by admin | May 6, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Once in awhile, a truly unique story comes along and I believe “Sister Dear” is one of those. As the oldest of three sisters, I was intrigued by the story of Allie and her sister Emma. It was fascinating to read the different points of view both past and present from key characters. These helped build the story and helped me to understand what was really going on below the surface. As always, much more than it appeared.
“Sister Dear” tells the story of Allie, a young woman falsely accused of murder who was convicted and spent ten years of her life separated from friends and family, especially her young daughter who was raised by sister Emma. After her release from prison Allie is determined to prove her innocence and risks losing her new freedom to do so.
A spell-binding story of murder and manipulation, the plot moves from character to character and from past to present with a multitude of twists, turns, and surprises along the way. An excellent cast of supporting characters added depth to the tale and even a touch of romance near the end was the icing on the cake.
“Sister Dear” is the first novel I’ve read from this author but I will definitely look forward to future releases.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
Dark family secrets threaten to ruin Allie’s chance at freedom and claims of innocence. Don’t miss the new book from Laura McNeill, Sister Dear. Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, Allie watched a decade of her life vanish – time that can never be recovered. Now, out on parole, Allie is determined to clear her name, rebuild her life, and reconnect with the daughter she barely knows.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
All Allie Marshall wants is a fresh start. But when dark secrets refuse to stay buried, will her chance at a new life be shattered forever?
Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, Allie watched a decade of her life vanish – time that can never be recovered. Now, out on parole, Allie is determined to clear her name, rebuild her life, and reconnect with the daughter she barely knows.
But Allie’s return home shatters the quaint, coastal community of Brunswick, Georgia. Even her own daughter Caroline, now a teenager, bristles at Allie’s claims of innocence. Refusing defeat, a stronger, smarter Allie launches a battle for the truth, digging deeply into the past even if it threatens her parole status, personal safety, and the already-fragile bond with family.
As her commitment to finding the truth intensifies, what Allie ultimately uncovers is far worse than she imagined. Her own sister has been hiding a dark secret—one that holds the key to Allie’s freedom.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura McNeill is a writer, web geek, travel enthusiast, and coffee drinker. In her former life, she was a television news anchor for CBS News affiliates in New York and Alabama. Laura holds a master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and is completing a graduate program in interactive technology at the University of Alabama. When she’s not writing and doing homework, she enjoys running, yoga, and spending time at the beach. She lives in Mobile, AL with her family.
Find out more about Laura at http://lauramcneill.com.
by admin | Apr 29, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical, Scotland
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed the books of Michael Phillips for a number of years and expected no less than brilliant writing in his latest novel “The Inheritance”. I was not disappointed in the quality of his narrative. At least two of the characters were so well developed and described that I felt like I knew them intimately. The author spent a great deal of time setting the scene with detailed background information on several characters and vivid descriptions of Whale’s Reef, the primary setting of the book. Pertinent historical facts were interspersed throughout that emphasized the importance of a proper heir.
I will admit that I struggled somewhat staying engaged with this lengthy tome because there was little action and very little dialogue. I did persist to the end and just as I thought something might be about to happen, I was left hanging. Of course, by that time I was hooked and will definitely have to read the next installment of the series in order to find out what happens.
A major theme that seems to run throughout the book is foundations which is mentioned repeatedly in both David and Loni’s stories. Loni struggled with knowing who she was due to the loss of her parents as a baby and the fact that she knew almost nothing about her mother’s family. David, on the other hand, knew his family history well and was dedicated to following in his uncle’s footsteps in watching out for the people of the island he loved. It was important for each of them to find and/or build on their family foundation. The book itself seems to have set the foundation for the rest of the series. Now that it has been established, I am in hopes that the rest of the story will move at a faster pace.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale’s Reef into turmoil.
Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch’s heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David’s grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island’s land. And while Hardy doesn’t enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate’s assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island—and its traditional way of life—hangs in the balance.
Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .
Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips’s dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today’s reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald’s original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.
Find out more about Michael at https://www.facebook.com/michaelphillipschristianauthor.
GIVEAWAY:
What happens when past and present collide in the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whales Reef? Don’t miss master storyteller Michael Phillips’ dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace: The Inheritance. Everyone assumed Tulloch’s heir to be his much-loved grandnephew David. But when no will is discovered, David’s calculating cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance. Meanwhile, Loni Ford enjoys a rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, D.C. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is, until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .
Enter to win a copy of The Inheritance—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced May 12 on the Litfuse blog!
by admin | Apr 26, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Like Never Before” is a fun to read contemporary romance but don’t let that fool you. Woven through the pages of witty banter and charming romance is a strong message of faith and encouragement.
I liked how feisty Amelia was determined to do everything possible to save the small-town newspaper despite overwhelming odds. Little does she know that the man she has admired from afar is the new owner and he has returned to his home town to sell the business. Yet somehow, Logan ends up helping Amelia and a strong friendship develops between them. And Logan – what a man! Devoted to and strongly protective of his daughter, his family, and friends but inwardly wounded and confused.
The author’s vivid descriptions of characters and setting and her wonderful dialogue made this book a joy to read. “Like Never Before” is a wonderful story of a friendship that helps heal both Amelia and Logan and that grows into something beautiful. Melissa Tagg, you outdid yourself with this one. I can’t wait to see what you do with the next Walker Family novel.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley’s haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But when the newspaper she runs is in danger of closing, she pins all her hopes on a story that just might convince the new owner to keep the paper running.
After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker has the chance of a lifetime: a spot on a presidential campaign. But first he has to return to his hometown to sell the newspaper he’s suddenly inherited.
But instead of a quick sale, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She’s scrappy, but wounded. He’s dependable, but lost. And working together to break the story on Maple Valley’s unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.
Read an excerpt from “Like Never Before” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.
by admin | Apr 26, 2016 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“A Dream of Miracles” differs greatly from many of the Amish novels I have read with a plot full of twists and surprises. Although expected, the romance was not typical of many novels in this genre.
Characters are well-rounded and gained my sympathy and support from the beginning. Situations within the plot were realistic with disturbing insight into what can happen to innocent people when their rights are sacrificed to meet another’s selfish agenda.
Talk about circumstantial evidence! When young Amish widow Mattie’s young son is hospitalized with critical symptoms, everything points to Mattie. At best, she appears to neglect her children – at worst, she has abused her son to the point of death. When Bo Lambright is sent to investigate her case, his instincts tell him she is innocent. His choices in the case could destroy his career as well as Mattie’s life. Frequent disturbing dreams and Mattie’s case force Bo to confront and make peace with his own past. Is there any future for an up-and-coming social services investigator and an Amish widow?
I can truthfully say that I enjoyed “A Dream of Miracles”. The story moved along at a good pace and it was a good sign that I found myself frustrated over the circumstances surrounding Bo and Mattie. There was one character that I particularly disliked from the beginning and my dislike of her proved to be justified. I would recommend this book – especially to those who enjoy Amish fiction.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again . . . until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world.
Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son’s mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.
Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won’t rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo’s worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.
When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She’s a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.
Find out more about Ruth at http://ruthreid.com.
GIVEAWAY:
When a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into Amish widow Mattie’s fragile world, can she learn to love again? Find out in Ruth Reid’s new book, A Dream of Miracles. When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?
Ruth is celebrating the release of A Dream of Miracles with a Kindle Fire HD 6 giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on May 3!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- One copy of A Dream of Miracles
- A Kindle Fire HD 6
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/3. The winner will be announced at A Dream of Miracles Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Ruth and other fans of Amish fiction, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 3rd!
by admin | Apr 23, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical, Southern
MY REVIEW:
I was unfamiliar with the author when I accepted the offer to review “White” and was unsure of what to expect. When I opened its cover I found an intriguing story that dealt with some issues that I rarely find in my reading.
The plot was fresh and character driven with hints of the possibility of future suspense and maybe even romance. I liked the honesty of the primary character Jennifer who readily admitted her distance from the Lord and struggled with bitterness about the way she had been raised. I also liked those brief nudges from the Holy Spirit that were scattered throughout the narrative. The description of the restoration process was interesting and I found the history of the former residents to be fascinating.
I was a bit disappointed that I did not find the suspense promised on the back cover but am in hopes that will develop more fully in the next installment of the series. My curiosity has been aroused and I need to find out what happens and what might develop (or not) between Jennifer and Michael.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit Publicity Group.
Purchase your copy in paperback here or in ebook here
GUEST POST FROM DENISE WEIMER:
When I speak to book clubs or people ask me why I started writing historical fiction, I tell them that as I grew up, my parents took me to numerous historical sites. I wondered who lived in an old house or town and what their lives were like. What treasures, what secrets, might I find if I could dig down to the bones of an old mansion? My active imagination kicked in, and I started scribbling stories in spiral bound notebooks. I knew from age eleven I wanted to be a writer, though for a time I considered historical preservation as a career. I found the perfect marriage of those desires in The Restoration Trilogy, my new series with Canterbury House Publishing.
The restoration my parents did on their own historic house and apothecary shop inspired White, Widow and Witch. While looking for a residence in a country community, Mom and Dad purchased a property they later learned belonged to a line of regionally famous doctors tracing back to Revolutionary War days. Watching them piece together stories from the past with the help of local historians nudged me to depart from the historical settings of my past novels (Redeeming Grace and The Georgia Gold Series) in favor of modern romantic suspense. Readers follow Jennifer Rushmore, a recent historic preservation graduate, and Michael Johnson, a brooding bachelor who has inherited property from ancestors he knows little about, as they restore a doctor’s house, apothecary shop and log cabin. During the restoration of each, they uncover a story from a different century (1920, 1870 and 1790) containing a lesson of “heart healing” they need to apply in the present.
Most of us have been through hardships in our lives that God would use to refine our characters or expose and heal pain from our pasts. Sometimes we’re tempted to just slap another coat of paint over a crack or build a cheap façade over a weakness. God knows that full restoration takes effort, time and expense, so He never goes to work without our permission. However, He is the only one who can bring us to wholeness.
Jennifer accepts the assignment in the eclectic community of Hermon while waiting for her dream job in Savannah, never imagining God might have other plans. Country neighbors determined to become friends, a handsome but secretive employer with conflicting ideas about how to conduct the restoration, and strange accidents hinting that someone doesn’t want them working on the property strip away Jennifer’s personal defenses. She comes to learn that when a person is open to the work of the Master Renovator, one can find blessings in the unlikeliest of places.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Jennifer Rushmore accepts a brooding bachelor’s job offer to act as coordinator for the restoration of his family’s historic doctor’s house (White), apothecary (Widow) and log cabin (Witch) in a rural Georgia community, little does she know it’s her own heart that will undergo the greatest renovation. Three stories. Three centuries. Three lessons on the healing of the heart. And one buried mystery that threatens their redemption.
White: As historic preservationist Jennifer and brooding bachelor Michael restore his ancestors’ historic doctor’s residence in a rural Georgia community, they uncover the 1920s-era prejudice and secrets that caused Michael’s branch to fall off the family tree. Recent graduate Jennifer is determined to fulfill her first professional position with integrity even if her employer lacks a proper appreciation of history. Far more challenging—and sinister—than the social landscape of Hermon are the strange accidents hinting that someone doesn’t want them on the Dunham property. Yet Michael’s and Jennifer’s own pasts pose the biggest obstacles to laying a fresh foundation of family and community.
About the Author
In addition to The Restoration Trilogy, native Georgian Denise Weimer is the author of numerous magazine articles about her home state, romantic novella Redeeming Grace, The Georgia Gold Series (Sautee Shadows, The Gray Divide, The Crimson Bloom, and Bright as Gold). Bright as Gold won the 2015 John Esten Cooke Award for authentic Southern literature. She holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University, is a wife and swim mom of two daughters, and always pauses for coffee, chocolate and old houses.
GIVEAWAY:
In honor of the White Celebration Tour, Denise is giving away a print copy of WHITE: Book One of The Restoration Trilogy, a $15 Starbucks card to representing the coffee-loving modern heroine, and a vintage hat to represent the historical heroine.
Click to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/96a4
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May 1: A Greater Yes
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by admin | Apr 20, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, New Zealand, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Oh my, another author to add to my must read list! Not a bad thing but at this point I don’t have enough years left to read all the wonderful books that I want to read. How I must suffer for the cause of Christian fiction!
As you may have already guessed, I really liked “Close to You”, Kara Isaac’s debut novel. I thought her unique story about a guide for a Tolkien tour in New Zealand was inspired.
I loved everything about the heroine Allison including her not-so-subtle surname of “Shire”. Allison has a lot more going on that it appears. She is actually a well-qualified English professor but a bad choice of husbands has left her funds frozen and her family and employer have requested that she keep a low profile because of the scandal. So off to Hobbit Land she went because if she knows anything, she knows Tolkien. Of course she would meet a fellow who is taking the tour but knows little about the books or movies and cares even less. So what do you think happens? Lovable, accident-prone Allie falls for handsome but grouchy Jackson Gregory. And that’s all I’m telling you – you just have to read it for yourself!
This book was great! I enjoyed all the quirky characters and had quite a few moments of laughing out loud. Then there was the romance which I thought was very well done. But woven throughout the fun and games (and romance) was a thought-provoking look at how the characters saw themselves and how important it was to let the Lord lead their lives. Well done Kara!
A copy of this book was provided for review by Howard Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A disgraced scholar running from her past and an entrepreneur chasing his future find themselves thrown together—and fall in love—on a Tolkien tour of New Zealand.
Allison Shire (yes, like where the Hobbits live) is a disgraced academic who is done with love. Her belief in “happily ever after” ended the day she discovered her husband was still married to a wife she knew nothing about. She finally finds a use for her English degree by guiding tours through the famous sites featured in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. By living life on the road and traveling New Zealand as a luxury tour guide, Allison manages to outrun the pain of her past she can’t face.
Jackson Gregory was on the cusp of making it big. Then suddenly his girlfriend left him—for his biggest business competitor—and took his most guarded commercial secrets with her. To make matters worse, the Iowa farm that has been in his family for generations is facing foreclosure. Determined to save his parents from financial ruin, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince his wealthy great-uncle to invest in his next scheme, which means accompanying him to the bottom of the world to spend three weeks pretending to be a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, even though he knows nothing about the stories. The one thing that stands between him and his goal is a know-it-all tour guide who can’t stand him and pegged him as a fake the moment he walked off the plane.
When Allison leads the group through the famous sites of the Tolkien movies, she and Jackson start to see each other differently, and as they keep getting thrown together on the tour, they find themselves drawn to each other. Neither expected to fall in love again, but can they find a way beyond their regrets to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kara Isaac is an award-winning writer who lives in Wellington, New Zealand, where her career highlights include working in tourism as Private Secretary for the Prime Minister. She loves great books almost as much as she loves her husband and two children.
Visit Kara on her WEBSITE and on FACEBOOK.
