by admin | Mar 19, 2016 | Books, Historical, Humor, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I always look forward to reading Jen Turano’s latest book and was thrilled to have a chance to review “Playing the Part”. I just hope I can do this wonderful book justice!
The third book in Turano’s A Class of Their Own series, “Playing the Part” features popular actress Lucetta Plum who finds herself forced to flee New York because of a man determined to make her his own – with or without marriage vows. Disguised and under cover of night, Lucetta and her dear friend Abigail Hart travel to the estate of Abigail’s grandson Bram. That my friend is where the adventure and hilarity really begins!
As Turano’s true fans know from the previous books in this series, Lucetta is just a bit eccentric. Well she has met her match in Bram who has to be at least equally unconventional. From his gothic and somewhat spooky mansion to strange and unexplained happenings within its walls and grounds, Lucetta is uncertain what to think about Bram. Honestly, the man is just too secretive to trust. There is absolutely no way she can fall for Abigail’s matchmaking efforts!
I loved the characters of Lucetta and Bram and it was fun to touch base with characters from the previous books in this series. I also loved the somewhat dark and mysterious story combined with frequent humorous scenes. Jen is uniquely talented in the way she manages to insert humor into a perfectly serious scene and makes it perfectly natural. Dialogue was often witty and I laughed often. Then of course there was the romance. It sometimes took a few detours along the way but the ending was perfectly satisfying.
Once again, I have to say that “Playing the Part” may be my favorite book by Jen yet! Of course I say that every time but my only explanation is that each one gets better and better. If you are not familiar with Jen Turano’s books, you have missed something special. Do yourself a favor and pick up “Playing the Part” or any of her other novels asap.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can they accept who they are behind the parts they play in time to save the day?
Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan’s interest turns threatening. Lucetta’s widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta’s life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson’s estate to hide out.
Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there’s much more to him than society knows.
Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail’s matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can’t ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it’ll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
Read an excerpt from “Playing the Part”.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jen Turano, author of the Ladies of Distinction series and the A Class of Their Own series, is a graduate of the University of Akron. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.
Find out more about Jen at http://jenturano.com.
Enter to win a copy of Playing the Part—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced April 7 on the Litfuse blog!
by admin | Mar 15, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
“The Feathered Bone” is one of the most difficult to read books I have ever encountered but not because it was poorly written. The book itself is very well written but at times the subject matter is painful. This story illustrates all too well the lasting and devastating effect that a few minutes can have on a number of individual lives. This is a story that may very well stay with me forever.
Told through the eyes of both Amanda and Sarah’s journal, “The Feathered Bone” relates the story of their families during the years following Sarah’s disappearance while on a field trip to New Orleans. Her parents were understandably devastated but the aftereffects on Amanda, her daughter, and husband make up a large portion of the story. Sarah’s experiences while being held captive are detailed in her journal and reflect both faith and hope during what must have been painful years.
I was impressed with how the author was able to relate Sarah’s story in a way that the reader understood what was happening to her without resorting to lurid and explicit details. Cantrell paints such a vivid picture that it was easy to imagine myself in Amanda’s position.
I cannot say enough good things about this book but I do want to warn readers that it may not be for everyone. But – it might be one that would be helpful for all parents to read if only to make them more careful with their own children, especially in public.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Feathers—no matter what size or shape or color—are all the same, if you think about them. They’re soft. Delicate. But the secret thing about feathers is . . . they are very strong.”
In the pre-Katrina glow of New Orleans, Amanda Salassi is anxious about chaperoning her daughter’s sixth grade field trip to the Big Easy during Halloween. And then her worst fears come true. Her daughter’s best friend, Sarah, disappears amid the magic and revelry—gone, without a trace.
Unable to cope with her guilt, Amanda’s daughter sinks in depression. And Amanda’s husband turns destructive as he watches his family succumb to grief. Before long, Amanda’s whole world has collapsed.
Amanda knows she has to save herself before it’s too late. As she continues to search for Sarah, she embarks on a personal journey, seeking hope and purpose in the wake of so much tragedy and loss.
Set amidst the murky parishes of rural Louisiana and told through the eyes of two women who confront the darkest corners of humanity with quiet and unbreakable faith, The Feathered Bone is Julie Cantrell’s master portrait of love in a fallen world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Cantrell has served as editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review and is a recipient of the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Fellowship. She is the author of two children’s books as well as Into the Free, which received Christy Awards for Best Debut Novel and Book of the Year 2013 as well as the Mississippi Library Association’s Fiction Award.
This debut novel received a rare starred review by Publishers Weekly and was selected as one of five finalists for the University of Mississippi Common Reading Experience 2014. It also was selected as a best novel of 2013 by LifeWay, USA TODAY, and many bookclubs.
Cantrell’s sophomore novel, When Mountains Move, is the sequel to her debut. Since its release in September 2013, it has been named a 2013 Best Read by LifeWay, was shortlisted for several awards, and won the 2014 Carol Award for Historical Fiction.
The Feathered Bone, Cantrell’s third novel, is set to release January 2016.
by admin | Mar 15, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Western
MY REVIEW:
I may have read some of her Love Inspired romance novels but was mostly unfamiliar with this author when I chose to review “Back in the Saddle”. When I saw the cover I knew it would probably be right up my alley. I was not disappointed. This book had just the right elements to make it another one of those books I didn’t want to put down. The right blend of drama, family dynamics, mystery, and romance plus well-defined characters held my interest until the end.
When Colt Stafford has little choice but to return home to the family ranch with his finance career in limbo and little cash in his pocket, he is uncertain of his welcome. His father and brother welcome him with reservations after the beautiful new housekeeper Angelina greets him with a gun. As he settles back into life on the ranch, Colt finds himself attracted to Angelina but feels that she is hiding something.
A contemporary version of a prodigal son story, “Back in the Saddle” is an excellent example of restoration, reconciliation, and forgiveness. I enjoyed reading about how the characters worked their way through insurmountable problems and came out on the other side. It was encouraging to see how the Stafford men bridged the gap between themselves and their town as well.
I look forward to the upcoming books in the Double S Ranch series. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Prodigal Is Coming Home.
It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.
He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding…and why.
Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ruth Logan Herne has more than half a million books in print, including fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels. Back in the Saddle is the first book in her new western romance series. Ruth is a founding member of Seekerville, a popular writing collective blog. A country girl who loves the big city, Ruth and her husband live on a farm in upstate New York.
by admin | Mar 15, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
When I first met Evie in “The Dandelion Field” she came across as a bit uptight. Nothing had changed when I began reading “The Hearts We Mend”. Widowed at a young age, Evie had raised a son virtually on her own and still had not let go of her loss. Now that her son Cody is embarking on a life of his own with a wife and an expected baby, Evie clings to her routines with everything in its place and scheduled time as if by maintaining control she can protect her heart. On the eve of Cody’s wedding Evie’s world is turned upside down by the new substitute janitor at her church where she also works. Jack’s scruffy appearance and casual approach to life make Evie want to stay far, far away from him but she gradually finds herself drawn into a life she never imagined and learns a lot about herself as a result.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Hearts We Mend”, especially the changes experienced by Evie. The story was so beautifully written that I didn’t want to put it down – even to sleep. My how the housework suffers when I get into a good book! I liked Jack from the beginning and had hopes for him and Evie. The story took some unexpected turns but those helped shape the perfect plot. At risk of revealing too much, I will just encourage readers to pick up a copy of “The Hearts We Mend” as soon as possible. I think they will enjoy it too!
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Planning and Post-It notes are the epitome of Evie’s life. But when she meets Jack, her life gets more than a little complicated.
Thirteen years ago, Evie’s firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie’s heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.
Tattooed, rough-around-the-edges Jack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie’s life is stream-lined, Jack’s approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe or predictable as the one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.
Jack doesn’t make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn’t felt since Max passed away—or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books – which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Find out more about Kathryn at http://www.kathrynspringer.com.
Celebrate the release of The Hearts We Mend with Kathryn and enter to win two of her books by signing up for her newsletter on her website (left sidebar). The winner will be announced March 23 via Kathryn’s newsletter.
