by admin | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Book two in Thompson’s Brides With Style series continues Katie Fisher’s tale. Still happy working in the Dallas bridal salon and pretty sure she is in love with Brady James, Katie is blind-sided by a few things that make her question her choices. What is a gal to do when the man she thought she would marry turns up in her life again and all signs point to his wanting to renew their relationship – especially when the man she loves has suddenly gone into a depression and seems to be avoiding her?
In her unique style, Janice Thompson has once again offered her readers a humorous yet thoughtful novel that is brimming over with romance. Her characters are fresh and lovable and the plot just grabs you and pulls you along for the ride. I loved reading about the preparations and showers for Katie’s grandmother’s wedding. My, there were some laugh-out-loud scenes there, especially the one involving the wedding punch. You just have to read it!
But seriously, almost hiding behind all the fun and romance is a strong lesson about not trying to micromanage our lives but to just relax and let God have control. One more reminder of why I love Janice’s books.
If you have never read a Janice Thompson novel, please take my advice and pick up both books in this series. If you have any sense of humor at all, I think you will love them.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How can she choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath?
Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn’t seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie’s almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there’s nothing Katie’s parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.
But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?
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 | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
My past experiences with Katy Lee’s novels have proven that I can count on her for an exciting and suspense-filled evening. I also know that I don’t have to worry about running across any explicit intimacy or gruesome violence. For the icing on the cake, I know that I will also find a strong vein of truth and faith running throughout the pages. As the first book in her new Roads to Danger series, “Silent Night Pursuit” totally lived up to my expectations.
Lacey Phillips takes a road trip to learn what Wade Spencer might know about why her brother died. Fully expecting to be back home in time for Christmas dinner, Lacey quickly finds herself in the middle of much more than she expected and begins to wonder if she will ever make it back home at all. Against his will, Wade is forced to flee with Lacey as they both run for their very lives.
Katy Lee seems to get better with each book. In “Silent Night Pursuit” she has amped up the danger and suspense with some absolutely breath-stopping scenes and a mystery that might just surprise most readers. Of course the reader will also expect a romance to develop because that is the very nature of any Love Inspired novel but I particularly liked the way this one developed.
I am really afraid to say more for fear of spoilers but I will say that “Silent Night Pursuit” is the perfect mystery/suspense to have on hand if one finds a few spare moments during the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. And – it would even be a good read after the holidays. I loved it!
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lacey Phillips believes Captain Wade Spencer knows something about her brother’s mysterious death. So she throws caution to the wind and tracks him down on Christmas Eve looking for answers. Wade tries to turn her away—until bullets start to fly. He doesn’t want to take the stubborn beauty on his life-or-death mission to find out the truth about how Wade’s past may have cost her brother his life. But with killers lurking everywhere, he has to protect her—especially when she breaches the walls around his heart. Can Wade and his faithful service dog keep Lacey alive long enough to figure out who’s targeting them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katy Lee writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader–from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on.
Visit Katy at: www.KatyLeeBooks.com.
by admin | Nov 24, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Connie Almony is an author to keep your eye on. Not only are her novels well written and easy to read but she is not afraid to tackle tough issues in them. That she does so with such tact and realism without the crudeness one might find in a secular novel just increases my respect for her writing.
I love Connie’s down-to-earth characters who are broken and have things in their past they would rather not come to the light. Even as strong Christians, their struggle to follow their faith is one most believers should be able to identify with. Despite characters with ugly pasts and only too human personal battles, “Flee From Evil” has a strong message of faith that flows through its pages.
“Flee From Evil” is a romantic suspense novel with a plot that entrapped me until it’s very end. I was not much use around the house until I finished reading it. The story has just the right amount of danger, mystery, and romance with a touch of occasional humor.
I would highly recommend this novel and am considering purchasing a paperback copy for my keeper shelf.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A pastor with a past uses his underworld connections to try and save the child of the woman he wronged many years ago.
Pastor Vince Steegle thought his destructive beginnings were ancient history, but the ramifications of his prior choices just walked in the door of his church. Is Romans 8:28 really true? Can God really make all things good? Or is Vince’s past just too ugly?
After the death of her much-beloved husband, Cassandra Whitaker is looking for security for her children. One, a teen on the cusp of womanhood. The other, a young boy struggling with the effects of autism. But there are those who seek to destroy them. Can Cassandra keep her family safe, or must she flee from evil?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
She’s just a suburb gal from the Baltimore-Washington megalopolis. And that’s what Connie Almony’s fiction is about, a diverse population which is truly, and beautifully, colorful.
Trained as a mental health counselor, she hopes you won’t hold that against her. Though this training helps her delve into the motivations that drive her characters, she promises not to therapize you.
Her favorite things to do include listening to awesome Christian Contemporary music (like Third Day and NeedtoBreathe) and read great stories with colorful characters while spending time with her adoring family. She loves to brainstorm with her almost thirteen-year-old daughter, who writes chapter books on the side, and share peaceful moments with her sixteen-year-old son (who’s like a gentle breeze).
The bantering style of her characters is inspired by her husband’s deep love of mischief, particularly that which craves a sharp response ;o). Still, she loves him anyway … which covers a multitude of sins. She’s been married almost twenty years and counts each one better than the one before.
See more on ConnieAlmony.com
by admin | Nov 23, 2015 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
One of my guilty pleasures this time of year is reading Christmas novels. I love having the excuse that I need to review them! Because of my reviewer/blogger status, I have had the opportunity to read all of Dan Walsh’s Christmas novels and am so thankful that I was introduced to his books. “Keeping Christmas” is another winner from this excellent author who always manages to touch my heart.
A story about empty-nesters Stan and Anna who are spending Thanksgiving and Christmas without their children for the first time, “Keeping Christmas” resonated with some of my own feelings this year. This is also the first year that my daughter will be over a thousand miles away for the holidays and like Stan and Anna, there is really nothing I can do but make the best of it. So yes, it was very easy for me to empathize with Anna.
For much of the story, I was not sure how much Stan even cared. He was so wrapped up in his excitement over the new fishing boat he and a friend planned to buy. But ol’ Stan surprised me and I thought his gesture was wonderful.
As always, Dan Walsh has written a touching story that examines the depths of human emotions. I heartily recommend “Keeping Christmas” as well as each and every one of Dan’s other novels. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids’ favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one–Anna’s blue pinecone–and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps.
“What’s the matter?” Stan said. “Did I do something wrong?”
“I don’t think I can do this.”
Nothing is more beautiful than family
For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it’s looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can’t bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking–some were downright ugly–but they were tradition.
With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan’s only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift and The Restoration Series with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for the RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel. Learn more at www.danwalshbooks.com.
by admin | Nov 18, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHand Me Down PrincessCANDID Publications (August 31, 2015)byCarol MoncadoABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When she’s not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband, four kids, and a dog who weighs less than most hard cover books. She prefers watching NCIS to just about anything, except maybe watching Castle, or Girl Meets World with her kids. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not watching her kids – and the dog – race around her big backyard in Southwest Missouri, she’s teaching American Government at a local community college. She’s a founding member and President of MozArks ACFW, category coordinator for First Impressions, blogger at InspyRomance, and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Prince Malachi Van Renssalaer of Mevendia is getting married. The problem? He’s never even met his bride. His father arranged everything, right down to the marriage contract. Malachi swears to himself that he will be nothing like his father in the ways that count – including his fidelity to his wife.
Jessabelle Keller would happily spend her entire life in obscurity, but her father once saved the life of a future king. Before he dies, her father is committed to seeing that king make good on his promise to have one of his sons marry her so she would be taken care of for life.
No sooner than Prince Malachi and Jessabelle return from their honeymoon, they find themselves dealing with both private trauma and the very public drama of groundless accusations from the press. Just as they begin to weave their fragile trust back together, a ghost from the king’s past arrives and threatens everything they’ve ever held dear.
Secrets have a funny way of coming out and this one could rip the faith of the country in their leaders to shreds. Malachi is determined to protect Jessabelle no matter what it takes, but will it ever be enough for her to not feel like a Hand-Me-Down Princess?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Hand Me Down Princess, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Hand Me Down Princess is a fantastical tale of a young woman who considers herself an ugly duckling who finds herself in an arranged marriage to a prince. Fortunately Jessabelle’s new husband has a strong faith and wants his marriage to succeed. Under his patient and tender care, Jessabelle is slowly transformed into a confidant and beautiful princess whose caring heart wins over even those who were first against her.
This book was a bit of a surprise to me. Expecting the usual royal romance, I soon found that there was much more to Hand Me Down Princess. Life as a royal was depicted with its downside as well as the glamour involved. And then there was mystery, danger, intrigue, and suspense. Prince Malichi and Jessabelle’s story line wrapped up quite nicely but there were a couple of unresolved situations that I am hoping will be continued in a future book.
by admin | Nov 18, 2015 | Contemporary Fiction, Speculative
MY REVIEW:
I had mixed feeling about “The Five Times I Met Myself”. On one hand, it was a fairly interesting tale and the primary character was a fairly strong Christian who claimed to depend on God’s guidance. On the other hand, I had a few misgivings about Brock’s belief that God wanted him to use lucid dreaming to encounter his younger self in order to influence his future. Overall, I liked the story okay but might have enjoyed a bit more dialogue and action. It did not move along as quickly and smoothly as I might have liked.
I often grew frustrated with Brock and his determination to keep trying to change the future when it was apparent that things kept going from bad to worse every time he tried. I also had a bit of difficulty keeping it all sorted out – whether Brock was in the present, in a dream, or reliving old memories. Despite any of my frustrations, I was quite happy with the way things ended and all the truths that Brock learned through his experience led to restoration and reconciliation within his family. There is much a reader can learn from this story and it will most likely come back to my mind at odd times in the future.
As with all books by James Rubart, “The Five Times I Met Myself” is one that should appeal to fans of speculative fiction – those who always ask the question “what if?” If you are one of those people, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy for yourself.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if you met your twenty-three-year-old self in a dream? What would you say?
Brock Matthews’ once promising life is unraveling. His coffee company. His marriage.
So when he discovers his vivid dreams—where he encounters his younger self—might let him change his past mistakes, he jumps at the chance. The results are astonishing, but also disturbing.
Because getting what Brock wants most in the world will force him to give up the one thing he doesn’t know how to let go . . . and his greatest fear is that it’s already too late.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
James Rubart is a professional marketer and speaker. He is the author of the best-selling novel “Rooms” as well as “Book of Days,” “The Chair,” “Soul’s Gate,” “Memory’s Door,” and “Spirit Bridge.” He lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.
Find out more about James L. at http://jameslrubart.com.
