by admin | Apr 20, 2019 | Books
MY REVIEW:
Just when Harper has settled in well at Derrick’s grandfather’s home in Maryland and she and the old man are becoming quite close, the author kicks the story up a notch and sends them on the run after the particularly disturbing events of one evening. It is evident that someone is out to get Harper or at least point the finger at her for murder and she can think of nothing but protecting Red. Derrick is beginning to show his true colors and Harper does not trust him – even with his own grandfather. As they hide out in a small New Hampshire town, their landlord finds himself becoming involved with Harper and Red against his better judgement.
Although the first book in this series left readers with a serious cliffhanger, the author does not disappoint in the fast-paced Beauty in Hiding. Action and danger abound as Harper does everything she can to keep herself and Red safe. It’s also fun to watch a romance develop between Harper and Jack despite their best efforts to avoid it.
Great suspense series that had its hold on me by this second installment. Once again – get the entire series before you begin reading because you will not want to stop until the end.
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:
| Book: Beauty in Hiding
Author: Robin Patchen
Genre: Christian romantic suspense
Release Date: March 12, 2019
Book 2 in the Beauty in Flight series:
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Harper’s second chance at life will become a second stint in prison if anyone connects those two dead men to her.
Nutfield, New Hampshire, is as good a place as any to hide from the murderer Harper left behind in Maryland. All she has to do is lie low and make enough money to keep herself and Red alive until she can figure out who her enemies are.
Jack Rossi isn’t sure what to make of his beautiful new tenant and her confused grandfather. Something’s not right, but the love he sees between them and the care she takes of the old man convinces Jack they’re trustworthy. As drawn as he is to Harper, she’s his tenant, so she’s off limits.
Derrick, Harper’s ex-boyfriend and Red’s grandson, needs to find his grandfather and get his hands on the old man’s money before Derrick ends up with a bullet in the skull. And when he gets his hands on Harper, she’ll be sorry for what she’s put him through.
Harper and Jack grow closer, but so do her enemies. If Harper can’t trust Jack with the truth, she may lose more than just this glimpse of true love. She may lose her freedom—or her life.
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Aside from her family and her Savior, Robin Patchen has two loves—writing and traveling. If she could combine them, she’d spend a lot of time sitting in front of her laptop at sidewalk cafes and ski lodges and beachside burger joints. She’d visit every place in the entire world—twice, if possible—and craft stories and tell people about her Savior. Alas, time is too short and money is too scarce for Robin to traipse all over the globe, even if her husband and kids wanted to go with her. So she stays in Oklahoma, shares the Good News when she can, and writes to illustrate the unending grace of God through the power and magic of story.
MORE FROM ROBIN:
I was raised in a Christian home. Our parents took my sister, my brother, and me to church every Sunday. They taught us right from wrong, but eventually, kids have to make their own choices. In my case, I chose wrong for a long time.
Don’t misunderstand: I was always a pretty nice person. I wasn’t a thief, and I didn’t kill anybody, but I made a lot of bad decisions. Sinful decisions. I discovered that one bad choice often led to the next and the next until I was trapped in a life of my own making with no idea how to get out.
But God… two of my favorite words in the English language.
God had a different plan, and He pulled me out of the muck and changed my life. He showed me that I was not the person I’d been acting like. He showed me who I was, and He taught me to walk in the truth of my identity.
Harper Cloud isn’t me, not at all. First of all, she tall and blond and drop-dead gorgeous. More than that, her choices are nothing like mine were. But she’s in the same boat I was. Thanks to a series of bad decisions, Harper was in a hole, and she didn’t know how to get herself out of it. She used drugs to quiet the condemning voices and told herself lies to make herself feel better. Someday, she told herself, she’d get her life together enough to go home to her parents. Because she couldn’t go when she was a mess. She couldn’t go until she’d done something they could be proud of.
Thanks to a bad choice in boyfriend, Harper not only didn’t go home, she ended up in prison.
Harper’s story begins two years after she’s released. It’s the story of a woman desperate to be free of her past, clinging to hope when there’s every reason to despair, and desperate to believe what she’s been told about this Savior, Jesus Christ.
Harper will learn about love and redemption and salvation in the course of the three books that make up the Beauty in Flight series. That is, if she can survive the danger that seems to follow her wherever she goes.
BLOG STOPS:
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Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 13
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 13
amandainpa , April 13
Through the Fire Blogs, April 14
Blogging With Carol, April 14
Ashley’s Bookshelf, April 14
Genesis 5020, April 15
Spoken from the Heart, April 15
Lights in a Dark World, April 15
Through the Lens of Scripture, April 16
Among the Reads, April 16
All-of-a-kind Mom, April 16
Godly Book Reviews, April 17
Living Life Free In christ, April 17
Remembrancy, April 18
Just One More, April 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 18
Emily Yager, April 19
Reader’s Cozy Corner, April 19
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Texas Book-aholic, April 19
Daysong Reflections, April 20
Carla Loves To Read, April 20
janicesbookreviews, April 20
Just the Write Escape, April 21
For Him and My Family, April 21
EmpowerMoms, April 22
Simple Harvest Reads, April 22
(Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Maureen’s Musings, April 23
Bigreadersite, April 23
A Reader’s Brain, April 23
Real World Bible Study, April 24
The Lit Addict, April 24
Older & Smarter?, April 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 25
Inklings and notions, April 25
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 26
Pause for Tales, April 26
The Becca Files, April 26
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GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and the entire Beauty in Flight Series!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
by admin | Apr 18, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Oregon, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed all the Hope Harbor Novels so much with their down-to-earth characters and compelling stories. Hope Harbor would not be the same place without Charlie’s taco stand and his almost prophetic wisdom. Then of course there are those nearly human sea gulls Floyd and Gladys. Hannon’s stories are so vivid that I find myself wanting to ask my daughter who lives on the Oregon coast if she has visited Charlie’s taco stand yet. She would probably think her mom had lost her mind inside one of her books!
As in the previous novels, I found Driftwood Bay hard to put down once I started reading. It was so easy to become caught up in the lives of Jeannette and Logan and all the people who interacted with them. Another story of second chances and learning to trust again, Driftwood Bay was a joy to read. I love a book that not only is romantic and entertaining but also contains a lesson or two in how to grow in faith. As far as I’m concerned, this series can continue indefinitely.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell Reads. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room–until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn’t worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.
Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it’s least expected?
Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites readers back to the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor, where they are sure to find peace, healing, and a second chance at happiness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including One Perfect Spring, Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, and Pelican Point, as well as Dangerous Illusions and the Private Justice and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carols, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.
by admin | Apr 16, 2019 | Books, England, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The Governess of Penwythe Hall is Sarah E. Ladd’s most recent offering for fans of her Regency era novels. Its steady pace with touches of danger and suspense as well as the expected romance offered a pleasant reading experience for me during yet another round of seasonal allergies.
As always, Ladd’s settings are exquisitely vivid and her characters well-rounded and mostly likeable. I enjoyed her portrayal of Delia and the children under her supervision. I also liked Jac and appreciated his change of attitude as he grew to love his brother’s children who suddenly became his responsibility. Family secrets and other surprises kept things interesting with a few plot twists along the way.
A lovely story about overcoming and standing firm in the face of tragedy, The Governess of Penwythe Hall kept me happily reading until its end. I look forward to the upcoming books in this series.
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:
| Book: The Governess of Penwythe Hall
Author: Sarah Ladd
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: April 16, 2019 |
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In the first of a new series from beloved Regency romance author, Sarah Ladd, Delia, a governess to five recently orphaned children, would risk anything to protect them . . . even her heart.
Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.
Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.
Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.
Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.
Click here to purchase your copy.
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. Visit her online at SarahLadd.com; Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor.
MORE ABOUT THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL:
5 things to know about Cornwall, England:
- Throughout its early history, Cornwall’s inhabitants called the country Kernow.
- Early inhabitants largely spoke their own language known as “Cornish,” which became nearly extinct in the 1800s
- The country has a long and rugged coastline and there were frequent shipwrecks.
- Fishing was a major industry, with herring, mackerel, and sardines being common catches.
- In 1870, novelist and poet Thomas Hardy called Cornwall “the region of dream and mystery.”
Imagine yourself in The Governess of Penwythe Hall with these pictures of 19th Century life in Cornwall
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2016/may/19/everyday-life-in-cornwall-captured-in-the-19th-century-in-pictures
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/cornish_nation_01.shtml
https://www.maritimeheritage.org/ports/Cornwall.html
http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/cornish-fishing/history-of-the-cornish-fishing-industry.php
BLOG STOPS:
| Back Porch Reads, April 11
LifeofLiterature, April 11
Moments, April 11
Genesis 5020, April 11
Maureen’s Musings, April 12
The Power of Words, April 12
Mary Hake, April 12
To Everything A Season, April 12
KarenSueHadley, April 13
EmpowerMoms, April 13
For the Love of Literature, April 13
Inklings and notions, April 13
The Avid Reader, April 14
Blogging With Carol, April 14
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 14
Rachel’s Back Talk, April 15
Wishful Endings, April 15
Simple Harvest Reads, April 15 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Kat’s Corner Books, April 16
All-of-a-kind Mom, April 16
Daysong Reflections, April 16
The Becca Files, April 16
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 17
Blossoms and Blessings, April 17 |
Remembrancy, April 17
Worthy2Read, April 18
By The Book, April 18
Texas Book-aholic, April 18
Just the Write Escape, April 19
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 19
Babbling Becky’s Book Impressions, April 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20
For HIm and My Family, April 20
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 21
Inspiration Clothesline, April 21
Pause for Tales, April 21
Through the Fire Blogs, April 22
Bigreadersite, April 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 22
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 22
Inspired by fiction, April 23
A Reader’s Brain, April 23
Hallie Reads, April 23
Henry Happens, April 24
Connect in Fiction, April 24
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 24
janicesbookreviews, April 24 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away a grand prize of a finished paperback copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/de80/the-governess-of-penwythe-hall-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Apr 13, 2019 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I did not pay enough attention when accepting this book for review to notice that it is book six of a series. Sometimes that means that I will be hopelessly lost without a clue throughout the entire book. I can thankfully say that was not the case with This Daring Journey by Misty M. Beller. It easily stood on its own merits and was a complete story by itself. I was mostly through the book before I encountered more than a mention of other characters who I assume were featured in previous novels. I was impressed enough by some of Samuel’s family and friends that I hope to have the chance to read the previous novels of this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel featuring half-Indian Moriah Clark who had no choice but to trust Samuel, a white man, to help her get back to her family following the death of her husband. A grueling story of survival, their journey consisted of one mishap after another that forced the pair to trust one another in order to stay alive as well as keep Moriah’s infant daughter safe. I loved the characters and how their relationship slowly but naturally developed, their strength of purpose, and Samuel’s strong integrity and protective nature.
This Daring Journey was a wonderful book and I will most certainly be looking for more books by this talented author.
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:
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Book: This Daring Journey
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 26, 2019
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As a half-Indian raised among her Peigan tribe, Moriah Clark knows better than to trust white people. The tragedy that resulted in her birth is proof enough. But when her trusted grandfather marries her to a white man, she has no choice to but to obey and hope this new life isn’t her downfall. Her white husband turns out to be a decent sort, but his unexpected death left her to birth a newborn baby among hostile mountain men. She wants nothing more than to retreat to the safe haven of her tribal upbringing. When a mysterious frontiersman arrives on her doorstep seeking her deceased husband, his offer to escort her and the babe to her people seems like the opportunity she’s been praying to find. But can she trust him?
Samuel Grant has been sent to retrieve Henry Clark for his sister’s wedding, but the sight that greets him at the little cabin in the woods is not what he expected. Not only has the man died, but Henry’s wife is fighting off an aggressive gang of men at gunpoint—while trying to conceal a newborn. He can’t leave the pair unattended, so helping her travel into the mountain country to reach her family seems like the only option. If he can win her trust, that is.
Such a grueling journey with a three-week-old baby will be risky, but the challenges that arise test them far more than either expected. When a devastating surprise increases the danger ten-fold, Moriah focuses all her efforts on keeping her newborn daughter alive. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t realize how much of her heart belongs to the mountain man—until it’s too late.
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
MORE FROM MISTY:
How did I get started writing?
I’ve always loved to read, but several years ago I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, “Write a novel that’s published” made it near the top!
I decided, it’s now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian historical western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
From there, I’ve soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I’ve spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen. Writing is in my blood. It’s my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses the words for His purpose.
| Among the Reads, April 4
Simple Harvest Reads, April 4 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
The Power of Words, April 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 5
Ashley’s Bookshelf, April 5
Real World Bible Study, April 6
Pause for Tales, April 6
Christian Author, J.E. Grace, April 7
Splashes of Joy, April 7
Blossoms and Blessings, April 8
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 8
Mary Hake, April 8
Godly Book Reviews, April 9
Connie’s History Classroom , April 9
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 10
Carla Loves To Read, April 10
A Reader’s Brain, April 10
Library Lady’s Kit Lit, April 11 |
Wishful Endings, April 11
janicesbookreviews, April 11
Through the Fire Blogs, April 12
Vicky Sluiter, April 12
The Becca Files, April 12
Carpe Diem, April 13
For Him and My Family, April 13
Bigreadersite, April 14
Daysong Reflections, April 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 14
Connect in Fiction, April 15
Texas Book-aholic, April 15
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 15
Inspired by fiction, April 16
For the Love of Books, April 16
Inspiration Clothesline, April 16
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 17
Inklings and notions, April 17 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/de81/this-daring-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Apr 11, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Beauty in Battle is the suspense-filled conclusion to Robin Patchen’s Beauty in Flight trilogy. Once Jack learns Harper’s secrets he convinces her to return to Maryland with him to face the police with the truth before Derrick catches up to them.
Well-developed characters and plot made this series one that I didn’t want to put down but I was grateful to have copies of all three books so that I didn’t have to wait to find out what happened next. Jack and Harper faced more than enough danger along their journey back because in addition to Derrick, an unidentified killer also wants them dead. Unexpected twists and surprises kept me in suspense until the very end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this skillful blend of drama, suspense, romance, and faith. I am glad I had the opportunity to review this series and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian suspense novels.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The truth is out, but will it set her free, or will it land her in the grave?
The last thing Harper wants is to do is return to Maryland to face the police and explain the mess she left behind, but with Red safe and the authorities waiting, she has little choice. At least Jack didn’t abandon her, even after he discovered her lies.
Now that Jack knows the truth about Harper, his feelings for her are deeper than ever. Jack isn’t about to leave her side, and he’ll protect her from anybody who tries to hurt her–or die trying.
But Derrick is on their trail, and he’s the least of their problems. How can they battle both Derrick and the killer who hides in the shadows?
Don’t miss the exciting conclusion of the Beauty in Flight series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Patchen writes contemporary Christian suspense, romance, and romantic suspense. Her books are often set in New England, where she grew up. She creates strong, protective heroes and intelligent, courageous heroines.
Aside from her family and her Savior, Robin Patchen has two loves—writing and traveling. If she could combine them, she’d spend a lot of time sitting in front of her laptop at sidewalk cafes and ski lodges and beachside burger joints. She’d visit every place in the entire world—twice, if possible—and craft stories and tell people about her Savior. Alas, time is too short and money is too scarce for Robin to traipse all over the globe, even if her husband and kids wanted to go with her. So she stays in Oklahoma, shares the Good News when she can, and writes to illustrate the unending grace of God through the power and magic of story.
