by admin | Mar 7, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Ever since I picked up my first book by Lisa Wingate without any expectations, I have HAD to have each and every book she has published. Her natural down-home style and next-door characters drew me in and her stories filled with true life lessons and quotable quotes captured me .I always love Lisa’s characters and her inclusion of at least one dog into the story which just helps keep it real. Lisa also has at least one good lesson woven into the plot but it is always made palatable by her talented writing. “Firefly Island” was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Mallory Hale’s life was pretty predictable and she fully expected it to remain that way with a career in Washington politics- that is until she was swept totally off her feet by Daniel Everson. Within weeks she finds herself married with a young stepson and on her way to back of beyond Moses Lake, Texas where her new husband has taken a job. Spoiled city-girl Mallory soon realizes she is in over her head in her new rural home where she is surrounded by unwanted critters and a husband who seems to spend most of his time at work. To add to her discomfort, her husband’s new boss is the source of a local mystery and Mallory is somewhat suspicious of his intentions. As she cares for Nick, she soon becomes involved with some local residents who inspire Mallory to take a good look at herself and her prejudices. Could it be that God has her in Moses Lake for more than one reason? And could one of those reasons be to help Mallory grow into the person He intended for her to be all along?
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mallory Hale’s life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love. After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas–with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.
A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change. But what she can’t shake is the unease she feels around her husband’s new boss, Jack West. Jack’s presence–and his mysterious past–set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers . . . and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn’t sure she wanted is the very place she’ll risk everything to save.
“Lisa Wingate is a glorious storyteller!” –New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Blue Moon Bay, and Larkspur Cove, which won the 2011 Carol Award for Women’s Fiction. Lisa and her family live in central Texas.
Visit www.lisawingate.com
Win an iPad Mini from @LisaWingate! RSVP for 3/19 Facebook Party!
Lisa Wingate is celebrating the release of Firefly Island with an iPad Mini giveaway and a fun Facebook Author Chat Party (March 19th).
One fortunate winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- The Moses Lake series (Firefly Island, Blue Moon Bay and Larkspur Cove)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 18th. Winner will be announced at the “Firefly Island Author Chat Party on March 19th. Connect with Lisa, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways — gift certificates, books, and more!
So grab your copy of Firefly Island and join Lisa on the evening of the March 19th 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 19th!
by admin | Mar 5, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingIcecutter’s DaughterBethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013)byTracie Peterson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.
She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.
Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family–especially her three grandchildren–Rainy, Fox and Max. She’s active in her church as the Director of Women’s Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer’s retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the lone female in a houseful of men, Merrill Krause dedicates her life to caring for her family and their business, as her dying mother asked. Besides, it suits her; she’s never felt like she fits what most people expect in a girl–she’d rather work with her father’s horses and assist with the ice harvest. And though she’s been mostly content up to this point, a part of her wonders if there will ever be anyone who will notice her amid the bevy of brothers determined to protect her from any possible suitors.
When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small Minnesota town to join his uncle’s carpentry business, he soon crosses paths with Merrill. But unlike other men, who are often frightened away by her older brothers, Rurik isn’t intimidated by them or by Merrill’s strength and lack of femininity. The attraction between them begins to build…until Rurik’s former fiance shows up with wild claims that bring serious consequences to Rurik.
Can Rurik and Merrill learn to trust God–and each other–when scandal threatens their newfound love?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Icecutter’s Daughter, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
The Icecutter’s Daughter is a warm, lovely historical romance set in the wilds of icy Minnesota. Merrill is a strong young woman accustomed to working side-by-side with her father and brothers in the ice fields. A natural with the family horses, Merrill is also widely known for her cooking skills. She dreams of a husband and children of her own but believes that men are only attracted to the petite frilly women she sees in town. When Rurik Jorgenson shows up to help his ailing uncle, Merrill is surprised at the immediate attraction she feels and even more surprised that he seems to feel the same. Naturally the course of romance could not run smoothly so numerous complications arise to interfere with its progression.
I always enjoy a novel by Tracie Peterson because she never fails to keep me entertained with a good story populated with compelling characters and she always manages to inform me with unique historical facts of which I have little former knowledge. I loved learning about life in turn-of-the-century Minnesota where men made a good living cutting ice for those in warmer states. I also enjoyed the interaction between the characters, particularly one conversation between Merrill and her father. As expected, a strong message of faith permeates the pages of The Icecutter’s Daughter with a heavy emphasis on forgiveness.
by admin | Mar 1, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Return of Cassandra ToddRealms (February 5, 2013)
by
Darrel NelsonABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I am a schoolteacher by profession and have taught school for (thir—ahem!) years. I grew up in Raymond, Alberta, and attended the University of Lethbridge after graduating from high school and serving a two-year mission to Japan. During university, I met and married Marsha Smith, and we are the parents of four children, which has grown to include their spouses and our ten grandchildren.
I have always loved to write. I started writing stories before I was old enough to realize I was writing stories. It seemed a natural thing to pick up a pencil and paper and create a world simply by using words—worlds of adventure in steaming jungles (Tarzan was an early influence on me) or realms of adventure in outer space (Buck Rogers). But as I have grown older, I have discovered that the real inspiration for me is exploring the theme of love and how it can make such a difference in the world.
I’ve had an article published in Lethbridge Magazine and have written several dramatic plays, two of which won provincial recognition and were showcased at a drama festival. I won the CJOC radio songwriting contest two years running, and have had one of my songs receive international airplay. I have written four novels intended for the juvenile market. They are unpublished as yet, but I read them annually to my fourth grade students and my students tell me they love them, the darlings.
Learn more about Darrel and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When the girl he hated in high school suddenly reenters his life, little son in tow, and asks for his help, Turner must put the past behind him if they are to survive.
Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full-time. On his way to class one day, he passes the bus depot just as Cassandra Todd and her young son arrive. He is shocked to see her, remembering how cruel she was to him in high school. She was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her mean-spirited pranks.
Turner could never have imagined that the outdoor training and survival skills he learned at Camp Kopawanee, a summer youth camp where he worked three years as a leader, would one day become so crucial. But when Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, Turner finds himself entangled in a situation that will require every skill he has in order to survive.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of The Return of Cassandra Todd, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Since I am in the midst of recovering from the flu, I was tempted to take the easy way out and just do the required post without a review for this book. But I was feeling enough better to actually concentrate on the print long enough for it to register so I decided to give it a try and only resort to the basic post if I could not generate enough interest to continue reading. I am so glad I did because I would have missed out on a thoroughly riveting page-turner. The Return of Cassandra Todd was not at all what I expected.
Turner Caldwell is a young man who has experienced some tough breaks in life and as a result has turned his back on God and allowed himself to become somewhat bitter and resentful. When an old classmate returns to town, her appearance stirs up memories that he thought he had left in the past. Her plea for his help draws him into a dangerous and deadly struggle for his own survival as well as the survival of Cassandra and her young son that forces him to rely on God once again.
The Return of Cassandra Todd is a fast-paced nail-biter that kept me on the edge of my seat. Well-developed plot and characters and a natural dialogue made the reading effortless. Tension grew in increments until the explosive climax but the book did not end at that point. I am still not certain how I feel about the author’s decision to continue the story for several more chapters in order to wrap things up neatly. It was an anticlimax and seemed unnecessary to me. I don’t mind wondering how things turned out between certain characters. Other than that, The Return of Cassandra Todd was nearly perfect in every way. I would recommend it for those who enjoy a good suspense with lots of surprises.
by admin | Feb 28, 2013 | Books
MY REVIEW:
Eleanor Walker, owner of the Last Chance Ranch, is determined to find a suitable heir for it. She is certain that if she has been able to successfully manage the ranch without a husband, then there must me another young woman with the fortitude and determination to follow in her stead. Unfortunately past candidates haven’t managed to endure the grueling and long days or to ignore the temptation to marry one of the available cowboys in the area. Molly Hatfield believes she can qualify to be that heir. After all there is no danger of marriage. She has already found out that no man is interested after learning of her crippled younger brother Donnie. Besides being a hard worker, Molly plans to secure a future for herself and Donny no matter what it takes.
I loved the characters in “Waiting For Morning”. Molly is a flamboyant young woman with a uniquely individual style developed to take unwanted attention away from Donny. She feels responsible for his injuries and is content to sacrifice everything for him. Donny is a very spoiled young man used to getting his own way and he knows how to play Molly. I’ll admit I wanted to smack him more than once. Dr. Caleb Fairbanks is nothing but enthusiastic and prides himself on staying up-to-date on modern medicine practices. He and his horseless carriage Bertha have caused more than one incident in the area including a stampede that nearly overtakes Holly and Donny. Neither Holly nor Donny are very interested in furthering their acquaintance but Dr. Caleb is not one to give up quickly and his determination to earn their trust eventually breaks through their defenses. A blind colt and a dog named Magic also feature prominently in his success.
I loved “Waiting for Morning” and eagerly anticipate the next book in this series.
This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publisher’s BookSneeze program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Brides of Last Chance Ranch, #2
Molly Hatfield comes to Arizona Territory seeking stability and security. But living in Cactus Patch provides her with more than she ever dreamed.
There is nothing Molly wouldn’t do for her teenaged brother, Donny. Blaming herself for the accident that left him wheelchair bound, Molly has dedicated her life to his care. But in 1896, gainful employment for a woman is hard to come by. So when Molly learns that an eccentric rancher in Cactus Patch, Arizona, is looking for an heiress—someone to take over management of the ranch in exchange for future ownership—she jumps at the chance to provide a real home for her brother.
However, Molly didn’t bank on meeting Dr. Caleb Fairbanks, the town’s charming unmarried doctor. Caleb has a way with Molly that makes her nervous. But it’s how he is with her brother that really alarms her. Caleb sees past the wheelchair and genuinely likes Donny, but Molly fears he’s putting unrealistic ideas into her brother’s head. Falling in love with Caleb would threaten everything she’s worked for, even her brother’s future happiness. But it could be the very reason God brought her to Last Chance Ranch.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, “Maybe God’s calling you to write fiction.”
It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she’s written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. “I love writing about characters at different stages of faith,” she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, “and I’m here to stay.”
Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.
