by admin | May 30, 2016 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“A Daughter’s Dream” is the second book in Gray’s The Charmed Amish Life series. It can easily stand alone but would probably be much more enjoyable after reading the first book of the series “A Son’s Vow” which provides background information that helps to understand more about the characters and the town.
As the title implies, this novel is about dreams but in this case it covers the dreams of more than one character. It seems that several of the characters spent their lives trying to fit into the image they thought other people expected of them, leaving them mostly unfulfilled and sometimes unhappy. Funny thing is that most of the time the expectations of others was not what they imagined. In “A Daughter’s Dream” several of these characters learn more about dreams and what it means to follow the Lord’s plan for their lives.
I enjoyed another visit to Charm and was happy to see familiar faces and to learn that the town was beginning to recover from the tragic fire at the mill. This installment was so filled with wisdom and faith that I found much to consider as I read it and wondered if I had ever dared to dream.
Although this book features the Amish, their story could easily apply to any walk of life and contains lessons we would all do well to think about. I am looking forward to the next book of this series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A young teacher and farmer discover they have much in common, especially when it comes to healing old wounds from the past . . . and finding love in one another.
Rebecca Kinsinger has always dreamed of being a teacher. But when she’s given the opportunity she’s been waiting for at Charm Amish School, she’s dismayed to discover that teaching is hard work—work she’s afraid she’s not very good at.
That is, until Lilly Yoder joins the class. A thirteen-year old who’s just lost her parents, Lilly is in need of someone like Rebecca. For the first time since starting her new job, Rebecca feels a sense of purpose. But when she meets Lilly’s uncle, Jacob, his good looks and sweet, easy-going temperament are hard to ignore. How can she even entertain romantic thoughts of Jacob when his niece is her student?
Suddenly becoming Lily’s sole caregiver, Jacob Yoder never thought he’d be a single parent—or a farmer. Having been living in Florida as a carpenter, Jacob feels more at home wielding a hammer than a backhoe. The only bright spot in his life is Rebecca Kinsinger. As Lily and Rebecca develop a bond, Jacob’s fondness for the pretty teacher grows, too.
But when a fateful accident brings them together, Rebecca and Jacob must choose between duty and desire. Will they follow the path before them? Or set out to find true happiness . . . and true love?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. 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.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
Enter to win a copy of A Daughter’s Dream—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced June 8th on Shelley’s blog!
by admin | May 23, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Someone Like You” is a beautiful contemporary romance about second chances and the grace of God. Less-than-perfect primary characters are vividly portrayed with all their shortcomings which made me like them even more. Well except for that one supremely irritating narcissist who just never could get a clue about how grownups should actually behave.
I liked the story twist in that Julia and Zeke had parted ways years before due to differences in their faith only to have their roles reversed when their paths crossed again. I did think Zeke beat himself up just a bit too much over his self-perceived failures but then that really is what some of us tend to do in everyday life.
Ladybug the goat added just the right touch of humor at times when things could have become bogged down in emotions. What fun! Overall the plot was held together by just the right amount of action, tension, romance, and humor. And for those who really love romance, there are more than one romantic stories included in this book.
I mostly liked the way the story was resolved although it wrapped up just a bit too quickly for me. One thing I might like to see is a future novel featuring Hunter. Much as I disliked him and as badly as he behaved, I would love to read his redemption story. After all, it is never too late for anyone to find God.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate.
A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father’s less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort’s general manager and her college sweetheart.
With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?
Read an excerpt from Someone Like You HERE.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.
Find out more about Victoria at http://www.victoriabylin.com.
by admin | May 20, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Janice Thompson just has to be the queen of taking a slight misunderstanding and stretching it for all it is worth into a hilarious scene or two. She is also quite adept in coming up with one-liners that might just have her readers laughing out loud or perhaps rolling in the floor. Janice is one funny author but she tempers the laughs with practical and spiritual wisdom that her readers can take with them into real life situations.
“Every Bride Has Her Day” is the third and final installment in the Brides With Style series. It wraps up Katie and Brady’s story quite nicely as they are the main focus of the series. Now that the pair are engaged, they have a wedding to plan but as can be imagined, there are multiple complications along the way. Everyone, and I mean everyone has an idea about when, where, and how their wedding should take place. No one seems to have a clue that it is their wedding.
Janice outdid herself with the romance in this one. Romance seems to be coming out of the woodwork and grabbing everyone in its path. Why, a girl cannot even get through her own engagement party without someone else receiving a proposal and weddings seem to be fair game for similar scenarios. So for those who just cannot get enough romance, “Every Bride Has Her Day” should provide it in abundance.
“Every Bride Has Her Day” is the perfect home town romance filled with the unique and quirky characters Janice is well known for. Aunt Alva alone is enough due to her witty and sometimes clueless statements.
I hate to see this series end and am also sorry that Revell did not see fit to renew this author’s contract. But I am happy to know that I will continue to see her light-hearted stories available in other outlets in the future.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
the author and by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Katie’s determined to make it down the aisle this time–but it may be easier said than done
Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can’t wait to start planning their life together. But it’s hard to focus on her own happily ever after when her calendar is filling up with celebrations for friends and family. Beyond that, it seems everyone around her has an opinion–and a strong one at that–on what Katie’s special day should look like. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for her storybook wedding? Or will her overzealous friends and relations make a mess of everything?
Read an excerpt from “Every Bride Has Her Day” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.
by admin | May 20, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Silence in the Dark” is the final book in Bradley’s Logan Point series. A tale of second chances in both love and faith, it starts off with a bang and the suspense continues for the remainder of the story.
Bailey Adams broke her engagement with Danny Maxwell and fled to the mission fields in Mexico because what she always did when afraid was to run. Little did she expect to run into Danny in Mexico, much less have him rescue her and the little girl she had agreed to escort back to the states. The question is – who exactly is after Bailey…or is it the little girl they want? And who is the mysterious man who goes by the name of Angel and can they trust him and Danny with their lives?
I thoroughly enjoyed “Silence in the Dark”. It was easy to relate to the characters and to understand what drove them. I could appreciate how Bailey’s experiences had made her doubt her faith but was happy to see its renewal before the conclusion. I also liked how at times the suspense was very intense but would level off long enough for me to catch my breath before revving up again. Second chances at love are always a plus in my estimation and had high hopes for Bailey and Danny getting back together.
Patricia Bradley has become one of my favorite romantic suspense authors and “Silence in the Dark” just confirms that for me. I recommend it and the entire series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bailey Adams is running for her life . . . again.
When Bailey Adams left Logan Point two years ago she thought she was getting away from her problems. Running into her ex-fiancé Danny Maxwell was not part of the plan–neither was being chased through the city by the local drug cartel, the Calatrava. Now despite her best efforts, Danny is her only chance of escaping the people chasing her and getting back to Logan Point safely. Can Bailey find the strength to face what’s coming? And in the midst of the chaos, can she keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again?
With lean, fast-paced prose that will keep you turning the pages, Patricia Bradley pens a superb story of suspense and second chances.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patricia Bradley is the author of Shadows of the Past, A Promise to Protect, and Gone without a Trace. Bradley has been a finalist for the Genesis Award, winner of a Daphne du Maurier Award, and winner of a Touched by Love Award. Bradley is a published short story writer and cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America, and makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.
by admin | May 20, 2016 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
ABOUT
MY REVIEW:
Suzanne Woods Fisher never ceases to amaze me with her often unique plot twists that always keep me reading far into the night. Most people know that I am not the biggest fan of Amish fiction but I will always make an exception for her books.
I loved how several members of David Stoltzfus’ family showed up unannounced to “help” at the first hint of trouble in his new community – even if they were not exactly wanted. A bossy, interfering mother/grandmother was not his family’s idea of help and cousin Abigail was just weird. What was especially fun for me was the fact that weird Abigail turned out to be the highlight of the book, especially her unexpected romance with equally “different” Dane. The two of them were quite the pair and Abigail learned a lot about accepting herself with all her foibles as she began to see herself through Dane’s eyes.
“The Quieting” follows up the previous novel from The Bishop’s Family series so it would be a good idea to read “The Imposter” first. The reader learns more about the growing problems in the church that has begun to divide the community and David’s dilemma about how to solve the situation in a merciful manner.
I really enjoyed “The Quieting” which had a good blend of drama, humor, and romance as well as a focus on spiritual wisdom. I would happily recommend both books of this series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit Publicity Group.
THE BOOK:
The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things–fast. But David doesn’t work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.
When David’s mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters–and especially for David’s niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem–but will it create another?
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher takes fans back to Stoney Ridge, delivering the twists, turns, and romance they adore.
Purchase your copy of The Quieting here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna’s Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
BLOG STOPS:
May 17: Singing Librarian Books
May 17: Heidi Reads…
May 18: Just Commonly
May 18: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
May 19: ASC Book Reviews
May 19: A Holland Reads
May 20: Inklings and Notions
May 20: Quiet Quilter
May 21: Daysong Reflections
May 21: cherylbbookblog
May 22: The Power of Words
May 22: Giveaway Lady
May 23: Texas Book-aholic
May 23: Splashes of Joy
May 24: Lane Hill House
May 24: Book by Book
May 24: Mary Hake
May 25: Jeanette’s Thoughts
May 25: Seasons of Opportunities
May 26: Book bites, Bee Stings & Butterfly Kisses
May 26: For the Love of Books
May 27: Southern Gal Loves to Read
May 27: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
May 28: Reading Is My SuperPower
May 28: Cassandra M’s Place
May 29: Bukwurmzzz
May 29: Bigreadersite
May 30: Blossoms and Blessings
GUEST POST FROM SUZANNE WOODS FISHER:
Twenty years ago, my husband and I attended a large church with a dynamic senior pastor. Each Sunday, we would sit spellbound during 40 minute sermons—he was that good a preacher. And then a terrible thing came to light—this very man had been taking advantage of vulnerable women during counseling sessions. Fourteen women, it turned out, and the pastor remained unrepentant. As issues were dealt with, our entire church suffered. We were a hurting community. The sins of one affected all.
As I plotted out ‘The Bishop’s Family,’ I wanted to borrow the theme of how a leader’s sins hurts the church community. (Now, I need to clarify that this is not a novel that addresses sexual sin. However, it does address unrepentant sin in an ordained leader.) First, I spoke to some Amish friends to see if my story idea had any merit. Was I was on the right track? To my amazement, a similar situation to my novels had occurred in one Amish friend’s church, and it resulted in a “quieting.” That’s an Amish phrase that means revoking the responsibilities of an unrepentant ordained leader. Just like it sounds–he is, essentially, “quieted.”
In this novel, you’ll see the behind-the-scenes of Amish church leadership, and get a sense of how a community is hurting. And how it begins to heal, too.
This series began in the Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania community with The Imposter. More twists and turns are coming to Stoney Ridge after The Quieting—so stay tuned for The Devoted to hit bookshelves in early October. Just in time for autumn reading by a warm fireplace!
Warmly, Suzanne
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grab bag of Amish-made gifts worth over $100! Click the link to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/99a8
by admin | May 17, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed all of Becky Wade’s Porter Family series featuring the three Porter brothers but in the fourth and final book of the series, I finally had the chance to discover baby sister Dru’s story. I was not sure what to expect because after all, how could a mere woman compete with those three awesome heroes from the first three novels? I really should have trusted what I already knew about Becky Wade – she does not ever disappoint!
With three older brothers who excelled in everything they did, Dru had a lot to live up to – or so she thought. She had spent her entire life trying to measure up to her big brothers but never felt like she succeeded. None of her efforts to compete, including a stint in the Marines and accomplishments in marksmanship and martial arts, fulfilled her need for approval. Her latest career as a bodyguard has not gotten off to a very good start so Dru hopes to prove herself with her latest assignment, protecting a NFL super star Gray Fowler. She finds this mission to be more challenging than expected.
Both Dru and Gray are very complex characters with backgrounds so diverse that a romance between them should be utterly unexpected. Of course that is where Wade excels. She can take two thoroughly unsuitable characters and bring them together all the while using their relationship to bring healing and restoration to them both. I liked the way Gray and Dru’s acquaintance began with dislike and indifference into a strong emotional bond that focused on wanting the best for the other person.
A strong theme of trusting in God rather than one’s own strength was woven throughout this suspense filled novel. The plot itself moved along at the perfect pace with both emotionally riveting and action packed scenes that kept me invested in the story. Some twists along the way turned into a surprise or two by the end. I also enjoyed catching up to the Porter guys and their families. In fact a secondary story featuring Meg and Bo is woven into the plot which added another element of tension to the overall story. All-in-all, “Her One and Only” was a satisfying conclusion to the series. I truly hate to see it end but am certain that Wade will provide her readers with another series that is equally loved.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After ten years in the NFL, super star Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans.
But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?
Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt–none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she’s determined to find Gray’s stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.
Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives—and their hearts—to one another.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and an INSPY Award.
Find out more about Becky at http://beckywade.com. |
Join Becky in celebrating the release of Her One and Only by entering to win her Porter prize pack and $100 cash card giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of Her One and Only
- A $100 cash card
- Follow Your Heart tote bag
- 24 oz Tervis Wonder Woman Tumbler
- The Blind Side DVD
- Necklace with star charm
- Porter Family navy jersey
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on May 31st. The winner will be announced June 1st on the Litfuse blog.
