by admin | May 7, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, Tennessee
MY REVIEW:
Once again Tamera Alexander has captured my attention and my heart with her latest novel. Not only does she include rich historical detail but she makes that history come to life through her characters.
“To Win Her Favor” is a touching and heart-wrenching story that takes place in Nashville, Tennessee following the Civil War. Slaves have been set free but life is no better and possibly worse for them and their former masters. Emotions are running high among the defeated southerners and prejudice against the former slaves and the Irish has developed into escalating violence. In the midst of this turmoil, Maggie Linden marries Irishman Cullen McGrath in one final act of desperation in order to save her family property.
Both the character and plot development were extremely well done and realistically portrayed. I loved the way primary characters were shown with all their spots and wrinkles and allowed to mature and change their outlook on different issues during the course of the book. I also liked the way the relationship between Maggie and Cullen developed naturally and did not seem to be at all rushed. Cullen was a great hero with his courage and compassion as well as his willingness to sacrifice for those he cared about. Maggie was just a bit irritating at the beginning but grew into a loving and compassionate person as well.
With a conclusion that was both expected and surprising, I closed the covers with satisfaction. Although part of a series, “To Win Her Favor” easily stands on its own merit. I highly recommend it.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.
An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.
Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie’s father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Tamera’s site.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don’t forget Jack, their precious–and precocious–silky terrier.
Find out more about Tamera at http://tameraalexander.com/.
Tamera Alexander’s To Win Her Favor Blog Tour and Kindle Giveaway
Can Maggie prove that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America? Find out in Tamera Alexander’s To Win Her Favor.
To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.
Celebrate the release of To Win Her Favor with a Kindle Fire and book giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HD 6
- A copy of To Win Her Favor
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 10th. Winner will be announced May 11th on Tamera’s blog. Plus stay tuned for more opportunities to win after May 11 with a special Pinterest contest—more details coming soon! 
by admin | May 5, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Even if I had not already been a fan of DeeAnne’s novels, the gorgeous cover of “Tiffany Girl” would have immediately captured my attention. Ultimately, it is the story inside the covers that counts and this one did not fail to meet my approval.
Set against the backdrop of New York City during the months leading up to the Chicago World’s Fair, “Tiffany Girl” exposes some little known facts about the girls behind the mosaic chapel produced by the Tiffany company for display during the fair. Gist has deftly woven a compelling romance into the rich history and achieved a novel that held my interest until the very end.
Due to some changes in her family’s circumstances, a somewhat pampered Flossie Jayne decides to strike out on her own by taking a job offered by Louis Tiffany and moving into a boarding house where she meets newspaper journalist Reeve Wilder. For reasons of his own, Reeve is not at all impressed with sassy and independent Flossie who he tags as just another “New Woman”. As can be expected, Flossie and Reeve have their share of conflicts but end up with strong feelings for each other. Both characters learn quite a bit over the course of the story, especially about first impressions and trust.
All-in-all, “Tiffany Girl” was a lovely read with well-researched historical facts and interesting characters. Previous fans of DeeAnne Gist will not want to miss this one. Other lovers of historical fictions should definitely check it out.
This book was provided for review by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play comes a compelling historical novel about a progressive “New Woman”—the girl behind Tiffany’s chapel—and the love that threatens it all.
As preparations for the 1893 World’s Fair set Chicago and the nation on fire, Louis Tiffany—heir to the exclusive Fifth Avenue jewelry empire—seizes the opportunity to unveil his state-of-the-art, stained glass, mosaic chapel, the likes of which the world has never seen.
But when Louis’s dream is threatened by a glassworkers’ strike months before the Fair opens, he turns to an unforeseen source for help: the female students at the Art Students League of New York. Eager for adventure, the young women pick up their skirts, move to boarding houses, take up steel cutters, and assume new identities as the “Tiffany Girls.”
Tiffany Girl is the heartwarming story of the impetuous Flossie Jayne, a beautiful, budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to live in a boarding house when most women stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than anticipated. From a Casanova male, to an unconventional married couple, and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world.
As challenges mount, her ambitions become threatened from an unexpected quarter: her own heart. Who will claim victory? Her dreams or the captivating boarder next door?
Read an excerpt from Tiffany Girl HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deeanne Gist has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very fun, very original historical novels. She has won the National Readers’ Choice Award, Booksellers’ Best Award, USA Best Books Award, and stellar reviews. With a background in education and journalism, Deeanne has written for People, Parents, and Parenting magazines. Visit her online at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesFriends.
by admin | May 4, 2015 | Giveaways, Music
I have the opportunity to give away one copy of the New PLUMB cd “Exhale”. For your chance to win that copy, please leave a comment on this post by Sunday, May 10 telling me if you are familiar with her earlier albums and why you would like to win this one.
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
by admin | May 4, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Sandra Bricker has been one of my go-to authors when I was in the mood for a fun and light-hearted read. Her latest novel, “On a Ring and a Prayer” definitely has its share of fun and amusing scenes but in some aspects, this one seems to have even more substance than usual.
“On a Ring and a Prayer” is populated with strong characters who I enjoyed getting to know. I quickly found myself wrapped up in their lives and had to keep turning those pages in order to learn what would happen next. Naturally I hated what had happened to Jessie and admired how she responded to her less-than-perfect change of lifestyle. I found myself rooting for her and Danny to connect but really didn’t see how that could happen. Of course, Sandra found a way to deliver the perfect yet believable happy ending.
As expected, I enjoyed Sandra’s latest book and would recommend it and any of her other novels. I sincerely hope that I will find myself reading a future novel that features some of the great characters I met in this one.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Twelve years of marriage, 4,000 square feet of dream house, and a handsome husband. Jessie Stanton has it all… until one fateful afternoon when she notices her BMW bouncing by the window behind a tow truck. Her husband has gone, and he’s taken it all. The whirling tornado that cuts down the life she’s built drops Jessie onto the sandy beach of Malibu with a thud, penniless and alone. When all she’s left with are the designer labels in her closet and the dreamy Neil Lane rock on her finger, Jessie tries to make ends meet by pawning her prized ring to fund a new business venture: a small shop where her designer duds and shimmering accessories are temporarily leased out to Southern California women with champagne tastes but root beer realities. As Jessie tries to rebuild, she realizes she can’t move on, not without answers. Reluctantly, Jessie turns to beach bum/private investigator Danny Callahan for help. But is she staking her future success and happiness…on a ring and a prayer?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television’s hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.
The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. “I’m a Christian woman, first and foremost,” she says. “So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line.”
Sandie’s real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient…Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor’s proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
“Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects … and still pursue my writing dream,” says Bricker, “well, that’s the best of all worlds, as far as I’m concerned!”
And one of the author’s pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy — a red-haired collie with “killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown.”
