane Ryan, the childhood best friend and former fiancé she abandoned in order to pursue her music career.
In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one inspires her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries is as big as Coal Mountain and threatens any future they may have together.
Second chances don’t come around every day. Will Raelynn sacrifice her career this time or say goodbye to Lane forever?
This title is part of the Christmas Holiday Extravaganza, specially priced through December. Order a copy for yourself while it is on sale HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Candice Sue Patterson studied at The Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in southern Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes contemporary romance with threads of nostalgia.
Visit at www.candicesuepatterson.blogspot.com
by admin | Nov 26, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
“The Christmas Tree Bride” is the eighth installment in the 12 Brides of Christmas series of novellas. Like the preceding novellas, it is a short and sweet romance that takes place during the Christmas season.
Featuring Polly Winfield who helps her parents run a stagecoach stop in Wyoming Territory, the story depicts the sometimes lonely life and hard work involved in running a stage stop. Polly’s isolation is somewhat relieved by the presence of new driver Jacob Tierney during his layover between runs. When he learns how important having a Christmas tree is to Polly, Jacob promises to bring her one in time for Christmas.
By their very nature these novellas must be short and to-the-point but some of them make me long for an extended version and “The Christmas Tree Bride” is one of those. I would have loved to read more detailed interaction between Polly and Jacob. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed each of the novellas thus far and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
Polly Winfield lives at the stagecoach station that her father operates and often sees Jacob Tierney, one of the drivers. But winter arrives on the prairie bleak and uneventful, and she confesses to Jacob that all she longs for is a Christmas tree. Will a stagecoach accident prevent him from making her wish come true?
More About The Christmas Tree Bride with Susan Page Davis As a veteran writer of 50 novels, Susan Page Davis loves historical fiction and often finds inspiration from her family history. While her own family always had a Christmas tree–no surprise since she grew up in Maine–she was interesting in writing a story set in a place where trees were hard to find.
In The Christmas Tree Bride, Polly moves to Wyoming Territory with her parents and helps run a stagecoach stop during the time period prior to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.” I added characters to help keep the stage line moving, and also envisioned what sort of romance might take place there.”
In the course of writing the novella, Susan was surprised when one of her secondary characters, Billy Clyde, the shotgun rider, developed a strong personality of his own.
“I set The Christmas Tree Bride in 1867 because I love that time period and the excitement of westward expansion,” Susan explained. “I knew a tree was something a girl would miss,” for her first Christmas away from her greater family. Susan’s own family enjoys large family get-togethers during the holidays.
As part of her research, Susan investigated what trees grew in Wyoming and also learned the type of Christmas cards sent at that time. (Which, of course, was just after the ending of the Civil War).
Her heroine, Polly, reflects certain aspects of Susan’s character. She’s impulsive and desires to please and help others. Among the spiritual themes is a simple one: “God provides the things we really need, even when it seems unlikely.”
The setting for The Christmas Tree Bride is familiar to Susan as she married a man from Oregon and has driven the east to west route and back again several times.
“Most of my ancestors stayed in New England, but my great-great grandfather on my mother’s side did go west after the Civil War, driving cattle out there. He also did some gold mining. My husband’s family, on the other hand, took to the wagon trails and left some vivid tales behind.”
Given her experiences writing historical fiction, Susan wouldn’t mind visiting Winfield Station, “but I don’t think I’d want to live there!”
Who is Susan Page Davis?
A native of Maine, Susan has spent most of her life there, with forays to her husband’s home state of Oregon, and is now relocated to Kentucky. She homeschooled her six children. Like several other 12 Brides of Christmas authors, Susan descends from patriots who defended their country during the American Revolution, and has used some of their inspiring stories in her own writing.
You can learn more about Susan on her webpage: www.susanpagedavis.com
Susan Page Davis blogs on the twenty-third of the month on the Christian Fictional Historical Society website.
In addition, you can find Susan on Facebook
by admin | Nov 26, 2014 | Amish, Books, Christmas, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“An Amish Second Christmas” is a compilation of four novellas by authors known for their Amish fiction. Each of the novellas stands alone with different settings and characters. The common thread is that each one highlights a way the Amish of that community celebrates the day after Christmas which they call “Second Christmas”.
“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman is somewhat different than the usual Amish novel. The story is a bit mysterious with a bit of humor and a touch of romance. It is also a touching example of family reconciliation and healing that might just bring the reader to tears.
“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid is also a bit unexpected. A story that begins with an expected engagement gone wrong, a misdirected package and letter, and a correspondence that develops as a result, this novella is thoroughly delightful and entertaining in its entirety.
“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller tells the story of lifelong best friends Anne Marie and Nathaniel who are soon to be separated when Anne Marie’s widowed mother remarries and moves the family to another state. Anne Marie cannot imagine her life without Nathaniel and both of them realize possibly too late that their friendship has developed into much more.
“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer is another story set in Kootenai, a place Goyer’s readers have come to love. Esther is a shy young woman who has always lived in the shadow of her more outgoing twin and has developed a pretty good case of low self esteem as a result. When her mother finally shares her famous pie recipe for Esther to bake for an auction, the young man who buys her pie discovers just how special Esther is.
All four novellas are quickly read and each is special in its own way. I enjoyed all of them and would find it difficult to choose a favorite. “An Amish Second Christmas” is just the right book for those who love Amish fiction and Christmas novels.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing..
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Celebrate Second Christmas, a treasured, lighthearted time of community, with four Amish romances.
“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman
Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store.
Read a preview from When Christmas Comes Again HERE.
“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid
Joy was expecting a wedding proposal from Henry; what she got instead was news of another woman. But when her heartfelt letter to a cousin ends up in the hands of a young cabinetmaker, an unexpected correspondence between two strangers gets interesting fast.
“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller
Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins.
“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer
Vanilla crumb pie has been Esther’s mem’s calling card for decades. But when Esther finally gets her hands on the secret recipe, she discovers that vanilla crumb pie is more than just dessert . . . it’s bachelor bait.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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Beth WisemanAward-winning, bestselling author Beth Wiseman is best known for her Amish novels, but she has also written several successful contemporary novels, set primarily in her beloved Texas, including Need You Now and The House that Love Built. Both have received glowing reviews. Beth’s The Promise is inspired by a true story. |
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Kathleen FullerKathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including *A Man of His Word and Treasuring Emma, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, The Mysteries of Middlefield. |
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Ruth ReidRuth Reid is a CBA and ECPA best-selling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She’s a full-time pharmacist who resides in Florida with her husband and three children. |
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Tricia GoyerUSA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series. She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. Tricia and her husband John live in Little Rock, Arkansas where John works for FamilyLife. They have six children. |
by admin | Nov 23, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Revell, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Each year I look forward to reading Melody Carlson’s latest Christmas novel. I would be extremely disappointed if she decided to stop writing them. At this point, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without one. As expected, her latest, “The Christmas Cat” did not disappoint. It was a short and sweet story that contained a timely message appropriate to the season.
I felt immediate sympathy for Garrison and his aversion to his grandmother’s houseful of cats because of his allergic reaction to them. How would he ever meet the requirements of her will without becoming ill himself? I especially liked how Garrison found just the right owners for each of the cats and the special effects the cats had on their new owners. Most of all, I loved the changes in Garrison himself as he honored his grandmother’s last wishes and found himself blessed for it.
“The Christmas Cat” is a heartwarming tale that can be read in one evening. Do yourself a favor and begin a Christmas tradition with Melody Carlson’s Christmas books. I think you will love them as much as I do.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
He felt his face flushing as Cara opened the door. Wearing a garnet-colored knit dress and with her dark hair pinned up, she looked even prettier than he remembered. Suddenly he wished he’d thought to bring a hostess gift. Like a cat.
After years abroad, Garrison Brown finds himself at the home of his beloved grandmother who has just passed away. He must sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While he hopes to dispense with the task quickly–especially since he is severely allergic to cats–his grandmother’s instructions don’t allow for speed. She has left some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends.
Can he match the cats with the perfect new owners? And is it possible that he might meet his own match along the way?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than six million. She is the author of several Christmas books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, as well as The Christmas Pony and A Simple Christmas Wish. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.
by admin | Nov 20, 2014 | Books, Christmas, ebook, Historical, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that encompasses Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is nice to find a bit of stolen time to relax with a book. The novellas that comprise The 12 Brides of Christmas novella series are absolutely perfect for that. I woke early one morning this week and instead of rattling around in the kitchen, I decided to let my husband sleep. In my comfy recliner, I was able to finish “The Nativity Bride” before he woke.
“The Nativity Bride” is a story about lost love, family secrets, broken family relationships, dedication to family, and second chances. The author managed to pack quite a lot into this short but emotional story that illustrates the affect that personal disappointments can have on future generations.
I loved this sweet story of forgiveness and restoration. I hope you will also.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
Deborah Summers has waited five years and prayed for Curt Warren to return to Goldendale, Washington, passing up another marriage proposal by believing in her first love. When tragedy finally brings him home, will a rift with his father drive him away too quickly?
More About The Nativity Bride with Miralee Ferrell
A devoted young woman who cared for her mother rather than follow after the man she loved, Deborah’s heart springs to life when he returns for a brief visit. Once there, love flames anew but, as usual, misunderstandings abound.
What can a beautifully carved nativity set have to do with it?
And will she make a choice to love in spite of circumstances?
Set in beautiful Goldendale, Washington, The Nativity Bride‘s hero Curt is an honorable man struggling with a difficult past. Will he be able to overcome his disappointments to find happiness?
Who is Miralee Ferrell?
Miralee’s an avid reader and has a large collection of first edition Zane Grey books, which inspired her desire to write fiction set in the Old West. She rides horseback with her adult daughter and lives with her husband on 11 acres along the Columbia River in southern Washington.
For more information about Miralee, please visit her website: miraleeferrell.com
You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter
by admin | Nov 15, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Humor, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The sixth novella in The 12 Brides of Christmas series, “The Gingerbread Bride” is short, sweet, and funny. So far this novella is the most humorous one and had me laughing almost throughout. I am having a delightful time reading the various Brides of Christmas stories and look forward to the rest of them.
Maddie is in love with Harlan but is too impatient to wait for him to reciprocate. In order to hurry him up, she procures a “love potion” but panics when she discovers Harlan has eaten the entire plate of gingerbread she made with the “potion”. The results are hilarious but to tell more would give away the entire story.
Even with its humor, “The Gingerbread Bride” has a very important lesson about waiting on the Lord rather than trying to rush things through one’s own efforts. I remember Abraham having to learn a similar lesson.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
Maddie Sinclair loves Harlan Calhoun, but feels like she can’t get his attention, so she visits an eccentric woman in the Ozark Mountains for an herbal mixture—a love potion—that she bakes into a batch of gingerbread cookies. When Harlan suddenly proposes, Maddie is torn by guilt and confusion. Is this true love or just the herbs talking?
Purchase a copy of
The Gingerbread Bride HERE.
More About The Gingerbread Bride with Amy Lillard
Amy Lilliard’s first historical novella starts out with a common problem but her heroine Maddie seeks an unusual solution in The Gingerbread Bride.
Maddie’s weakness is lack of trust in God. As a result, “she’s so desperate to find love that she grows impatient and takes matters into her own hands.”
The results, of course, backfire in a curious way involving a Christmas gingerbread man.
Set in Arkansas‘ Ozarks following the Civil War, The Gingerbread Bride features a zany young woman, the voice of reason in her younger sister and a lonely young man, Harlan, invited to Christmas dinner.
Amy enjoyed writing the story because of the close relationship between Maddie and her sister Grace. “It made me miss my own sisters. We don’t live close, but we always have each other’s back—even when we mess up,” she said.
A history major in college, Amy was always intrigued by this time period, “a nation rebuilding, still growing and pushing westward, settled, but still a little wild.”
During the writing of the novella she researched the location and period clothing, but also mistletoe traditions and when they started, Christmas trees in America, Christmas cookies, and wedding cakes.
“The idea that everyone is one of God’s children grew out of the story itself,” Amy added.
Christmas in the Lilliard household involves a big meal served around a fancy set table.
”But what makes the celebration different from year to year is we tend to invite anyone and everyone to come eat with us. It seemed natural to me that the pastor would invite Harlan to dinner. He has no family close and needs to be with others on Christmas Day. Family can mean so much more than those joined by blood or marriage.”
Amy has enjoyed working on The Twelve Brides of Christmas Collection. “I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful and talented group of authors. I have made some great friends.”
Who is Amy Lilliard?
Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess. Amy is a native of Mississippi who currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband and son.
For more information about Amy, please visit her website: amywritesromance.com
You can also find Amy on Facebook and Twitter.
Candice Sue Patterson studied at The Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in southern Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes contemporary romance with threads of nostalgia.
