by admin | Jan 8, 2015 | Books, Historical, Quilts, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Masterpiece Marriage is a delightful historical romance between two perfectly mismatched individuals. Although Zenus would love to have a wife and family, he has never found a woman he can tolerate who also fits his idea for the perfect wife. When he meets Mary Varrs, he is instantly drawn to her but a more inappropriate woman for him could not exist. Mary’s determination to achieve the scientific success she believes will prove her worth would leave her no time to care for his home and children. On the other hand, Mary finds Zenus a bit pompous for her own taste when they first meet. Could their differences combine to create a masterpiece?
I thoroughly enjoyed Masterpiece Marriage and all its intricacies. I loved some of the humorous situations Mary found herself in as she attempted to learn to quilt. For some reason I had a problem with Zenus’ name – I kept reading it as Zeus. That was a new one for me! Other than that tiny point, I found everything else to be exemplary. The wealth of historical facts, interaction between characters, the humor, and the romance was all first rate.
For those who have enjoyed other Quilts of Love novels, Masterpiece Marriage is a don’t miss book. For those unfamiliar with the series, this would be a good place to start.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
He wants to save his business. She wants to be a professor. But are they asking for more than they can really have?
After a flood damages the looms at Zenus Dane’s Philadelphia textile mill and the bank demands loan payment, Zenus turns to his aunt for help repurposing his textiles. Trouble is . . . his aunt has already been hired by the lovely yet secretive Englishwoman Mary Varrs.
Eager to acquire his aunt’s quilt patterns, Zenus attends the summer Quilting Bee, a social event his aunt has uniquely designed with the secret purpose of finding Zenus a wife. However Zenus only has eyes for Mary, but Mary has no such desire for him.
Though his aunt is determined to design a masterpiece marriage, both Zenus and Mary will have to overcome their stubborn ways. Can he realize that love requires stepping out of his routine? And will she recognize that following her heart doesn’t mean sacrificing her ambition?
Find out more and purchase a copy at the Quilts of Love website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gina Welborn is the author of several novels and novellas, including “The Heiress’s Courtship.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers; the president of Faith, Hope and Love; and a founding member of InkwellInspirations.com. She lives in Cache, Oklahoma, with her pastor husband and their five children. Visit her online at GinaWelborn.com.
Find out more about Gina at http://ginawelborn.com.
Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn. December’s QOL release celebrates the ebb and flow of marriage.
Enter to win a Kindle HDX!
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn
- Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven
- Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey
Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 18th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog January 19th.
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by admin | Jan 8, 2015 | Books, Historical, Quilts, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing
Masterpiece MarriageAbingdon Press (December 16, 2014)byGina WelbornABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After Gina Welborn earned a Communications degee from an Oklahoma university, she thought the perfect career choice was working at a news radio station writing commercial copy, public service announcements, and news reports. A PSA writer, sadly, can only be so creative when describing ketchup and Geronimo’s grave. (No, she never combined those two elements in the same script, but now that she thinks about it, she wishes … ) Thus Gina “retired” to focus on goal, motivation, and conflict within her family before discovering her niche in writing romances. A member of RWA and ACFW, Gina has four published novellas, including one in the ECPA-bestselling Mistletoe Memories, and three short historical romances: The Heiress’s Courtship, The Marshal’s Pursuit, and Masterpiece Marriage. A moderately obsessive fan of Community, Once Upon a Time, and Chopped, Gina lives in Oklahoma with her pastor husband, their five Okie-Hokie children, a box-lab, two rabbits, four guinea pigs, and a fancy Russian dwarf hamster named Tom Bob Deucalion. Gina is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After a flood damages the looms at Zenus Dane’s Philadelphia textile mill and the bank demands loan payment, Zenus turns to his aunt for help repurposing his textiles. Trouble is . . . his aunt has already been hired by the lovely yet secretive Englishwoman Mary Varrs. Eager to acquire his aunt’s quilt patterns, Zenus attends the summer Quilting Bee, a social event his aunt has uniquely designed with the secret purpose of finding Zenus a wife. However Zenus only has eyes for Mary, but Mary has no such desire for him. Though his aunt is determined to design a masterpiece marriage, both Zenus and Mary will have to overcome their stubborn ways. Can he realize that love requires stepping out of his routine? And will she recognize that following her heart doesn’t mean sacrificing her ambition?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Masterpiece Marriage, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Masterpiece Marriage is a delightful historical romance between two perfectly mismatched individuals. Although Zenus would love to have a wife and family, he has never found a woman he can tolerate who also fits his idea for the perfect wife. When he meets Mary Varrs, he is instantly drawn to her but a more inappropriate woman for him could not exist. Mary’s determination to achieve the scientific success she believes will prove her worth would leave her no time to care for his home and children. On the other hand, Mary finds Zenus a bit pompous for her own taste when they first meet. Could their differences combine to create a masterpiece?
I thoroughly enjoyed Masterpiece Marriage and all its intricacies. I loved some of the humorous situations Mary found herself in as she attempted to learn to quilt. For some reason I had a problem with Zenus’ name – I kept reading it as Zeus. That was a new one for me! Other than that tiny point, I found everything else to be exemplary. The wealth of historical facts, interaction between characters, the humor, and the romance was all first rate.
For those who have enjoyed other Quilts of Love novels, Masterpiece Marriage is a don’t miss book. For those unfamiliar with the series, this would be a good place to start.
by admin | Jan 5, 2015 | Books, Historical, Rome, Time Travel
MY REVIEW:
A bit of time travel combined with a fictional tale based on actual historical facts is what the reader finds when she opens the pages of first “The Healer of Carthage” and now the greatly anticipated second volume of The Carthage Chronicles, “Return to Exile. A love story that spans the centuries, “Return to Exile” paints a graphic picture of the dangers faced by the early Christians in Roman Carthage. Surrounded on every side by deadly epidemics, power-seeking politicians, or disgruntled traitors, daily existence is a trial that takes nearly superhuman effort just to survive. Yet knowing the dangers, Dr. Lisbeth Hastings makes the choice to return, hoping her modern medical knowledge can make a difference in history.
Lynne Gentry has written a compelling novel that is at times difficult to read but equally difficult to put down. This story has it all – time travel, romance, danger, intrigue, a few surprises, and historical facts that are interwoven with a story of a faith to die for and characters willing to lay down their own lives for others. “Healer of Carthage” and now “Return to Exile” each have cliffhanger endings that leave the reader craving the next installment.
Lovers of Biblical fiction, this series is not to be missed. I am quite certain others will love it also.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Six years ago, impossible circumstances forced Dr. Lisbeth Hastings to leave behind the love of her life, not just in another country, but in another time. Her work as a top-notch epidemiologist and parenting her little girl helps alleviate the pain, but at night when her exhausted head hits the pillow, images of her beloved Cyprian haunt her sleep.
Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He’s lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage, but when Cyprian’s true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church he seeks to save.
Have the years that kept Lisbeth and Cyprian apart created too wide a chasm to bridge? In the midst of a new epidemic and rising oppression, will their love be the most costly fatality? Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this spell-binding adventure of star-crossed lovers captivates with every turn of the page in this electric continuation of The Carthage Chronicles.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. Her novel, Healer of Carthage, is the first in The Carthage Chronicles series and Return to Exile is the newly released and greatly anticipated second book of the series. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright with several full-length musicals and a Chicago children’s theater curriculum to her credit. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer whose first love is spending time with family.
Watch the video where Lynne discusses how she got her ideas for The Carthage Chronicles:
by admin | Jan 5, 2015 | DVD, Giveaways
MY REVIEW:
Overall, “The Identical” was an enjoyable, family friendly movie that featured lots of music. It was a story that emphasized following God’s plan for your life and it did a good job of showing what could happen when trying to follow the dreams of someone else.
I did find the obvious Elvis slant a bit distracting, especially when Elvis was actually mentioned in the film. The young man just looked, moved and sang too much like Elvis for my personal preference. It would have been much more original and engaging without that unmistakeable resemblance.
Otherwise, my husband and I enjoyed the film and were quite happy with the way it ended with family secrets revealed and restoration of the entire family. I thought the actors did a good job in their roles and the cinematography was excellent.
Don’t believe all the bad press about this movie. It is fun to watch and if you like music, it is all the more so.
“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.
ABOUT THE DVD:
The Identical, starring Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Seth Green, and Blake Rayne is a redemptive movie about a young man, the son of a preacher, who rejects his father’s desire for him to join the ministry and instead embarks on a career as a rock singer. As he struggles to pursue his dream and rise to stardom, he finds love, pain, success, failure and ultimately uncovers a hidden family secret that reveals who he really is. The Identical is a captivating story about a family restored and a life discovered that lifts your soul and warms your heart.
Click here for the official website!
Check out this special offer from Family Christian —> http://www.familychristian.com/catalog/product/view/id/291528/
Purchasing the DVD from this link comes with The Identity Series DVD (more info on THE IDENTICAL website)
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 | Jan 2, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, WWII
MY REVIEW:
Although I have not read the previous novels in Myra Johnson’s Till We Meet Again series, I had no problems keeping up with the story in “Every Tear a Memory”. I enjoyed reading about Joanna and Thomas and their families and thought the character development was excellent. The setting of Hot Springs, Arkansas is fairly close to where I live and this novel made me want to visit there soon.
Both Joanna and Thomas had an uneasy relationship with their respective families. Joanna had left home at an early age because of her difficulties with her mother and had intended to stay in France after the war. However her mother’s death and an urgent request for help from her brother brought her home to Hot Springs. Thomas, on the other hand, had remained in Hot Springs due to health issues while his brother shipped out to fight in the war. Feelings of inadequacy and an inability to please his demanding mother were constantly on his mind. When Thomas and Joanna reconnected after many years, they quickly felt an attraction but both realize that their personalities and goals were entirely too far apart for a relationship to work.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Every Tear A Memory” as I watched Thomas and Joanna’s relationship with each other and the Lord develop. I feel certain that I will go back and read the first two novels in this series as soon as I find the time.
This book was provided for review by The Amazon VINE program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Joanna Trapp found adventure serving in France as a “Hello Girl,” one of over 200 telephone operators called upon by General Pershing to serve in the Army Signal Corps, but she still mourns her doughboy sweetheart killed in battle. Returning to Hot Springs, Arkansas, she takes a job as a switchboard operator at the Arlington Hotel and quickly discovers that after her experiences overseas, civilian life proves dull.
Thomas Ballard still regrets he was medically ineligible to serve in the war and feels inferior to those who did, especially his war-hero brother, Gilbert. When Thomas finds himself attracted to Joanna, he strives to match her adventurous spirit, when all he really wants is to settle down, raise a family, and earn respect as a successful businessman.
As romance blossoms, can two such different people learn to accept not only their own but each other’s God-created individuality . . . or will love change them both?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Myra Johnson‘s roots go deep into Texas soil, but after surviving five icy winters and blistering summers in Oklahoma, she and her husband now enjoy the milder weather of Carolinas. The Johnsons share their home with two lovable (and very spoiled) dogs.
Myra’s most recent novels comprise the Till We Meet Again historical romance series from Abingdon Press: WHEN THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (winner of the 2014 Christian Retailing’s Best Award for historical fiction), WHISPER GOODBYE, and EVERY TEAR A MEMORY. Her debut novel, ONE IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS, was a 2009 release from Abingdon Press.
She has also written for Heartsong Presents. AUTUMN RAINS (2009) won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript and was named a 2010 ACFW Carol Award finalist. In November 2011, AUTUMN RAINS, ROMANCE BY THE BOOK, and WHERE THE DOGWOODS BLOOM (Heartsong Presents romances set in Missouri) were re-released as a Barbour 3-in-1 collection entitled GATEWAY WEDDINGS. Other recent Heartsong Presents titles include A HORSEMAN’S HEART, A HORSEMAN’S GIFT, and A HORSEMAN’S HOPE.
Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. Married since 1972, the Johnsons have two beautiful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren.
