by admin | May 31, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
Although “The Offering” is a work of fiction, it will leave its readers with plenty of food for thought. Without being at all judgmental, the author offers facts and questions about the ethics of surrogate parenting that most have probably never considered. Her characters must weigh their decisions based on their own beliefs despite the reactions of friends and family members.
For much of the book I did not care for Amanda. She seemed to be a devoted wife and mother who cared for others but there was also a self-centeredness about her. She had herself convinced that she wanted to help another couple have a baby they couldn’t have otherwise but it really seemed to be about the money she would earn. Amanda wanted things for herself and her daughter that her husband couldn’t provide quickly enough so she decided to help him out by becoming a surrogate mother. I was happy to see Amanda change as the book progressed and become less selfish and more aware of the feelings of others. I grieved with her over her loss and was encouraged by the difficult choice she made at the end. Sometimes the right choice involves sacrifice.
“The Offering” is a story that emphasizes the importance of family who are always there for you even during difficult times. Several highly emotional scenes may require a box of tissues close at hand.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From bestselling author Angela Hunt, the heart-wrenching story of a young mother who unknowingly gave away her own child after serving as a surrogate for a childless couple.
After growing up as an only child, Amanda Lisandra wants a big family. But since she and her soldier husband can’t afford to have more children right away, Mandy decides to earn money as a gestational carrier for a childless couple. She loves being pregnant, and while carrying the child she dreams of having her own son and maybe another daughter…
Just when the nearly perfect pregnancy is about to conclude, unexpected tragedy enters Mandy’s world and leaves her reeling. Devastated by grief, she surrenders the child she was carrying and struggles to regain her emotional equilibrium.
Two years later she studies a photograph of the baby she bore and wonders if the unthinkable has happened—could she have inadvertently given away her own biological child? Over the next few months Mandy struggles to decide between the desires of her grief-stricken heart and what’s best for the little boy she has never known.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than one hundred books, including “The Nativity Story.” Hunt is one of the most sought-after collaborators in the publishing industry. Her nonfiction book “Don’t Bet Against Me,” written with Deanna Favre, spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Angela’s novel “The Note” (with sales of over 141,000) was filmed as the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movie for 2007 and proved to be the highest rated television movie in the channel’s history. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RITA, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the Holt Medallion. She often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences, and she served as the keynote speaker at the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers’ national conference. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs. In 2001, one of her dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest dog in America.
Angela Hunt is celebrating the release of The Offering with a Nook HD Giveaway and an Author Chat Party on Facebook {6/5}.
One winner will receive:
- A Nook HD
- The Offering by Angela Hunt
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 4th. Winner will be announced at the “The Offering” Facebook Author Chat Party on June 5th. Connect with Angela for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Angela will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of The Offering and join Angela on the evening of June 5th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!
by admin | May 30, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Wow! Katie Ganshert impressed me with her first novel “Wildflowers From Winter” and I became a forever fan. “Wishing on Willows” has reaffirmed my first impression and I know I will continue to keep my eyes open for any new book that Katie deems to write.
Katie’s characters are real and honest and she isn’t afraid to show all their human frailties whether good or bad. Emotions run high but are not over-the-top at all. I found it easy to relate to the characters and felt like they were my friends before the final chapter. I think I could enjoy living in the town of Peaks. I met Robin in “Wildflowers From Winter” and I am so happy I got to read the rest of her story. She and her husband had dreamed of opening a cafe together. I had to admire her tenacity in following through to make their dream a reality and her willingness to fight to keep it open. I also liked Ian whose determination to do his job rivaled Robin’s resolve to keep her business open. Their interactions kept the story interesting and although I knew how the story would end, I kept rooting for their relationship throughout.
I find it difficult to describe how much I loved this book and fear that if I continue I will commit that grave offense of giving away too much. Take my advice – if you haven’t read anything by Katie Ganshert, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of both novels.
This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publisher’s BookSneeze program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa, she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.
Read an excerpt from Wishing on Willows HERE.
Praise for Wishing on Willows
“Have you ever been through a painful season in life and wished for something new, something fresh, or even something healing to come along? Take this journey with Robin Price, a widow and single mother with a big heart and passion for those closest to her, as she wades through trying to live, let go, and love again. Wishing on Willows is a story of hope that will find you stepping up to the willow tree and daring to make wishes.”
—Cheryl McKay, coauthor of Never the Bride and author of Finally the Bride: Finding Hope While Waiting
“What I’ve come to admire about Katie Ganshert’s writing is how skillfully and compassionately she creates memorable characters and weaves into their lives authentic struggles. From the very first line, “The first time I lost my
husband…,” to the last line, “The whispered words came without fear or guilt or hesitation,” we are given the gifts of grieving and letting go told with humor; realistic trials; characters I want to go on telling their stories; and the
longings of the human heart. This is a fine, fine novel.”
—Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times best-selling author of Where Lilacs Still Bloom
“Just like a willow tree, Wishing on Willows evokes grace, humility, and beauty. A well-penned story of sacrifice, second chances, and love, Ganshert’s second novel is as poignant as her first. This is a must-read for any reader seeking to find comfort beneath their own proverbial willow.”
—Betsy St. Amant, author of Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK
“In Wishing on Willows, Katie Ganshert delicately weaves together a story of healing and renewed hope. Will young widow Robin Price choose to fight for what she had or to relinquish the past for the chance to love again? Ganshert deftly writes of grief and wounds that leave us shattered, pointing her characters—and her readers—to the One who provides the strength to embrace life again.”
—Beth K. Vogt, author of Wish You Were Here and Catch a Falling Star
“Katie Ganshert’s Wishing on Willows is rich in symbolism but as down-to-earth as its Midwestern heroine, a young widow juggling the roles of single mom, business owner, and ministry volunteer. I was thoroughly drawn into her changing seasons of love and loss, memory and hope. Like a May basket left at a neighbor’s door, this is a generous story filled with charm and surprises.”
—Meg Moseley, author of When Sparrows Fall
“Katie Ganshert has created an interesting cast of characters that are likable yet flawed. Fans of inspirational romance are sure to enjoy this novel.”
—Kathryn Cushman, author of Almost Amish
“Katie Ganshert is a fresh and powerful new voice in contemporary Christian romance. Her writing wraps itself around your heartstrings and refuses to let go.”
—Erica Vetsch, author of A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband and their young son. She is the author of Wildflowers from Winter.
by admin | May 29, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Totally captivated by the characters and story in “Catch a Falling Star” that I breezed through its pages with little effort. I personally liked the fact that the primary characters were a bit older than those I usually find in romance novels. This did not seem unusual to me as I have noticed many young people these days who are not rushing into marriage but taking their time to establish a career and/or be sure they have made a wise choice in their life partner.
Kendall was special – a woman who genuinely cared about others and found it easy to relate to them due to her own past health issues and the loss of her father. Nevertheless, Kendall yearned for a husband and family and often questioned why God has passed her by when everyone else seemed to have someone. Although Griffin came across as somewhat self-absorbed and prickly, it was soon evident that his gruffness was directly caused by regret over past choices and his lack of confidence in his worth to others and to God. I enjoyed watching the interaction between Kendall and Griffin as well as seeing the light come on for both of them as the Lord worked in their lives. On the other hand, I did not trust that man Heath from the beginning and hoped against hope that Kendall would quickly see through his fake veneer. The side plot involving Kendall’s secretary Evie seemed unrelated at first but eventually became a relevant part of the story.
“Catch a Falling Star” is a wonderfully realistic novel that illustrates how we must sometimes give up our dreams and plans in order to receive God’s best for us. I enthusiastically recommend this book.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What does a girl do when life doesn’t go according to her plan? At 36, Kendall Haynes has seen some of her dreams come true. She’s a family physician helping kids with severe allergies and asthma achieve more fulfilling lives—a childhood struggle she knows all too well. But the feeling of being “the kid never picked” looms large when romance continues to evade her and yet another one of her closest friends gets engaged. Are Kendall’s dreams of having it all—a career, a husband, children—nothing more than childish wishing upon a star? Should she hold out for her elusive Plan A? Dust off Plan B? Or is it time to settle? God says he knows the plans he has for her—why can’t Kendall figure them out and be content with her life?
Griffin Walker prefers flying solo—both as an Air Force pilot and in his personal life. But a wrong choice and health problems pulled him out of the cockpit. His attempts to get out of “flying a desk” are complicated by his parents’ death—making Griffin the reluctant guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother, Ian. How did his life get so off course? Can God get his life back on track … or has there been a divine plan all along?
Catch a Falling Star reminds readers that romance isn’t just for twenty-somethings and that sometimes letting go of your “wish I may, wish I might” dreams is the only way to embrace everything God has waiting for you.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice), though she said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four, though she said she’d never have kids. She’s discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Her contemporary romance novel, “Wish You Were Here,” debuted in May 2012 (Howard Books), and “Catch a Falling Star” releases May 2013. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren.
Celebrate the release of Catch a Falling Star (Howard Books) with Beth K. Vogt by entering to win a Romantic Weekend Getaway and RSVPing for her June 4th Author Chat Party.
One “lucky” winner will receive:
- A $200 Visa Cash Card (Perfect for a weekend stay at a hotel or B&B!)
- Catch a Falling Star and Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt (Swoon-worthy!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 3rd. Winner will be announced at the “Catch a Falling Star” Facebook Author Chat Party on June 4th. Connect with Beth for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Beth will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of Catch a Falling Star and join Beth on the evening of June 4th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!
by admin | May 28, 2013 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Heartbeat AwayAbingdon Press (May 1, 2013)byS. Dionne MooreABOUT THE AUTHOR:
S. Dionne Moore started writing in 2006. Her first book, Murder on the Ol’ Bunions, was contracted for publication by Barbour Publishing in 2008. In 2009 she moved on to writing historical romances as an outlet for her passion for history. In 2010 her second cozy mystery, Polly Dent Loses Grip, was a 2010 Carol Award finalist and she was also named a Barbour Publishing 2010 Favorite New Author. In 2011 her first historical romance, Promise of Tomorrow, was nominated a 2011 Carol Award finalist.
Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Moore moved to Greencastle, PA in 1993, then to Mercersburg in 2009. Moore enjoys life in the historically rich Cumberland Valley where traffic jams are a thing of the past and there are only two stoplights in the whole town.
For more information, visit her Website at www.sdionnemoore.com.
Follow her on Twitter: @sdionnemoore
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sdionnemoore
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/sdionnemoore
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam.
Her mother’s mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her. Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt’s message to its greatest test—but can betrayal be forgiven?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heartbeat Away, go HERE.
Watch the video:
MY REVIEW:
Having read Moore’s cozy mystery, “Murder on the Ol’ Bunions”, I was in for a surprise when I began to read A Heartbeat Away. I had expected a lively and humorous story but found myself deep in the midst of the Civil War and there was nothing funny about it. Just goes to show that this author has a multifaceted talent when it comes to writing. I don’t think we will find her stuck in a rut anytime soon.
Some readers might find A Heartbeat Away a bit slow to get into. Although the plot did seem to move very slowly through most of the book, it really set the atmosphere of how it must have been for Beth, her grandmother, and the others as they hunkered down in the cellar day after day listening to the battle going on so close at hand, knowing that more and more of the wounded and dying would be brought to them to tend. The author’s descriptions were so vivid that I could easily imagine being there but pray that I will never have to experience such horror.
A Heartbeat Away is a story of hope and healing set in the midst of one of the worst times of our history. Civil War buffs should be sure to add it to their reading list.
by admin | May 28, 2013 | Amish, Books, Montana, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I will admit that as a reviewer I sometimes almost get burned out by the plethora of Amish themed books I receive but I have found Tricia Goyer’s novels about the Amish community in West Kootenai, Montana to be refreshingly different. Although they necessarily have plenty of content about the Amish lifestyle, in many ways the stories could be about anyone. “The Promise Box” is no different. I found that the subject matter was quite relevant no matter which Christian path one chooses to follow.
Lydia Wyse had fled the Amish life after learning some unwanted truth about her birth. Not only had she turned her back on the Amish but she had grown quite distant from God also. After receiving word of her mother’s death, she returned to West Kootenai to help her father, fully intending to return to her job as an editor in Seattle. The small mountain town and its residents grow on her, especially Gideon, one of the bachelors there to establish residency in order to hunt in the fall. But what has the biggest impact on Lydia’s life is the small wooden box of promises left to her by her mother. As she reads the letters and scriptures in the box, Lydia is gradually wooed by the Lord back into a relationship with him and she find healing for the deep pain in her soul. Gideon too will find healing in the woods of Montana where the Amish and the Englisch live and work together without conflict.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Promise Box”, especially the sweet promises that drew Lydia back to God. What a beautiful reminder of everything the Lord intends for His children that are often overlooked in the daily quest for “correct doctrine” and the attempts to follow the rules. I would highly recommend this novel, even to those who do not ordinarily enjoy Amish fiction.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
With her heart – and her loyalty – on the line, can she let true love in her life?
Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive ‘resident’ status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana to give comfort to her father after her mother’s death.
She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational ‘tell-all’ book about the Amish. Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. Will the pain of her childhood—and her potential betrayal of her community—keep her from committing her whole heart?
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of six, grandmother of one, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.
In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Tricia, along with a group of friends, recently launched NotQuiteAmishLiving.com, sharing ideas about simplifying life. She also hosts the weekly radio podcast, Living Inspired. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.
Welcome to the campaign for Tricia Goyer‘s latest novel, The Promise Box (Zondervan). Romantic Times says, “Goyer knows how to keep readers entertained, with twists and turns and surprises in her novels that readers will want to uncover. The second book in her Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series has something for everyone: romance, mystery and family secrets.”
Tricia is celebrating by hosting an Amish Baking Box Giveaway and connecting with readers during her June 12th Book Chat Party!
One “promising” winner will receive:
- Apron, hot mitts, and kitchen towels
- Amish baking items (rolling pin, pie plate, etc…)
- Sherry Gore’s Simply Delicious Amish Cooking
- The Memory Jar and The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 11th. Winner will be announced at the “The Promise Box” Facebook Author Chat Party on June 12th. Connect with Tricia for an evening of Amish fun – book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tricia will also share an exclusive look at the next book book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of The Promise Box and join Tricia on the evening of June 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!
by admin | May 24, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Becky Wade’s Novel “My Stubborn Heart” put her on my list of authors to watch. Undeniably Yours just reinforced that decision. If anything, this novel is even better!
A poor little rich girl type story, it features Meg Cole, a young woman who has spent her life with everything money could provide except the assurance that she was loved and protected by a father who cared about her. A disastrous marriage reinforced her insecurities. After her father’s death, Meg was expected to take his place as CEO of the family oil business, a position that often drove her nearly to panic attacks. Advised by her legal staff to close her father’s horse farm, Meg is persuaded to give its manager Bo Porter six months to make it pay. As she and Bo spend more time together, Meg finds that his soothing presence is often the only thing that can calm the storms within her. Instead of feeling anger toward Meg’s threat to the farm and horses he loves, Bo finds himself needing to take care of and protect Meg. As their friendship grows into something more, Bo realizes that he can never be more than an employee to Meg . . . or can he?
I loved the characters in Undeniably Yours. Bo was the perfect hero – handsome and sensitive yet strong. I liked the way that Meg who seemed to have everything continually demonstrated her lack of concern over her wealth but often found ways to use it to help others. I also liked how Meg kept seeking God’s will for her life rather than accepting what was expected of her.
Undeniably Yours is a gripping story with plenty of emotion, a lovely romance, a bit of humor, and even some mystery and suspense. I look forward to what Becky Wade will have for her readers next.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.
Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who’s determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.
Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their relationship–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her website at www.beckywade.com.
