by admin | Jul 28, 2013 | Books, Colonial America, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Burning Sky” grabbed my attention at first glance with its gorgeous cover. Once I had read its beautiful yet haunting opening words I had to know everything about this woman. I am not certain why I first hesitated to choose this book to review but I am so glad that I changed my mind. “Burning Sky” is one novel that will remain on my keeper shelf. Another new author has been added to my must-read list.
Captured by Indians at a young age, Willa Obenchain returned after twelve years to the family farm to find her parents missing. As she neared the end of her journey, she discovered wounded Neil MacGregor who she rescued and nursed back to health. The war with the British was over but resentment and hatred for the Mohawk remained strong. Torn between the two cultures, Willa encountered prejudice and harassment at the hands of some of her former friends and neighbors as well as the threat of losing the family farm. Neil remained to help Willa while he recuperated from his injuries and grew to care for her but Willa had determined to never let herself care for anyone again because the pain of loss was too great. Two other men – one a former suitor and one her Indian brother also played important roles in the story.
I enjoyed most everything about “Burning Sky”. Character development was excellent from the Willa and Neil to the children, Joseph Tames-His-Horse, Francis, Anni, Goodenough, and even the dog Cap. The steady plot moved at a steady pace and included just the right amount of historical details and descriptions of the settings to make me feel a part of the story. Scripture was sprinkled liberally throughout the story but was used naturally and was not overwhelming. In fact one scripture in particular seemed to be the theme of the story and was often an encouragement to Willa as she struggled with everything that came against her. “Burning Sky” helps the reader understand the points of view from both the Indians and the settlers.
I could go on but I do not want to reveal too much. “Burning Sky” should appeal to those who enjoy books about the early days of our nation. I look forward to what this new author will offer us next.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“I remember the borders of our land, though I have been gone from them nearly half the moons of my life. But who there will remember me? What I have seen, what I have done, it has changed me.
I am the place where two rivers meet, silted with upheaval and loss.
Yet memory of our land is a clear stream. I shall know it as a mother knows the faces of her children. It may be I will find me there.“
Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.
When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.
Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage–the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?
Click here to download chapter one of Burning Sky.
Preorder a copy of Burning Sky HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.
When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband – often scouring the brush for huckleberries, which overflow the freezer and find their way into her signature huckleberry lemon pound cake.
by admin | Jul 25, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I am a long-time fan of Colleen Coble’s books so I was excited to have the chance to read and review her latest, “Rosemary Cottage”. Just as expected, I was quickly pulled into the lives of the residents of Hope Beach. It was fun to revisit several characters I met in “Tidewater Inn” and to meet new ones as well. In my opinion, Colleen Coble is an expert when it comes to writing a romantic suspense that will keep me turning the pages and hating to put the book down while I attend to the required tasks of daily life. I confess that some of those tasks may have been neglected while I was immersed in “Rosemary Cottage”.
The primary characters of Amy and Curtis were perfectly portrayed. I liked the way their occupations and hobbies were an integral part of the story. Although not necessary to plot development, the well-rounded characters made the story that much more realistic for me. I also liked the fact that Amy and Curtis fluctuated between strong attraction and heated quarrels that were usually in defense of one of their deceased siblings. “Rosemary Cottage” has a fast-moving plot with rapidly escalating danger and suspense. As the story progressed, more than one potential suspect was introduced. Plenty of twists and surprises as well as a red herring or two kept me guessing until nearly the end. I can’t say I was entirely pleased by the way everything turned out but even that made the tale more realistic. After all, life does not always turn out the way we’d like.
I would highly recommend that you grab a copy of “Rosemary Cottage” for yourself as soon as possible. You might also want to pickup “Tidewater Inn” while you’re at it if you haven’t read it. I can almost guarantee you’ll want to read both.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there’s a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island….
The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It’s always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.
Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine’s father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can’t help being drawn to Hope Beach’s new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.
Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other…and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?
Purchase a copy here.
Learn more at Colleen’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.
Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com/.
Colleen Coble’s “Rosemary Cottage” Nautical Summer Giveaway
Water can be calming and healing, but it can also be dangerous, as Amy Lange and Curtis Ireland both found out. Both lost their siblings to the sea, and they hope to find healing on Hope Island. But will they find it, or will their quest to find answers set them at odds with each other and with those who have secrets that need to stay hidden?
Find out in Colleen Coble’s latest book, Rosemary Cottage, which released July 9. To celebrate, Colleen is hosting a 12-day Nautical Summer Giveaway. From July 16-27, Colleen will be giving away a new nautical prize every day. She’ll announce the winners on July 29 on her website, so mark your calendars for that date to see if you were picked as a lucky winner!
Not on Facebook? Enter here.
by admin | Jul 23, 2013 | Biblical, Books, Historical
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHarvest of GoldRiver North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2013)byTessa AfsharABOUT THE AUTHOR:
TESSA AFSHAR was voted “New Author of the Year” by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader’s Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.
Learn more about Tessa and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The scribe Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy, too. There is another point she did not count on in her marriage-Sarah has grown to love her husband. Sarah has wealth, property, honor, and power, but her husband’s love still seems unattainable.
Although his mother was an Israelite, Darius remains skeptical that his Jewish wife is the right choice for him, particularly when she conspires with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Ordered to assist in the effort, the couple begins a journey to the homeland of his mother’s people. Will the road filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories, help Darius to see the hand of God at work in his life-and even in his marriage?
A hidden message, treachery, opposition, and a God-given success, will lead to an unlikely bounty.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Harvest of Gold, go HERE.
by admin | Jul 21, 2013 | Anthology, Books, Historical, Mail Order Brides, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
The subject of mail order brides has always been an interesting one to me. It is difficult for me to fathom traveling across the country to marry a man one has never met. What circumstances would induce a young woman to do such a thing? “A Bride For All Seasons” tackles that question a total of four times. What a treat it was to read each story, all of which were penned by familiar and favorite authors.
Normally, I would take my time with an anthology such as this and enjoy each tale separately at my leisure. Each novella was so entertaining and delightful that I found myself having read all of them without a break. I loved the premise of the meddling Mr. Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue who thought he could improve on the matches by editing information given by the prospective brides and grooms. The misunderstandings caused by his misinformation made for some humorous situations when the couples met. As expected in a book of this nature, each couple worked out their differences and love bloomed but what fun it was to read!
I will not go into any details about the individual novellas because I do not want to detract from other readers’ enjoyment of them. Each story can stand on its own – the only connection is that the matches were all made through The Hitching Post Catalogue. “A Bride For All Seasons” is a perfect book to take along to the beach or a cabin, or a road trip, etc. The short novellas are light and humorous yet each one contains a strong dose of faith and Christian truth. I highly recommend this book.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue…
Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests.
This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.
And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley
Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she’d travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!
An Ever-After Summer by Debra Clopton
Ellie had no idea she’s not what Matthew ordered. And what’s wrong with being a “Bible thumper” anyway? She’s determined to show him she’s tougher than she looks—and just the girl he needs.
Autumn’s Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher
Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn’t come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. The trouble is, there’s no money to send them back. . .
Winter Wedding Bells by Mary Connealy
David’s convinced he’s not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he’s gone—nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. @margaretbrownley
Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. Her books often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher
Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner, an a RITA, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. @MaryConnealy
Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton
A Bride for All Seasons | 12-Day Unexpected Packages Giveaway!
Enter today.
Four novellas, four brides, and four stories to fall in love with.
Enter the world of mail-order brides with four of your favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley. In A Bride for All Seasons (Thomas Nelson) each of the prospective brides is hopeful for a second chance at love—and that second chance always seems to come in an unexpected package.
The authors are celebrating with a fun 12 Days of Unexpected Packages Giveaway! Between July 12-23 visit the authors’ Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on July 23rd! Such fun!
by admin | Jul 20, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Dolled Up to Die” is the second of The Cate Kinkaid Files and I found it just as entertaining as the first, “Dying to Read”. Cate is an assistant private investigator working for her uncle as she learns the business. Once again Cate becomes what one might describe as an accidental detective as seemingly routine investigations turn into life threatening situations.
I love Cate Kinkaid. She is both quirky and a little dingy but there is method behind her madness. She certainly has a penchant for getting in over her head but you have to admire her determination. At least she has boyfriend Mitch to help her stay grounded and watch her back. The quickly advancing plot is very clever with plenty of humor as a counterpoint to the escalating suspense. A strong message of faith is evident throughout without being too heavy-handed.
What else can I say without revealing too much? I have always enjoyed Lorena McCourtney’s novels and she has definitely not lost her special touch. Do yourself a favor and pick up one or both of The Cate Kinkaid Files novels soon.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Cate’s not sure just what she expected . . . but she knows it certainly wasn’t this.
When Cate Kinkaid receives a frantic call about a triple homicide, she drives to the scene against her better judgement—aren’t triple homicides more up the police department’s alley?—only to find that the victims are not quite who she expects. Now she has a new rule to add to those she’s learned in her short stint as an assistant private investigator: always find out if the victims actually have human DNA. Because these three do not.
But who would shoot this nice lady’s dolls? What possible reason could the shooter have? And then there’s the startling discovery of another victim, who definitely does have human DNA . . . With tension that is matched only by humor, Dolled Up to Die is the exciting second book in Lorena McCourtney’s The Cate Kinkaid Files. Mystery fans won’t find a place to stop and take a breath in this fast-paced and intriguing tale.
“Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum will enjoy getting to know amateur sleuth Cate Kinkaid.”
—RT Book Reviews for Dying to Read
“Fans of McCourtney’s Ivy Malone Mystery series will quickly get the clue that The Cate Kinkaid Files will be just as quirky, charming, and fun.”
—Publishers Weekly for Dying to Read
• With over 200,000 copies of her Revell books sold, McCourtney keeps cozy mystery fans coming back for more
• McCourtney has won RWA’s coveted Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lorena McCourtney is the award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Dying to Read, Invisible (which won a Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), In Plain Sight, On the Run, and Stranded. She resides in Grants Pass, Oregon. Find out more at www.lorenamccourtney.com.
