by admin | Oct 5, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Texas, Western
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFirefly SummerRedbud Press (June 23, 2015)byKathleen Y’BarboABOUT THE AUTHOR:
RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.
Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.
A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.
Learn more about Kathleen and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A new cowboy romance from award-winning author Kathleen Y’Barbo.
Trey’s biggest challenge isn’t performing surgery…it’s restoring Sessa’s heart!
Artist Sessa Chambers may never recover from losing her prodigal son. Even as she grieves the tragic decisions that led to his death, and left her with a toddler to raise, she’s asked to work on her dream project—restoring carousel horses for the Smithsonian. But she can’t do it on her own…
Dr. Trey Brown can’t pick up a scalpel again. Yes, he acted in self-defense, but the events of that awful night haunt him. He was trained to save lives, not take them. When he goes to the young man’s widowed mother to apologize, she’s not at all what he expected. For one thing, she’s not as alone as he thought—not with the fearsome ladies of the Pies, Books, and Jesus Book Club in her corner. For another, she’s beautiful, and being in her presence is more jolting than any eight-second bronco ride from his former rodeo days. Before he knows it, she’s captured his heart as easily as they capture the fireflies gracing Sessa’s Texas ranch.
How can they overcome their past to embrace a future together?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Firefly Summer, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Because I have enjoyed other novels by Kathleen Y’Barbo so much, I purchased an ebook copy when “Firefly Summer” was first available. I liked it so much that I was thrilled when offered a paperback for review. This book is a keeper and I am so happy to have a copy for my book shelves.
“Firefly Summer” is a contemporary romance with a Texas setting (one of my favorites) but this book is about so much more than just romance. A story about a woman who has suffered so much pain and loss in her life, this book deals with some difficult situations that would try most people’s faith. What happens when the past collides with the present and what does a woman do when she falls in love with the man responsible for her son’s death?
Strong characters inhabit the pages of “Firefly Summer” and the story is one that stayed with me for awhile. Both poignant and hopeful, it is a story of love and forgiveness for self as well as for others. I cannot recommend this novel enough. The gorgeous cover is just a taste of the wonders inside.
by admin | Sep 29, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
“Mind of Her Own” has a unique twist that I don’t think I’ve run across in a novel before. After a knock on the head that leaves her unconscious, Louisa Copeland wakes with amnesia and believes she is someone else – Jazz Sweet. Unconvinced otherwise by her husband, she agrees to return to her home because she doesn’t remember where Jazz lives. As time goes by, Louisa/Jazz comes to the conclusion that she must really be Louisa but is not sure she wants to be.
The most interesting thing to me about Louisa’s situation is that she was forced to rediscover herself from a stranger’s viewpoint and she did not like very much about her real life. Even her children and husband seemed to like Jazz better – she was more fun. Although for the most part, “Mind of Her Own” is fun and entertaining, it has depth and even a bit of darkness as Louisa finally comes to terms with the deeply buried secrets that have kept her afraid to get too close to others.
I very much enjoyed “Mind of Her Own”. It is the first book I’ve read by this author but I would definitely be interested in reading more.
This book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill falls out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who is this Collin fellow, claiming she is his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name can’t be Louisa. Why, she is the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances. She’s also written We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families be it fictional or real life.
by admin | Sep 29, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I always enjoy one of DiAnn Mills’ romantic suspense novels and “Deadlock” was no exception. I can be fairly certain that the author has done her research and any law enforcement details have been checked out and are as authentic as possible.
In “Deadlock” the new partnership of FBI Special Agents Bethany Sanchez and Thatcher Graves is put to the test time and again as they seem to work around the clock to solve the case of the Scorpion murders. Harassed by both her brother and the killer and distressed over her estrangement from her family, Bethany is stressed and not sure she can depend on Thatcher. Each of them is determined to fight against their mutual attraction and focus on solving their case before it is too late.
Bethany and Thatcher are both strong characters who carry the story. Several possibilities for the murderer are hinted at during the course of the tale but final revelations are somewhat surprising. I admired Thatcher’s determination to change his life based on his recent decision to follow Christ even though circumstances might justify falling back to his old patterns. The plot moves swiftly from one action-filled scene to the next and the suspense builds to a dramatic conclusion.
A gritty story that focuses on faith, family, and reconciliation, “Deadlock” kept me involved until the very end.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.
When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.
Preview an excerpt from “Deadlock” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love chapter; and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
by admin | Sep 29, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I thoroughly enjoyed “On a Ring and a Prayer”, the first book of the Jessie Stanton series so I was excited for the chance to review “Be My Valentino” to continue her story. I was not disappointed!
Just as Jessie seems to be getting her life back on a somewhat even keel financially and emotionally after her husband Jack left her with nothing, guess who shows back up? Yeah, Jack makes his reappearance and who knows what he’s after this time. He sure didn’t leave Jessie with anything much more than her clothes and her engagement ring when he left. Fortunately, Jessie has been blessed with some wonderful new friends who have her back, especially Danny, her private investigator. Their relationship appears to be developing into more than just a PI and his client.
Now I don’t know much about fashion and designers but I did find Jessie’s story interesting and a fine example of how with a little imagination and a few resources, a person can take what she knows and loves and turn it into a successful business. I also liked watching Jessie’s slow progression toward a faith of her own through the patient influence of her friends and grandfather.
Sandra’s trademark humor was not as prevalent in this series but the story was so good that I did not miss it. I am looking forward to reading “From Bags to Riches” so I can find out the rest of Jessie and Danny’s story.
This book was provided for review by Amazon Vine.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jessie’s back, and she’s caught between a rock and a new place.
Now that the whole truth has come out about her husband’s double life—including the fact that she and Jack were never legally married—Jessie is standing on her own for the first time in her life. As she struggles to put Adornments, her rental store for designer labels, on the map in Tinsel Town, her relationship with private investigator Danny Callahan gains momentum.
When she dresses a reluctant Danny in Valentino for undercover work at a formal affair, it’s him rather than her store that captures Hollywood’s notice. Danny, snapped by photogs, lands as the unlikely cover model on the front of L.A. Magazine. So much for inconspicuous. Will his popularity thwart her efforts to grow her business? Or worse, can Jessie afford to put her faith—and heart—into another relationship when she’s so obviously handicapped in the good judgment department?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra D. Bricker was an entertainment publicist in Los Angeles for more than 15 years, where she attended school to learn screenwriting and eventually taught the craft for several semesters. She is now a best-selling, award-winning author of Live-Out-Loud Fiction for the inspirational market, best known for her Emma Rae Creation series. As an ovarian cancer survivor, she gears time and effort toward raising awareness and funds for research, diagnostics, and a cure. Sandra resides in Toledo, Ohio, and online at SandraDBricker.com.
