by admin | Aug 16, 2013 | Books, Cozy Mystery, England
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingRules of MurderBethany House Publishers (August 1, 2013)byJulianna DeeringABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, 2014).
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.
Soon, financial irregularities at Drew’s stepfather’s company come to light and it’s clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Rules of Murder, go HERE.
by admin | Aug 15, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“What Once Was Lost” is a wonderful story of the way God is at work in our lives even during tragedy and trials and how he refines us and makes us stronger as we trust in Him as we work our way through the hard times. I enjoyed the way I could see the hand of God all through the book as He orchestrated the lives of Christina and the people under her care as well as how the lives of Levi and Tommy were also changed.
With a great setting, an excellent cast of characters, and perfectly paced plot, “What Once Was Lost” captured my interest from the very beginning. A good balance of drama, action, suspense, and romance kept me reading. The novel provides good examples on the importance of trust – both in God and in others and finding the purpose He has for you. It also beautifully illustrates the impact of forgiveness.
Once again Kim Sawyer has provided me with an enjoyable escape for a few hours. I look forward to the next installment in this series.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Blogging For Books Program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, a man standing apart—can these three souls embrace a God with new plans for them?
On a small Kansas farm, Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house inhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”
With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between him and Tommy. As obstacles to repairing the farm pile up against Christina, she begins to question her leadership ability and wonders if she can fulfill the mission to which she’s dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Can Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print with awards including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.
by admin | Aug 14, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I first ran across Lisa Wingate’s books quite by accident while browsing eBay trying to find something to fill my insatiable appetite for books. There is no way I can afford to purchase all the books I want to read new. I was intrigued by Lisa’s Texas Hill Country series and sure enough, after reading them I was hooked. Since that time I have either bought or had the privilege of reviewing her entire library. I am thrilled to be able to review her latest novel “The Prayer Box”. I wish I could just tell you to run right out and pick up your very own copy because I’d like you to discover the wonder of Lisa’s talent for yourself. But then that wouldn’t quite be a review would it?
I will admit that I did not care very much for the primary character Tandi Jo Reese. I thought she was self-centered and a poor excuse of a mother. But Lisa has a way of making her readers care about the characters so that they want to stick around long enough to see if things will get any better. It didn’t take me very long to realize that Tandi Jo was a wounded soul and had been since childhood. Her lifelong search for affirmation had led her to make poor choices, some of which had quite negative effects on her relationship with her children. It was encouraging to watch how Tandi Jo’s viewpoint changed as she read the letters she discovered in deceased Iola Anne Poole’s prayer boxes and the effect it had on her relationship with her children. Other living characters positively impacted the lives of Tandi and her children who in turn played a huge role in the future of their new town.
“The Prayer Box” is a special story that made a big impression on me. I loved reading Iola’s letters and her almost poetic voice as she shared her life with her Lord. I am certain that many readers will be prompted to create their own prayer boxes after reading this beautiful book.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola’s rambling Victorian house.
Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola’s walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola’s youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper–the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi. – See more HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Wingate is a magazine columnist, speaker, and the author of nineteen mainstream novels, including the national bestseller, Tending Roses, now in its eighteenth printing. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her novel, Blue Moon Bay, was a Booklist Top Ten of 2012 pick. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. When not dreaming up stories, Lisa spends time on the road as a motivational speaker. Via internet, she shares with readers as far away as India, where her book, Tending Roses, has been used to promote women’s literacy, and as close to home as Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the county library system has used Tending Roses to help volunteers teach adults to read. – See more HERE.
by admin | Aug 10, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Book two in The Ladies of Distinction Series, “A Most Peculiar Circumstance” continues with yet another somewhat unconventional road to romance . Once again the heroine is an independent and spunky young woman whose quest to follow God’s direction often leads her to venture outside the boundaries set by society. A devoted member of the women’s suffrage movement, Arabella Beckett’s determination to help other women often leads her into big trouble. The story opens with Arabella praying for God to get her out of a major predicament. When the prayer is answered quickly, Arabella is not as grateful as she should be and definitely not at all impressed by the man sent to get her out of trouble. Arabella and Theodore have very little in common and tend to rub each other the wrong way most of the time. So why do they both find themselves thinking about each other so often?
“A Most Peculiar Circumstance” has its moments – some are dramatic or suspenseful and others are delightfully humorous. Then again the romantic scenes are pretty good also. I like the way the author tells her story through the use of dialogue. Some of the conversations are truly entertaining and there was plenty of action to keep me involved in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel – it met every expectation I had for it. If you are looking for a good, entertaining historical romance, then “A Most Peculiar Circumstance” fits the bill.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Miss Arabella Beckett, defender of the down-trodden women of America, is returning from her travels in support of the women’s suffrage movement when she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need. But things go sadly awry, and both ladies soon find themselves in dire need of rescue. Arabella, always loath to admit she needs help, is particularly reluctant to receive assistance from the arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor who shows up just in time.
Private investigator extraordinaire Mr. Theodore Wilder is on an assignment that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. He is already in a less than pleasant mood, and when Hamilton’s sister turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he’s at his wit’s end.
Much to their chagrin, Theodore and Arabella’s paths continue to cross when they return home to New York, but the most unusual feelings beginning to grow between them certainly can’t be anything serious. When the trouble Arabella accidentally stirred up in her travels follows her home and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. When she’s not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado. Learn more at www.jenturano.com.
