by admin | Oct 12, 2013 | Books, Europe, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Glittering Promises” is the third and final book in Bergren’s Grand Tour series and I must say that it brings the series to a very satisfying conclusion. Although a thick 400+ pages, the story was so well written and compelling that I found myself surprised when I reached the end so quickly. If I ever find the time, I plan to read the entire series again, one after the other. It is that good.
This installment finds the Kensington and Morgan families determined to keep a lower profile in order to avoid the attention of the press and of a man who is a potential threat to them all. Cora has finally chosen between the two men who profess to love her but the rejected suitor does not intend to give up easily. Relationships between Cora and her recently discovered siblings have improved but the one with her father remains difficult. The following weeks bring new challenges to the group as conflicts, jealousies, accidents, death, and more danger stalk them. The plot takes more than one very unexpected twist as the suspense builds to its climactic conclusion.
At this point in my life I doubt that I will ever set foot in Europe but through the magic of Lisa’s writing, I feel like I have experienced some of its wonders along with Cora and her friends and family. Her descriptions are so vivid that it almost as good as actually being there. I was most gratified by the positive changes that took place in most of the characters during the course of the series, especially Cora’s decision to use her newly acquired wealth to help others as directed by God.
For those who have not read any of the Grand Tour series, I strongly recommend that you do. I also recommend that you start at the beginning and read all three books in order. I don’t think you will regret it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lisa T. Bergren’s popular Grand Tour series concludes as Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her.
America’s newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are tracking the news story of the decade—“Copper Cora,” the rags-to-riches girl—and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn’t going to claim Will’s heart, she might just try…
Purchase a copy here.
Read what others are saying about “Glittering Promises” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs.
Find out more at Lisa’s website.
Welcome to the blog tour for the exciting conclusion of Lisa T. Bergren‘s beloved Grand Tour series, Glittering Promises (David C. Cook). Wealth cannot buy peace or direction, and as Cora Kensington glimpses the end of the tour, Cora knows it’s time to decide Who and what defines her . . . and who and what does not.
Lisa is celebrating the release of Glittering Promises by giving away a $200 Italian feast from Williams-Sonoma and hosting a fun Facebook party on October 29th.
One winner will receive:
- A $200 Italian feast from Williams-Sonoma delivered to your door
- The three-book Grand Tour set
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 29th. Winner will be announced at the “Glittering Promises” Facebook Author Chat Party on October 29th. Connect with Lisa for an evening of book chat, European trivia, and prizes, and get an exclusive look Lisa’s next book.
So grab your copies of the Grand Tour series and join Lisa on the evening of October 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 29th!
by admin | Oct 12, 2013 | Books, Historical, Post Civil War, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
“The Journey of Josephine Cain” is a historical novel that takes place during the period of time immediately after the end of the Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln. Much of the story revolves around the Transcontinental Railroad and the people involved with its construction as well as the temporary towns that grew around the construction sites. It was a place where gunfights and Indian raids were common and saloons and brothels were more evident than churches and schools.
Josephine Cain is the pampered daughter of the former Union general who has been assigned to oversee the eastern end of the railroad construction. Bored with living in a house of mourning, Josephine finds a way to manipulate her father into letting her new suitor accompany her and her aunt to visit the site. She finds a new dangerous but exciting world so unlike the safe and comfortable home to which she is accustomed. She also meets an entirely unsuitable young railroad worker but immediately feels a strong connection to him. Torn between her feelings for Hudson and the suitability of Lewis, Josephine may be forced to make an unwelcome decision regarding her future.
“The Journey of Josephine Cain” was perfectly paced with a storyline that was not only entertaining but informative. I loved learning about the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and its importance to the history of our country. The plot contained several unexpected twists and a few surprises. Josephine was a well-rounded character who evolved from a spoiled, selfish, and manipulative girl to a strong, compassionate, and mature woman of God. Hudson was proof that social standing is not as important as integrity and Lewis was a good example of what can happen when a person allows revenge to rule their life.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a socialite from the nation’s capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.
A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general’s daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
NANCY MOSER is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist’s “Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011.” Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.
Learn more at Nancy’s website.
The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser follows the adventures of a D.C. socialite as she gets involved with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad right after the Civil War. Be sure to check out Nancy’s fun Pinterest board for the book!
Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!
Five winners will receive:
- The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 26th. All winners will be announced October 28th at the Litfuse blog.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won one of the books!
by admin | Oct 9, 2013 | Books, England, Regency, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingAn Honest HeartB&H Books (October 15, 2013)byKaye DacusABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing, Harvest House Publishers, and B&H Publishing. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and educator who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is an academic advisor and English Composition instructor for Bethel University.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, An Honest Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.
Featuring dual romance stories, the main plot involves seamstress Caddy Bainbridge and the choice she must make between two men: one from the aristocracy, the other from the working class. Award-nominated author Kaye Dacus pinpoints the theme of honesty—both men in this love triangle have deep secrets to hide, and Caddy’s choice will be based on which of them can be honest with her.
Courtship . . . cunning . . . candor. Who possesses an honest heart?
If you would like to read the first chapter of An Honest Heart, go HERE
by admin | Oct 8, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDark JusticeB&H Books (October 1, 2013)byBrandilyn CollinsABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline “Don’t forget to b r e a t h e . . .”® Brandilyn’s first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn’s awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.
When she’s not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching the craft of fiction at writers’ conferences.
Learn more about Brandilyn and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If I’d had any idea what those words would mean to me, to my mother and daughter, I’d have fled California without looking back.
While driving a rural road, Hannah Shire and her aging mother, who suffers from dementia, stop to help a man at the scene of a car accident. The man whispers mysterious words in Hannah’s ear. Soon people want to kill Hannah and her mother for what they “know.” Even law enforcement may be involved.
The two women must flee for their lives. But how does Hannah hide her confused mother? Carol just wants to listen to her pop music, wear her favorite purple hat, and go home. And if they turn to Hannah’s twenty-seven- year-old daughter, Emily, for help, will she fall into danger as well?
Pressed on all sides, Hannah must keep all three generations of women in her family alive. Only then does she learn the threat is not just to her loved ones, but the entire country . . .
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Dark Justice, click HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Dark Justice is an intense and fast-paced novel that chronicles how quickly one’s life can change due to one small decision. Surprisingly the story covers a very short time span in the lives of Hannah Shire and her mother who are drawn into a terrifying fight for their lives just because they stopped to help an accident victim. Before it is over, Hannah’s daughter Emily is also in danger. As they race against time, Hannah is determined to protect her fragile and confused elderly mother but she no longer knows who she can trust – not even law enforcement. Events described in Dark Justice are all the more frightening because of the very real possibility that something similar could easily take place in our future.
Dark Justice is just one more indication that Brandilyn’s books consistently live up to her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. With well developed characters, a plot that allows nearly no time to stop for a breath Dark Justice is just right for lovers of contemporary suspense. Peppered with frequent quotes from scripture by Hannah’s mother, the reader is encouraged that no matter how bad things look, God is still in control.
by admin | Oct 7, 2013 | Books, Historical
MY REVIEW:
When I requested “When Mountains Move” from the Book Club Network I had no idea that my review calendar would be so congested that I would have a difficult time finding a spot for it. I finally caught up and just finished reading this marvelous book. I am so glad I finally had the chance. In fact, I became so caught up in the story that I had to make myself close the covers at 2:oo a.m. last night in order to get a little sleep before the rest of the household woke this morning.
Although “When Mountains Move” is a sequel to “Into the Free”, it can easily be read on its own. Pertinent facts have been filled in as the story progresses and the reader should have no problems filling in the blanks. The story begins on Bump and Millie’s wedding day – a day in which they will not only become man and wife but will start their new life together by moving from Mississippi to the Colorado mountains to head up a new ranch for Bump’s boss, Mr. Tucker.
At seventeen, Millie has already experienced more than her share of hard times and tragedies and enters her marriage with a major secret from Bump. She intends to share it with him but the proper time never seems to come. While she delays, her secret grows even larger. Millie is not the only one who carries secrets. Their ranch hand Fortner has a mysterious and possibly dangerous past but no one in the area will say much about it and Fortner is not very forthcoming with details. Millie is convinced that her neighbor, a single widow is after Bump and there are a few signs that Bump might return the interest.
“When Mountains Move” is a story about faith, trust, perseverance, and overcoming the past to see your own mountains move. A truly gripping story, it held my attention until the very end. The plot moved steadily from one emotional depth to an emotional climax and back again multiple times. A blend of action, danger, romance, hope, and despair, this book is definitely one of the best I have read this year.
This book was provided for review by the author through the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It is the spring of 1943. With a wedding and a cross-country move, Millie’s world is about to change forever.
If only her past could change with it.
Soon after the break of day, Bump will become Millie’s husband. And then, if all goes as planned, they will leave the rain-soaked fields of Mississippi and head for the wilds of the Colorado Rockies. As Millie tries to forget a dark secret, she hasn’t yet realized how drastically those past experiences will impact the coming days.
For most of Millie’s life, being free felt about as unlikely as the mountains moving. But she’s about to discover that sometimes in life, we are given second chances, and that the only thing bigger than her past … is her future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Cantrell is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Into the Free, which won Christy Awards for Best Debut Novel and for Book of the Year 2013. Cantrell has served as editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review and is a recipient of the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Fellowship. She and her family live in Mississippi, where they operate Valley House Farm. Her new novel, When Mountains Move, hits shelves September 1, 2013.
Julie is represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary. Learn more about the realm of publishing by following the WordServe Watercooler, where Julie joins more than 70 authors to discuss the writing life. You can also find Julie blogging weekly with the Southern Belles, a group of southern female authors who gather on the cyberporch each day to chat about family, faith, fiction, food, and fun: http://www.southernbelleviewdaily.com/
