by admin | Sep 19, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The gorgeous cover alone would make me want to take home a copy of “Love’s Fortune” but having read the previous two volumes of the Ballantyne Legacy, I knew a fine reading experience would be in store for a few hours of my time. I forced myself to let this novel sit untouched on my shelf until I had fulfilled prior obligations on my review calendar. At long last I was able to settle into my chair with anticipation and I was definitely not disappointed. Although the third installment of the series, “Love’s Fortune” can easily stand alone but why deprive oneself of the pleasurable experience of reading “Love’s Awakening” and “Love’s Reckoning”?
“Love’s Fortune” is Rowena Ballantyne’s story. “Wren” is the only child of Silas Ballantyne’s son Ansel. She has been isolated from the wealth and societal obligations of her Pennsylvania relatives but is suddenly forced to participate in an environment alien to her. Preferring the simple life to which she was accustomed, Wren struggles to fit in and only the friendship of family friend and trusted employee James Sackett offers her any peace. Expected to marry well in order to help promote the family busineses, Wren finds herself falling in love with a thoroughly inappropriate man.
The entire Ballantyne Legacy has been a wonderful reading experience. The author’s attention to detail and historical facts including those that were not covered in my own American History classes, brought our history to life. The characters were quite life-like and it was so easy to either love or dislike them – yes a few of them were very detestable. Although obviously a Christian novel, the spiritual element was not overbearing but was a natural part of the lives of the characters. I liked the characters of Wren and Robert very much. I liked her willingness to do what was required of her yet her determination to think for herself was evident. Robert was a perfect hero – loyal to a fault, honorable, and determined to protect Wren at all times if possible.
I highly recommend “Love’s Fortune” as well as every one of Laura’s other novels. If you haven’t read them, you are missing a blessing.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With two very different horizons stretched out before her, one young woman stands on the cusp of an unknown future.
Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena “Wren” Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas’s vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Wren makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world–family members she’s never met, dances she’s never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew.
As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes’ shipping line. Even with his help, Wren feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?
With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty.
Read an excerpt from “Love’s Fortune” HERE.
Endorsements:
“Laura Frantz surely dances when she writes: the words sweep across the page with a gentle rhythm and a sure step. Her characters in Love’s Fortune are sympathetic yet flawed, making them oh-so-easy to care for, ache for, cheer for. Her historical details are well chosen, and her sense of time and place rings true. Above all, it’s Wren’s journey that engages our hearts and makes the pages turn. Well done, lass!”–Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night
“You’ll disappear into another place and time and be both encouraged and enriched for having taken the journey.”–Jane Kirkpatrick, bestselling author of All Together in One Place and A Flickering Light
“Laura Frantz portrays the wild beauty of frontier life, along with its dangers and hardships, in vivid detail.”–Ann H. Gabhart, author of The Blessed
“Frantz paints a vivid picture of the tough life out in the wild, and yet her characters demonstrate that it was possible to have a wonderful life.”–RT Book Reviews for The Colonel’s Lady
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Frantz is a lover of history, is the author of The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel’s Lady, and currently lives in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.
by admin | Sep 19, 2014 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Joyful” is a fairly short and quick to read Amish novel set in everyone’s favorite town of Sugarcreek. Familiar characters from earlier Sugarcreek novels make appearances but this third installment of the Return to Sugarcreek series features Randall Beiler and Elizabeth Nolt. In addition to their story, at least two other subplots are woven through the book. The characters are well-defined and the story is homey and charming. “Joyful” is sure to be a favorite of fans of both Amish fiction and Shelley Shepard Gray.
After their courtship ended for all the wrong reasons, Randall and Elizabeth have found their lives to be less than joyful. When Randall’s brother Levi takes it upon himself to hire Elizabeth to help cook and clean house for their family, Randall and Elizabeth are forced to spend time together. Although both of them continue to have feelings for the other, the awkwardness of the situation causes such miscommunication that their getting back together seems hopeless. Will the time spent together change their circumstances for the better or will it prove that it is time for them to move on with their lives?
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A young Amish couple gets a second chance at love in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s final book in her Return to Sugarcreek series.
Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm’s needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.
When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious—and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth’s heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.
Elizabeth wants to refuse—to stay far away from the man who hurt her—but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she’s older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.
Randal, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her—or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth—or risk losing his chance at love forever.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Shelley’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Shelley Shepard Gray is heading back to Sugarcreek in JOYFUL! {Book giveaway.}
Don’t miss Shelley Shepard Gray‘s newest book in the Return to Sugarcreek series, Joyful. USA Today raved: “A sweet, straightforward story about how love can be tested by family, faith, and personal insecurity. Enjoyable and heartwarming.”
Click the banner for a chance to win books 1-3 in Shelley’s Return to Sugarcreek series!
by admin | Sep 18, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I have always enjoyed Mary Connealy’s unique combination of western history, humor, and romance that is often peppered with some action and suspense as well. “Tried and True” lived up to my expectations and more. Mary’s books usually feature strong, independent women and many times, the heroes may be in a position to need their aid. In “Tried and True”, Kylie Wilde is a young woman forced by her family to pose as a man to homestead property against her wishes. Her sisters are more skilled in “manly” skills but all Kylie desires is to live close to civilization where she can shop and attend afternoon teas. Land agent Aaron Masterson seems to come to Kylie’s rescue at every turn. When her homestead is threatened, he finds himself more interested in protecting Kylie than in tending to his work. A strong hero figure who is always ready to rescue Kylie, he also helps her to realize that she is stronger and more capable than she thinks.
Although the owner of a large ranch is determined to take back the homesteads from land he considers part of his ranch, the expected range war is not in this story. In fact, Coulter seems to be an honest and decent, if determined man. Other integral characters other than Kylie’s family include Matt Tucker and Sunrise, a Shoshone woman. “Tried and True” has plenty of action, loads of humorous situations, and a spicy romance. It is a fine example of family loyalty that in turn questions just how far that loyalty should extend. Also a theme of the need to forgive, the story includes a strong example of the disastrous effect unforgiveness, hate, and bitterness can cause the person who refuses to turn it all over to the Lord.
I look forward to the future installments of this series. I’ll admit that I peeked at the preview for “Now and Forever” and can’t wait to read Tucker and Shannon’s tale. I am in hopes that Coulter will be featured in an upcoming installment also.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tried and True, Book One in the Wilde at Heart series.
Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!
Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister–and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk–they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”–but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.
Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?
Learn more and purchase a copy at Mary’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Connealy writes fun and lively “romantic comedy with cowboys” for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie’s Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.
Find out more about Mary at http://maryconnealy.com/.
Kindle HDX Giveaway and Live Webcast Event with @MaryConnealy!
Don’t miss the first book in Mary Connealy‘s Wild at Heart series. In Tried & True, Mary is back with her signature humor and heartfelt story-telling.
Mary’s celebrating by connecting with readers during a live webcast event and giving away a Kindle HDX.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle HDX
- Tried & True by Mary Connealy
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 23rd. Winner will be announced at the Tried & True LIVE webcast event on September 23rd. Connect with Mary for an evening of swoon-worthy book chat, fun trivia, laughter, a sneak peek at the next book in the Wild at Heart series, and more! Mary will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of Tried & True and join Mary and friends on the evening of September 23rd 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 by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!
by admin | Sep 16, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Romance
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Curious Case of the Missing FigureheadDavid C. Cook (September 1, 2014)byDiane Noble
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning novelist Diane Noble writes stories that tap into the secrets of the heart.
With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane feels incredibly blessed to be doing what she loves best—writing the stories of her heart.
For the last three years Diane has been honored to be lead author for the popular Guideposts series, Mystery and the Minister’s Wife (Through the Fire, Angels Undercover), and has recently returned to writing historical fiction. She recently finished writing book two of her new historical series, The Brides of Gabriel. Book one, The Sister Wife, and book 2, The Betrayal, which are published by Harper Collins/Avon Inspire, are now in bookstores.
Now empty nesters, Diane and her husband live in the Southern California low desert, near a place known for the lush and beautiful gated communities of the rich and famous.
Learn more about Diane and her books on her Website .
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’s Passionate about Solving the Case … with the Town’s Life-Long Bachelor
El Littllefield runs The Butler Did It catering. It’s the perfect cover for her to solve “who-done-its” (nothing too dangerous, please!) in this small university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While catering her most important event yet—a fancy retirement dinner for Dr. Max Haverhill, life-long bachelor and history dean—countless guests fall ill, a 200 year-old relic is stolen, and her best friend vanishes. All in the first hour.
As El and Max race to solve the mystery, they discover there’s more to their relationship than simply solving the case. Welcome to Eden’s Bridge—the perfect small town setting for big intrigue, romance, and humor.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead, go HERE
MY REVIEW:
While I enjoy all sorts of books with youngish characters, it is fun once in awhile to read a novel with the primary characters closer to my own age, especially when they are as vibrant as those featured in The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead. I only wish I was as half as active and fearless as El and Hyacinth seem to be. The inclusion of a sweet romance gives me hope that I’m not so over-the-hill as I sometimes fear.
The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead is so much fun to read with its fast-paced plot, witty dialogue, and spontaneous characters, especially the part-time sleuth El. I loved how their faith was such a natural yet integral part of the daily lives and conversations of El, Hyacinth, and Max and the way they depended on God and acknowledged His role in their protection and resolution of the case.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead and highly recommend it. I can’t wait to see what El, Max, and Hyacinth are up to next time.
by admin | Sep 12, 2014 | Books, Cookbook
ABOUT THE COOKBOOK:
Perhaps best known as the James Beard Award-winning chef behind some of New Orleans’s most beloved restaurants, including Cochon and Herbsaint, Donald Link also has a knack for sniffing out a backyard barbecue wherever he travels and scoring an invitation to sample some of the best food around. In Down South he combines his talents to unearth true down home Southern cooking so everyone can pull up a seat at the table and sample some of the region’s finest flavors.
Link rejoices in the slow-cooked pork barbecue of Memphis, fresh seafood all along the Gulf coast, peas and shell beans from the farmlands in Mississippi and Alabama, Kentucky single barrel bourbon, and other regional standouts in 110 recipes and 100 color photographs. Along the way, he introduces all sorts of characters and places, including pitmaster Nick Pihakis of Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, Louisiana goat farmer Bill Ryal, beloved Southern writer Julia Reed, a true Tupelo honey apiary in Florida, and a Texas lamb ranch with a llama named Fritz.
Join Link Down South, where tall tales are told, drinks are slung back, great food is made to be shared, and too many desserts, it turns out, is just the right amount.
MY REVIEW:
As a native Southerner, I thought this cookbook would be a worthy addition to my library. Not only does it have a beautiful cover, but it is filled with gorgeous photos, some of which are actually of the food. More than a cookbook, “Down South – Bourbon, Pork, Gulf Shrimp & Second Helpings of Everything” is a story of the food of the South. Its rich descriptions and details are to be savored, much like the recipes it contains.
Now, I will say that some of those recipes are not quite what I expected. There are a few unusual ones – at least to my own plebeian tastes. Many of the recipes are dishes I have yet to experience. Guess I will just have to try some of them but some of them I will probably skip.
“Down South – Bourbon, Pork, Gulf Shrimp & Second Helpings of Everything” is a lovely book that would be quite at home on the coffee (or cocktail) table and is one that will make good reading for an evening at home.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
