by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Buttermilk Sky” is a warm and nostalgic novel set in Kentucky during the early 1900’s. The primary focus is on Mazy, a mountain girl eager to experience more from life in the big city where she is enrolled in a secretarial school. Another major character is Chanis, the sheriff back home who is in love with Mazy and hopes to marry her.
The plot details Mazy’s struggles with her studies, interaction with fellow students, and the possibility of a romance with Loyal, a wealthy young man who lives in Lexington. Meanwhile Chanis dreams about a future with Mazy as he goes about his duties as sheriff. The story is at times quite humorous, especially some of the situations in which Chanis finds himself. In the end, Mazy comes to realize that things are not always what they seem and the grass is definitely always greener elsewhere.
I enjoyed “Buttermilk Sky” and hope to read more novels by Jan Watson soon. 
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she’ll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change—and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.
But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she’d ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she’d left firmly behind.
Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy’s cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants.
Read an excerpt from “Buttermilk Sky” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jan Watson won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for her first novel, Troublesome Creek. Her other awards include being named the best Kentucky author in 2012 by Kentucky Living magazine, a nomination for the Kentucky Literary Award in 2006 and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Jan has published seven novels. As a registered nurse for 25 years at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, she incorporates her nursing experience in the hospital’s mother/baby unit into her novels. Jan resides in Kentucky.
by admin | Oct 6, 2014 | Amish, Books, Romance, WWII
MY REVIEW:
“Promise to Cherish” is much more than the typical Amish fiction. Much of the story takes place in the Hudson River State Hospital during World War 2 where Christine Freeman is a nurse for patients with various mental problems. Eli, an Amish conscientious objector is assigned to her unit where he has a positive influence on many of the patients. The author’s vivid descriptions of hospital conditions and attitudes toward both the mentally ill and the conscientious objectors are eye-opening and disturbing.
The realistic plot covers some tough subjects without pulling any punches, yet manages to do so without unwelcome details. The Amish were not placed on a pedestal but were portrayed with a fresh honesty that revealed that deep down we are really not all that different. Well-developed characters who grew in their faith and managed to overcome despite their serious challenges were central to the story. I especially liked Aunt Annie whose acceptance, compassion, and wisdom made such a difference to Christine’s life.
I enjoyed “Promise to Cherish” and would recommend it to all who enjoy Amish fiction.
This book was provided for review by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It’s 1945, and Christine Freeman is a nurse at Hudson River State Hospital, where she works alongside members of a Civilian Public Service unit. Eli is one of the conscies—conscientious objectors to the war—and he is doing his best to become a man of character instead of the immature heartbreaker he used to be back home in his Amish community.
Christine and Eli are friendly, but when an old acquaintance, Jack, returns home from the war, Christine’s world is violently turned upside down. Eli, heartbroken to see his friend so hurt, offers her an escape within his Amish community. Despite her misgivings, Christine is fully embraced by Eli’s community. She slowly begins to feel valued and loved as she learns the Amish way of life.
Christine finds herself falling for Eli. But soon, the abusive Jack discovers Christine in her Amish hideaway and starts causing trouble for the quiet community. Christine can’t see herself becoming Amish, and she knows that if Eli leaves the church to be with her, he will be shunned. Will she escape Jack and possibly have to give up the one thing she holds most dear, or will she follow her heart and promise to cherish the Amish man who loves her?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elizabeth Byler Younts is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She is an Air Force officer’s wife and a homeschooling mom with two young daughters. She makes her home wherever her family is stationed. Elizabeth was Amish as a child and after her parents left the church she still grew up among her Amish family and continues to speak Pennsylvania Dutch.
Connect with Elizabeth:
Twitter: Elizabeth Byler Younts
Facebook: Author Elizabeth Byler Younts
Author’s Website: Elizabeth Byler Younts
Not Quite Amish
by admin | Oct 4, 2014 | Books, Scotland
MY REVIEW:
“The Sea House” is a tale that spans the centuries as it transitions between the modern story of Ruth and her husband Michael and letters from the vicar and his housekeeper who lived in the same house in 1860. It is not a particularly happy story most of the time. Ruth struggles with fear and bouts of panic as an adult as a result of traumatic experiences during her childhood. Alexander and Moira’s letters reveal horrific treatment of early island residents by the wealthy landowners.
A common thread woven through the entire book is Scottish lore, particularly the legend of the Skelkies, long believed to be part human and part seal. Both Alexander and Ruth had been told that they were descended from Skelkies. A disturbing discovery during the reconstruction of Ruth and Michael’s home tends to lend some credence to the tales. I was fascinated by the legends and found the eventual explanation found by Alexander to make perfect sense.
The plot moved along fairly slowly but was actually a good pace for a book of this sort. The characters were well developed and were not static. Although Ruth had her problems, she was finally able to accept her past and move on with her life.
I enjoyed “The Sea House” and found it quite interesting, however it is not a book for everyone. If you are easily offended by certain language, there is one paragraph that could be offensive. There was only the one incident and in my opinion the use of the word was just indicative of how out of control Ruth felt at that moment. I personally do not care for that word but cannot see discounting the entire book because of one or two sentences. I would have missed a very good tale if I had. I will be passing on my copy to a friend who I know will also enjoy it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Scotland, 1860.
Reverend Alexander Ferguson, naive and newly-ordained, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time on the island will irrevocably change the course of his life, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child’s fragile legs are fused together – a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? Ruth needs to solve the mystery of her new home – but the answers to her questions may lie in her own past.
Based on a real nineteenth-century letter to The Times in which a Scottish clergyman claimed to have seen a mermaid, The Sea House is an epic, sweeping tale of loss and love, hope and redemption, and how we heal ourselves with the stories we tell.
Learn more at Elizabeth’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. She is the author of “The House of Hope: A Story of God’s Love and Provision for the Abandoned Orphans of China” and has written articles for The Times and the Independent and has a Diploma in Creative Writing from Oxford OUDCE and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway College. She is married with three children. They live in Kingston on Thames but spend as much time as possible in the Hebrides.
Don’t miss The Sea House, a stunning fiction debut from the UK. Set in a house on the windswept coast of the Outer Hebrides, Elisabeth Gifford‘s haunting tale effortlessly bridges a gap of more than a century. Adeptly interweaving two tales involving residents of the titular house, Gifford sets up an absorbing mystery revolving around local lore and myths about mermaids, selkies, and sealmen. Stretching seamlessly back and forth through time, layers upon layers of secrets are slowly and effectively peeled away in this evocative debut (Booklist).
Celebrate with Elisabeth by entering her Kindle giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. Winner will be announced October 20th at Elisabeth’s Blog.
by admin | Oct 2, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I always look forward to Irene Hannon’s latest suspense novel because I know I will find a fast-paced story with dynamic characters, plenty of action, mystery, and suspense with the added bonus of a pretty good love story. “Deceived” lived up to every one of my expectations. I had already read the two previous books in Hannon’s Private Justice series so I enjoyed getting to read Connor’s story. It has been fun for me to observe the interaction between the three partners from each of their own unique perspectives.
Connor’s new client has presented him with an unlikely story but something about it prompts him to check it out. Kate’s husband and young son died in a boating accident several years ago but her son’s body was never found. Kate’s husband and young son died in a boating accident several years ago but her son’s body was never recovered. A seemingly coincidental encounter in the local mall raises Kate’s hopes that her son may still be alive and hires Connor to investigate. As his efforts convince him that the boy is Kate’s son, he must find a way to prove it with more than circumstantial evidence. Early in the story, the reader learns who has Kate’s son but details about how and why he has him are slowly revealed as the narrative progresses. Hannon portrays this man in such a way that it is difficult not to sympathize with him just a bit as well as with Kate who has grieved her loss for several years – yet she does not in any way excuse his actions.
The plot moved along at a good pace with sufficient twists and surprises to hold my attention. Although the Christian element is not heavy-handed, the message of faith was evident, especially as Kate and Connor acknowledged the hand of God in how certain things happened to help the investigation. “Deceived” may not have been quite as suspenseful as previous novels, but in my opinion did not suffer because of it. It is an excellent suspense and I hate to see this series end. I am looking forward to the next one!
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A grieving mother. A mysterious child. And a dedicated PI who’s determined to solve the puzzle.
For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she’s convinced it’s her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating “accident” begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate’s son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden–and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon’s many fans have come to expect, Deceived is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plotline that accelerates to an explosive finish.
Praise for Irene Hannon’s Private Justice Series
- “Yet another in the line of terrific reads by this author . . . rich with suspense.”–Suspense Magazine on Deceived
- “A home run.”–Library Journal on Trapped
- “Spine-tingling.”–Booklist on Trapped
- “Just the right amount of suspense, danger, and deception.”–New York Journal of Books on Trapped
- “An engaging, satisfying tale.”–Publishers Weekly on Vanished
- “A wonderful mix of suspense and romance.”–RT Book Reviews on Vanished
Read an excerpt from “Deceived” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than forty-five novels, including Vanished, Trapped, and the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers’ Choice Award, and a National Readers’ Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.
by admin | Sep 27, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Quilts, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
One thing I have enjoyed about the Quilts of Love series is the sheer variety of themes among the featured books. So far I have read everything from Amish stories to Historical tales plus contemporary novels and sometimes even some mystery and suspense – all of which contain at least one romantic relationship. I have been a fan of Robin’s books since I first read some of her early Love Inspired Suspense novels. Since then she has gone on to write excellent full-length suspense novels that I make sure to obtain asap. Hidden in the Stars is Robin’s contribution to the Quilts of Love series and is a fine example of her versatility.
The somewhat pastel colors of the cover of Hidden in the Stars might trick the reader into thinking this novel is just a sweet romance. Never fear! Robin has woven her usual brilliant suspenseful mystery complete with some dastardly characters in which a quilt plays a major role. And let’s not forget the romance. Sparks fly between Sophia, victim of a brutal attack that killed her mother and investigating detective Julian. Although both of them feel a strong attraction, they decide it is just a reaction resulting from the aftermath of such a devastating crime. Could it be true love?
I enjoyed learning a bit about ballet and gymnastic training. I also liked seeing Julian’s perspective of the investigation. Most of all, I just loved having another novel by Robin Caroll in my hands. My only complaint is that it was over too soon.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A quilt holds the secret to a killer still at large—and who his next victim will be.
Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21?year?old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.
Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?
Visit the Quilts of Love website to learn more and purchase a copy.
Read an excerpt from “Hidden in the Stars” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is the author of 22 published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of 20?plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character?filled pets at home in Little Rock, Arkansas. She gives back to the writing community by serving as conference director for ACFW. Her books have been named finalists in such contests as the Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.
Find out more about Robin at http://www.robincaroll.com.
Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll. September’s QOL release is a wonderful combination of mystery, romance, and family love bound together by a quilt and the story it tells.
Enter to win a “Night on the Town” (a $200 Visa cash card!) and RSVP for the “Fall into Fall” Quilts of Love Facebook party on 10/7.
One winner will receive:
- A $200 Visa cash card (The perfect accessory for a “night on the town”!)
- A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
- Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 7. Winner will be announced at the October 7th author chat party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll! RSVP for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on October 7th!
by admin | Sep 23, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Magnolia Market” took hold of my attention and imagination from the very first pages with a story that seemed to get more convoluted by the minute. It is a fact that Avery’s day took a turn she did not expect and everything got progressively worse as the week went on. But sometimes God takes our worst times and turns them into something beautiful and that is exactly what He did for Avery.
“Magnolia Market” is an excellent example about why first impressions are not always correct. It is so easy to judge others based on just a few facts that are sometimes very misleading. It is also a story about doing the right thing even when others do not deserve it. I really admired the way Avery refused to retaliate against the mistreatment from her in-laws but instead gained new friends and confidence as she worked to help others and eventually was able to stand up for herself. T.J. was a great hero, a man with loads of integrity and compassion for others. He showed respect to his mother even when he didn’t agree with her.
I actually became so engrossed in Avery’s story that I stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning and was surprised when I actually stopped to look at a clock. Needless to say, I suffered from lack of sleep the next day – but it was worth it. “Magnolia Market” is a fun contemporary romance with a lesson or two about life and faith. I definitely recommend it.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger
Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing..
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The self-help books lied: fresh starts aren’t nearly as glamorous as they appear. And love isn’t any easier the second time around.
Avery Broussard was savoring her long-dormant optimism. It was the first anniversary of her husband’s death, and she was finally going to buy the dress boutique from her former mother-in-law. After a year of saving, the deal was nearly done. Avery was about to get her life back.
But every deal in Samford, Louisiana, can change at the whim of a Broussard.
After being unceremoniously ejected from the very boutique she planned to buy—the boutique she herself had rescued from ruin—she becomes a woman without a future . . . suddenly at war with her late husband’s family.
When carpenter T. J. Aillet begins working for the Broussards doing manual labor, he overhears enough to know that Avery is being victimized. Soon enough, T. J. is lassoed into the squabble by his family connections, his good heart . . . and the undeniable attraction he feels toward Avery.
But the Aillets are no strangers to Samford society—and T. J. knows what happens when you cross the Broussards. Could these two misfits ever make a start together? Or will the pressures of Samford society pull them apart before they even get a chance to try?
About the Author
Judy Christie writes fiction with a Louisiana flavor. She is the author of the Green series of novels including Gone to Green. A fan of primitive antiques and porch swings, she blogs from her green kitchen couch at www.judychristie.com. She and her husband live in northern Louisiana.
