by admin | Apr 18, 2017 | Books, Colorado, Historical, Romance, Western
Now, get ALL THREE of the bestselling Defiance books in ONE collection, along with a BONUS, never-before-published prequel novella, The Lost Chapters.
Three beautiful, Christian sisters, ranging in ages and life experiences, find themselves stranded in the lawless mining town of Defiance, Colorado. But God is moving everything into place–planning for something good to come from their individual heartbreaks. Naomi, Rebecca, and Hannah have futures bright with hope–even if they can’t see it at first.
A Lady in Defiance
Charles McIntyre owns everything and everyone in Defiance. Still, he is intrigued enough by the sisters to allow them to open a hotel in his town, especially since he views feisty middle sister Naomi as his next conquest. Naomi, angry with God for widowing her, wants no part of Defiance or the saloon-owning, prostitute-keeping Mr. McIntyre. But the Lord may have other plans.
Hearts in Defiance
McIntyre built Defiance practically with his bare hands … and without any remorse for the lives he destroyed along the way. Then a glimpse of true love, both earthly and heavenly, changed him. The question is, how much? His wife is a beautiful, decent woman. She says she loves McIntyre, that God does, too, and the past is behind them now. But McIntyre struggles to believe he’s worth saving … worth loving. Unfortunately, the temptations in Defiance only reinforce his doubts. Eventually, old enemies and old weaknesses will come calling…
A Promise in Defiance
When McIntyre founded Defiance, he was more than happy to rule in hell rather than serve in heaven. But things have changed. Now, he has faith, a new wife…and a ten-year-old half-breed son. Logan Tillane carries a Bible in his hand, wears a gun on his hip, and fights for lost souls any way he can. Newly arrived in Defiance, though, he has trouble telling the saints from the sinners. When a scandalous madam flings open the doors to a raunchy saloon, these two good men will fight their personal demons to the death. Unfortunately, only one will survive.
The Lost Chapters – A Novella
In this prequel novella, set in North Carolina, meet Naomi’s first husband, her childhood sweetheart. He is faced with trying to hold the family together before a scandal and a greedy rich man can tear it apart.
And what was it like for sixteen-year-old Hannah to deal with the shame of carrying a bastard child? Rumors are swirling. Did the father of the baby abandon them of his own accord, or was he forced to leave by a family bent on protecting a grand ambition?
Rich with gritty drama and historical detail, these tales are told by real, flawed women who fight for love and faith in a godless frontier town. The Ladies of Defiance.
Pick up your set of all three books plus the bonus Lost Chapters HERE while it is only $0.99!
MY REVIEW:
I have previously read “A Lady in Defiance” and possibly one or both of the other full-length books in this series. I have read so many books over the past several years that sometimes my memory fails me. I do have copies of all three on my Kindle and actually just sprang for the new boxed set. I just noticed that I never reviewed “A Lady in Defiance” so I need to remedy that oversight in the near future (even if I have to read it again to do so).
I did just read the Lost Chapters and thoroughly enjoyed learning the background of the three sisters and how they found themselves in Defiance. It is a short, quick read but I liked how it set the stage for the rest of the series.
If you are a fan of historical western romance, this is a series you will want to check out.
by admin | Apr 15, 2017 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
“Surrendered” is the second book in Elaine Manders’ Intrigue Under Western Skies series. I so appreciated that I was informed that the first book of the series was a free Kindle offering and I had a chance to read it first. I suppose “Surrendered” might be enjoyed as a stand alone but so much happened in “Pursued” that led up to the events in the second installment. My opinion is that “Surrendered” will be appreciated more if the series is read in order.
Anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time knows that I adore western novels. It’s probably a throwback to evenings spent watching westerns on TV with my dad but I definitely have a soft spot for cowboys. The front cover was all it took to grab my attention. Fortunately the story inside the covers was worthy of that handsome cowboy on the front. I found plenty of action, danger, and drama as well as a beleaguered romance that kept me wondering how it would all work out.
Both Rhyan and Carianne were strong characters who were surrounded by an excellent supporting cast, especially Colt and his mother. I especially liked how often faith and prayer were included as a natural part of the story throughout both books. Some surprises along the way kept things interesting yet everything turned out exactly right by the end.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Click to purchase
The fight never ends until someone surrenders.
Having vanquished his political enemies, Rhyan Cason is anxious to get home to his beloved Carianne. Then he receives word an anthrax outbreak threatens his ranch. Even as he ponders how he can afford to take a wife, dark secrets from the distant past shake his beliefs to the core and convince him he’ll never be able to find forgiveness or make Carianne happy.
Carianne Barlow is stunned when Rhyan breaks their secret engagement. She leaves Sollano, the beautiful ranch house she loves almost as much as its owner, and returns home to Westerfield. While waiting for her shattered heart to heal, she shifts her attention to building the library she’s promised the town.
Even though Colt Holliman offers her a new courtship, circumstances keep drawing her back to Sollano and Rhyan. Torn between her affection for Colt and her love for Rhyan, Carianne realizes almost too late Rhyan’s troubles lie deeper than saving the ranch. He fights an evil that threatens more than his love for her—one only God can defeat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. She prefers stories that twist and turn and surprise, told by characters who aren’t afraid to show their love for God and each other. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, crafts, and spending time with her friends, daughter, and grandchildren.
GUEST POST FROM ELAINE MANDERS:
I was born with the gift of story. The make-believe of childhood never left me, but it wasn’t until my daughter left for college, and I was left with the empty nest, that I decided maybe it was time to start writing the stories crowding my mind. I joined a local writers’ group, took a fiction writing course, developed the craft, went to conventions, and started pitching to editors.
Since I wrote romance, I found the publishing industry pushing me to a place I didn’t want to go. The secular publishers wanted steamier writing, and I complied as much as I could. Then when I was offered a chance for publication, I couldn’t allow my name to go on the book. The Christian publishers had a very narrow marketing concept. Again, I tried to comply until I felt the joy of story being squeezed out of me. I took a twelve year hiatus from writing.
Then in 2012, I was sitting in church listening to the familiar parable of the talents. When my pastor asked the question, “Are you hiding your talent?” I immediately visualized that closet filled with my unpublished manuscripts. I rededicated myself to putting my talent to use, and I asked God to send me a new story, if this was what he wanted me to do.
Later that week, I was on the golf course when I laid down on a little hill waiting for my husband to chase a ball in the woods and stared into the deepest, bluest sky I’ve ever seen. The sun was high in the sky, but the shade of blue was so dark I could actually see, not only the moon, but some of the stars. Looking into that sky, I experienced a strange sensation, as if I’d lost contact with the earth and was moving into infinity. I wondered, as I had many times before, how an atheist could look into the heavens and not believe in the Creator. This led me to an investigation of scientific atheism, Darwinism, and the entire series, Intrigue under Western Skies, was born. My protagonist is a Darwinist of the 1880s. Book 1, Pursued, is his spiritual journey to belief in Christianity, and Book 2, Surrendered, takes him to acceptance. The heroine, of course, helps him on this journey, while dodging all the dangers the old west has to offer. Incidentally, Pursued will be free on Amazon Apr 18-19.
BLOG STOPS:
April 11: 100 pages per hour
April 11: Karen Sue Hadley
April 12: History, Mystery & Faith
April 13: Moments Dipped in Ink
April 14: Bigreadersite
April 15: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
April 16: Daysong Reflections
April 17: cherylbbookblog
April 17: Baker Kella
April 18: I Hope You Dance
April 19: Inklings and Notions
April 20: Reading Is My SuperPower
April 20: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
April 21: Pause for Tales
April 21: Have A Wonderful Day
April 22: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
April 23: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
April 24: Connie’s History Classroom
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Click below to enter.
Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
https://promosimple.com/ps/b5ae
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by admin | Apr 15, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
As a lifelong Southerner, it is almost imperative that I enjoy Southern fiction. “The Hideaway” exceeded my expectations. This book, while often poignant, expresses some of the best aspects of living in a southern small town, especially the residents.
“The Hideaway” is a charming yet revealing story about a young woman who returns home after her grandmother’s death in order to take care of related business. Intending to return to her own business in New Orleans, Sara finds herself committed to restoring the family B&B. In the process, Sara learns who her grandmother truly was and in doing so discovers herself and possibly love.
It would be too easy to elaborate and reveal a few spoilers but I will refrain from doing so. I did love this book and after reading it would be most interested in relocating to a town like Sweet Bay, if such a place existed. Lovely book!
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book that was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When her grandmother’s will wrenches Sara back home, she learns more about Margaret Van Buren in the wake of her death than she ever knew in life.
After her last remaining family member dies, Sara Jenkins goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother Mags’s ramshackle B&B in Sweet Bay, Alabama. She intends to quickly tie up loose ends then return to her busy life and thriving antique shop in New Orleans. Instead, she learns Mags has willed The Hideaway to her and charged her with renovating it—no small task considering her grandmother’s best friends, a motley crew of senior citizens, still live there.
Rather than hurrying back to New Orleans, Sara stays in Sweet Bay and begins the biggest house-rehabbing project of her career. Amid drywall dust, old memories, and a charming contractor, she discovers that slipping back into life at The Hideaway is easier than she expected.
Then she discovers a box Mags left in the attic with clues to a life Sara never imagined for her grandmother. With help from Mags’s friends, Sara begins to piece together the mysterious life of bravery, passion, and choices that changed her grandmother’s destiny in both marvelous and devastating ways.
When an opportunistic land developer threatens to seize The Hideaway, Sara is forced to make a choice—stay in Sweet Bay and fight for the house and the people she’s grown to love or leave again and return to her successful but solitary life in New Orleans.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren K. Denton now lives with her husband and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. The Hideaway is her first novel.
Website: laurenkdenton.com
Twitter: @LaurenKDenton
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by admin | Apr 14, 2017 | Books, England, Regency, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“A Stranger at Fellsworth” is a Regency era romantic suspense that grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Its brisk plot and strong characters kept me engaged and I quickly finished reading it in just a couple of sittings.
The suspense is fairly tame yet interesting. A bit of a mystery about poaching on two estates near Fellsworth is finally solved with some surprising results. A couple of truly nasty characters add to the drama and an unexpected romance will make the story worthwhile for many readers.
A story of betrayal and forgiveness, this novel was an enjoyable read that kept this reader occupied and happy for a few hours. I always enjoy a novel by Sarah E. Ladd.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Could losing everything be the best thing to happen to Annabelle Thorley?
In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.
Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.
As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky Golden Retriever.
Website: sarahladd.com
Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor
Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor
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by admin | Apr 13, 2017 | Books, Historical, Jazz Age, Mystery, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have read each of Kristy Cambron’s novels to date and would find it difficult to choose a favorite because they are all so different. That being said, I really, really liked “The Illusionist’s Apprentice”. This book is delightfully mysterious with appropriately spooky and curious settings throughout.
The author set the stage perfectly for her narrative with well researched historical details and just the right characters and background. Wren Lockhart was extraordinary and I loved the way her story was revealed to the reader one layer at a time as she learned to trust Elliot. Wren was a strong and independent woman, yet surprisingly feminine and vulnerable. As elements of her past were slowly revealed, it was easy to understand how her personality and love of privacy had been shaped.
“The Illusionist’s Apprentice” is an emotionally charged story filled with drama, danger, mystery, suspense, betrayal, and romance. Its pages are filled with twists and surprises and I was particularly surprised to find out who was behind the plan to destroy Wren.
If you enjoy historical suspense, “The Illusionist’s Apprentice” is not to be missed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Not all illusions happen on the stage.
Wren Lockhart, apprentice to master illusionist Harry Houdini, uses life on a vaudeville stage to escape the pain of her past. She continues her career of illusion after her mentor’s death, intent on burying her true identity.
But when a rival performer’s act goes tragically wrong, the newly formed FBI calls on Wren to speak the truth—and reveal her real name to the world. She transfers her skills for misdirection from the stage to the back halls of vaudeville, as she finds herself the unlikely partner in the FBI’s investigation. All the while Houdini’s words echo in her mind: Whatever occurs, the crowd must believe it’s what you meant to happen. She knows that if anyone digs too deep, secrets long kept hidden may find their way to the surface—and shatter her carefully controlled world.
Set during one of the richest, most vibrant eras in American history, this Jazz Age novel of illusion, suspense, and forgotten pasts is perfect for fans of The Magician’s Lie, challenging all to find the underpinnings of faith on their own life’s stage.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, The Butterfly and the Violin, was named to Library Journal’s Best Books of 2014 and nominated for RT Book Reviews’ Choice Awards Best Inspirational Novel of 2014 and for the 2015 INSPY Awards for Best Debut Novel. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal’s Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction) for February 2015 and a Top Pick for RT Book Reviews. Kristy holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three young sons.
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