Joyful by Shelley Shepard Gray

About the book: A young Amish couple gets a second chance at love in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's final book in her Return to Sugarcreek series.

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm's needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious---and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth's heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse---to stay far away from the man who hurt her---but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she's older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Randal, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her---or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth---or risk losing his chance at love forever.

Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/BeIYd 

About the author: Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Timesbestseller, a two-time USA Todaybestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. 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.

Find Shelley online: website,Facebook

My Take:  There are a few authors that I know I will love their books when I am in the mood to read about the Amish and Shelley Shepard Gray is one of those authors.  As is the case in so many Amish romance books there are circumstances that could be easily resolved if it wasn't for traditions and ways of the Amish but if there wasn't some kind of conflict it would be a pretty boring book.  This book is a great addition to the series and as with all of her series' you will want to read all the books just because you will love the story so much you will want more. 

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Litfuse. 

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

Book Info

About the book: Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past. Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul---and hidden sorrows of her own. Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master---a man her mother would never approve of---but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village . . . and to her mother's tattered heart? Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/s7Yl1 About the author: Julie Klassen loves all things Jane---Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Learn more about Julie at:http://julieklassen.com My Take: This book was a little different than most historical fiction romances that I have read in that the perspective of the male is given just as much time as that of the female.  I liked the intrigue that accompanied the story and I agree with a few other reviews that I read this did seem like alittle like Footloose in England.  I did enjoy this comparision as Footloose was the first movie that my husband and I went to see and we had the ballad Almost Paradise in our wedding.  Any way I digress this was a good book.  Not a great book but a good book.   I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enter Today - 1/6 - 1/23!

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

Book Info

About the book: Lisa T. Bergren's popular Grand Tour series concludes as Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her. America's newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are tracking the news story of the decade---"Copper Cora," the rags-to-riches girl---and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn't going to claim Will's heart, she might just  try . . . Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pvxTP About the author: Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs. Learn more about Lisa here: http://lisatawnbergren.com. My Take: This is the Third and Final book in the Grand Tour series.  I liked going along on this journey with Cora in  her search for who she really was and who God wanted her to be.  I enjoyed the journey also through Europe with the group as they took their Grand Tour.  I liked the interactions between all of the characters and found myself more than once wondering what was going to happen next.  I am a bit sad that the series has come to an end.  You will want to have read the first two books in this series before reading this one. I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

About Rosemary Cottage: Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there's a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She's even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It's always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben's disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine's father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can't help being drawn to Hope Beach's new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/mQ63a

Meet Colleen: Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Learn more about Colleen: http://colleencoble.com/

My Take: I have always loved Colleen Coble books and this book did not let me down.  this book had it all  , romance, suspense and thrills.  This is the second in the series but you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this book.  I would highly recommend this book if you like any of the elements I mentioned above or if you just like well told stories. 

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from LItfuse.

Pennsylvania Patchwork by Kate Lloyd

About Pennsylvania Patchwork:

Seattle native Holly Fisher is smitten by Lancaster County, its simplicity and her long lost relatives. In the sequel to bestselling Leaving Lancaster, Holly embraces the Amish culture, learning to slow down to see what --- and who --- really matters.

Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she's ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she's rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.

Pennyslvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman's heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/lG7GU

Meet Kate:

Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

Learn more about Kate at http://www.katelloyd.net





My Take:  I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the first in the series and really liked this one also.  I am looking forward to the last one in the trilogy .  I became alittle frustrated when the author would hint about problems going on but then wouldn't reveal what the problem was until much later.  There sure are alot of secrets in group of Amish people and Mennonite people.  Holly has to make choices concerning what she really wants out of life and she has to let go of something she really wanted in order to get what she really needs and in the end wants. 

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

More about Unrivaled: 

 

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager-a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy's skin.

Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable...and making herself impossible for him to forget.

Link to buy the book:

http://ow.ly/jiUA3

Meet Siri:

Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists "Chateau of Echoes" and "The Cubicle Next Door". A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area. 

Visit www.sirimitchell.com

My Take: This story is told from the perspective of the two main characters in alternating chapters.  They are both involved with candy making and the descriptions of the candy will have you craving sweets.  I love how the author brings to life these two characters with real life imperfections and real life interactions.  I really liked the cover for this book and it reminded of Downton Abbey.  I would recommend this book if you like historical fiction and like the time period of the 1900's.  

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.   

 

Enter Today - 3/25- 4/18!

Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

About Grave Consequences: 

The Powerful, Epic Romance Continues, Book 2 in Lisa T. Begren's Grand Tour series

For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future-her very life-depends on the decisions she'll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone's plans in danger.

And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences. 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/i8ZWs        

Meet Lisa:  

  

Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs. 

Visit http://lisatawnbergren.com 

My Take:  First off you will want to read the first one in this series, Glamorous Illusions.  This is definitely a series that you need to read in order.  Lisa Bergren does a truly amazing job of describing all the wonderful places that the characters in this series gets to see.  I would love to have means and time to visit Europe and take in all the history.  There is a bit of suspense and intrigue in this book also.  This series has alittle bit of everything for everyone. Romance, suspense and intrigue all wrapped up in one story.  Cora has several decisions to make which if she makes the wrong ones there will be Grave Consequences like the title implies.  Who can Cora Trust?  Who will she stay with? 

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Litfuse. 

Enter Today | 3/4 - 3/23!

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

About Firefly Island: Sometimes love takes you on an adventure completely off the map. 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. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hVNrv


  Meet Lisa: 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









My Take:  I really like books that mix a little bit of romance with a little bit of mystery and/or suspense.  This book does that and then some.  There is just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages and just enough romance to become invested in the characters.

Mallory gives up her whirlwind life after having a whirlwind romance and moves to a small much sloooower paced  Texas town.

Lisa has created believable characters that have flawed lives just like the rest of us.  We are not perfect and neither are these characters.

This book can be read as a stand alone but there are two other books that take place in Moses Lake, TX.  I enjoyed my latest trip to Texas and hope to visit again. 

I received a review copy of this book from Lit Fuse in exchange for my honest review. Enter Today | 2/25 - 3/19!

Shattered by Dani Pettrey

About Shattered: 

 

With All the Evidence Against Him, Only a Sister's Trust Can Save Him Now

When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself-and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step. 

 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hLsy9        

 

Meet Dani:  

  

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. 

 

Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com. 

My Take:  I really enjoyed this book.  Although it is the second book in the series you do not need to read the first book to enjoy this one.  This book has alot of suspense and adventure.  Did Reef commit the murder and if he didn't who did?  Will Landon and Piper realize that their relationship is changing?  Landon tries really hard to do his job the best way he knows how but he has pressure coming from every side both personally and professionally.  Piper just wants to prove that her brother is innocent.  When Piper starts to invesigate on her own Landon needs to protect her from not only the murderer but herself.  

A Lot is going on in this book and it is a real pageturner.  It will keep you going until the very end.  Looking forward to more from Dani Pettrey.

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

Enter Today - 2/22 - 3/14!

Revelation Discover Together Bible Study by Sue Edwards

About Discover Together Bible Study: Women need Bible study to keep balanced, focused and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. However, many find it difficult to set aside the time and discipline needed for an in-depth study. The Discover Together studies offer tiered questions to allow readers to choose a depth of study that fits with their individual lifestyles or schedules, even if they vary by the week, month or season This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul's church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God's Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos. Scan the video QR code in the book with a smart phone or visit the series website to watch Sue provide historical and cultural background, teach important truths found in each week's lesson, or ask thoughtful questions to encourage deeper discussion. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hpLmf Join the online Bible study here. Just LIKE the page and then follow along. There will be a launch party for Ephesians on April 11th and the online Bible study will begin the following week on April 15th. Women crave Bible studies that challenge them to grow in their faith. But after balancing carpools, sports schedules, or work deadlines, you may not be able to commit to another evening out of the house. Now you don't have to. Whether studying with a small group or by yourself, you know can join popular Bible teacher Sue Edwards on the Year of Discovery. Sue will be leading women through her studies with online chats and discussions on her Facebook page. All year long. Every week. Any time of day. From the comfort of home. Make-up and hair-do optional. Come as you are! Each week you will find quotes, links to articles and other resources, and videos to help you as you study. Complete the lessons at your convenience. Then visit Facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries any time of day to comment or ask questions. Sue will be there frequently to respond, encourage, and equip!



Meet Sue: Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women's ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women's Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the new Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.





My Take:  This Bible Study is a totally new concept for me.  Taking a Bible Study online through Facebook.  I have always wanted to learn alittle more about Revelation and this Bible Study seemed to be the perfect way.  The book is set up in a very similar way  that most Bible Studies are these days.  The chapters are suppose to take about an hour and 1/2 to complete if you sit and do them all at once.  But I have been working on these a little bit at a time as I find the time throughout the week.  the questions really make you think.  In the Sidebar are questions for digging deeper which I intend on going back and working through those questions once I am finished with the study.  I haven't really been able to really take advantage of the whole online aspect of this study although I do read the questions and think about them.  My favorite part are the qr codes that are sprinkled through out the study.  It is fun scanning the codes and then watching the video that pops up.  Kind of like a scavenger hunt. I am learning alot from this study and look forward to participating in future studies by Sue Edwards.

I received a review copy of this book.  Opinions are my own.

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

About Unbreakable:

Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.
Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation. When Hope's safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can't help but question what she's always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.
As it swiftly becomes apparent the threat Hope faced is only the beginning, the town that's always stood so strong finds itself divided. With tensions high and their lives endangered by an unknown enemy, will Hope and the people of Kingdom allow fear and division to break them or will they draw on the strength of the God they serve? 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/huFtI      

Meet Nancy:  

  

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She's authored fourteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com. She is also active on Facebook. 

My Take:  This is a fabulouse sequel to the first book in the series.  I am happy that Nancy  focused on different characters in this book but was also glad to see some of the familiar faces back.  You do not have to have read the first book to enjoy this book.  Once again I liked that this book was based on a Mennonite community.  I love Amish fiction but is nice to read about another group that have similarities but differences also.  The mystery of who is causing harm to these people and how they chose to confront the situation is both fascinating and compelling.  This book kept me turning pages till I reached the end.  If you Like Amish Fiction I would recommend it for a little bit of change of pace. 

I received a review copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. 




Enter Today - 2/11 - 3/5!

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

About The Tutor's Daughter: 

Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor's Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall coast-a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions-where danger lurks, faith is tested, and romance awaits.

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems-and secrets-of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her...

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart? 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/gI7qC    

Meet Julie:  

  

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Find out more about Julie at http://www.julieklassen.com/. 

My Take:  I like the show Downton Abbey and in many ways this reminds me a bit of that show.  The family has the staff helping them dress and whatnot.  Also there is certain places you can be depending on your station.  Emma has found herself in a kind of limbo.  Not quite on the same level of the family but not a servant either.  All is not what it seems at this particular house in England.  Everyone in the house seems to have a secret of some sort or another.  Emma is determined to find out what the secrets are.  I didn't think that I would like this book at first but I found myself reading just one more page to find out what happens.  this is not really a mystery or a romance but somewhere in between.  I would recommend it if you like either of those genres and I wouldn't be surprised if you too found yourself reading just one more page.  

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. 

Enter Today - 1/14-1/30!

Secretly Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristne Billerbeck, Dian Hunt and Denise Hunter

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About Secretly Smitten: 

 

Summer, fall, winter, spring-Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There's a secret in Grandma Rose's attic-a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose's three granddaughters-Tess, Clare, and Zoe-and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists-and real-life BFFs-Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/gM679     

 

Meet "The Gals":  

  

 RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including "Tidewater Inn", and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. * Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include "A Billion Reasons Why" and "What a Girl Wants." * Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including "A Cowboy's Touch" and "Sweetwater Gap." She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. * Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

My Take:  This book was a nice little read that takes several stories about different people and has a common storyline thread running through them all.  It was interesting to see how each writer took a different character and told their story to add to the enjoyment of the overall book.  Yes this is a romance book and there were really no big surprises in the romance area.  It is all rated G as this is a Christian romance.  The story overall was very good and the mystery helped tie everything together.  Very light read and a quick read.  I did not read the first in the series but I will be going back to read it.  If you haven't read the first book it won't make your enjoyment of this one any less.  

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter Today - 1/3 - 1/20!  


  About The Lesson: Centered on one of Suzanne Woods Fisher's most loved characters, this is the story fans have eagerly anticipated. The precocious M.K. is all grown up (well, almost) and ready to take on the world-with surprising results. Fisher's trademark plot twists and turns are as unexpected and satisfying as ever in this third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. In her wildest dreams, spunky and impulsive nineteen-year-old Mary Kate Lapp never imagined herself behind a schoolteacher's desk. A run-in (literally) with the schoolteacher compels her to act as a substitute teacher, just as her restless desire to see the world compels her to apply for a passport . . . just in case. The only thing of interest to M.K. in the sleepy Amish community of Stoney Ridge is the unexplained death of a sheep farmer that coincided with the arrival of a mysterious young man into the community. Frustrated that no one takes the crime seriously, she takes matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, as tends to be the case for M.K., she jumps headlong into trouble. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/gtVkj


 

Meet Suzanne: Suzanne Woods Fisher lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has one husband, four children, one son-in-law, a brand new grand-baby, and a couple of dogs. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Suzanne has contracts with Revell for six more books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction. She is also the host of "Amish Wisdom·" on toginet.com, a weekly radio program featuring guests who are connected to Simple Living. Find out more about Suzanne at http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/.

My Take:  This book was delightful from beginning to end. It was also a satisfying end to the Lapp Family books.  The book Started out with a bang and kept you on the edge of your seat not with suspense but with wondering what M.K. will come up with next.  Because of an incident that she has with the school teacher she becomes the substitute teacher which she feels is a total injustice.  We also meet Chris and his sister Jenny and we slowly learn what kind of life they have had to live.  I would recommend that you read this book and you will want to start at the beginning.
I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

 

 

About Every Perfect Gift: 

 

Book 3 in Dorothy Love's Hickory Ridge Romance series.

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they're not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.
Ethan Heyward's idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She's equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan's own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance. 

 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/ftJyo  

 

Meet Dorothy:  

  

An accomplished author in the secular market, Dorothy Love makes her inspirational fiction debut with her Hickory Ridge series of historicals set in her native South. Her skillful blending of the historical and the personal reflect her passion for discovering the histories of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things and set her apart as an authoritative voice of Southern historical fiction.

Find out more about Dorothy at http://dorothylovebooks.com/.

 

 

My Take:  Secrets seldom lead to good things and secrets is what this book is all about.  Sophie has a secret that she is trying to keep from Ethan and he has a secret also.  Sophie is also trying to do something that women back during that time in history didn't do, be an independent business woman.  Being a woman but one with mixed race ancestry is harder still to pull this whole thing off.   Will Ethan and Sophie be able to tell each other their secrets without the other one walking away?  Great ending to this series.  This book can be read without reading the rest of the series but you will want to read the others because they are pretty good also.  The Cover of this book is just gorgeous.  Perfect read for this time of year also.  

I received a review copy  in exchange for my honest opinion from Lit Fuse Publicity. 

Ressurrect by David E. Stevens

About Resurrect: 

 

Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy.

Preventing his burning fighter from crashing into a neighborhood, Navy Commander Josh Logan ejects ... too late.
Critically injured, he's offered a new life and mission exploit highly classified military technology to stop a global cataclysm. The price? He'll be dead to everyone he knows.
He wakes in a city hospital with a genetically enhanced body and no identity. With the help of his brilliant, Neuro ICU nurse, and guided by nothing but a voice, he must infiltrate the military-industrial complex to develop the world's most powerful weapon ... to protect humanity? 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/faaOD 

Meet David:  

  

A Navy fighter pilot with hundreds of aircraft carrier landings, Commander David E Stevens holds degrees from Cornell and the University of Michigan with graduate work in astrophysics. He test piloted new fighters and received an aviation patent. With a Top Secret clearance, Dave served as Strike Operations Officer for the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm and led classified defense programs. He's traveled to over two dozen countries.

Find out more about David E. at http://www.resurrecttrilogy.com/.

To celebrate the release of Resurrect, David E. Stevens has teamed up with his publisher, Kregel Publications, for a Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Author Chat Party {12/4}.

One "thrilling" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Resurrect by David E. Stevens

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Resurrect" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/4. Connect with David, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Resurrect Trilogy, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Resurrect and join David on the evening of December 4th for a chance to connect with David 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 4th! 

 

 

My Take: Filled with action and making you wonder what will happen next with each turn of the page this book is truly a white knuckle thrill ride that has you hanging on to the edge of your seat. A great start to a trilogy this book reminds me a bit of the old show the Six Million Dollar man. Josh is given a second chance but he must give up many things that are near and dear to him. This book will appeal to both women and men but I think that men especially will enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing the movie that is being made that is based on this book.

 I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest opinion.

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Book Info About Courting Cate: When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly! In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County! But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is. Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play? Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eSNfb








Meet Leslie: Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.








Enter Today - 11/1-20!  


My Take:  This book is the first book in a new series by Leslie Gould "The Courtships of Lancaster County".  This story is loosely based on The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.  Cate's Father declares that her younger sister cannot court or marry unless Cate does first.  So Cate feel that pressure to find a husband.  But she is not going to just accept anyone as she has been spurned before.  With a bit of fate and alittle meddling mixed in Cate meets Pete Treger.  Has Cate meet her match or is Pete just like the other?  I liked this book and will be looking for the others in the series.  If you enjoy Amish Fiction you may find this book a little different.  This book takes a little of the strangeness of the Amish a way and shows them just as they are as people. 

Soul's Gate by James L. Rubart

 

About Soul's Gate: 

Book 1 in the Well Spring series.

"Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory."

What if you could travel inside another person's soul? To battle for them. To be part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds. To help set them free to step boldly into their divinely designed future.

Thirty years ago that's exactly what Reece Roth did. Until tragedy shattered his life and ripped away his future.

Now God has drawn Reece out of the shadows to fulfill a prophecy spoken over him three decades ago. A prophecy about four warriors with the potential to change the world . . . if Reece will face his deepest regret and teach them what he has learned.

They gather at a secluded and mysterious ranch deep in the mountains of Colorado, where they will learn to see the spiritual world around them with stunning clarity-and how to step into the supernatural.

Their training is only the beginning. The four have a destiny to pursue a freedom even Reece doesn't fully fathom. But they have an enemy hell-bent on destroying them and he'll stop at nothing to keep them from their quest for true freedom and the coming battle of souls.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eGyGA

Meet Jim: James L. Rubart is a professional marketer, speaker, and writer. While being the owner of Barefoot Marketing certainly keeps him on his toes, his passion is writing fiction.

Rubart is an ECPA best-selling author who has been positively reviewed by both Publisher's Weekly and Romantic Times. His first novel, Rooms, won a Best Books 2011 award from USA Book News, as well as a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award. His debut release was followed by Book of Days and The Chair. Soul's Gate is Rubart's fourth release.

In addition to being an author, Rubart is also a photographer, guitarist, professional speaker, golfer and semi-pro magician. With all of this, he says that he barely sleeps. Rubart lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.

Find out more about Jim at http://jimrubart.com/.   

My Take:  Two of my favorite books are This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Perretti, now add to that Soul's Gate.  Just like those other two books Soul's Gate brings the concept of spiritual Warfare to front and brings to your attention that every Christian is a warrior in this fight.  This is a fiction book but there is alot of truth spoken in the book.  The characters are easily cared about, which to me is very important because if I don't care about the characters I don't enjoy the book.  This book also shows you how much God cares about you.  There is that saying that even if you were the only person on earth God would have still sent Jesus to die for you.  This is the first in a new series and I am looking forward to the next one.  If you like Peretti books or just books that make you think you will probably like this book. 


I received a review copy from Lit fuse Publicity in exchange for my honest opinion. 

A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman

A Merry Little Christmasn by Anita Higman

About A Merry Little Christmas: 

 

Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds.

Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who's preparing to spend the holidays alone...again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny's farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she's more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart-that sometimes love comes when you're least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eyLJH   

 

Meet Anita:

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Find out more about Anita at http://www.anitahigman.com.

My Take:  It's time to get into the mood for Christmas.  If you enjoy reading quick Stories around Christmas with a Christmas Theme then this is the book for you.  Just the right length to invest your time in but not too long because let's face it who has alot of time this season of the year.  You will fall in love with the characters in this book and will be glad you took some time away from your holiday preparations to spend some time in Oklahoma with a country girl who is dreaming of the bright lights of the big city and a city boy who just wants to make it on his own terms.  Will they be able to figure out what they both really want.  And is always a good thing to get what you want?

This book is a great way to start the holiday season.

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest opinion.