by admin | Jul 17, 2015 | Books, Historical, Mail Order Brides, Romance
MY REVIEW:
At the death of Anthony’s mother, three people want custody of him. Kate Dawson is Anthony’s teacher and loves him as a son. Two men also want Anthony – Silas, who may actually be Anthony’s father and another man who also calls him son. As Kate and Silas work together to work out what will be best for Anthony, she finds that both the boy and the man have caused major complications to her life and her job as teacher.
“A Bride at Last” is an attention grabbing story about two very wounded people who have difficulty trusting each other. Their friendship and mutual attraction grows despite the multiple complications they encounter yet misunderstandings threaten to come between them. Each character was well defined and it was easy to relate to both Silas and Kate and their situation. Anthony’s reactions to his circumstances were extreme but understandable from a child’s point of view.
The plot moved along at a good pace with a few unexpected twists and turns and at least one nice surprise before its end. “A Bride at Last” is a story that emphasizes faith, family and trust. I very much enjoyed this book and think I need to go back and read the previous books from this series.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.
Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she’d been deceived about her intended groom, she’s now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she’ll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony–until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy’s father.
Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?
Read an excerpt from “A Bride at Last” HERE.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Jagears, an ESL teacher by trade and the author of “A Bride for Keeps” and “A Bride in Store,” is a stay-at-home mother on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. She’s a member of ACFW and CROWN fiction marketing, and her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly.
Find out more about Melissa at http://melissajagears.com.
Can Silas and Kate overcome their rocky start and experience healing—and possibly love? Discover the answer in Melissa Jagears’ new book, A Bride at Last.
Neither Kate nor Silas is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light as they attempt to prove nine-year-old Anthony’s paternity to the court. Can their wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?
Celebrate the release of A Bride at Last by entering to win a $100 Memory-Making giveaway and RSVPing to Melissa’s August 4th author chat party!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A $100 gift card to Netflix (for a family movie night), Shutterfly (to create a family memory book), or TablePlayGames (for a family game night)
- One copy of A Bride at Last
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4. The winner will be announced at Melissa’s 8/4 A Bride at Last Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Melissa and fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!
by admin | Jul 16, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, Seattle
MY REVIEW:
Tracie Peterson always makes history come alive for me in her books and I enjoy learning a few facts while reading for pleasure. After all, history is really about the people and when carefully researched, fiction is a wonderful teaching tool.
The second book in the Brides of Seattle series features Militine Scott and Thane Patton. Although Militine is one of the young women in training at the Madison Bridal School, secrets from her past prevent her from hoping to ever marry – that is until Thane comes along. Thane has a few secrets of his own and he recognizes and relates to the sadness he sees in Militine’s eyes. The question is, will either of them ever let down their guard and let their relationship progress beyond friendship?
Once again I was fascinated by the three older women who ran the bridal school. They were good for several laughs. And – once again Abrianna and Wade’s relationship hijacked a large portion of the story. I am in hopes that everything will work out for those two in the final volume “Love Everlasting”. I did enjoy reading about Abrianna’s food mission as well as sharing a major surprise in her life. You’ll just have to read the book to find out! I also liked learning about the volunteer fire department in Seattle and the hurdles that hindered their work.
Lots of drama and danger and a bit of mystery are in store for readers of “Refining Fire”. The title is very much apropos as the city is threatened by a devastating fire. As always, Peterson blends a strong Christian message into her story in a natural way that does not detract.
I always enjoy Tracie Peterson’s novels and “Refining Fire” did not let me down. I look forward to the final book in this excellent series.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Twenty-two-year-old Militine Scott is in training at the Madison Bridal School in Seattle, yet she has no intention of pursuing marriage. What respectable man would have her? But she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to keep her unsavory past hidden.
Thane Patton, though fun-loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing that she harbors a haunting pain similar to his own.
Will they allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of their past?
Read an excerpt from “Refining Fire” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: ©Lissa Barber Photography
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.
by admin | Jul 16, 2015 | Books
MY REVIEW:
From the cluttered and dusty curiosity shop of her father to the opulent London townhouse and Kettering Hall of the Gilchrist family, Camille Inverness finds herself alternately in danger or protected. A mysterious gemstone is missing, her father is suspected of stealing it, and Camille finds herself right in the center of the urgent attempt to locate it.
“The Curiosity Keeper” is a multifaceted tale with a perfectly brooding setting and atmosphere and well-developed characters. As the story progressed I wondered along with Camille about who she could actually trust. Were her new friends really her friends or were they just using her to find the ruby. And what about how her father was acting – he was supposed to care for her wasn’t he? I liked how the roles of several characters developed. Some who seemed hostile at first turned into allies and others only showed their true colors later. Plenty of suspense, danger, betrayal, and romance is punctuated with several surprising twists that wouldn’t let me put the book down until its conclusion.
I always enjoy Sarah Ladd’s novels and “The Curiosity Keeper” was no exception. I suggest that lovers of historical suspense grab themselves a copy ASAP.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”
Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.
Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.
Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Jul 16, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a fantastic prequel to Beth Vogt’s new Destination Wedding series. If the rest of the series is even half as good, I will be happy. Can’t wait to dive into “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” which is waiting it’s turn patiently on my review stack.
The story of Bellamy, a gal from a large, middle-class family who is engaged to Reid who comes from a wealthy, upper-crust background. As Bellamy plans her dream wedding, she stresses over meeting the standards of Reid’s family and accidentally makes a purchase that could put a stop to everything. I loved how Reid’s mom stepped in to set things right and proved that you really can’t buy love.
“Can’t Buy Me Love” is truly a story about love, family, what is truly important, and forgiveness.
This book was provided for review by The Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In this e-novella kicking off the brand-new Destination Wedding series, Bellamy, a bride-to-be who dreams of a one-of-a-kind Manhattan wedding, gets caught up in all the planning, and things quickly spin out of control. What is the true cost of an ultimate uptown wedding?
Bellamy grew up in a large, boisterous family. The Hillmans may not have had it all, but Bellamy learned how to stretch a dollar and make it look like she did. Now she’s marrying Reid Stanton, the man of her dreams. While planning their one-of-a-kind Manhattan destination wedding, Bellamy gets caught up in all things Pinterest. It starts out simply enough with a “Save the Date Destination Wedding” board. Then it’s the “Destination Wedding Dresses” and “Invitations” boards. As her ideas multiply, so does the cost of the wedding.
Before she realizes it, all her creative planning has decimated the budget. Can Bellamy make things right, or will the cost of the ultimate wedding be losing the man she loves?
NOTE — the e-novella also includes an excerpt of Crazy Little Thing Called Love, the first novel in the series, which releases June 30, 2015.
Purchase a copy on Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A 2015 RITA® Finalist and a 2014 Carol Award finalist, Beth is a contemporary romance novelist with Howard Books. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. In 2015, Beth introduced her destination wedding series with both an e-novella, Can’t Buy Me Love, and a novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Her e-novella, A November Bride, was part of the Year of Wedding Series by Zondervan. Beth enjoys writing contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Find out more about her books at bethvogt.com. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also part of the leadership team for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories.
by admin | Jul 15, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I wasn’t sure what to expect from “Hush Little Baby” when I first began to read it. The cover was much different from those on books I am accustomed to reading and I was unfamiliar with the author. But I had agreed to review it and dove right in. To my delight, the story grabbed my attention and held my interest throughout.
“Hush Little Baby” is a dramatic suspense that revolves around possible illegal activities in an abortion clinic where Amber Blake has taken a position as counselor in order to investigate. To Amber’s surprise, the doctor in charge of the clinic takes a romantic interest in her despite the fact that she is a little person and he is of normal size. In order to gain more information, Amber encourages his interest while still spending time with her estranged husband who would like to reconcile.
A convoluted tale filled with suspense, drama, and danger, “Hush Little Baby” could come out of today’s headlines. In fact, breaking news about Planned Parenthood is eerily similar to events in this book.
I am glad I took a chance and read “Hush Little Baby”. It is a well-written, faith-based story that addresses important current issues.
This book was provided for review by The Book Club Network, Inc.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Investigative journalist, Amber Blake, is a little person bent on payback for the death of her average-sized twin sister. Enlisted by her former partner and estranged husband, Evan, she poses as a counselor in an abortion clinic to expose the doctor responsible for fetal harvesting. As a Christian, she struggles with concealing her beliefs to maintain her cover, while the doctor’s romantic overtures tumble her stomach. Amber agrees to date him for the sake of the story . . . but nothing prepares her for what’s behind a mysterious door in his office.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After years of reading books and watching movies with an element of romance, Deborah M. Piccurelli’s desire to write romance novels came naturally. She is active in her church and is an advocate for sanctity of life. Deborah is the author of two novels, a novella and several cause-related newspaper articles. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and the New Jersey Society of Christian Writers. As one of the winners in a contest by The Christian Authors Show, details of Deborah’s writing journey can be found in the 2013-2014 edition of the book, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading. Deborah lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two sons.