by admin | May 21, 2012 | Amish, Books
MY REVIEW:
“Beyond Hope’s Valley”, the third installment of Tricia Goyer’s Big Sky series takes Marianna back to her home in Indiana to help her brother prepare for his wedding and to make plans for her own wedding to Aaron. Although everything she had dreamed of was working out for her, Marianna finds that everything and everyone in her old home seem to have changed. Or is it that Marianna herself has changed. She finds herself missing Montana and the family and friends she left behind. Then there are the whispers behind her back and the secrets that no one wants to tell her. She is even beginning to wonder if she is supposed to marry Aaron after all.
“Beyond Hope’s Valley” clearly contrasts the more legalistic group of Amish in Indiana to the Montana Amish who mix more readily with the Englisch. Marianna’s quest for a true relationship with the Lord is well written and helps the reader understand the difference between relationship and following a set of rules.
I very much enjoyed “Beyond Hope’s Valley” as I did the first two books in this series. I was quite happy with Marianna’s final decision and the overall conclusion of the book. The Big Sky series is not the usual Amish fiction I have become used to and I found it to be a refreshing change.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Beyond Hope’s Valley – Book Three in the Big Sky series
After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook — a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.
As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-two books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
More info: Living Inspired and www.triciagoyer.com.
Purchase a copy of Beyond Hope’s Valley HERE.
Read what other reviewers are saying about Beyond Hope’s Valley HERE.
Win a Custom Amish Prize Pack from @TriciaGoyer in her Beyond Hope’s Valley Giveaway! RSVP for All Things Amish Party {5/21}!
Celebrate with Tricia and enter to win a custom-made Amish Wall hanging in the colors of your choice … and much more!
One fortunate winner will receive:
- Custom Amish Wall Hanging {You choose the colors!}
- An Amish Doll {Sweet.}
- Amish-made basket {It’s picnic season!}
- Doilies, potholder and an Amish cookbook {All items form Bird-in-Hand, PA!}
- Three book Big Sky Amish series {Be swept away by this captivating series.}
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 20th. Winner will be announced at “All Things Amish” Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/21. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and more!
So grab your copy of Beyond Hope’s Valley and join Tricia on the evening of the May 21st for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Amish?) and lots of giveaways. (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 and tell your friends via
FACEBOOK or
TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!
by admin | May 21, 2012 | Amish, Books, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingAnnie’s TruthRealms (May 15, 2012)byBeth ShriverABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Childhood memories of her grandfather’s ranch came alive as Beth wrote her first Amish story. Her parents grew up in the country, so she understands pastoral life and respects those who make a living off the land. She frequents a nearby Amish community just south of Fort-Worth for an occasional church service or brunch with the bishop and his wife. And on the way home she stops at the community store to get some plum jam!
In 2003 Beth began writing her first book. A couple of years later it was published and she has been writing ever since. Beth received a degree in social work from the University of Nebraska and was a case worker before starting a family. Beth followed her passion and has written in a variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After learning the truth about who she really is, can this prodigal daughter be accepted back into the safety and security of home?
Annie Beiler seems to have it all—a loving family in a tight-knit Amish community and the affections of an attractive and respected young man. But when she learns that she was adopted after being found as an abandoned newborn, she sets out on a journey to find out who she is.
Her father is strongly against her decision to leave, as it could mean Meidung, or excommunication from the community and even her family. But Annie knows she must find “the path that has her heart.”
As Annie’s search brings her into the fast-paced world of modern life, she is confronted with all of the temptations she was warned of. Can she make her way back to the order and security of her family? Or will she remain an outsider—torn between her two worlds?
If you would like to read an excerpt from the first chapter of Annie’s Truth, go HERE.
Learn more about Beth and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
For true fans of Amish fiction, Annie’s Truth adds yet another choice of books in that genre. Featuring members of an old order Amish community, the narrative reveals several differences between various sects and gives the reader an inside look at their lives. The story itself was interesting, particularly the varied reactions to Annie’s time away from the community. With a primary message of forgiveness, Annie’s Truth was quickly read and enjoyable.
by admin | May 19, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“My Stubborn Heart” is the debut novel by author Becky Wade that I would describe as somewhat “edgy” by current definition. While it has a basically strong faith based message, there are also some scenes and language that many Christians could find offensive. I myself did not have too much of a problem with it because most of the potentially objectionable content was used in a realistic manner. After all, do any of us really know any “perfect” Christians (including ourselves) who never speak inappropriately? I did find that the references to Matt as a “hottie” became a bit repetitious and juvenile, especially coming from supposedly mature women but even that did not prevent me from enjoying the novel.
The story features Kate, a 31-year-old who has been praying for a husband most of her life and has begun to wonder if God would ever answer her prayers. When she takes a break from her job to help her grandmother renovate the family home in Redbud, Pennsylvania, she experiences an instant recognition when she meets Matt, the man doing most of the renovation. However, Matt resists her attempts at friendship from the beginning. As any regular reader of romance novels will know, the story is all about how the walls between Kate and Matt will come down in order for them to have a future together. With that as a given, “My Stubborn Heart” fills in all the blanks about how that transpires.
Sometimes humorous and sometimes dramatic and highly emotional, “My Stubborn Heart” is filled with interesting characters and background. The town of Redbud is enchanting and details about the renovation and decoration of the house were fascinating. An emphasis on the power of prayer predominates and more than makes up for any of the previously mentioned concerns.
Overall, I would recommend “My Stubborn Heart” to those who enjoy contemporary romance.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.
Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can’t help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can’t quite put her finger on. He’s clearly wounded–hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light…whether he likes it or not.
When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?
See what other bloggers are saying about “My Stubborn Heart” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.
Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn’t be more thrilled with it.
These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.
Learn more at: www.BeckyWade.com
Meet Becky:
Stubborn Heart Giveaway!
Celebrate with Becky by entering her My Stubborn Heart Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 5/24!
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A Brand New Nook Simple Touch™ with GlowLight™
- A $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate
- A copy of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on May 24th. Winner will be announced at the “My Stubborn Heart” Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/24. Becky will be hosting an book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!
So grab your copy of My Stubborn Heart and join Becky on the evening of the May 24th for a chance to meet Becky and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
by admin | May 18, 2012 | Books, England, Regency, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingChameleonRealms (May 15, 2012)byJillian KentABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jillian Kent is a busy writer and the alter ego of Jill Nutter, a full-time counselor.
Jill spent the first semester of her senior year of college at Oxford studying British Literature, where she fell in love with England. During this season, she came to appreciate the written word, the rich imagery of romantic poetry like The Highwayman, and historical novels of many types, including Jane Austen and all things Regency.
Jill received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Masters Degree in Social Work from WVU, and she brings her fascination with different cultures and societies into her writing.
Jill has always been a romantic at heart, so readers will find a good dose of romance woven through each of her novels. Jill, her husband Randy, and children Katie and Meghan are animal lovers. They currently own two dogs, Boo-Boo and Bandit and a menagerie of cats, Lucky, Yuma, Snow, and Holden. Critters of all assortments make their appearance in her stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How much can you really know about someone?
Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.
Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.
Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Chameleon, go HERE.
Learn more about Jillian and her books on her Website
MY REVIEW:
Although there were no haunted castles or mentally deranged wives locked in a tower or any other common scenarios from the gothic romance novels I loved when I was young, Chameleon brought them to mind. Set in Regency England, this romantic suspense had that dark and brooding atmosphere that so typified that genre yet was also so much more. Rather than a shy and fearful heroine in need of a strong hero to rescue her, Victoria Grayson had intelligence and spunk and even rode to the rescue herself a time or two. Lord Witt was a special hero – strong and confident yet understanding and sympathetic.
What can I say about Chameleon without giving the story away? I did not understand the purpose of the title until near the end of the book when I realized just how perfectly it covered what was going on. The mystery and suspense built throughout the story along with plenty of action. Sufficient twists and surprises kept me guessing and on edge to the end. A touch of humor broke the mounting tension at just the right times. The romance between Lord Witt and Lady Victoria progressed at a perfect pace and came to a satisfying conclusion. A strong message of faith was woven seamlessly throughout the narrative.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed “Secrets of the Heart”, the first novel of The Ravensmoore Chronicles, I liked Chameleon even more. I look forward to the next installment of this great series.
