by admin | Sep 20, 2010 | Books, Historical, Romance
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
In Every Heartbeat
Bethany House (September 1, 2010)
by
Kim Vogel Sawyer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women’s fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As three friends who grew up in the same orphanage head off to college together, they each harbor a cherished dream.
Libby Conley hopes to become a famous journalist. Pete Leidig believes God has called him to study to become a minister. And Bennett Martin plans to pledge a fraternity, find a place to belong, and have as much fun as possible.
But as tensions rise around the world on the brink of World War I, the friends’ differing aspirations and opinions begin to divide them, as well. And when Libby makes a shocking discovery about Pete’s family, will it drive a final wedge between the friends or bond them in ways they never anticipated?
If you would like to read the first chapter of In Every Heartbeat, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Once I began reading In Every Heartbeat I didn’t want to put it down. The author’s narrative style was so comfortable that I just wanted to snuggle in and get to know each of the characters better.
A story of three good friends as they leave familiar territory to begin college together, In Every Heartbeat follows Libby, Pete and Bennett through changes that push them apart and draw them back together again and again. Each of the trio encounters situations that force them to make hard choices about their hopes and dreams and whether to let go of grievances over past hurts.
I have read so many really good books during the past year that it is really difficult for me to choose a favorite but I would have to place In Every Heartbeat near the top of my list.
by admin | Sep 20, 2010 | Giveaways, Winners
Well, it was easy to choose a winner for the promotional t-shirt for Ted Dekker’s Immanuel’s Veins. Ginny left the only comment so she is my winner by default. I will be contacting her for her information soon. Congratulations Ginny!
by admin | Sep 17, 2010 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Making Waves is the debut novel by Lorna Seilstad and if it is any example of her writing abilities, it won’t be her last one. Everything about the book was charming – except (of course) the bad guys. Marguerite, the impetuous and accident prone heroine, is a breath of fresh air and her little brother Mark adds some fun to the mix. Roger is perfectly obnoxious as Marguerite’s unwanted fiance and funloving Trip’s integrity and thoughtfulness is the ideal counterpoint. I enjoyed Lorna’s vivid description of lakeside activities, especially the campsites equipped with all the luxuries of home that made me think of today’s recreational vehicles. I am also thankful that today’s woman is not required to wear all the confining layers of clothing for outdoor activities as was proper in the late 1800’s.
Although not the first book I have read in recent months featuring a heroine willing to marry the wrong man in order to save her family from financial ruin, Making Waves is totally original and unique. With plenty of humor, drama, action, conflict, and of course a sweet romance, Making Waves is the perfect book for these last hot days of summer.
This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller
from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Spirited Heroine Will Win Readers’ Hearts
in New Series
Set in 1895, readers will be whisked away to
the adventures and romance of Lake Manawa
Set in 1895, Making Waves, by debut author Lorna Seilstad is the first book in the Lake Manawa Summers series.
When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will summer at Lake Manawa in 1895, she couldn’t be more thrilled. It is the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It’s also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews.
But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father’s gambling problems threaten to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father’s name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart–even if it means abandoning the family she loves?
Author Lorna Seilstad’s fresh and entertaining voice will whisk readers away to a breezy lakeside summer holiday in Making Waves, the first book of the Lake Manawa Summers series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lorna Seilstad is a history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in and draws her setting from Iowa. This is her first novel.
by admin | Sep 17, 2010 | Adventure, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
The Black Madonna is a fast paced, suspense filled tale that takes the reader on a whirlwind journey through the world of antiquities along with primary characters Storm Syrrell, Emma Webb, and Harry Bennett. From the mideastern desert, to a monastery in Poland, to the streets of London, to the mountains of Switzerland, and other locations along the way, the three friends seek to unravel the mystery surrounding an escalating bidding war for religious artifacts and the possibly related counterfeiting of similar relics. As the danger escalates and others become involved, they realize that everything revolves around a stolen icon known as the Black Madonna and that international repercussions could result if it is not recovered.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Madonna. I do hope that the unresolved relationship of a certain two characters will continue in another installment of this series.
This book was provided for review by Rebeca Seitz
with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Gentleman Adventurer” Davis Bunn delivers an international thriller of elusive treasure, desperate measures, and a race against death’s clock with The Black Madonna. Capitalizing on the successful introduction of Storm Syrrell in Gold of Kings, Bunn brings Syrrell back for this epic tale.
Antiquarian Storm Syrrell is in desperate need of cash. When a nameless, faceless client calls her with a request to track down a non-existent antique rumored to bear miraculous healing in its being, Storm should say no. But the man’s pockets are deep.
What desperation leads a man to pay millions for a glimpse of hope?
Storm hopes the answer won’t be the death of her business…or her.
Read the first chapter of The Black Madonna here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Known by his fans as the, “Gentleman Adventurer” Davis Bunn is a multi-award winning best-selling author who consistently delivers engaging stories and thrilling adventures. He has served as the Novelist in Residence at Oxford University for the past ten years and was recently invited into BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts).
Davis Bunn is a lover of adventure in many forms, including his decades-long involvement in surfing (yes, he’s been bitten by a shark). Fluent in three languages, Bunn’s travels include Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. He and his wife, Isabella, divide their time between homes in England and Florida’s West Coast.
Learn more about the unique life and mind of Davis Bunn at www.DavisBunn.com.
by admin | Sep 17, 2010 | Amish, Books
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Autumn’s Promise
Avon Inspire (August 3, 2010)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold twenty-six novels to numerous publishers. She has written a seven book contemporary series for Avalon books. She also published The Love Letter, a western for Avalon. Five Star Expressions published Suddenly, You in February of 2007. This novel is a historical western set in the mountains of Colorado.
Shelley has written nine novels for Harlequin American Romance. Cinderella Christmas, her first novel with them, reached number six on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list. Her second book with them, Simple Gifts won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice award for best Harlequin American Romance of 2006. The Mommy Bride, was chosen by Romantic Times Magazine as one of their TOP PICKS for May, 2008.
Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for Harper Collins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. HIDDEN and WANTED the first two novels of her ‘Sisters of the Heart’ series, were chosen to be Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/ Literary Guild Book Club. FORGIVEN, book 3, has received glowing reviews. Avon Inspire is releasing four novels by Shelley this year.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two teenagers, and is an active member of her church.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Some promises are meant to be broken…
Until Robert Miller met Lilly Allen, his world had been dark. A widower after only two years of marriage, he’d been living in a haze, feeling that, at twenty-four, his life was already over.
But thanks to his friendship with Lilly, he now has new reasons to wake up each day. He knows his connection to her doesn’t make sense. She’s only nineteen, with a past the whole town talks about. Even more, she’s not Amish, like Robert. A marriage between the two of them could never happen.
Lilly’s heart is drawn to Robert, not to his faith. No matter how much she admires his quiet strength and dependability, she doesn’t think she could ever give up her independence and reliance on the modern world. Is their love doomed before it even begins?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Autumn’s Promise, go HERE.
Learn more about Shelley and her books on her Website.
As three friends who grew up in the same orphanage head off to college together, they each harbor a cherished dream.
