by admin | Jun 5, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Karen Witemeyer since her very first novel and have read each and every one of them. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about them except the fact that each one comes to an end and I am forced to wait for the next one to be published. “Stealing the Preacher” lived up to my expectations and provided several enjoyable hours of reading as well as reinforcing my decision to make sure to obtain a copy of all future novels by this author.
I loved the idea of the reformed outlaw who decided to kidnap a preacher off the train for his daughter’s birthday. Silas did not realize that the primary reason she wanted another preacher for their church was to help her bring her father to salvation. Little did Silas suspect how that one decision would affect the lives of himself and his daughter.
I don’t believe that “Stealing the Preacher” was quite as humorous as some of this author’s earlier novels but it did have its moments. There was also a good balance of action, drama, danger, and romance to keep things moving along quite nicely. Crockett and Joanna complemented each other well and other characters added interest to the story, especially Silas, Jackson, and Bessie. I would mind seeing Bessie or Jackson turn up in future books with their own stories. It was also fun to read a bit about what was happening in the lives of the other Archer brothers and hope to see another Archer novel in the near future.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw’s daughter who wants to change his mind.
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can’t believe it when he’s forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He’s determined to escape–which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.
For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?
With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.
Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
by admin | Jun 3, 2013 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The second book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Days of Redemption series, Ray of Light continues the story of the Keim family that began in Daybreak. Various member of the extended Keim family have had some secrets, some of which came to light in Daybreak. Much to everyone’s surprise, even more family secrets are revealed in Ray of Light. Although distressed at first that their secrets are out of the bag, by book’s end, those who had their secrets exposed realize that hiding things from their family is actually more difficult than dealing with the past openly.
Then there is romance! Roman Keim who has been shouldering most of the farm responsibilities during his father’s absence takes a short vacation in Florida where he meets Amanda, a young widow and her daughter Regina. Roman quickly and unexpectedly finds himself head-over-heels with both Amanda and Regina but must return to his responsibilities in Ohio much too soon. Is it too much for Roman to hope that Amanda and Regina can ever be a permanent part of his life?
Ray of Light is a sweet romance that can be quickly read. It features New Order Amish who have telephones in their homes and vacation homes at the beach which is a different perspective than most Amish novels I have read. I enjoyed catching up with other members of the Keim family, especially Viola and Ed from Daybreak. Ray of Light is a must read for fans of Amish romance.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.
Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?
The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the “Sisters of the Heart”, “Seasons of Sugarcreek”, “Secrets of Crittenden County”, and Families of Honor series. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Learn more at Shelley’s website.
by admin | May 31, 2013 | Adventure, Books, Speculative, Spiritural Warfare, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing
The Judgment StoneThomas Nelson (May 14, 2013)byRobert LiparuloABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Former journalist Robert Liparulo is the best-selling author of the thrillers Comes a Horseman, Germ, Deadfall, Deadlock, and The 13th Tribe, as well as The Dreamhouse Kings, an action-adventure series for young adults. He contributed a short story to James Patterson’s Thriller, and an essay about Thomas Perry’s The Butcher’s Boy to Thrillers: 100 Must Reads, edited by David Morrell and Hank Wagner. He is currently working on the sequel to The 13th Tribe, as well writing an original screenplay with director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive).
When not writing, Liparulo loves to read, watch (and analyze) movies, scuba dive, swim, hike, and travel. He lives in Monument, Colorado, with his wife Jodi and four children: Melanie, Matthew, Anthony, and Isabella.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What if praying became a curse instead of a blessing?
Former Army Ranger Jagger Baird thought he had his hands full with the Tribe—the band of immortal vigilantes fighting to regain God’s grace by killing those opposed to Him. But that was before he encountered the ruthless group of immortals called the Clan. The Clan is after a prize that would give them unimaginable power—a piece of the Ten Commandments known as the Judgment Stone.
Those who touch the Stone can see into the spiritual world: angelic warriors, treacherous demons, and the blue threads of light that signal the presence of believers in communion with God.
By following the blue beam radiating from those closest to God, the Clan plans to locate His most passionate followers and destroy them.
Jagger quickly realizes his high-tech gadgetry and training are no match for these merciless immortals. But how can he defeat an enemy who hunts believers through their prayers . . . and won’t stop until they’ve annihilated all those close to Him?
In this high-action thriller, best-selling author Robert Liparulo examines the raging battle between good and evil on earth . . . and beyond.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Judgment Stone, go HERE.
by admin | May 31, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
Although “The Offering” is a work of fiction, it will leave its readers with plenty of food for thought. Without being at all judgmental, the author offers facts and questions about the ethics of surrogate parenting that most have probably never considered. Her characters must weigh their decisions based on their own beliefs despite the reactions of friends and family members.
For much of the book I did not care for Amanda. She seemed to be a devoted wife and mother who cared for others but there was also a self-centeredness about her. She had herself convinced that she wanted to help another couple have a baby they couldn’t have otherwise but it really seemed to be about the money she would earn. Amanda wanted things for herself and her daughter that her husband couldn’t provide quickly enough so she decided to help him out by becoming a surrogate mother. I was happy to see Amanda change as the book progressed and become less selfish and more aware of the feelings of others. I grieved with her over her loss and was encouraged by the difficult choice she made at the end. Sometimes the right choice involves sacrifice.
“The Offering” is a story that emphasizes the importance of family who are always there for you even during difficult times. Several highly emotional scenes may require a box of tissues close at hand.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From bestselling author Angela Hunt, the heart-wrenching story of a young mother who unknowingly gave away her own child after serving as a surrogate for a childless couple.
After growing up as an only child, Amanda Lisandra wants a big family. But since she and her soldier husband can’t afford to have more children right away, Mandy decides to earn money as a gestational carrier for a childless couple. She loves being pregnant, and while carrying the child she dreams of having her own son and maybe another daughter…
Just when the nearly perfect pregnancy is about to conclude, unexpected tragedy enters Mandy’s world and leaves her reeling. Devastated by grief, she surrenders the child she was carrying and struggles to regain her emotional equilibrium.
Two years later she studies a photograph of the baby she bore and wonders if the unthinkable has happened—could she have inadvertently given away her own biological child? Over the next few months Mandy struggles to decide between the desires of her grief-stricken heart and what’s best for the little boy she has never known.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With over four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than one hundred books, including “The Nativity Story.” Hunt is one of the most sought-after collaborators in the publishing industry. Her nonfiction book “Don’t Bet Against Me,” written with Deanna Favre, spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Angela’s novel “The Note” (with sales of over 141,000) was filmed as the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movie for 2007 and proved to be the highest rated television movie in the channel’s history. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RITA, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the Holt Medallion. She often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences, and she served as the keynote speaker at the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers’ national conference. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs. In 2001, one of her dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest dog in America.
Angela Hunt is celebrating the release of The Offering with a Nook HD Giveaway and an Author Chat Party on Facebook {6/5}.
One winner will receive:
- A Nook HD
- The Offering by Angela Hunt
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 4th. Winner will be announced at the “The Offering” Facebook Author Chat Party on June 5th. Connect with Angela for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Angela will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of The Offering and join Angela on the evening of June 5th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!
