by admin | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Book two in Thompson’s Brides With Style series continues Katie Fisher’s tale. Still happy working in the Dallas bridal salon and pretty sure she is in love with Brady James, Katie is blind-sided by a few things that make her question her choices. What is a gal to do when the man she thought she would marry turns up in her life again and all signs point to his wanting to renew their relationship – especially when the man she loves has suddenly gone into a depression and seems to be avoiding her?
In her unique style, Janice Thompson has once again offered her readers a humorous yet thoughtful novel that is brimming over with romance. Her characters are fresh and lovable and the plot just grabs you and pulls you along for the ride. I loved reading about the preparations and showers for Katie’s grandmother’s wedding. My, there were some laugh-out-loud scenes there, especially the one involving the wedding punch. You just have to read it!
But seriously, almost hiding behind all the fun and romance is a strong lesson about not trying to micromanage our lives but to just relax and let God have control. One more reminder of why I love Janice’s books.
If you have never read a Janice Thompson novel, please take my advice and pick up both books in this series. If you have any sense of humor at all, I think you will love them.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How can she choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath?
Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn’t seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie’s almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there’s nothing Katie’s parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.
But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.
by admin | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
My past experiences with Katy Lee’s novels have proven that I can count on her for an exciting and suspense-filled evening. I also know that I don’t have to worry about running across any explicit intimacy or gruesome violence. For the icing on the cake, I know that I will also find a strong vein of truth and faith running throughout the pages. As the first book in her new Roads to Danger series, “Silent Night Pursuit” totally lived up to my expectations.
Lacey Phillips takes a road trip to learn what Wade Spencer might know about why her brother died. Fully expecting to be back home in time for Christmas dinner, Lacey quickly finds herself in the middle of much more than she expected and begins to wonder if she will ever make it back home at all. Against his will, Wade is forced to flee with Lacey as they both run for their very lives.
Katy Lee seems to get better with each book. In “Silent Night Pursuit” she has amped up the danger and suspense with some absolutely breath-stopping scenes and a mystery that might just surprise most readers. Of course the reader will also expect a romance to develop because that is the very nature of any Love Inspired novel but I particularly liked the way this one developed.
I am really afraid to say more for fear of spoilers but I will say that “Silent Night Pursuit” is the perfect mystery/suspense to have on hand if one finds a few spare moments during the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. And – it would even be a good read after the holidays. I loved it!
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lacey Phillips believes Captain Wade Spencer knows something about her brother’s mysterious death. So she throws caution to the wind and tracks him down on Christmas Eve looking for answers. Wade tries to turn her away—until bullets start to fly. He doesn’t want to take the stubborn beauty on his life-or-death mission to find out the truth about how Wade’s past may have cost her brother his life. But with killers lurking everywhere, he has to protect her—especially when she breaches the walls around his heart. Can Wade and his faithful service dog keep Lacey alive long enough to figure out who’s targeting them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katy Lee writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader–from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on.
Visit Katy at: www.KatyLeeBooks.com.
by admin | Nov 25, 2015 | Books, Edwardian, Historical
“After the Rain”, the latest novel by Rita Gerlach is now available on Amazon.com. You can purchase your own copy HERE.
ABOUT “AFTER THE RAIN”:
It’s 1908, a year in the Edwardian Age, the year J.M. Barrie’s play ‘What Every Woman Knows’, premiered in Atlantic City and the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. It is a year when the world faced one of its worst disasters in history, when the New Year would heal the wounds of loss.
Louisa Borden lives a privileged life in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a new and thriving community on the outskirts of Washington, DC for the well-to-do. Against the wishes of her domineering grandmother, she retreats from the prospects of a loveless marriage and instead searches for what she hopes is her calling in life.
When her horse is spooked along Rock Creek, she is thrown from the saddle—an embarrassing situation for any affluent young lady. Soaking wet, bruised and humiliated, she is carried up the muddy bank to safety by Jackson O’Neil, a stranger to the city, who changes the course of everything, including the lives of all those around her.
by admin | Nov 24, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Connie Almony is an author to keep your eye on. Not only are her novels well written and easy to read but she is not afraid to tackle tough issues in them. That she does so with such tact and realism without the crudeness one might find in a secular novel just increases my respect for her writing.
I love Connie’s down-to-earth characters who are broken and have things in their past they would rather not come to the light. Even as strong Christians, their struggle to follow their faith is one most believers should be able to identify with. Despite characters with ugly pasts and only too human personal battles, “Flee From Evil” has a strong message of faith that flows through its pages.
“Flee From Evil” is a romantic suspense novel with a plot that entrapped me until it’s very end. I was not much use around the house until I finished reading it. The story has just the right amount of danger, mystery, and romance with a touch of occasional humor.
I would highly recommend this novel and am considering purchasing a paperback copy for my keeper shelf.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A pastor with a past uses his underworld connections to try and save the child of the woman he wronged many years ago.
Pastor Vince Steegle thought his destructive beginnings were ancient history, but the ramifications of his prior choices just walked in the door of his church. Is Romans 8:28 really true? Can God really make all things good? Or is Vince’s past just too ugly?
After the death of her much-beloved husband, Cassandra Whitaker is looking for security for her children. One, a teen on the cusp of womanhood. The other, a young boy struggling with the effects of autism. But there are those who seek to destroy them. Can Cassandra keep her family safe, or must she flee from evil?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
She’s just a suburb gal from the Baltimore-Washington megalopolis. And that’s what Connie Almony’s fiction is about, a diverse population which is truly, and beautifully, colorful.
Trained as a mental health counselor, she hopes you won’t hold that against her. Though this training helps her delve into the motivations that drive her characters, she promises not to therapize you.
Her favorite things to do include listening to awesome Christian Contemporary music (like Third Day and NeedtoBreathe) and read great stories with colorful characters while spending time with her adoring family. She loves to brainstorm with her almost thirteen-year-old daughter, who writes chapter books on the side, and share peaceful moments with her sixteen-year-old son (who’s like a gentle breeze).
The bantering style of her characters is inspired by her husband’s deep love of mischief, particularly that which craves a sharp response ;o). Still, she loves him anyway … which covers a multitude of sins. She’s been married almost twenty years and counts each one better than the one before.
See more on ConnieAlmony.com
by admin | Nov 23, 2015 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
One of my guilty pleasures this time of year is reading Christmas novels. I love having the excuse that I need to review them! Because of my reviewer/blogger status, I have had the opportunity to read all of Dan Walsh’s Christmas novels and am so thankful that I was introduced to his books. “Keeping Christmas” is another winner from this excellent author who always manages to touch my heart.
A story about empty-nesters Stan and Anna who are spending Thanksgiving and Christmas without their children for the first time, “Keeping Christmas” resonated with some of my own feelings this year. This is also the first year that my daughter will be over a thousand miles away for the holidays and like Stan and Anna, there is really nothing I can do but make the best of it. So yes, it was very easy for me to empathize with Anna.
For much of the story, I was not sure how much Stan even cared. He was so wrapped up in his excitement over the new fishing boat he and a friend planned to buy. But ol’ Stan surprised me and I thought his gesture was wonderful.
As always, Dan Walsh has written a touching story that examines the depths of human emotions. I heartily recommend “Keeping Christmas” as well as each and every one of Dan’s other novels. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids’ favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one–Anna’s blue pinecone–and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps.
“What’s the matter?” Stan said. “Did I do something wrong?”
“I don’t think I can do this.”
Nothing is more beautiful than family
For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it’s looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can’t bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking–some were downright ugly–but they were tradition.
With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan’s only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift and The Restoration Series with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for the RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel. Learn more at www.danwalshbooks.com.
