by admin | Apr 9, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Over the course of many years of reading countless novels, I don’t believe I have ever run across another one that featured a woman buffalo hunter! I immediately knew that “Caught in the Middle” would be interesting and somewhat different that my usual fare. My suspicions proved to be correct and I was thoroughly entertained by this book.
During the course of the story, I learned the reasons why Anne Tillerton had become a buffalo hunter and watched her tentative relationship with Nicholas Lovelace develop despite its total improbability. It was fun and amusing to watch Nicholas develop strong feelings for Anne who was an absolutely inappropriate companion for an up-and-coming young man with his ambition. I loved the interaction between the pair, especially how Anne challenged Nicolas about his faith when she had no trust in the Lord herself. It was gratifying to watch Anne’s progress as she began to trust others as well as grow into a faith of her own.
“Caught in the Middle” was a satisfying conclusion to the Ladies of Caldwell County series but easily stands on its own strength. I enjoyed all three books and would recommend each of them.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She Wants the Freedom of the Open Plains.
He Wants the Prestige of a Successful Career.
Neither is Ready for What Comes Instead.
The train to Garber, Texas, is supposed to bring life’s next victory to Nicholas Lovelace. Instead, it gets held up by robbers who are thwarted by the last person Nick ever expected–Anne Tillerton from back home in Prairie Lea.
Anne’s been hiding away as a buffalo hunter. She’s only in town to find their runaway cook, but the woman flees–leaving Anne with her infant son. With Nick the only person Anne knows in town, the two form an unlikely team as they try to figure out what to do with the child.
But being in town means acting and dressing for polite society–and it’s not going well for Anne. Meanwhile, Nick’s work is bringing new pressures, and being seen with a rough-around-the-edges woman isn’t helping his reputation. Caught between their own dreams, a deepening relationship, and others’ expectations, can the pair find their way to love?
“[Jennings is] a fresh voice in Christian historical romance…” Library Journal
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.
More Info
- Twitter
- @reginajennings
- Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings
- Website
- http://www.reginajennings.com
by admin | Apr 5, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
You only have to read Billy Coffey’s blog a few times to realize that he has a unique gift for getting to the heart of a matter and seeing things that many of us miss. A greater gift is the beautifully eloquent way he manages to express himself with actual words. In “The Devil Walks in Mattingly”, Billy has taken his gift to a new level with a haunting supernatural story that reaches into the very souls of the primary characters.
Three people in or near Mattingly have carried a secret for twenty years. Each of them feels responsible for the death of a young man. The guilt has eaten at them for all those years and has affected each one differently. One of them puts on a good front but is eaten up with fear and suffers from terrible nightmares. Another tries to assuage the guilt by taking care of others, especially those whose circumstances are similar to the boy who died. The third has spent the years isolated and alone in Happy Hollow, a place the people of Mattingly fear. The years have not been kind to him and he has more or less become delusional. Despite their coping mechanisms, none of the three has managed to find closure or peace.
The plot of “The Devil Walks in Mattingly” is so deftly written that the secrets are revealed quite slowly. The reader gains an intimate look into the tortured lives of the characters but must continue reading to gain a true understanding. Certain supernatural aspects of the story are left to the reader’s imagination and one might be undecided about what is real and what is not. Ultimately, that is not the point of the story. It is a story of grace and the redemption and peace that is possible only when one finally releases their guilt and shame to the Lord and stops trying to carry the burden themselves.
“The Devil Walks in Mattingly” is sometimes dark and seemingly hopeless but there is a light that shines through that darkness. It is a story that should be savored slowly and then pondered for awhile.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man’s untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.
It has been twenty years since Philip McBride’s body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since—Philip didn’t kill himself that day. He was murdered.
Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly’s sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.
Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake’s dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . Between truth and lies.
Purchase a copy and learn more at Billy’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
| Billy Coffey’s critically-acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm with a vision far beyond the ordinary. He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life. Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. |
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Win a Kindle HDX from @BillyCoffey in “The Devil Walks in Mattingly” Giveaway!
Billy Coffey is celebrating his new book, The Devil Walks in Mattingly, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 5th. Winner will be announced April 7th on Billy’s blog. Watch Billy give the backstory of the book here.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Billy’s blog on April 7th to see if you won.
by admin | Apr 3, 2014 | Books
MY REVIEW:
At a time when many people who claim to be believers do not think that God still speaks to His people, Davis Bunn has written a novel that emphasizes hearing from God. Each of his primary characters (with the exception of one) follows what seems to be a clear directive from the Lord and then for one reason or another end up in the same place at the same time. Is it coincidence or was it orchestrated by the divine hand of God? Why has this diverse group of people been drawn together and what are God’s plans for them? These questions and more are answered as they decide to overcome their own fears and prejudices and choose obedience.
“The Turning” is a story about how God uses improbable people to overcome evil – how He uses men and women despite their weakness as long as they will step out in faith. It is a story that is at times dramatic and suspenseful but at all times embraces hope. Each of the characters is realistically flawed. One man’s greed and quest for power has inspired him to stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Despite their fears, the others are willing to lay down their lives to prevent the advancement of evil. The story is a page-turner that I didn’t want to put down.
Over the past several years I have read and enjoyed most of the books that Davis Bunn has written and have two or three on my shelf waiting for me to have the time between book reviews to indulge myself in one I am not required to review. In some ways “The Turning” is a bit different from the author’s previous novels yet in other aspects it is similar. I have always felt that Davis Bunn has a finger on the pulse of the world and find that his books reflect the current state of the planet and sometimes may even be prophetic. I can also depend on a story that points the reader to God.
“The Turning” raises some excellent questions for all believers. It touched me on a personal level and challenged me to learn to not only listen for God but to heed what He has to say. I fully intend to begin a serious study of the devotional study found on http://theturningbook.com/.
I received a complimentary copy of The Turning from River North Fiction
in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The message was unexpected but instantly recognizable.
A voice resonated from a distance and somehow from within. Against all earthly logic, it carried a divine command. And five very different people knew they were summoned to obey.
Their actions were demanding, but not particularly grand. Only later would they see a pattern emerge – one that links their tasks together and comes to challenge the cultural direction of the nation. They realize that one small personal response unveiled a new realm of moral responsibility. And this affirmation of everyday hope captures the attention of millions.
But power and money are at stake. Malicious elements soon align themselves to counter the trend. To succeed they must also undermine its source. Can we really believe that God speaks to people today? Surely this must be dismissed as superstition or delusion. These well-intentioned but misguided individuals should not be allowed to cast our society back into the Dark Ages.
The public debate and media frenzy place an unprecedented spotlight on knowing and doing God’s will. The five encounter threats, but try to remain steadfast in their faith. Had God indeed imparted wisdom on selected individuals? Is this sweep of events part of his divine purpose?
The movement may herald a profound renewal – one that some are calling The Turning…
Read chapters 1-3 of “The Turning” by Davis Bunn for free: http://statictab.com/fvrrsxz (Like his Facebook page to start reading.)
ISBN (Trade Paperback): 978-0802411686
304 pages
April 1, 2014 from River North, a division of Moody Publishers
http://theturningbook.com/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Davis Bunn is a four-time Christy Award-winning, best-selling author now serving as writer-in-residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
Defined by readers and reviewers as a “wise teacher,” “gentleman adventurer,” “consummate writer,” and “Renaissance man,” his work in business took him to over 40 countries around the world, and his books have sold more than seven million copies in sixteen languages.
Visit Davis at davisbunn.com or theturningbook.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/davisbunnauthor
Twitter: @davisbunn
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/davisbunn/
by admin | Apr 2, 2014 | Giveaways
Help Davis Bunn celebrate the publication of “The Turning.” Enter for a chance to win an iPad Air or a Ryrie Study Bible, Moody Bible Commentary, and $100 Gift Card for ShopMoodyPublishers.com http://woobox.com/m7ur8y. You can enter once per email address per day. Rack up bonus entries by sharing the contest with your Facebook and Twitter friends!
by admin | Apr 2, 2014 | Anthology, Books
MY REVIEW:
I would say that Revell is off to a good start with their very first novella collection. I have previously enjoyed full length novels by all of the included authors and was not disappointed by their shorter length contributions to the “Sincerely Yours” collection. These collections of novellas are wonderful for readers who are looking for a good read but do not have time to spare for the longer format.
Each novella in the “Sincerely Yours” collection is built around a life-changing letter. Each one is unique to its story and affect the outcome in different ways. The novellas have a little bit of everything including adventure, suspense, conflict, drama, deception, humor, and of course romance. Each novella has a different historical setting and the heroes and heroines come from different walks of life. Although the plots are diverse, each one contains a faith-filled message and the primary characters learn to trust the Lord with their circumstances.
“Sincerely Yours” is a winner and hopefully Revell will publish similar collections in the future.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Four unexpected letters. Four intrepid women. Four lives changed forever.
Spanning a century and a continent, these romantic novellas will lead you on a journey through the landscape of love. Four young women find their lives altered after each receives a letter that sets her on a new path. From a Hudson River steamboat to a lush drawing room, from a carousel carver’s workshop to a remote hospital, you’ll be swept into the lives of women who are making their way in the world and finding love where they least expect it.
Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
Camilla Renfrew is a highborn English lady fleeing false accusations when she runs smack into love on a steamboat bound for the new Erie Canal. But can this unexpected attraction survive the treacherous journey?
Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
Marigold Montgomery Bentley writes marriage advice for Kipler’s Home Weekly even though she is single. Everyone assumes from the initials that “M. M.” is a man. When the editor asks to meet Mr. Bentley, can Merrie come up with a ruse to keep her writing job?
One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
Lorraine Caldwell will lose her family fortune to a reckless cousin if she doesn’t marry quickly. When she learns her long-lost brother is alive, she hopes she’s found the answer to her problems. What she finds instead is a mysterious carousel carver who turns her life upside down.
A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
Grace Hathaway must rescue a dear friend from a remote and notorious clinic that promises healing but delivers only heartache. In a place laced with deceit, where lives hang in the balance, whom can she trust to help her?
CLICK HERE to read excerpts from each of the novellas included in Sincerely Yours.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Jane Kirkpatrick
Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Many of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. You can also read her work in more than fifty publications, including Decision, Private Pilot, and Daily Guideposts. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com. |
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| Amanda Cabot Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of the Texas Dreams series, Christmas Roses, Summer of Promise, and Waiting for Spring. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the Booksellers Best. She lives in Wyoming. Find out more at www.amandacabot.com. |
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| Laurie Alice EakesLaurie Alice Eakes is the author of Lady in the Mist, Heart’s Safe Passage, A Necessary Deception, A Flight of Fancy, 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. |
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| Ann ShoreyAnn Shorey is the author of the At Home in Beldon Grove series, Where Wildflowers Bloom, and When the Heart Heals. She has also published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul. Ann and her husband make their home in southwestern Oregon. Learn more at www.annshorey.com. |
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CLICK HERE to visit Jane Kirkpatrick’s blog and find out how to enter to win a copy of Sincerely Yours.
