by admin | Jun 23, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Marriage
MY REVIEW:
Deborah Raney takes her readers for another visit to the Chicory Inn and the Whitman family where life is not always as calm and serene as first appearance would suggest. In “Two Roads Home” we are brought up-to-date on what is going on at the inn as well as with the rest of Grant and Audrey’s family.
This volume has a heavy emphasis on Corinne and Jesse Pennington, who with their three daughters seem to be living the perfect life. Alas, everything is not as it seems. Jesse has become increasingly disenchanted with his job and the many hours he is forced to travel and spend away from his family. A false accusation by a coworker drives a wedge of distrust between him and his wife, even as some frightening events take place.
“Two Roads Home” covers some tough subject matter that the author handles very well. The Penningtons’ marital problems and the difficulty Grant and Audrey have balancing their new business with time with their children and grandchildren are hard issues faced by many in today’s world.
Overall, the book was an enjoyable read. I would have liked to see Michaela’s character find some redemption before the end. Just as I was beginning to understand the root of her actions, she was out of the story. Perhaps she will make an appearance in the next book of the series.
Fans of Deborah Raney will certainly enjoy “Two Roads Home”. Although it is the second in the series, it can be easily read as a stand-alone. I would personally advise reading the first book “Home to Chicory Lane” first in order to gain some background on the Whitman family and how the inn came about.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if it’s too late for dreams to come true?
Minor-but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman’s initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges brew when an innocent flirtation leads to big trouble for the Whitmans’ son-in-law, Jesse. Jesse Pennington’s friendly, outgoing personality has always served him well, especially in a career that has earned him and his wife Corinne a very comfortable lifestyle. But Corinne and Jesse are both restless—and for similar reasons, if only they could share those with each other. Instead, too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk.
With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deborah’s novels—for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deborah on the web at DeborahRaney.com.
Find out more about Deborah at http://deborahraney.com.
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Jump back into life at Chicory Inn as Corinne and Jesse find out if their marriage has what it takes to weather life’s rough patches in Deborah Raney‘s Two Roads Home. Too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk. With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?
Enter to win a copy of Two Roads Home—five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced July 6 on the Litfuse blog!
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by admin | Jun 22, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Love Arrives in Pieces” is one of those books that speaks to the reader on multiple levels. First of all it is an enjoyable and well-written romance with strong characters and excellent dialogue. On a deeper level, we are shown the reality that outer beauty and popularity does not necessarily make life wonderful for us. The reader of “Love Arrives in Pieces” is given an intimate look at one young woman’s brokenness and the many ways the Lord worked to bring healing to her emotions.
Former beauty queen Stella Varland, damaged emotionally by divorce and betrayal, would rather become invisible if it was at all possible. She loves creating beautiful art but her self-esteem has been so damaged she fails to see her own talent. Desperate to continue paying her own way, she accepts a job as designer for the renovation of Bayou Bend’s old, run-down theater. To her surprise, the contractor/foreman just happens to be the man who broke both her heart and her sister Kat’s. How can she bear to work with Chase with the history they have?
“Love Arrives in Pieces” is a brilliant story that had me emotionally involved with both Stella and Chase from the opening pages. I loved the way the author used mosaic art as a way to highlight Stella’s brokenness and the way Stella’s inspiration to create a mosaic piece came about. I will admit that there were a few times that I became a bit frustrated with Stella’s repeated episodes and wanted to tell her to “get over it already” but mostly I was able to sympathize with her feelings. I liked Chase and the way he tried to protect and encourage Stella, even as he worked to overcome some of his own hangups. And of course the story would not have been the same without the somewhat mysterious and quirky Dixie who seemed to have perfect timing for bringing just the right word for Stella.
This book has earned a place on my keeper shelf and I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I did.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.
Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to her brokenness—so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but always falls short. So she keeps her passion for her secret art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be stuck living with her parents.
Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée in a car crash. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater, and is shocked to learn former flame Stella is the designer for the project.
Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and their pasts as they struggle to compromise and come together on a vision for the theater. Chase doesn’t understand why Stella is such a subdued version of herself, while Stella doesn’t get Chase’s constant need for productivity and speed. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their unresolved feelings for each other—until Chase breaks through Stella’s walls and convinces her to enter her mosaic tile art in a contest.
A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force both Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from the broken.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God’s grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.
Visit her website at www.betsystamant.com
Facebook: BetsySt.Amant
Twitter: @betsystaman
by admin | Jun 22, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, Series, Western
MY REVIEW:
As a long-time fan of Collen Coble’s novels, I have enjoyed the chance to read this revised and republished edition of her very first books. Although not these books do not have the detailed and carefully crafted plots of her later books, it is quite easy to find early glimpses of the talent that has made Coble a favorite of so many readers.
The fourth installment of Colleen Coble’s Journey of the Heart series, A Heart’s Betrayal, begins the story of Emmie Croftner, a recently widowed young wife who receives even more heart-breaking news. With nowhere else to go, Emmie agrees to travel to Fort Laramie, Wyoming to help her friend Sarah who is expecting her first child.
Emmie’s story continues the tale of drama, danger, suspense, and romance in the wilderness setting of Fort Laramie. The characters from earlier installments continue to make appearances in this volume also.
I will admit that I am a somewhat impatient reader and have found it difficult to read this series one book per month. Those who are similarly impatient will be happy to know that the entire series can also be purchased in one volume.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier, but her secret could drive them apart.
When Emmie Croftner answered the door to her late husband’s home, she discovered an awful truth: her deceased husband was a bigamist. And what’s more, the home she thought she inherited never belonged to her at all.
Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie, Wyoming, to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.
But then she meets Isaac Liddle, a handsome soldier with a kind heart. When he begins to court her, Emmie wonders whether she could ever really be his—and whether she dares to tell him she is carrying another man’s baby.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including “Tidewater Inn,” “Rosemary Cottage,” and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.
Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com/.
Colleen Coble’s Melt into Summer Giveaway and ‘A Heart’s Betrayal’ Blog Tour
Melt into summer with a new giveaway from Colleen: four books (books one–four in Colleen’s A Journey of the Heart series) and a box of chocolates to pair with your new books!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Heart’s Betrayal
- A box of Colleen’s favorite chocolate truffles from DeBrand Fine Chocolates
- A copy of A Heart’s Disguise
- A copy of A Heart’s Obsession
- A copy of A Heart’s Danger
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced July 1st on Colleen’s website.
by admin | Jun 22, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe TicketFirefly Southern Fiction (May 20, 2015)byDebra Jeter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Vanderbilt University professor, Debra Coleman Jeter has published fiction and nonfiction in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. Her story, “Recovery,” won first prize in a Christian Woman short story competition, and her nonfiction book “Pshaw, It’s Me Grandson”: Tales of a Young Actor was a finalist in the 2007 USA Book News Awards. She is a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which premiered in 2011 at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film festivals around the world, and captured several international awards. She lives in Clarksville, Tennessee, with her husband. She is currently working on a novel based on the life of her grandmother, Effie Shultz McClain (1900 to 1985).
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tray Dunaway longs to be part of the popular set at school but, she’s growing too fast and her clothes no longer fit. The only person who understands Tray’s need for acceptance is her grandmother, but when Tray wears Gram’s hand-sewn clothes to school, the kids make fun of her tall, boney appearance. Tray’s luck improves when Pee Wee Johnson, a down-and-out friend of her father’s, buys two lottery tickets and gives one to Mr. Dunaway as a thank-you for driving him to Hazard, Illinois. When her father’s ticket turns out to be the winner, Johnson demands his cut of the proceeds, but Tray’s dad refuses. What seems like a stroke of good fortune suddenly becomes a disturbing turn of events as Johnson threatens to cause problems for the family and Tray.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of The Ticket, go HERE.
