by admin | Jul 19, 2012 | Books, Gilded Age, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Reading “Love Finds You in MacKinac Island, Michigan” was almost like taking a mini-vacation there myself. With its descriptive prose and engaging storyline, it kept me turning the pages until the very end. I’ll admit that a few household chores were ignored in favor of this novel. I always enjoy reading about the different lifestyle of upper crust families during the gilded age and Melanie Dobson brought life on MacKinac Island vividly to life.
Although the back cover copy pretty much gave away the plot twist of mistaken identities, it was not at all detrimental to my enjoyment of the story. To be honest, most of the time the reader is fairly certain what the final outcome will be in this genre. It’s the author’s job to create a unique story that will capture their interest. I can honestly say that Melanie Dobson was quite successful in that regard. With the perfect blend of drama, humor, romance, and historical tidbits that are spiced with a touch of mystery, “Love Finds You in MacKinac Island, Michigan” met all of my requirements for a good historical romance. The characters were realistically portrayed and the plot moved at the perfect pace. Biblical truth was presented as a natural component of the narrative and shared a valuable lesson about God’s love.
I recommend this novel as well as the other volumes available in the Love Finds You series.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A story filled with beauty and wonder, Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan transports readers to a magical place and time. The story begins in the 1890s at the end of the Gilded Age, a golden era of prosperity and growth. As the Gilded Age comes to a close, the kingdoms of many wealthy industrialists begin to collapse, including the once-wealthy Bissette family who has nearly lost its fortune. However, the Bissettes still own a home on the fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing their daughter Elena to a wealthy suitor.
Not only is Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money, she quickly grows tired of the extravagant balls and spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac’s rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse where they discover a mysterious tattered diary.
As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly plots to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island’s most eligible bachelor. While marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes’ financial woes, Elena is torn between duty to her family and true love.
The Love Finds You series from Summerside Press is a collection of novels that captures the flavor of towns and cities across the country with colorful histories. The towns become as much of a part of the stories as the characters themselves. Researching the towns in which her novels are set is the aspect of historical fiction that Dobson enjoys most. In writing Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan, she was able to explore the island that has intrigued her since her early years growing up in Ohio. “I’ve always been fascinated by Mackinac Island because I was told time seemed to stand still there,” explains Dobson. “From the moment I got off the boat, I could sense it was a magical place. There are no cars on the island so people ride bikes or horse-drawn carriages through the charming village and back into the forest. The island has been a popular vacation destination on the east coast since 1819, so it’s rich with fascinating history and lore.”
In the midst of writing this book, Dobson went to Haiti to help lead a retreat for the wives of Haitian pastors. Each member of their team spoke on a different name of God, and Dobson spoke about God as Mighty Creator. “As I researched God’s passion for creating and the love He has for His creation, it was a joy for me to incorporate the wonder and beauty of the universe into this historical novel. I hope that readers leave with a sense of God’s majesty on this beautiful island.”
Readers agree, Dobson’s latest is a winner:
“Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan whisks you away to a beautiful time and place, and you’ll never want to leave the Island. Author Melanie Dobson weaves genuine characters with unique twists and turns. You won’t be able to put this one down.” – Nicole M. Miller, Writer & Reviewer
Dobson does an excellent job keeping the reader informed and engaged, yet yearning to know what happens next to the two lovers and how they overcome their own inadequacies, misunderstandings and heartbreaks. Kudos to the writer for making the ambiance, mood and enriched characters with so much depth and detail that the reader feels she is walking the paths on Mackinac Island way back in the nineteenth century too. -Amazon.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).
Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master’s degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.
Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.
When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
For more about Melanie Dobson and her books, visit www.melaniedobson.com.
Melanie Dobson’s “Mackinac Island’ Kindle Fire Giveaway!
Celebrate with Melanie by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway!
Find out what the reviewers are saying here!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A brand new Kindle Fire
- Signed copies of Melanie’s Love Find You books: Love Finds you in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana.
But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4/12. The winner will be announced on 8/6/12 at Melanie’s blog!
Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Melanie’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
by admin | Jul 19, 2012 | Adventure, Africa, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Political, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingRare EarthBethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)byDavis BunnABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born and raised in North Carolina, Davis left for Europe at age twenty. There he first completed graduate studies in economics and finance, then began a business career that took him to over forty countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Davis came to faith at age 28, while living in Germany and running an international business advisory group. He started writing two weeks later. Since that moment, writing has remained both a passion and a calling.
Davis wrote for nine years and completed seven books before his first was accepted for publication. During that time, he continued to work full-time in his business career, travelling to two and sometimes three countries every week. His first published book, The Presence, was released in 1990 and became a national bestseller.
Honored with three Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, his bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Warning, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt.
A sought-after speaker in the art of writing, Davis serves as Writer In Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.
Learn more about Davis and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Marc Royce stares out of the helicopter, a sense of foreboding rising with the volcanic cloud. Below, the Rift Valley slashes across Africa like a scar. Decades of conflicts, droughts, and natural disasters have left their mark.
Dispatched to audit a relief organization, Royce is thrust into the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps. But his true mission focuses on the area’s reserves of once-obscure minerals now indispensable to high-tech industries. These strategic elements–called rare earth–have inflamed tensions on the world’s stage and stoked tribal rivalries. As Royce prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes on a bold and risky venture for restoring justice to this troubled land.
But this time, Royce may have gone too far.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Rare Earth, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Come back tomorrow for my review and more about Rare Earth and Davis Bunn.
by admin | Jul 16, 2012 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingAlmost AmishBethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)byKathryn CushmanABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but all her life she knew that she wanted to write a novel “some day”. For her, “some day” came in 2003, when she started writing and never looked back.
Her first two manuscripts remain firmly ensconced in the back of her closet (the dust bunnies tell her they really are terrific!). Her third attempt became her first published novel.
A Promise to Remember and Leaving Yesterday were both finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award.
On the homefront, she has been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for nearly twenty-five years now, and their two daughters are currently braving the worlds of high school and college.
They’ve lived in Santa Barbara for over twenty years. It’s a beautiful place and Kathryn feel blessed to be there (although a seventy degree Christmas still leaves her dreaming of a white one—or at least a colder one!)
When she’s not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find her trying her best to keep up with her daughters in their various theater, softball, dance, and filled-with-activity lives.
Learn more about Kathryn and her books on her Website .
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Proving the Simple Life Isn’t So Simple After All
Over committed and overwhelmed, Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She knows she should feel blessed as a mother and wife–but she just feels exhausted. And then, the miraculous happens. Her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series about trying to live like the Amish and needs another family to join her. It’s just the break Julie needs.
But the summer adventure in simple living soon proves anything but simple. With the camera watching every move, Susan’s drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or dressing differently, each new Amish challenge raises new complications…and soon each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Almost Amish, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Almost Amish is an absolutely perfect concept for a novel at this time with the proliferation of Amish fiction and reality TV programs. When Julie Charlton agrees to join her sister-in-law Susan and their families for a three month reality show that challenges them to live like the Amish, neither of them realize quite what they have agreed to do. Julie just knows that she needs a break and Susan believes that if she plays her cards right, the future of her daughter and herself will be assured. Reality strikes quickly when they find that all the rules are up for change at a moment’s notice and there is nothing they can do about it.
Almost Amish is a book that both adults and teens can enjoy. With three teen characters as well as the two primary characters, lots of humor and drama, plus a bit of romance, the story has a bit of something for everyone. The plot moves at a brisk pace with excellent dialogue and well developed characters. More than one surprise along the way helps keep those pages turning with anticipation.
I liked reading about each of the characters as they allowed their new environment and experiences to shape and change them, albeit some sooner than others. The essential theme of the story is about finding and using the unique gifts that the Lord has given you rather than comparing yourself to others. Almost Amish is a fun and entertaining book that I highly recommend.
by admin | Jul 16, 2012 | Books
MY REVIEW:
Inescapable is a mystery/suspense set in the isolated old order Mennonite town of Kingdom, Kansas. Although the novel is a page turner with sufficient twists and surprises to keep most mystery lovers happy, I felt that its real strength was in its character development. The interaction between characters varied from loving and supportive to hostile which had a strong influence on decisions made by the primary characters.
As Lizzie faced various trials in her life. she was finally able to learn that the only way she could survive was by trusting God to take care of her situation. By letting go of her anger and unforgiveness toward her father and the people of Kingdom, she was finally able to find the peace she had been searching for in her life. Inescapable has a strong message of forgiveness and reconciliation and ended well. I found the details about the old order Mennonites to be interesting. They were an entirely different group than the Mennonites I encounter in our part of the country.
Inescapable was a satisfying read in all respects. I think that readers who enjoy Amish fiction and/or mystery suspense would find it to their taste.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
About the Book:
Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return.
But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she’s being followed, and she’s certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she’s received. Realizing she’ll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go.
Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she’ll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people–especially her old friend, Noah Housler–she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever.
No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run–to the Father whose love is inescapable.
See what other bloggers are saying about “Inescapable” HERE.
About Nancy:
Nancy Mehl, the author of 12 books, received an ACFW Carol Award in 2009 for her novel For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit her website at www.nancymehl.com.
CONTEST:
Win a Handmade Mennonite Quilt from @NancyMehl! RSVP for her INESCAPABLE Facebook Party 7/26!
Celebrate with Nancy by entering her “Inescapable” Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 7/26!
Find out what readers are saying here.
One winner will receive:
- A Handmade Mennonite Quilt
- A copy of Inescapable by Nancy Mehl
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 25th. Winner will be announced at the “Inescapable” Author Chat Facebook Party on 7/26. Nancy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills (how much do you know about the Mennonites?) and giving away some great prizes! |
 |
So grab your copy of Inescapable and join Nancy on the evening of the July 26th for a chance to connect with Nancy 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
RSVP today. Tell your friends via
FACEBOOK or
TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 26th!
by admin | Jul 13, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Deposit SlipBethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)byTodd M. JohnsonABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Todd M. Johnson has practiced as an attorney for over 30 years, specializing as a trial lawyer. A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also taught for two years as adjunct professor of International Law and served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong. The Deposit Slip is his debut novel. He lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Cathy, and children Ian and Libby.
Learn more about Todd on his Website .
ABOUT THE BOOK:
$10,000,000 Is Missing.
Erin Larson is running out of options. In the wake of her father’s death, she found a slim piece of paper–a deposit slip–with an unbelievable amount on it. Only the bank claims they have no record of the money, and trying to hire a lawyer has brought only intimidation and threats. Erin’s last chance is Jared Neaton.
How Far Will One Lawyer Go to Find the Money?
When Jared wearied of the shady ethics of his big law firm and started his own, he never expected the wheels to fly off so quickly. One big loss has pushed him to the brink, and it’s all he can do to scrape by.
And How Far Will Someone Go to Stop Him?
He’s not sure if Erin’s case is worth the risk, but if the money is real, all his problems could vanish. When digging deeper unleashes something far more dangerous than just threats, both Jared and Erin must decide the cost they’re willing to pay to discover the truth.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Deposit Slip, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
The Deposit Slip is an excellent entry by Todd M. Johnson into the legal thriller genre. Written in an easy-to-read style, the plot has just the right blend of legal facts and procedures, drama, action, and suspense. His characters are well developed especially Jared whose sometimes poor choices are strongly influenced by his desire for justice in addition to his ambition to prove himself. Jared’s relationship (or lack of) with his father is woven through the story and plays a major role in his decision making.
The Deposit Slip is a real page turner that showcases the risks some people will take to cover their tracks and the lengths they will go to for money and power. A strong message of forgiveness and reconciliation is also a highlight of the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Deposit Slip and personally preferred it to some of the Grisham books I have read. I appreciated the fact that Mr. Johnson did not overwhelm me with unnecessary legal facts but included enough to make his points. If you are a fan of legal fiction, you really should give this book a try. I am already looking forward to what this author will offer readers in the future.
