by admin | Jun 8, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed all of Irene Hannon’s suspense novels to date as well as many of her Love Inspired books so I was sure that her newest long contemporary romance “That Certain Summer” would also be good. I was not disappointed.
Skillful plot and character development paved the way for a most enjoyable few hours of reading. I liked the fact that all of the characters struggled with different problems and misconceptions about themselves. It was gratifying to watch as their personal interactions helped them to gradually understand the truth and how their lives changed for the better – even the manipulative mother of Karen and Val. Although Karen seemed to have the lowest self-esteem, she also had the most compassionate heart which influenced those around her. Val’s outward self-confidence hid a guilty conscience but she encouraged Karen to learn to stand up for herself. It was a joy to see the sisters relationship grow close as they cared for their mother together. The men who enter their lives are the perfect complement for each woman.
“That Certain Summer” is not only a wonderful romance novel but has a strong message on forgiveness and finding God’s plan for one’s life. I highly recommend it.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
New Contemporary Romance by Two-Time RITA Award-Winning Author
With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, celebrated author Irene Hannon offers her readers an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex family relationships, transgressions revealed and forgiven and the complicated process of finding love.
Karen and Val are family – yet they’re anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town – and had a secret to keep – so coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.
Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their own relationship and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each sister learn how to forgive, how to let go and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier Award and two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. Booklist also included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. She lives in Saint Louis, Missouri.
For more information about her and her books, Irene invites you to visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.
by admin | Jun 5, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Karen Witemeyer since her very first novel and have read each and every one of them. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about them except the fact that each one comes to an end and I am forced to wait for the next one to be published. “Stealing the Preacher” lived up to my expectations and provided several enjoyable hours of reading as well as reinforcing my decision to make sure to obtain a copy of all future novels by this author.
I loved the idea of the reformed outlaw who decided to kidnap a preacher off the train for his daughter’s birthday. Silas did not realize that the primary reason she wanted another preacher for their church was to help her bring her father to salvation. Little did Silas suspect how that one decision would affect the lives of himself and his daughter.
I don’t believe that “Stealing the Preacher” was quite as humorous as some of this author’s earlier novels but it did have its moments. There was also a good balance of action, drama, danger, and romance to keep things moving along quite nicely. Crockett and Joanna complemented each other well and other characters added interest to the story, especially Silas, Jackson, and Bessie. I would mind seeing Bessie or Jackson turn up in future books with their own stories. It was also fun to read a bit about what was happening in the lives of the other Archer brothers and hope to see another Archer novel in the near future.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw’s daughter who wants to change his mind.
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can’t believe it when he’s forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He’s determined to escape–which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.
For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?
With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.
Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
by admin | Jun 3, 2013 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The second book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Days of Redemption series, Ray of Light continues the story of the Keim family that began in Daybreak. Various member of the extended Keim family have had some secrets, some of which came to light in Daybreak. Much to everyone’s surprise, even more family secrets are revealed in Ray of Light. Although distressed at first that their secrets are out of the bag, by book’s end, those who had their secrets exposed realize that hiding things from their family is actually more difficult than dealing with the past openly.
Then there is romance! Roman Keim who has been shouldering most of the farm responsibilities during his father’s absence takes a short vacation in Florida where he meets Amanda, a young widow and her daughter Regina. Roman quickly and unexpectedly finds himself head-over-heels with both Amanda and Regina but must return to his responsibilities in Ohio much too soon. Is it too much for Roman to hope that Amanda and Regina can ever be a permanent part of his life?
Ray of Light is a sweet romance that can be quickly read. It features New Order Amish who have telephones in their homes and vacation homes at the beach which is a different perspective than most Amish novels I have read. I enjoyed catching up with other members of the Keim family, especially Viola and Ed from Daybreak. Ray of Light is a must read for fans of Amish romance.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.
Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?
The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the “Sisters of the Heart”, “Seasons of Sugarcreek”, “Secrets of Crittenden County”, and Families of Honor series. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Learn more at Shelley’s website.
