by admin | Jul 11, 2014 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“The Revealing” was a fine conclusion to an excellent Amish series. It has been fun following members of the Schrock family and their friends and neighbors through good times and bad. The story continues with characters from the previous books. Several relationships seem to be in jeopardy due to misunderstandings and continued stress from the aftermath of the Schrock Investments failure. Naomi King has a big secret she’s keeping to herself and the guilt has her eating antacids like candy. An unexpected visitor to the Schrock home threatens to turn her world upside down. A distant relative staying with the “sisters” is supposedly looking into his genealogical background but could he be up to no good? And what about the new guest at the Inn at Eagle Hill? How will she figure into the story?
I enjoyed reading this last book in the series and thought that the author tied up all the loose ends admirably. I loved visiting with Rose and Galen, Bethany and Jimmy again. And Mim as Mrs. Miracle is so much fun. So many questions were answered with a few surprises along the way. Justice was served and once again it was evident that God is in charge.
I do hope that Suzanne will feature Mim in a book of her own sometime soon. I’d love to read about her as she discovers a love of her own.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Revealing | Inn at Eagle Hill series
Naomi King, soft spoken, loyal, and easily overlooked, has a gift. She sees what others can’t see. Intuition, she calls it. Others in Stoney Ridge don’t know what to make of it and dismiss her hunches and inklings altogether.
When a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with a shocking secret about Tobe Schrock, Naomi fears the worst. She can’t ignore the feeling that something sinister is at work– something more than a threat to the tenuous love begun between her and Tobe.
As signs mount, they begin to point to Jake Hertzler, the elusive mastermind behind Schrock Investments’ downfall. Soon, events spiral hopelessly out of control and Naomi must decide whether to listen to her head or her heart.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Suzanne’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including “Amish Peace.” She is also the coauthor of an Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your mobile device! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/10TygyiFind out more about Suzanne at
http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/.
The Revealing by @SuzanneWFisher | Enter to win 1 of 3 iPads and LOTS of books!
In The Revealing, the riveting conclusion to the Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.
Suzanne is celebrating by giving away THREE iPads!
THREE grand prize winners will receive:
- An iPad
- PickPocket Tablet Accessory Pouch (A stylish storage pouch designed to hold all your tablet accessories. Info.)
- The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing)
Five second place winners will receive:
- The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing) by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 20th. All winners will be announced July 21st at Suzanne’s blog. AND … if you’re looking for more in the Inn at Eagle Hill series, be sure to pick up the ebook novella, The Rescue, for just $1.99!
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!
Suzanne is also giving away two 10-book mystery prize packs! One of the major themes of The Revealing is learning to trust your intuition and instincts. These are God-given qualities that we sometimes are too timid or unsure of to act on. For a chance to win one of the 10-book prize packs, leave a comment on this blog and share about a time when your intuition or instinct saved the day—or a time you ignored it and missed an opportunity.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne’s blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)
by admin | Jul 11, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
I have very much enjoyed the previous books in the Windy City Neighbors series. I love reading about the lives of these Chicago residents from a different perspective in each novel. In “Penny Wise” the focus is on Michelle Jasper and her family but never fear, all of her beloved neighbors make appearances throughout the story with some taking more of a part than others.
I could relate to Michelle and her stress levels. Our circumstances were different but I too had a habit of taking on more than I could handle easily but loved every minute of it and I also have a husband who used to work far too many hours which often left me to contend with the needs of our children alone. So yes, I understood why Michelle was on the edge of burnout. I also guessed her surprise early in the story but had to wait awhile for her to guess what it was.
My favorite part of the entire book was Michelle’s experience with the pennies but I will leave it to the reader to discover the significance on her own. I think the major thing I like best about this series is that the characters and their faith (or lack of) are so real. Estelle in particular is a walking, talking example of what she believes. She absolutely puts me and most Christians I know to shame. I wish I had someone like her in my own life. I also liked how Grace responded to Michelle’s confession of her struggles with her unexpected news.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of “Penny Wise” as well as the previous books in this series. They are so worth it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Penny Wise | A Windy City Neighbors book
Michelle Jasper doesn’t have much time to hang out with her neighbors—not with thirteen-year-old twins, another teen with hoop dreams, a full-time job as a caseworker, volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, and heading up the women’s ministry at Northside Baptist. Her husband’s constantly changing shifts as an air traffic controller at the world’s busiest airport—Chicago’s O’Hare International—and responsibilities as a trusted deacon at Northside only add to the juggling act at the Jasper household.
Her new neighbors, Harry and Estelle Bentley, mean well with their friendly efforts to bring people together, but how can she deal with neighborhood concerns—like Greg Singer, who lost his job and is now trying to recruit sales reps from the neighborhood for his new venture—when she’s confronted with tragic family situations daily in her job? Like little Candy and her baby brother Pookey, victims of neglect . . .
With the “tyranny of the urgent” crowding out the important, Michelle is blindsided by danger involving her own kids—and a personal crisis that calls into question the very values she holds dear. How could this happen? Does God even care?
As her life unravels, a missing penny—and a “penny from heaven”—give her a shred of hope. But will God just laugh at her penny test?
Learn more and purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set.
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books.
Find out more about Dave and Neta at http://www.daveneta.com/.
by admin | Jul 9, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHope DeferredHopeSprings Books (July 1, 2014)byElizabeth MaddreyABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who loves a good happily ever after.
Elizabeth Maddrey began writing stories as soon as she could form the letters properly and has never looked back. Though her practical nature and love of computers, math, and organization steered her into computer science at Wheaton College, she always had one or more stories in progress to occupy her free time. This continued through a Master’s program in Software Engineering, several years in the computer industry, teaching programming at the college level, and a Ph.D. in Computer Technology in Education. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books and has mastered the art of reading while undertaking just about any other activity.
She lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her husband and their two incredibly active little boys.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Christian fiction for women.
Can pursuit of a blessing become a curse?
June and July and their husbands have spent the last year trying to start a family and now they’re desperate for answers. As one couple works with specialists to see how medicine can help them conceive, the other must fight to save their marriage.
Will their deferred hope leave them heart sick, or start them on the path to the fulfillment of their dreams?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Hope Deferred, go HERE.
by admin | Jul 5, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Political, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Written as a companion book to the movie by the same name to be released in July 2014, “Persecuted” probably doesn’t have the usual plot and character development readers of Robin Parrish novels have come to expect. Nevertheless the story very likely will fill in gaps missing from the film due to the very nature of its format. Despite the fact that the book reads much like an action movie, it was one that held my attention and proved to be very thought-provoking.
In my opinion, this story is not so much about the persecution of Christians but legislation that could lead to future persecution. I felt that the main focus here was the lengths those in power will go to shut down those who stand against them, especially if those people carry any influence over others. This story is one that could happen in today’s government and similar situations may already have occurred, unknown to the public. Just watching the national news allows glimpses into possible behind-the-scenes corruption and machinations.
“Persecuted” had a fast moving plot with lots of action and suspense. Ryan was a good example of how easily some people can be manipulated and John Luther was a man we would do well to emulate. We must stand up for what we believe before it is too late.
This book was provided for review by FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Question Is Not IF Attempts Will Be Made to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When
The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther’s endorsement as critical. But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option–putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation’s freedoms.
Bethany House Publishers presents Robin Parrish’s official novelization of the Daniel Lusko film, Persecuted. Available in cloth hardback, trade paperback, and ebook formats.
Read an excerpt from “Persecuted” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Parrish is a journalist who’s written about the intersection of faith and pop culture for more than a decade. He’s also the author of Offworld and The Dominion Trilogy . Robin and his wife and children live in North Carolina. Visit Robin’s website…www.robinparrish.com
Buzz about the film:“Bringing the battle of FREE SPEECH to light.” FoxNews
“House of Cards for the religious sect.” – POLITICO
“A big thumbs-up.” – American Family Association |
Be sure to check out PERSECUTED the movie at a theatre near you, July 18th!
Visit the official movie website: http://www.persecutedmovie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/persecutedmovie |
GIVEAWAY:
I have one copy of “Persecuted” to give away. Please leave a comment on this post by Monday, July 14 for a chance to win.
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
by admin | Jul 2, 2014 | Books, Romance, Texas, Western
MY REVIEW:
I personally cannot resist Mary Connealy’s westerns that are infused with a huge dose of humor. The third entry in her Trouble in Texas series, “Stuck Together” focuses on Vince Yates and Tina Cahill, the younger sister of one of his fellow “regulators”. Although Tina is about the last unmarried gal in the small town of Broken Wheel, Vince makes a valiant attempt to resist her charms. For one thing, Tina is fixated on the hopeless task of shutting down the town’s saloon. Besides, Vince is not about to marry and take a chance on passing down the family curse to another generation.
Anyone who has read even one of Mary’s books can guess pretty quickly where this story is going to end up. Meanwhile they can also expect plenty of action, danger and suspense, lots of laughs, a bit of soul searching, and of course a romance filled with misunderstandings.
Tina is a typical Connealy heroine. She is far from perfect but has a good heart, a strong faith, and lots of courage and spunk. Lawyer/sheriff Vince makes a very fine hero. It goes without saying that he is tough and courageous but he is also loyal and has a tender heart. He is a stand-up kind of guy who doesn’t shirk his responsibilities – even when they are dropped unexpectedly into his lap.
Pick up a copy of “Stuck Together” and prepare yourself for a merry adventure with Vince, his friends, and their gals. I don’t think you will be sorry.
This book was provided for review by Bethany House through NetGalley.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a lawman who values order gets stuck with a feisty crusader who likes to stir things up, there’s going to be trouble in Texas!
Now that she’s settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel’s saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.
Vince Yates earned the nickname “Invincible Vince” because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn’t know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince’s best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn’t approve of how he’s handling any of them.
With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he’s got one more surprise coming his way: Tina’s picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.
Read an excerpt from “Stuck Together” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Mary Connealy is an award-winning, bestselling author known for her fun and lively historical romances. An author, teacher, and journalist, Mary lives on an eastern Nebraska ranch with her cowboy husband and has four daughters and two grandchildren. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.
