Yvonne Harris earned a BS in Education from the University of Hartford and has taught throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic. Unofficially retired from teaching, she teaches writing at Burlington County College in southern New Jersey, where she resides. She is a winner and three-time finalist for the Golden Heart, once for The Vigilante’s Bride, which is her debut novel.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Montana Territory, 1884 . . . Is Her Kidnapper the Only Man Who Can Keep Her Safe?
Robbing a stagecoach on Christmas Eve and abducting a woman passenger is the last thing Luke Sullivan expected to do. He just wanted to reclaim the money stolen from his pa, but instead ended up rescuing a feisty copper-haired woman who was on her way to marry Sullivan’s dangerous enemy. Emily McCarthy doesn’t take kindly to her so-called rescue. Still, she’s hoping Providence will turn her situation for good, especially when it seems Luke Sullivan may just be the man of her dreams. But Luke has crossed a vicious man, a powerful rancher not used to losing, and Emily is the prize he’s unwilling to sacrifice.
Learn more about Yvonne and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
As I’ve said before, I have a weakness for books featuring cowboys, whether contemporary or historical. I do love a good book set in the ‘Old West’ so The Vigilante’s Bride was a perfect choice for me. When I saw the absolutely gorgeous cover (both front and back), this book would have jumped right off the shelf into my hands if it hadn’t been sent in the mail for me to review. Yes, I would buy this book solely by its cover. Thankfully, the content more than met my expectations.
Characterization of both Luke and Emily was excellent. I loved the many contradictions of Luke’s personality, an honorable, tender, and caring man who was nevertheless unafraid to do whatever necessary to provide for and protect those in his care. And sweet, spunky Emily, forced to travel west to marry an unknown man, then kidnapped on Christmas eve, yet she jumped right in to provide help where needed and quickly made herself indispensable. The romantic tension between them was perfect with plenty of spats and sparks that kept the story lively.
The Vigilante’s Bride had all the necessary components for a great read – lifelike characters both good and bad, plenty of drama and conflict, humor, a good romance, and a spiritual message. In my opinion, The Vigilante’s Bride would make a perfect Hallmark movie.
The ‘Love Finds You’ series by Summerside Press has provided a wealth of information about the featured location of each book. This volume set in Victory Heights, Washington highlights women in the Seattle area and their efforts to contribute to the war while their men are off fighting it. Rosalie is a riveter in the Boeing plant and soon finds herself the center of unwanted attention when she breaks a plant record. She fights her attraction to Kenny because of unresolved guilt and unpleasant family memories. Kenny has his own inner conflicts that further complicate their romance.
Love Finds You In Victory Heights, Washington is a fabulous story with so much detail about the Seattle, Washington area, an inside look at the airplane plant, and the lives of the women who kept things going. Club scenes, dance and clothing descriptions, period slang, talk of rationing, and many other details made the story come alive.
Love Finds You In Victory Heights, Washington is one of the absolute best novels I have read about the WWII years. This is one book that is definitely worth picking up. I highly recommend it.
Other Bloggers on This Tour:
http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/love-finds-you-in-victory-heights-washington.html
This book was provided for review by
Amy Lathrop and LitFuse Publicity Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The war has stolen Rosalie’s fiancé, Vic, from her forever. But rather than wallow, Rosalie distracts herself by cramming her days full of activity—mainly by shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy.
When a reporter dubs her “Seattle’s Own Rosie the Riveter,” even more responsibility piles up. Her strong arms bear all this, but when intense feelings surface for Kenny, the handsome, kind-hearted, and spiritually unwavering reporter, the fear of losing another love propels Rosalie to leave.
It’s only when Rosalie realizes that God has brought her to this place—and this person—for a reason, the sparkling grace of God compels her to let go of her own strength and lean on His, as well as open her heart to love.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
About Tricia Goyer: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-four books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. For more on Tricia visit www.triciagoyer.com
About Ocieanna Fleiss: Ocieanna Fleiss is a published writer and has edited six of Tricia Goyer’s historical novels. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. For more about Ocieanna visit her blog.
M. L. (MaryLu) Tyndall grew up on the beaches of South Florida loving the sea and the warm tropics. But despite the beauty around her, she always felt an ache in her soul–a longing for something more.
After college, she married and moved to California where she had two children and settled into a job at a local computer company. Although she had done everything the world expected, she was still miserable. She hated her job and her marriage was falling apart.
Still searching for purpose, adventure and true love, she spent her late twenties and early thirties doing all the things the world told her would make her happy, and after years, her children suffered, her second marriage suffered, and she was still miserable.
One day, she picked up her old Bible, dusted it off, and began to read. Somewhere in the middle, God opened her hardened heart to see that He was real, that He still loved her, and that He had a purpose for her life, if she’d only give her heart to Him completely.
She had written stories her whole life, but never had the confidence to try and get any of them published. But as God began to change her heart, He also showed her that writing had been His wonderful plan for her all along!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For the sake of her ailing mother, Marianne Denton becomes engaged to Noah Brennin—a merchantman she despises. But as the War of 1812 escalates, Jonah’s ship is captured by the British, and the ill-matched couple learns vital information that could aid America’s cause.
Relive the rich history of the War of 1812 through the eyes of Marianne Denton and Noah Brenin, who both long to please their families but neither one wishes to marry the other. Noah is determined to get his cargo to England before war breaks out, and Marianne is equally determined to have a wedding so that her inheritance can be unlocked and her destitute family saved. When their stubborn games get them captured by a British warship, can they escape and bring liberty to their country—and growing love?
Surrender the Heart is another of Tyndall’s nautical adventures written with such vivid imagery that you would swear you could hear the seagulls and waves and smell the briny sea. (BTW, if you visit her website, you will get the full audio experience.) Set primarily aboard ship on the high seas, the story takes the hero and heroine through danger, discouragement, fear, sacrifice, love, hate, forgiveness, and triumph.
Both Marianne and Noah have distanced themselves from God because of past circumstances in their lives. Noah’s guilt over his brother’s death and his inability to please his father has caused him to continuously strive to prove himself. The death of Marianne’s father and the lack of provision left for his family has resulted in Marianne’s inability to believe in herself or God’s love for her. As they experience trials and hardship aboard the British warship that holds them hostage, they begin to see themselves and each other in a different light. And as God breaks through their defenses, they each discover the destiny He has in store for them.
Surrender the Heart is a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction, a good adventure story, and a satisfying romance.
Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty inspirational novels. Her genres include contemporary stories including John 3:16 and Time Lottery, and historical novels of real women-of-history including Just Jane(Jane Austen) and Washington’s Lady (Martha Washington). Her newest historical novel is Masquerade. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Sister Circle Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at www.nancymoser.com and www.sistercircles.com.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
They risk it all for adventure and romance, but find that love only flourishes in truth…
1886, New York City: Charlotte Gleason, a rich heiress from England, escapes a family crisis by traveling to America in order to marry the even wealthier Conrad Tremaine.
She soon decides that an arranged marriage is not for her and persuades her maid, Dora, to take her place. She wants a chance at “real life,” even if it means giving up financial security. For Charlotte, it’s a risk she’s willing to take. What begins as the whim of a spoiled rich girl wanting adventure becomes a test of survival amid poverty beyond Charlotte’s blackest nightmares.
As for Dora, it’s the chance of a lifetime. She lives a fairy tale complete with gowns, jewels, and lavish mansions–yet is tormented by guilt from the possibility of discovery and the presence of another love that will not die. Is this what her heart truly longs for?
Will their masquerade be discovered? Will one of them have second thoughts? There is no guarantee the switch will work. It’s a risk. It’s the chance of a lifetime.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Masquerade, go HERE.
View the book trailer:
MY REVIEW:
Having read and enjoyed Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper” as a young student, I approached Masquerade with the expectations of a similar story. Although the story had a similar exchange of positions in which Cora was no more equipped to assume a role in society than Lottie was prepared to fend for herself, Masquerade was unique in most other aspects.
Moser’s carefully researched facts and her eye for detail made for an educational as well as entertaining novel. The contrasts between the opulent homes of the rich and the tenements occupied by immigrants painted an image of a life many of my generation and younger have not experienced first hand. It was interesting to note the love and joy shared by the immigrants despite their circumstances as compared to the discontent and indifference displayed by the Tremaine family. It was inspiring to read how the Lord worked in the lives of Dora and Lottie to change and protect them and to use them in the lives of others.
I personally would have liked to see a bit more development of the romances before the conclusion; however I realize that could have added another hundred pages or so to the four hundred already included. I can’t imagine anything that could have been left out so the exclusion of a few romantic details is a small price to pay. Overall, Masquerade is an excellent novel with a timely message.
How I hate to see the PJ Sugar series end! It has been a wild and crazy ride from start to finish. I enjoyed getting to know PJ Sugar in the first book of the series Nothing But Trouble and continued to follow her exploits in Double Trouble. I have to say that Licensed for Trouble has to be the absolute best of the three (in my opinion) but I sure hate to say goodbye.
Licensed for Trouble is a fitting conclusion for the series as PJ struggles to overcome her reputation as “Nothing but Trouble”. Once again Susan May Warren has placed PJ in scenarios that are almost too funny to be true but so perfectly fit her character. The continued love triangle with PJ, her old flame Boone, and her boss Jeremy keeps the reader guessing during most of the book. The entrance of another man into the mix with PJ’s new client Max serves to add another dimension to the story. As she endeavors to help Max discover his true identity while he helps renovate her mysterious inheritance, PJ also learns some important things about herself.
Licensed for Trouble is a great summer read with just the right mix of romance, mystery, humor, and faith. If you haven’t read anything written by Susan May Warren, the PJ Sugar series would be a great place to begin. Just be sure to read all of them in sequence for the best experience.
This book was provided for review by Amy Lathrop with LitFuse Publicity Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
PJ Sugar receives shocking news that she’s inherited the Kellogg family mansion. Though she has no idea why, the timing is perfect-PJ has clearly worn out her welcome at her sister’s house. Unfortunately, the mansion is in shambles, and PJ is short on cash. Rescue comes in the form of Max Smith, a mysterious handyman willing to trade his services for PJ’s investigative skills. But PJ already has a full docket with cramming for her PI license and nurturing a growing romance with her boss, Jeremy Kane. Can she take on Max’s case without dropping the ball?
Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year.
Susan’s larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com.
As you can see in the following video, Susan takes her research seriously.
Licensed for Trouble, Susan’s brand new PJ Sugar novel, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re giving away a Kindle!! You can enter using Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail using the icons below. One Grand Prize winner will receive a A SWEET Kindle prize package that includes:
A brand new Kindle (Free 3G, 6”, Latest Generation)
The entire PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren
To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 2nd.
Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Licensed for Trouble here!
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Yvonne Harris earned a BS in Education from the University of Hartford and has taught throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic. Unofficially retired from teaching, she teaches writing at Burlington County College in southern New Jersey, where she resides. She is a winner and three-time finalist for the Golden Heart, once for The Vigilante’s Bride, which is her debut novel.
