by admin | Mar 3, 2012 | Books, Historical, Nautical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Heart’s Safe Passage” jumps right into action with Phoebe Lee’s abduction as she is forced to accompany her sister-in-law aboard an English privateer bound to rescue her imprisoned husband. There is much more to this story than first meets the eye as one by one, hidden motives and secrets are revealed. Phoebe and the ship’s captain Rafe Docherty both have buried pain and unforgiveness that must be dealt with if they are ever to move on with life. Their unexpected attraction complicates all their plans and a future together seems impossible.
Although not a “pirate” story, “Heart’s Safe Passage” has it’s share of swashbuckling scenes with sea battles, storms, mutiny, murder, and daring rescues. The developing romance between Phoebe and Rafe is well done and Rafe’s daughter adds the perfect counterpoint to all the drama. The spiritual aspect of the narrative was well integrated and concluded perfectly. The scenes aboard the ship were so well done that I could almost feel the roll of the deck and the spray in my face.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Laurie Alice Eakes writes a stirring tale of love, intrigue, and adventure on the high seas. In book 2 of The Midwives series,you will feel the salt spray and the rolling waves as you make the journey with these vivid characters on the treacherous path toward redemption.
It’s 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped.
Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda’s whining and Phoebe’s hostility, Rafe can’t help but wonder if he made the right choice.
When it becomes apparent there is an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the shores of England in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurie Alice Eakes is the author of Lady in the Mist, A Necessary Deception, and several other novels. She won a National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007 for Family Guardian. Laurie Alice writes full-time from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband and sundry dogs and cats.
Learn more about Laurie and her books on her website.
ENDORSEMENTS:
“In her delightful and descriptive style, author Laurie Alice Eakes has once again crafted a story that will capture readers’ hearts from the first page. Her tales are both exciting and tender, and her characters speak to us right where they are, despite the different cultural and time settings. Heart’s Safe Passage may well be her greatest offering to date.”–Kathi Macias, author of Deliver Me from Evil and A Christmas Journey Home
“I’m still thinking about the characters in Heart’s Safe Passage, the new novel from Laurie Alice Eakes. Her turn of phrase and twist of a plot had me smiling long after the last page was turned. Eakes has crafted a don’t-miss story. Well done!”–Kathleen Y’Barbo, author of The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck
“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
by admin | Mar 3, 2012 | Books, England, Historical, Ireland, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“The Guardian Duke” is a light Regency romance novel that is quickly read. It contains an interesting blend of characters and a unique but mysterious plot that reminded me of a fairytale at times. Some of the characters were very well developed while I was left wanting to know more about others.
Despite the fact that what little romance there was took place in the minds of Gabriel and Alexandria based on their somewhat limited correspondence; Alex’s tendency to lie about most everything; and the way several men miraculously happened along at just the right time to protect her and to help her with her quest, I still found the story entertaining. I was surprised by the ending which had no real resolution but left me wanting more (like a good soap opera). Guess I will have to wait for the release of “The Forgiven Duke” and “The Duke’s Promise” to get the rest of the story. I would really like to know what caused Gabriel’s bouts of deafness, dizziness, nausea, and vision symptoms. Hopefully that will be explained before the series ends.
“The Guardian Duke” is a good book if you are in the mood for a light and entertaining read. If you are looking for more meat, you should probably look elsewhere.
This book was provided for review by Angie LoSchiavo with Propeller Consulting.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.
Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.
When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.
Preview The Guardian Duke HERE.
Read the USA Today review HERE.
Purchase a copy of The Guardian Duke HERE.
Check out The Guardian Duke on Facebook.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.
Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.
The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.
As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.
Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.
Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.
If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”
Learn more about Jamie and her books on her website.
by admin | Mar 1, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingRuby DawnWhite Rose Publishing (January 27, 2012)byRaquel ByrnesABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Raquel married her college sweetheart seventeen years ago and you can still find them spending time together chatting over a cup of coffee like when they were first dating.
Her husband is her biggest fan and most ardent supporter. He encourages her to take time for writing as often as he can. He regularly gives her gift cards to her favorite coffee house so that she can go there to write and relax.
He has been known to whip up his famous chicken quesadillas complete with guacamole and brownies for dessert.
Raquel has written books for more than a decade. She loves to do research and has taken private detective courses, gun classes, and underground tours to get every detail right for her novels. She writes romantic suspense with an edge-of-your-seat pace. Stories filled with faith, love, and adventure.
In 2009 she signed with agent, Terry Burns, at Hartline Literary. Terry worked to get her Shades of Hope series sold and in 2010, White Rose Publishing purchased the three-book series.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A painful past. A love returns A desperate plan.
Former street kid, Ruby now reaches out to runaways through her medical clinic in the worst part of the city, but her escalating battle with a gang leader puts that in jeopardy.
Cavalier, a risk-taker, charming… Ruby’s first love is now on the right side of the law and the center of a dangerous DEA sting involving her clinic. Tom’s disappearance ten years ago broke her heart and rattled her faith. As their romance relights, memories of what it costs to love him flood her with fear.
Ruby’s battle with the gang ignites a firestorm of danger, and a pattern of lies from within her own camp emerges. With Tom’s life in the balance and her world cast in shadows, can Ruby trust God as she once did…or has she strayed too far, for too long to ever return?
Watch the book video:
If you would like to read the first chapter of Ruby Dawn, go HERE.
Learn more about Raquel and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Looks like I have yet another author to add to my gotta read list if Ruby Dawn is any indication of Raquel Byrnes’ talent. I have already tagged “Purple Knot”, the first book in the Shades of Hope series as one I NEED and have also noted that the third installment of the series, “Bayou Blue” is to be released sometime this year. I plan to read them all. Is there a support group for Christian fiction addicts?
Not only is someone trying to destroy everything Ruby has worked for or holds dear but they are also doing a pretty good job of providing enough evidence to implicate her. To escalate her stress levels, a man from her past has suddenly reappeared and has placed himself directly in the middle of the maelstrom of her life. Can Ruby allow herself to trust Tom with her life or even her heart?
Ruby Dawn is a page turner from the very start with lots of action, suspense, emotion, and romance. Ruby is strong, stubborn, and spunky but is also more vulnerable than she thinks. Tom is the perfect hero – handsome and tough yet sensitive and caring. The villains are pretty rotten. They are violent and unscrupulous but at times even their humanity manages to peek through. The plot moves at breakneck speed with so many twist, turns, and surprises that I didn’t want to put the book down. An excellent story about trust, second chances, forgiveness, and faith, Ruby Dawn is a must read for lovers of romantic suspense.
