by admin | May 31, 2018 | Books
MY REVIEW:
The Hidden Side is a very difficult book to read. As a mother it was heartbreaking to read Natalie Abbott’s story, knowing that any of us could find ourselves in her position at any time. It made me realize that when I see some of the tragic stories on the evening news that each person who commits a violent crime has family and friends who are devastated by their actions. This was definitely not my favorite book of the year simply because the subject matter is so painful. Yet despite that fact, the author did a commendable job of writing a story most would probably like to avoid.
Another time-slip book, The Hidden Side also features a journal written by Mercy Howard in 1776 that relates an equally tragic story about her loss of two men she loved due to the politics of war. Questions are raised about whether it is ever right to lie, even for a just cause.
Both stories are hard to read and neither has the usual expected happy ending but that’s what helps keep it true-to-life. Despite the difficult subject matter, The Hidden Side is a book that will most likely be remembered long after its covers are closed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Tyndale Blog Network. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
New York, 2016
Natalie Abbott offers answers for hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But she struggles to connect with her teenagers, with her daughter in an unhealthy relationship and her son uncommunicative and isolated. When one member of the family commits an unspeakable act, Natalie is forced to uncover who she truly is under the façade of her radio persona.
New York, 1776
Mercy Howard is shocked when her fiancé, Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When she’s asked to join the revolutionary spy ring in Manhattan, she sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan’s death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly harder as the charming Major John Andre of the King’s Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.
Mercy’s journals comfort Natalie from across the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends.ross the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends.
Read an excerpt from The Hidden Side HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Heidi Chiavaroli began writing eleven years ago, just after Jesus had grabbed hold of her heart. She used her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since!
Heidi won the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest in the historical category. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, was a 4½-star Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut.
Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of fourteen years. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com.
by admin | May 31, 2018 | American Revolution, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical
MY REVIEW:
I’ll admit that I was a tad disappointed to find that The Love Letter is yet another book that switches back and forth between the past and present. The split-time format seems to be a very popular one these days and I have encountered quite a few of the books among my review novels. Nevertheless, who better than Rachel Hauck to take both stories and pull them together in a way that God’s hand is evident throughout – and she manages to throw in a holy surprise or two along the way. Even when it seems that a monkey wrench has been thrown in to mess everything up, the plans the Lord has in store are fulfilled.
I enjoyed reading this story of Chloe Daschle, and actress and Jesse Gates, the scriptwriter for the film i which Chloe is to star. With the screenplay loosely based on a letter written by one of Jesse’s ancestors, the story switches back and forth between Chloe and Jesse’s experiences to the story of Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow during the American Revolution. Each story could easily stand on its own but the author has woven them together into a romantic tale that reaches across history.
Lovers of historical fiction should love this book for the personal look at life during the Revolutionary War and any fan of Rachel Hauck will definitely appreciate her unique approach to writing that has endeared her to me for a number of years and books.
I voluntarily reviewed copies of this book provided by Amazon Vine and the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a story of long-lost love and its redemption in future generations.
Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene . . . and it might be killing her career.
When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is hard to deny.
Centuries earlier, in the heart of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen. Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has loved Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart.
Set in stunning upcountry South Carolina, The Love Letter is a beautifully-crafted story of the courage it takes to face down fear and chase after love, even in the darkest of times. And just maybe, all these generations later, love can come home in a way not even Hollywood could imagine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at RachelHauck.com; Facebook: RachelHauck; Twitter: @RachelHauck; Instagram: @rachelhauck.
by admin | May 28, 2018 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
Welcome to the blog tour and giveaway for Bounty Beyond Reason by Kari Trumbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
MY REVIEW:
Kari Trumbo is a mostly new-to-me author but since it’s difficult for me to resist a good western romance, I decided to take a chance on Bounty Beyond Reason. Oh my! I do believe I have found another author to add to my long list of must read authors.
After four years of searching for the man who stole her father’s horse Hannah Gale has finally found him and is prepared to take him back home to see him pay for his crime. Difficult as it is to believe, Cort (Emmit Hayes) actually doesn’t try to escape the tiny scrap of a woman who he could easily overpower. During the course of their story, Hannah must face a few truths about herself, her father, and the horse thief who may be more honorable than she believed.
Bounty Beyond Reason is a well written tale with just the right blend of drama and romance with a bit of suspense thrown in for good measure. The message of forgiveness and redemption is strong but is woven into the story nicely. This is one book that lovers of western romance should not miss.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by JustRead Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Bounty Beyond Reason
Author: Kari Trumbo
Series: Brides of Blessings #7
Release Date: May 9, 2018
Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
For the last four years, she’s wanted to watch him hang.
Hannah Gale has to avenge her husband’s death and the loss of her future and watching Emitt Hayes swing will do just that. When she’s able to catch him, she can bring him back and claim the bounty, redeeming some of the wealth Emitt stole.
Emitt stole a horse to redeem a debt.
It started a landslide of events that changed many lives, and a has eaten at him ever since. He’s taken on the name Cort Nelson to hide. When his past catches up with him, Han nah is more fire than he’s expecting. His quiet, hidden life will never be the same.
A hidden danger appears that could cost them both their lives, can Cort admit to what he’s done and be the man Hannah needs and can Hannah release her grudge to grab hold of a future worth having?
Purchase Links: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kari Trumbo is a best-selling author of Christian and sweet romance. She writes swooney heroes and places that become characters, with historical detail and heart. She’s a stay-at-home mom to four vibrant children. When she isn’t writing, or editing, she home schools her children and pretends to keep up with them. Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of almost twenty-one years. They have two daughters, two sons, two cats, and one hungry wood stove.
CONNECT WITH KARI: website | Facebook | Twitter
GIVEAWAY
Kari Trumbo is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card, as well as signed copies of Blessed Beyond Measure and Bounty Beyond Reason! One winner. US only. (International winners may be eligible but for gift card only.)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 28, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm June 4, 2018. Winner will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
For the full tour schedule and more giveaway entries, head to JustRead’s Launch Page HERE
by admin | May 26, 2018 | Books, Historical, Orphan Train, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous book in Hedlund’s Orphan Train series so I was eager to see what happened with Neumann sister Marianne. Together Forever absolutely lived up to my expectations and then some. I do love my history woven expertly into a fast-paced novel complete with a touch of suspense and a large dose of romance.
Although Marianne and Drew did not have the best start to their relationship, it didn’t take very long for them to trust each other and form a fast friendship. Escorting a large group of children from New York City to small towns in Illinois turned out to be more difficult than expected. It was hard not to form attachments to the younger children and some of the older boys could be quite the handful. Along the journey both Marianne and Drew found much to admire in the way the other handled the difficulty.
I was impressed with the way the author developed her characters even through some very frightening and trying situations. Their loyalty and love were put to the test and each had to learn to lean on the Lord to get them through. Together Forever is a wonderful story of forgiveness and reconciliation that is a must read for history lovers. I personally am looking forward to the next book of the series and hope to find out what happened with the youngest sister.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2
Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Inspirational historical romance
Release Date: May, 2018 |
 Click to purchase |
Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.
As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.
Click here to purchase your copy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.
GUEST POST FROM JODY HEDLUND:
30,000 Abandoned Children
By Jody Hedlund
Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets.
Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major disaster, right?
This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City.
It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City.
30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town.
Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce. Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot)
As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their part to make a difference.
While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who could no longer sit idly by.
The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”
 |
Click to purchase |
My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever, releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them in loving homes.
(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.)
Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!
BLOG STOPS:
By The Book, May 22
Pink Granny’s Journey, May 22
Blogging With Carol, May 22
ansel book blog, May 22
Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 23
Moments Dipped in Ink, May 23
Genesis 5020, May 23
Blossoms and Blessings, May 23
Reading Is My SuperPower, May 24
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, May 24
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 24
Christian Bookaholic, May 24
Just the Write Escape, May 25
Among the Reads, May 25
The Power of Words, May 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 25
Radiant Light, May 26
The Christian Fiction Girl, May 26
The Avid Reader, May 26
Janices book reviews, May 26
Daysong Reflections, May 27
Mary Hake, May 27
Carpe Diem, May 27
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 27
Kathleen Denly, May 28
History, Mystery & Faith, May 28
A Baker’s Perspective, May 28
Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Faithfully Bookish, May 29
God’s Little Bookworm, May 29
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 29
Cover to Cover and Everything in Between, May 30
Neverending Stories, May 30
Maureen’s Musing, May 30
Bigreadersite, May 30
Inklings and notions, May 31
To Everything A Season, May 31
Two Points of Interest, May 31
Christian Author, J.E.Grace, May 31
Have A Wonderful Day, June 1
Lighthouse Academy, June 1
Godly Book Reviews, June 1
Red Headed Book Lady, June 2
For the Love of Books, June 2
Vicky Sluiter, June 2
proud to be an autism mom, June 3
Bibliophile Reviews, June 3
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
Connie’s History Classroom, June 4
Pause for Tales, June 4
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 4
Reader’s cozy corner, June 4
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/cee5/together-forever-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | May 24, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Jessica R. Patch delivers another high-intensity suspense with her latest Love Inspired novel Dangerous Obsession. With danger and surprises galore, it gripped my imagination and held it captive until the very end. I pretty much read the entire book in one sitting.
The author’s character development is superb and like many other of her readers I was anxious to see Wilder featured in his own story. I was not disappointed! Wilder lived up to my expectations and was definitely the perfect hero. There was nothing not to like about Dangerous Obsession. What more could I ask besides a fast-moving plot, likeable characters, a well developed mystery that kept me guessing, a strong Christian theme, and a romance thrown in for good measure.
I have previously read and enjoyed several of Patch’s novels and personally believe that each one is even better than the last. Dangerous Obsession certainly held true to form and to me is the best one yet. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for her readers in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A stalker on her tail…
The Security Specialists at her side
Security expert Wilder Flynn wastes no time putting behavioral expert Cosette LaCroix under his 24/7 protection when her stalker finds her in Atlanta. Wilder keeps Cosette close to guard her from the quickly escalating threats and attacks. But can he accomplish the mission without breaking his strict code against dating employees? Or putting his heart and life at risk?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica R. Patch writes inspirational contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She is the author of the Seasons of Hope series and several Love Inspired Suspense novels including, Fatal Reunion, Protective Duty, Concealed Identity, and Final Verdict. When she’s not hunched over her laptop or going on adventurous trips in the name of research with willing friends, you can find her spending time with her family and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
