by admin | Aug 29, 2014 | Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
What could be any better than a book that combines a mysterious folk legend like the spooklight and an historical love story that includes a cowboy? Lori Copeland has written such a story and I could not resist. I have read quite a few of Lori’s books and enjoyed them all. The Healer’s Touch might just be my favorite one yet.
While the author does not attempt to solve the mystery of the spooklight legend, it does play a prominent role in setting up her story. Other mysteries within the course of the story do find resolution and there are also some surprising revelations in store for the reader.
I loved the rural Missouri setting and the book’s characters, particularly Lyric. The plot included plenty of action, drama, mystery, humor, and romance to keep me happily advancing the pages of my ereader screen. The Healer’s Touch was a fun to read book and I would love to see more with the same setting.
This book was provided for review by the publisher through Net Galley.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lyric Bolton doesn’t ask for much—just friendship and acceptance from her rural Missouri community. But her family is regarded with suspicion and fear because of her mother’s sickness—a sickness of the mind that grows worse by the day. Lyric is resigned to a life of isolation and doesn’t see any way out…but that’s before Ian Cawley bolts into her life on a runaway stallion.
As she opens her heart to Ian, Lyric dares to imagine a different life. But what will happen when he discovers the secret she holds closest of all?
Purchase a copy of The Healer’s Touch HERE.
Read an excerpt from The Healer’s Touch HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lori Copeland is the author of more than 100 titles, including A Kiss for Cade and Under the Summer Sky. Her beloved novel Stranded in Paradise is now a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Her stories have developed a loyal following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband, Lance.
by admin | Aug 29, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
“Home to Chicory Lane” is a story that focuses on following God and taking the time to see His hands in our lives. An emphasis on the importance of family and tough love was also woven throughout the narrative. This novel was a good, clean read with interesting characters and a faith-filled message. A contemporary novel, “Home to Chicory Lane” features two generations of the Whitman family. Grant and Audrey Whitman’s last of five children have left the nest and Audrey’s dream of turning the family home into a bed and breakfast is about to be realized. Little do they know that newly married daughter Landyn will show up right in the middle of their grand opening because she and her husband Chase have had a rift.
Overall, the plot progressed smoothly despite the changes in points of view. Reading it from the position of a parent with grown children of my own, I of course found myself sympathizing with Audrey and Grant, especially when Landyn came across as a spoiled brat during the first part of the story. I found myself frustrated with her attitude and felt that she had brought her troubles upon herself. I was happy to find that as the story progressed and Landyn and Chase faced several serious trials, both of them began to mature and make better choices as well as recognizing God’s blessings in their lives.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Landyn longs for home, but her mother may have other plans.
Audrey Whitman’s dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband, Grant, are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri.
Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey’s daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she’s pulling makes it clear she’s not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn’s husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?
Learn more and purchase a copy on Deborah’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deborah’s novels—for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deborah on the web at DeborahRaney.com.
Find out more about Deborah at http://deborahraney.com.
$200 B&B Weekend Getaway Giveaway & 9/9 Facebook Party with Deborah Raney!
The first book in Deborah Raney‘s new Chicory Inn series, Home to Chicory Lane, introduces us to Audrey Whitman, a mother who has launched all her children into life and now looks forward to fulfilling some of her own dreams during her empty-nest years. However, not all of her children are ready to stay out of the nest quite yet.
Deborah is celebrating the release of her new series with a $200 B&B Weekend Getaway and a Facebook author chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A B&B Weekend Getaway (via a $200 Visa cash card)
- Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 9th. Winner will be announced at the Home to Chicory Lane Author Chat Party on 9/9. Deborah will be hosting a heartfelt book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the Chicory Inn series!
So grab your copy of Home to Chicory Lane and join Deborah on the evening of September 9th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!
by admin | Aug 27, 2014 | DVD, Film
MY REVIEW:
My husband and I watched the “Holy Ghost” movie over the weekend. When I agreed to review it I had absolutely no idea what to expect but I can say I was pleasantly surprised to watch the featured men interact with and minister to strangers they encountered as they followed the direction of the Holy Spirit.
In addition to footage of various team members speaking to and praying for people in various public settings, the film has frequent appearances by well-known people who talk about the Holy Spirit or explain various doctrinal differences, etc. I was particularly taken with scenes from a concert featuring Brian Welch and those shot on location in India.
It is simply amazing what God will do when one follows the lead of the Holy Spirit and steps out in boldness. It was so evident how many people need Jesus and how the approach taken by the men in this film was so much more productive than what is often encountered in evangelistic circles. The love of God was so strong that it was almost irresistible. This movie is strong proof that the church needs to go outside its own walls and take Jesus to the streets by showing His love to those who need him.
I am afraid, however, that this film will not be very well received by many Christians because what it documents is outside their experience. I hope I am wrong because the world needs more Christians who will follow the example of those in the movie. A relative watched it with her husband the day it was available online and she told me she wanted to pray for everyone after she saw it. I hope everyone will respond in a similar manner. I know I have been challenged.
This book was provided for review by Propeller Consulting.
ABOUT THE FILM:
Can the Holy Spirit Direct a Movie?
In this fast-paced documentary from the director of the popular films Finger of God, Furious Love, and Father of Lights, Darren Wilson sets out to make a movie that is completely led by the Holy Spirit. No plan, no script, no safety net — just go wherever he feels the Spirit leading him to try and discover the adventure God has for him.
Whether it’s the riches of Monte Carlo, a heavy metal concert, or the oldest city in world, the result is a film that not only challenges and excites, but also reveals a God who is far more alive and active than you ever imagined.
The movie features big names such as Lenny Kravitz, Brian “Head” Welch, Bill Johnson, Michael W. Smith, Todd White, Meredith Andrews, DeVon Franklin, William P. Young, Phil Vischer, and many more!
Check out the official website here: http://holyghost.wpfilm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holyghostmovie
On September 6th, Wanderlust Productions will host the FREE worldwide premiere of the film at this site —> HolyGhostMovie.com
WIN A COPY OF THE HOLY GHOST DVD!
If you would like to win a copy of the DVD, please comment below no later than Saturday, September 6. Please include in your comment if you intend to attend the showing of Holy Ghost in your local theater and if not, please indicate why you will not attend. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and notified by email.
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 | Aug 26, 2014 | Appalachia, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
After reading my very first novel by Lisa Wingate, I became a forever fan of her work. I love that I often have the opportunity to review her novels but it is a certainty that I would purchase each and every one of them if I happened to miss receiving one for review. “The Story Keeper” is Lisa’s latest and greatest. I’m not 100% sure about the greatest because whatever book of hers that I happen to be reading is my current favorite. They are ALL so good that it is difficult for me to choose between them.
Books with Appalachian settings have always intrigued me so “The Story Keeper” came as a pleasant surprise. I loved the union of two stories in one that features an historic journal with a pivotal role in a contemporary story. The characters in both are so well-rounded that they began to feel like friends. The trials and tribulations of Sarra and Rand offered a peek into how difficult life could be in the mountains during that time frame. The bias against Melungeons was new to me and Sarra’s story inspired me to do a little research on them. It was quite easy to sympathize with Jen because I have a familiarity with similar family situations and know how difficult it can be to know where to draw the line when attempting to help.
I have always noticed how quotable Lisa’s novels can be and “The Story Keeper” is no exception. I wish I had taken the time to jot some of them down so I wouldn’t forget. Ahh…just another reason to go back and read it again! I really can’t say enough good things about this book. Everything about the story was spot on and I found it filled with history, romance, drama, a bit of mystery, inspiration, and faith. But most of all, Lisa has a way with words that always leaves me with something to think about after an enjoyable escape into her fictional world.
My only complaint is that Lisa just doesn’t write fast enough! Of course she is just human and I have to practice my patience. Can’t wait to see what she has for her readers next time.
This book was provided for review by Lisa Wingate’s Book Ambassadors.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When successful New York editor Jen Gibbs discovers a decaying slush-pile manuscript on her desk, she has no idea that the story of Sarra, a young mixed-race woman trapped in Appalachia at the turn of the twentieth century, will both take her on a journey and change her forever. Happy with her life in the city, and at the top of her career with a new job at Vida House Publishing, Jen has left her Appalachian past and twisted family ties far behind. But the search for the rest of the manuscript, and Jen’s suspicions about the identity of its unnamed author, will draw her into a mystery that leads back to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . and quite possibly through the doors she thought she had closed forever.
Read a preview from The Story Keeper HERE.
Purchase a copy of The Story Keeper HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Wingate is a magazine columnist, speaker, and the author of nineteen mainstream novels, including the national bestseller, Tending Roses, now in its eighteenth printing. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her novel, Blue Moon Bay, was a Booklist Top Ten of 2012 pick. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. When not dreaming up stories, Lisa spends time on the road as a motivational speaker. Via internet, she shares with readers as far away as India, where her book, Tending Roses, has been used to promote women’s literacy, and as close to home as Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the county library system has used Tending Roses to help volunteers teach adults to read.
Lisa lives on a ranch in Texas, where she spoils the livestock, raises boys, and teaches Sunday school to high school seniors. She was inspired to become a writer by a first grade teacher who said she expected to see Lisa’s name in a magazine one day.
Lisa also entertained childhood dreams of being an Olympic gymnast and winning the National Finals Rodeo, but was stalled by the inability to do a back flip on the balance beam and parents who wouldn’t finance a rodeo career. She was lucky enough to marry into a big family of cowboys and southern storytellers who would inspire any lover of tall tales and interesting, yet profound characters. She is a full time writer, and pens inspirational fiction for both the general Christian markets. Of all the things she loves about her job, she loves connecting with people, both real and imaginary, the most. More information about Lisa’s novels can be found at www.Lisawingate.com.
by admin | Aug 26, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Quilts, Romance
MY REVIEW:
A Grand Design is a quickly read romantic novel set on Mackinac Island. In this story, a return trip to the island after many years away revives old memories and pain for Alyssa Denham. With the help of her best friend, her grandmother, and Scott Whitman, Alyssa begins to break down some of the walls she has so carefully built to protect herself.
The novel length was a bit too short for the author to go into as much depth as I might have preferred but she did manage to cover all the bases adequately. Her descriptions of the island were vivid and made me want to visit it. The characters were well defined but I would have liked to spend more time with them. A Grand Design is short and sweet and the perfect book for when you don’t have the time or notion to dig into something that requires more concentration.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A getaway on a charming island may be just what Alyssa needs—if only she can let go of her past.
When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?
Find our more and purchase a copy at the Quilts of Love website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amber Stockton is an award?winning author, a national speaker, and a direct?sales brand partner with Nerium International. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and a son, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. Three of her novels have won annual reader’s choice awards. Find out why readers love her by visiting her website AmberStockton.com.
Find out more about Amber at http://amberstockton.com.
Quilts of Love | A GRAND DESIGN – Kindle HDX Giveaway & “Fall into Fall” Facebook Party!
Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, A Grand Design by Amber Stockton. Who hasn’t struggled to let painful memories go and move into God’s healing? You’ll be sure to love this heartfelt and encouraging tale set on historic Mackinac Island.
Celebrate August’s release by entering to win a Kindle from Quilts of Love and RSVPing for the “Fall into Fall” Facebook author chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle HDX
- A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
- Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 16th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog. Plus make sure you RSVP to the October 7th author chat party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
Hope to see you on October 7th!
