by admin | Mar 30, 2018 | Books, ebook, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Winning Miss Winthrop” was every bit as delightful and entertaining as the other Regency novels I have read by Carolyn Miller. I was especially charmed by the clever way more than one character managed to put an offensive character in their place without their being any the wiser. Oh, if only I had been blessed with such a gift!
As always, Miller’s skill with description and her imaginative plot held my interest until the very end. I was invested enough in the story to want to force Catherine and Jonathan to actually sit down and talk it out rather than constantly avoiding the other’s eyes. My goodness, they could have saved themselves months of misery! Of course the story wouldn’t have been quite so much fun in the meantime.
Quite a few quirky and interesting characters grace the pages of “Winning Miss Winthrop”. Some were very likeable and of course there were one or two of those readers love to hate. All in all, this book is one that will find a permanent spot on my shelf once I purchase a hard copy. Carolyn Miller is quickly earning herself a position on my favorite authors list.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Kregel Publications through NetGalley. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Years ago, the man who stole Catherine Winthrop’s heart rejected her—and she’s never recovered from the grief. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn’t her heart he’s taking, it’s her home and her family’s good name.
Jonathan Carlew’s serious demeanor and connection to trade, not to mention the rumors surrounding his birth, have kept him from being a favorite of the ladies, or their parents. Now, suddenly landed and titled, he finds himself with plenty of prospects. But his demanding society responsibilities keep pressing him into service to the one woman who captured his heart long ago—and then ran off with it.
These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.
Set in the sumptuous salons of Bath, Regency England’s royal breeding ground for gossip, Winning Miss Winthrop is the first volume in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series. Fans of the wholesome and richly drawn first series won’t want to miss this new set of characters—or appearances by their old favorites.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.Find out more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynmiller.org.
by admin | Mar 27, 2018 | Alaska, Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have a gorgeous photo of Denali on my smart phone screen. No I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Alaska but my daughter and son-in-law went last summer and the clouds lifted long enough for her to take some spectacular photos and was generous enough to share with me. At this point in my life, most of my traveling will most likely be done through the pages of my beloved books and the lens of my daughter’s camera. Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse have provided me with a historical suspense that helped to bring life to my daughter’s image.
I can always expect a lovely romantic story from Tracie Peterson, usually one filled with obstacles to help keep it interesting. When Peterson joins forces with Kimberly Woodhouse, the suspense seems to be raised a few notches and I can be sure of an exciting story. That was certainly the case with “Out of the Ashes”.
The second book in The Heart of Alaska series, “Out of the Ashes” also takes place mostly in or in the vicinity of the Curry Hotel. Two young people have been brought together through the mechanization of a loving grandmother who wants the best for her granddaughter but neither Katherine nor Jean-Michel are the same people who fell in love so many years ago. Life has left its mark on each of them and it could be too late for a life together again.
As always, I was immediately sucked into the story and had great difficulty putting it down to take care of mundane everyday chores. The plot was expertly constructed with just enough description and historical facts to keep it interesting. Scripture was also inserted at just the right points, time and again. There was absolutely nothing I didn’t like about this story except maybe the fact that it ended. I can’t wait for another installment.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After the death of their father, Collette and Jean-Michel Langelier are no longer tied to post-war France. While his sister dreams of adventure, Jean-Michel is hoping to finally escape reminders of the horrors he faced in the war. When Jean-Michel receives an unexpected invitation for them to visit Alaska and the Curry Hotel, it seems an opportunity for a change he needs.
Katherine Demarchis is a young widow who does not grieve the dangerous husband she was forced to marry. Now she just wants to retreat to a quiet life, content to be alone. First, though, she’s agreed to accompany her grandmother on a final trip, but never expects to see a man from her past.
Katherine and Jean-Michel once shared a deep love that was torn apart by forces beyond their control. Reunited now, have the years changed them too deeply to rediscover what they had? And when Jean-Michel’s nightmares return with terrifying consequences, will faith be enough to heal what’s been broken for so long?
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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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 Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com. |
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by admin | Mar 27, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
Everyone’s family has reunions – don’t they? I grew up in a family that got together at least once a year, usually at Christmas but often for summer BBQs or other occasions that called for getting together and eating, much like the Bucklin family. As I read “High Cotton” I found quite a bit of familiar ground that brought back good memories. But on the other hand, that Bucklin family was just a tad over the top, weren’t they?
This first book of the Bucklin Family Reunion series seems to feature Shay, the family old maid, but several other members of the family share a good bit of page space with her, especially her twin cousins and her sister-in-law Puddin. Y’all, this is a Southern novel after all! Well, before this story is done, Shay finds herself with two contenders as potential love interests and changes her mind about them a time or two. Plenty of other shenanigans pop up in due course including an elopement, a move, and even an explosion.
I really liked how the author took all the different elements of this story and wove it all together into one special novel. Despite plenty of humor and hijinks, Shay managed to speak her wisdom and faith into the lives of several of her relatives as she gave generously of her time and heart. You really don’t want to miss reading “High Cotton” and I look forward to the next installment. I hope the wait isn’t too long!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Gilead Publishing. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Some families are filled with so much love they can’t help but drive each other crazy.
Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family’s next reunion. On the one hand, she’ll get to see everyone in her mama’s family–folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there’ll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.
The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law’s deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunions . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay’s teen self, but the woman she’s become doesn’t know what to make of this.
Shay’s contentment is challenged, and she’s determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she’s looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring.
Purchase a copy of “High Cotton” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Debby Mayne is the author of more than 40 novels and novellas that have received the “Top Pick” award from Romantic Times Magazine and been among the “Top 10 Favorites” in the Heartsong Presents book club. She writes family and faith-based romances, cozy mysteries, and women’s fiction. She has also written more than 1,000 short stories and articles as well as dozens of devotions for busy women. She has worked as managing editor of a national health publication, product information writer for a TV retailer, creative writing instructor, and copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. She is currently an etiquette writer for The Spruce, one of the DotDash (formerly About.com) companies.
Debby grew up in a military family, which meant moving every few years throughout her childhood. Debby was born in Alaska, and she has lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, Hawaii, and Japan. Her parents were both from the Deep South, so she enjoys featuring characters with southern drawls, plenty of down-home cooking, and folks with quirky mannerisms.
She and her husband currently live in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. To learn more about Debby:
Website – debbymayne.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/DebbyMayneAuthor
Twitter – www.twitter.com/@debbymayne
by admin | Mar 26, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Storms In Serenity” is set in Serenity Key, Florida, a small island town sitting directly in the path of a brewing storm. This time nature may take a back seat to the storm of secrets and emotional turmoil waiting for release just under the surface of the otherwise peaceful retreat.
The story is told from several points of view that had me a bit confused at the beginning. As I kept reading my growing interest in the characters themselves and the connections between them all kept me quickly flipping the pages on my ereader. I finally turned it off in the wee hours of the morning. There is enough drama, conflict, suspense, and potential romance for several novels within the pages of this often gritty and realistic look at life. Subjects such as infidelity and rape are front and center but are handled tastefully and truthfully. Some characters have a strong reliance on God but others want no part of Him, usually due to events from their lives.
“Storms In Serenity” is a somewhat lengthy novel but it covered a lot of territory. By its end, most of the many situations in the book had been at least somewhat resolved with steps in the right direction for those that were not. I predict readers may find that in a future sequel. I liked the way several of the characters were gently nudged toward God in the midst of their storms. I also appreciated that pastor Noah had issues of his own to resolve. An excellent book of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, “Storms in Serenity” should leave most readers with more than enough to think about for awhile.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Click to purchase
How can one man save the town he loves when he’s the reason for the destruction?
Serenity Key, Florida, has seen its share of hurricanes, but this time, one foul weather system is about to collide with another storm, and this one has nothing to do with atmospheric pressure.
David New has guarded his secrets for years, but when two brothers, John and Andy Ryan, arrive in town and he gets news that the daughter he’s never told anyone about has disappeared, possibly the victim of a heinous crime, and the lives of many of the town residents begin to unravel in the gale force consequences of Jake’s past, he has nowhere else to turn.
God is the only one Who can calm the storms, but can David and the good folks of Serenity Key survive until He does?
A tempest has been brewing for thirty years, with only one island town in its path.
Click here to purchase your copy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Fay Lamb writes emotionally charged stories with a Romans 8:28 attitude, reminding readers that God is always in the details. Fay donates 100% of her royalties to Christian charities.
Storms in Serenity is the first book in Fay’s Serenity Key series. Fay’s other series include, Amazing Grace and her novels, Stalking Willow, Better than Revenge, Everybody’s Broken, and Frozen Notes. The Ties that Bind Series includes Charisse, Libby, and Hope. Delilah, is coming soon.
Fay’s is also the author of The Art of Characterization: How to Use the Elements of Storytelling to Connect Readers to an Unforgettable Cast.
GUEST POST FROM FAY LAMB:
ONCE UPON A STORM
I’m one of those people who love storms. I revel in the lightning that streaks across the sky, the rumble of thunder as it rolls over the air, and I dance to the eerie sound of the wind coming through a crack in the window. Storms don’t frighten me. I’m an East Coast Floridian. I’ve lived through many a tempest.
However, so that you won’t think me completely insane, I have also fled a few hurricanes. In our house, a Cat III storm is something to debate as we watch to see how low the millibars fall at the storm’s center. A Cat IV means gather the important documents, place them into plastic bags and tuck them into plastic tubs, batten down the hatches, and depending upon its projected proximity, hunker down or flee. A Cat V is a no-brainer. Run!
If only the storms in our lives had categories so that we know when to stand and face the winds of life or to debate the direction, or to decide when to flee. Sometimes, the storms of life come at us without warning, with no stirring up of the waters by our own hands. Other times, the storms can be abated by the stance we take, the decisions we make, and by failing to move out of harm’s way, perhaps in an opposite direction.
That’s what my first novel in The Serenity Key series is about: one man stirred up a storm many years prior. The destructive force of that storm amassed because he didn’t take a stand, he failed to make crucial decisions, and he choose to run from a situation that God would not allow him to outrun. Storms in Serenity is a modern-day retelling of the Biblical truths of the aftermath of David’s sin with Bathsheba and the destruction the storms of life that blew apart not only David’s family but also those he called friends.
Mostly, though, Storms in Serenity, is a novel that proves that when it comes to sin, truly, no man is an island.
BLOG STOPS:
Bibliophile Reviews, March 13
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 13
A Greater Yes, March 14
Bigreadersite, March 14
proud to be an autism mom, March 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 15
Multifarious, March 16
Christian Author, J.E.Grace, March 17
History, Mystery & Faith, March 18
A Baker’s Perspective, March 19
Simple Harvest Reads, March 20
MargaretKazmierczak, March 21
Texas Book-aholic, March 22
Carpe Diem, March 23
Pursuing Stacie, March 24
Janices book reviews, March 24
Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 25
Red Headed Book Lady, March 25
Daysong Reflections, March 26
Among the Reads, March 26
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Fay is giving away a grand prize of an Echo Spot!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
https://promosimple.com/ps/ca75
by admin | Mar 23, 2018 | Books
This lovely collection of seven novellas by well known romance authors is now available for preorder for the unheard of price of $0.99. The collection will only be available as an ebook, and only as a collection until the beginning of July. It will then be unavailable to purchase and the individual novellas will then be released separately. Once purchased, the collection remains in your Amazon account and is yours forever.
I have already preordered my copy and can’t wait to get my hands on it. If you want to get in on this bargain CLICK HERE.
 Andrea Boeshaar |
Give Me Thine Heart – 1812 England – Regency Era
Moira loathes the man she is set to marry. But when she meets Samuel Stryker, she soon guesses that he’s from the colonies. When she finds a deep secret, Sam must make the decision: kill her or take her with him. |
 Misty Beller |
This Freedom Journey – 1933 Colorado – Early Victorian Era
Adrien Lockman left France to finally live life on his own terms, but when he discovers a half-starved and half-frozen woman in the treacherous Canadian mountains, the truth soon becomes clear–the only way they’ll survive is together. |
 Stephenia H. McGee |
The Heart of Home – 1865 Mississippi – Civil War Era
A companion novel to In His Eyes
Opal Martin aspires to scrub the remnants of the War Between the States from her tattered life. When a nearly drowned soldier appears and asks if he can die on her porch, she must guard against the sudden revival of her heart’s hope for love. |
 Dawn Crandall |
Enchanting Nicholette – 1893 Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts – The Gilded Age
An Everstone Chronicles Novella
Young, widowed, and newly out of mourning, Nicholette Everstone is an heiress yearning to be loved. Her parents had arranged for her to marry her loving late husband, but the marriage ended tragically on her wedding day. Returning to Boston after being away, she finds there’s someone new to her set of friends and family she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices this man takes on, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears at bay? |
 Kari Trumbo |
Teach Me To Love – 1899 Belle Fourche, South Dakota – Western
A Brothers of Belle Fourche Novella
Izzy Lawson has taken her last abuse. When her husband dies, she rushes to Belle Fourche to stay with the only friend she has. The wall she’s worked so hard to build crumbles in the arms of a man so different from her husband. Conrad Oleson can’t read and it’s shamed him for longer than he can remember. As Izzy reveals her painful past, he can’t stay away. He’ll do about anything, to get closer. Including, teach her how to love. |
 Pepper Basham |
Façade – 1942
Olivia Rakes has excellent observations skills for facts and details, but stumbles through matters of the heart. When her brother goes missing in German-occupied France, Livy enlists her services with a group of search-and-rescue spies, who not only thrust her toward espionage, but…romance. Agent Christopher Dawson has avoided Livy since she broke his heart. When the search for his best friend brings them together, the heart takes on a mind of its own. In a world where war changes the rules of life and love, can they work together to complete their rescue mission before the enemy catches them? |
 Sarah Monzon |
Bookishly Ever After – 2018 – Seattle, Washington
It all started with a bet and a book.Emory Blake is the ultimate bibliophile. She’d take curling up with a novel over a night on the town any day. But then her best friend, Tate Woodby, accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, and he makes a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends…instead of just reading about them. With her face no longer buried in books, Emory must confront the pain of the past. But is it also her perfect opportunity to discover the hunky hero who could be the happily-ever-after of her own story? |
