by admin | Aug 6, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Heart to HealLove Inspired (July 15, 2014)byAllie PleiterABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter, harp player and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing eight years ago has blossomed into a career that includes numerous public speaking engagements, two books on parenting; Becoming a Chief Home Officer and Facing Every Mom’s Fears and now novels for Steeple Hill Books. She is the mother of two children and, most recently, a Havanese dog named Bella.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Courage To Hope.
Guidance counselor Heather Browning is desperate. She needs a mentor to help Simon, a disabled student who is struggling at Gordon Falls High School. Unfortunately, hotshot Max Jones is her only option. Confrontational and cavalier, Max uses his flashy persona to hide the bitterness he’s felt since his life-changing accident. Perpetually cautious, Heather finds Max’s bad-boy bravado as intriguing as it is infuriating. But as Heather and Max work together to build Simon’s self-confidence, they begin to trust each other. Max has never been slow and careful with anything. Can he be gentle with Heather’s heart?
Gordon Falls: Hearts ablaze in a small town.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of A Heart to Heal, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Featuring a handicapped male primary character, A Heart to Heal is a departure from the usual contemporary romance novel. The reader quickly gains quite a bit of insight into the challanges that people in wheelchairs face in their daily lives and the often negative reactions experienced by the people they encounter.
Guidance counselor Heather, paraplegic Max, and disabled student Simon are all portrayed realistically and sympathetically. The romantic relationship between Heather and Max developed naturally but with plenty of trials that had to be overcome. Acceptance, tough love, and restored faith joined together to bring much needed healing to Max and Simon.
My eyes were opened to several things as I read A Heart to Heal and caused me to take a look at some of my own reactions in light of them. A quick read, this book is perfect to those who enjoy contemporary romance but do not have time to spare for a full-length novel.
by admin | Aug 4, 2014 | Books, Giveaways
I have the pleasure to offer my readers an opportunity to enter to win a copy of Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer.
The contest starts on July 31, 2014 at 6:00am EST and ends on August 20th, 2014 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen at random on August 21st, 2014 and will be alerted by email. For a complete listing of the rules, please see below.
by admin | Jul 29, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor
MY REVIEW:
I missed the movie when it was in theaters locally but since I enjoy Tricia Goyer’s books, I thought I’d give this one a try. Oh – My – Goodness! This book was so funny yet so true. It has been many years since I had young children or teens in the house but I could so relate to the mothers in this book. There is so much truth in Allyson’s statement to her husband (paraphrased)”I’m living my dream – how come I’m not happy?”
“Mom’s Night Out” was filled with slapstick humor that had me laughing out loud yet by it’s end the three women had come to realize what was really important in their lives. I absolutely loved this book and sincerely hope that the movie will be available on DVD soon so I can watch it.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by B&H Fiction through NetGalley.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Moms’ Night Out is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life—where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.
All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours—what could go wrong?
Chronicling one night out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister-in-law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang, and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self-doubts many moms feel . . . then reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home. Mom’s Night Out is an endearing, true-to-life comedy.
The MOMS’ NIGHT OUT film features Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), Sean Astin (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle), Alex Kendrick (COURAGEOUS), Robert Amaya (COURAGEOUS), Andrea Logan White (REVELATION ROAD), Kevin Downes (COURAGEOUS), and platinum-selling country recording artist Trace Adkins (THE LINCOLN LAWYER).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and “Lead Your Family Like Jesus,” (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children. You can find out more about Tricia at www.TriciaGoyer.com.
Find out more about Tricia and her books at http://triciagoyer.com.
by admin | Jul 29, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Heaven Sent Rain” is a charming story about two professional people who for reasons of their own are not inclined toward love or marriage. When their paths cross because of a little boy and his injured dog, the artistic vet and the lady CEO immediately clash. Neither of them has a clue how much their lives will change over the next few weeks.
I enjoyed “Heaven Sent Rain” so much! Jonah and his dog “DownMutt” captured my heart. I loved getting to know both Dinah and Garret and rooted for them to get together throughout the entire story. I found the parts about the natural supplement for diabetes to be particularly interesting and couldn’t help wishing that such a product was available. A story about trusting God and letting go of the past, “Heaven Sent Rain” was a book I couldn’t put down until I reached its end.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by
FaithWords / Center Street through NetGalley.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dinah Taylor has an orderly life that is just how she likes it. A perfectly furnished luxury apartment, a satisfying career as a scientist and CEO of her own company, and an uncomplicated personal life. But all of that changes when she meets seven-year-old Jonah.
The boy shows up one day, a scruffy dog by his side, in front of her office building. Dinah knows nothing about kids and even less about animals, but after she buys him breakfast, he shows up the next day…and the next. She tries to learn more about him, to help him, but he’s remarkably skilled at evading her questions. And then, late one night, he calls her in a panic-his dog has been badly injured. Dinah rushes them to a local animal clinic, where she meets Garret, a veterinarian with a thriving practice and a passion for drawing. Though Jonah takes to Garret right away, for some reason neither understands, Dinah and Garret just don’t mesh. But for Jonah’s sake, their lives continue to collide, and slowly the relationship between these three strangers begins to change.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than seventy books, with sales of more than 2 million copies.
She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writers’ conferences across the country.
