Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Wrap Up!

Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner and A Night's Dream of Books

I actually surpassed my goal of reading 2 books! So excited!!! I had a blast participating with some of my amazing blogging friends and I loved taking part in the challenges!

The books I read:

1. Unspoken by Dee Henderson

2. No One To Trust by Lynette Eason

3. A December Bride by Denise Hunter

4. Made To Last by Melissa Tagg (Read the first 114 pages!)

Monday, December 30, 2013

What Countries Have I Visited Challenge 2014 Sign Up!

This challenge is hosted by my friend Abbi @Christian Novels



The Rules:
Anyone can join!
You don't have to have a blog to participate
Your own country does not count towards your number
Only actual countries! No made up places!
The whole book doesn't have to take place in the country and you can use one book for multiple countries


The Levels
Tourist-Visit 5 countries
Vacationer-Visit 10 countries
Business Traveler-Visit 15 countries
Adventurer-Visit 20 countries
World Traveler-Visit 30+ countries

-I think I'm going to sign up for the Vacationer level, but we'll see how 2014 goes, I may up my goal! :D

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Remembering 2013 Challenge and Progress!

Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner and A Night's Dream of Books

Remembering 2013 challenge!
Answer the following...
1. Best Book of 2013: Shattered by Dani Pettrey
2. Worst Book of 2013: Playing with Poison by Cindy Blackburn (I don't really like using the word 'worst' but this is the book that I disliked the most and gave the lowest star rating to this year)
3. Favorite New Author: Debut author: Katie Ganshert. New-To-Me Authors: Lynette Eason, and Steven James
4. Book that surprised you: There were several but the first one that came to mind was: The Rook by Steven James
5. Book that disappointed you: Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen

Progress... Today (Saturday) I finished Unspoken by Dee Henderson and read about 140 pages of No One To Trust by Lynette Eason, I'm loving this one and SO hated having to put it down!!! :D

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Review: Unspoken by Dee Henderson 3 Stars


Be aware this review may contain minor spoilers, you have been warned! :D

Prior to getting this book to review I had read two books and a novella in the author's O'Malley series, and really enjoyed them. So I thought I'd give her newest release a try. This was a good book but it was definitely a slow paced read and there were a number of times that I found myself getting bored with the story. I liked the characters although I don't think any of them are favorites. This book has a very interesting premise. I think one of my favorite things about this book was the portrayal of a contemporary marriage of convenience (I don't think I've ever seen this particular storyline used in anything but historical novels, before this book!) There were several things that I liked about this book, I particularly found all the conversations about rare coins interesting!

The two biggest things I didn't like about this book are, Number 1. The length, this is quite a long book and I think that if it were a bit shorter, say 100 pages or so it would definitely speed up the pace. And Number 2. Is that it was billed a romantic suspense (The words romantic suspense are even printed on the back cover where it says what category the book is) Is there romance in this book? Yes! Mystery? Yes! Suspense? No (In my opinion) I was expecting there to be the same amount as in the other books of hers I'd read and I was a little disappointed that unfortunately it just wasn't there.

Overall, this was a good book which I did enjoy reading and I might read it again at some point in the future! I'm not sure if I will read the author's next release but I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the books in her O'Malley series. I recommend Unspoken, just be prepared that if you are looking for a suspenseful fast paced read this book probably isn't it.



I received this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks!
The above is my honest opinion.
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Love it or Hate it book cover challenge


Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner and A Night's Dream of Books


My "Love It" Choice is a book cover that was just released... Deluge by Lisa T. Bergren
I have been waiting for this book for SO long, and it is so exciting that it is now one step closer to being released!
Anyway, I love this cover because I feel like it fits perfectly with the covers of the rest of the series. The colors are beautiful, I love the landscape picture at the bottom, and I was thrilled to find out that the little girl is the daughter of two of the main characters! For all my fellow River of Time fans, she has Marcello's curls don't ya think?!
CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!

And my "Hate It" Choice is... The Prowl Trilogy by Amber Garza
I absolutely loved these books but I'm sorry to say I hate these new covers! The colors are really pretty. But I really don't like the model. Not only do I feel like she is way too glamorous to be Kenzie, but the dress and poses feel a little too suggestive/seductive to me. Basically this is a really amazing Christian YA series and it seems like they are trying to make the covers look more like mainstream YA covers.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Rainbow Spine Challenge and Day One Progress

Rainbow book spine challenge! I loved this challenge and had a great time with it! I did have a tough time trying to find a book on my shelf that had an Orange spine so the closest I could get was one that was partially Orange, hope that works! :D

The books I used are: Red-Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund, Orange-When The Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason, Yellow-Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz, Green-Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Blue-A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer, Violet-Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson


Day one progress... I didn't get as much read as I was hoping, I only read about 70 pages of Unspoken by Dee Henderson but I'm hoping to read more today!



Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Launch Post!

Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner and A Night's Dream of Books


So this read-a-thon officially starts tomorrow, but I will probably end up getting started tonight! So I decided to post my goals and launch post tonight!!! :)

I am 124 pages into Unspoken by Dee Henderson, so I am hoping to finish that one for starters!
No One To Trust by Lynette Eason came in the mail on Christmas eve, what a wonderful early Christmas present :D So I really want to read that one! Oh, and I got Made To Last by Melissa Tagg, for Christmas so I'm hoping to at least start that one too!!! So basically my goal is to read as much as I can and hopefully finish at least two books!







Monday, December 23, 2013

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Sign Up Post!

Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner and A Night's Dream of Books

So since a couple of my totally awesome blogging friends signed up for this read-a-thon, I couldn't resist joining in too!!! Can't wait for it to start!!! :D

I will post my goals/book list on Thursday, the first day of the read-a-thon!

Sunday, December 22, 2013

#ReadingCram End Of The Year Read-A-Thon Wrap Up!

I was amazed that I was actually able to achieve my goal of reading 10 books!!! And I also read about sixty pages of an eleventh book! I had a blast participating in this read-a-thon with some of my awesome blogging friends! The challenges were so much fun and I really enjoyed taking part in them!

The books I read:

1. The Five Kisses by Karla Darcy

2. Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes

3. 21 Prayers for Teen Girls by Shelley Hitz and Heather Hart

4. Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis

5. Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson

6. Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen

7. Placebo by Steven James

8. Waiting for Dawn by Susan May Warren

9. Free Four by Veronica Roth

10. The Knight by Steven James

11. Unspoken by Dee Henderson (Read61 pages)


Saturday, December 21, 2013

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Most anticipated 2014 releases!

Most anticipated books of 2014 challenge! Hosted by Alex @BookChick

1. No One To Trust by Lynette Eason

2. Deceived by Irene Hannon

3. A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert

4. Meant to be Mine by Becky Wade

5. Silenced by Dani Pettrey

6. A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

7. Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White

8. Deluge by Lisa T. Bergren

9. With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

10. Dating, Dining and Desperation by Melody Carlson

Friday, December 20, 2013

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Day Twelve!

Spell it out challenge!
Hosted by Kim @Kimberly Faye Reads

"Use the first letter in any book you read in 2013 to spell out a word. You can chose first name, initials, your birthday month, or your zodiac sign."

So I was originally going to do my first name but I couldn't find books for all the letters. So since I have two middle names I decided to both of those: Assunda Grace

A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

No Safe Haven by Kimberly and Kayla Woodhouse

Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins

An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus



Grave Consequences by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

A Bride For Keeps by Melissa Jagears

Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Escapement by Rene Gutteridge

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Day Nine!

Song challenge Hosted by Book Loving Hippo

Pick any book you read in 2013 and choose a song(s) that best describe it!

I had so much fun with this challenge! I actually decided to do one song for the first two books in a series!

The books:

The Pawn and The Rook by Steven James.

The song "Hero" by Skillet

Why I chose this song. These books are both very suspenseful, thrilling reads (I love them!) and the fast paced music of this song fits the pace of the books perfectly. And the lyrics feel almost like they were written for these books! This has been one of my favorite songs for a while now and one day I heard it on the radio and it just hit me that it should be the theme song for these books!





Monday, December 16, 2013

#ReadingCram Read A Thon Day Eight!


Movie cast challenge Hosted by Alex @Book Chick

--pick any book read in 2013, and create a real life cast of characters--


Okay so I chose one of my favorite reads of 2013. The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund


And the cast I picked for this book is...

Rhys Coiro as Dr. Eli Ernest


And Claire Danes as Priscilla White/Ernest

Photos borrowed from Google Images

Saturday, December 14, 2013

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Day Six!

Seasonal book recommendations challenge. Hosted by Michelle @BookBriefs


Recommend a book good for a Snow Day...Trapped by Irene Hannon

Recommend a book good for a Rainy Day...Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

Recommend a book good for a Beach Day...Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Recommend a book good for a Spooky Night...The Pawn by Steven James

Friday, December 13, 2013

Review: Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis 5 Stars!!!

I first committed to purity about seven years ago when I was fifteen years old! Since that time I have read several books on the subject of purity, some of which were helpful and some of which were not.
This was a new to me author so when I started this book I didn't really know what to expect, but I am very pleased to say that this book changed how I think about purity and made me look at purity in a whole new way! Once I started this book I really hated to put it down, and even though some parts didn't really apply to me as I've never been in a relationship with a young man before. But regardless, I loved this book!
This book is so much more than just a book about purity, this is a book about learning to rely fully on Christ.
I learned so many things from this book, it helped me to see problems in my own life that I wasn't even aware of!
This book definitely has a spot on my keeper shelf, and I anticipate rereading it many times in the future!
Highly recommend!



I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.
The above is my honest opinion.
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Day Five!

Book to movie adaption challenge
Hosted by Emily @Falling For YA

For this challenge you pick your favorite book to movie adaption of 2013!

This was actually really easy for me (Granted, I've only seen one book to movie adaption this year. But it would be my favorite even if I had seen more!)
So my choice is (Drumroll please!)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Catching Fire was my favorite book in the Hunger Games series, so I was a little nervous beforehand that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. I needn't have worried, it was AMAZING! My favorite scene from Catching Fire (The Book) is the Tribute interview scene before the 75th Hunger Games. And I have to say that if that scene hadn't been done right, I might have hated the entire movie! But I was so happy that that scene as well as the rest of the movie was done PERFECTLY! I loved, loved, LOVED the movie! I can't gush about it enough!!! In my opinion they stayed incredibly close to the book (Much to my delight!) And we all know how rare that is!!! :D
So do I recommend this movie? Hmm let me think... YES!
If haven't seen it yet, you should absolutely get yourself to the theater as soon as possible! I can't wait for it come out on DVD so that I can own this piece of brilliance!!!





Wednesday, December 11, 2013

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon day three!

Top Ten Books I read in 2013 challenge
Hosted by Jessica @Let Me Tell You A Story

So this was REALLY hard for me to do because I've read so many amazing books this year, but to make it a little easier I limited myself to books that were released in 2013!
So here's my list!

1. Shattered by Dani Pettrey

2. Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

3. When A Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

4. Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

5. Trapped by Irene Hannon

6. Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

7. Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

8. Ring Of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

9. Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

10. Stranded by Dani Pettrey


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

#ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Day Two Teaser Challenge!

Hosted by Book loving hippo


The rules are to open the book you are currently reading to a random page and post two sentences.


I am currently reading a non-fiction book called Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis.

"Purity is not defined by whether we are married or single or if we are in a relationship or not. Purity is about exalting Jesus to the watching world as better."
Page 24, Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis

Sunday, December 8, 2013

End Of The Year #ReadingCram Read-A-Thon Goals and Book List!

So since the read-a-thon starts tomorrow, I decided to post my goals and the list of books I plan to read! I have already completed my goal of reading 100 books this year, but I have given myself a lofty goal of reading at least 10 books between the 9th and the 22nd. Also the challenges for this read-a-thon look like so much fun, I want to participate in as many of them as I can!

This is the list of books I'm planning to read! :D

1. The Knight by Steven James

2. Placebo by Steven James

3. Singularity by Steven James

4. Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson

5. 21 Prayers for Teen Girls by Shelley Hitz and Heather Hart

6. The Five Kisses by Karla Darcy

7. Waiting for Dawn by Susan May Warren

8. Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes

9. Cuts Like A Knife by M.K. Gilroy

10. Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen

11. Free Four (Divergent 1.5) by Veronica Roth

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Monthly Reflections #6

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My goal for November was to read 10 books. Last month ended up being a lot busier than I thought it would be and I was in a bit of a reading slump so I only managed to read 5 books! But I loved all of them and I'm happy that I was able to get that many books read!

The books I read:

1. The Pawn by Steven James

2. Prince Incognito by Rachelle McCalla

3. Grave Consequences by Lisa Tawn Bergren

4. The Rook by Steven James

5. A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

Favorite read of November: While I loved all five of these books, my favorites were by farThe Pawn and The Rook. Such amazing suspense books! I can now officially say that the Patrick Bowers series is one of my favorite series and Steven James is one of my favorite authors! Thanks so much to my blogging friend Melanie for recommending Steven James' books to me!!! :D

Goal for December:
In December my goal is to read 15 books. I've signed up for the End Of The Year Read-A-Thon and my goal is to read ten books during the read-a-thon, a big goal but I've got several novellas and shorter novels on my list for the read-a-thon so I'm hoping I can achieve that goal!!! :D

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

End Of The Year 2013 #ReadingCram Read-A-Thon sign up post!



Hosted by JuliaBabyJen's Reading Room and Danasquare

This read-a-thon will run from December 9th-22nd.
A friend of mine brought my attention to this read-a-thon (Thanks Melanie!:)I am so excited to participate in it because I have already reached my goal of reading 100 books this year, I still have a bunch of books that I want to read before the end of the year! This read-a-thon sounds perfect for me, and I think that it will really motivate me to keep reading! This is a pretty lofty goal but I am hoping to cross 10 books off my TBR list during this read-a-thon! A few days before the read-a-thon starts I will probably post a list of books I plan to read!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Traces Of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr and Cindy Kelley (CFBA TOUR)




This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Traces of Mercy


David C. Cook (October 1, 2013)


by


Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.



****



Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house.







ABOUT THE BOOK





From Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, authors of The Silent Gift and creators of the hit television film Love Comes Softly, comes an exciting historical romance set in post-Civil War, and filled with suspense and faith-building values.




At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life.




Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance





If you'd like to read the first chapter of Traces of Mercy, go
HERE.



My Review:
5 Stars!!!
I am a big fan of the "Love Comes Softly" movie series. But until I was offered a chance to review this book, I was unaware that this dynamic duo had written a novel! Once I read the description I knew I wanted to read this one! However, I was not prepared for just how unique this book was! Oh WOW, this book was spectacular! I was drawn into the story from page one and hated to put it down! I loved everything about this book, the characters, the setting, the storyline. And I especially loved Mercy's journal entries, some of the things she wrote made me laugh out loud! Again, I was pleasantly surprised by just how unique the plot of this story was, it's definitely not your average amnesia storyline, I loved that! There really wasn't anything I didn't like about this book except for the cliffhanger ending, and the only reason I didn't like that is because the next book isn't out yet! I was enthralled by this book, I loved it! I hope the next two books in this trilogy will be released in short order because I am chomping at the bit to read more of this series!
I highly recommend Traces Of Mercy.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Monthly Reflections #5

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My goal for October was to read 10 books, I didn't quite reach that goal but I came really close. I read 9 books! :-)

The books I read were:

1. Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins

2. An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus

3. A Bride For Keeps by Melissa Jagears

4. Ring Of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

5. Greetings From The Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

6. Trapped by Irene Hannon

7. Fairchild's Lady by Roseanna M. White

8. Traces Of Mercy by Michael Landon JR and Cindy Kelley

9. A Light In The Window by Julie Lessman

Favorite read of the month:
I enjoyed all of the books I read this month, so I can't choose just one favorite. My three favorites of this month are, in no particular order are: Ring Of Secrets, Fairchild's Lady, and Trapped! They were all SO good!!! :D

In November I hope to read 10 books!
Thanks so much for checking out my reading month! :-)

Monday, October 21, 2013

Greetings From The Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay




This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Greetings from the Flipside


B&H Books (October 15, 2013)


by


Rene Gutteridge





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:






Rene is the author of seventeen novels. She also has extensive experience writing comedy sketches, and worked for five years as the director of drama for a church. She has a degree specializing in Screenwriting, for which she earned the Excellence in Mass Communication Award, and graduated magna cum laude.




She is married to Sean, a musician and worship leader, and has two children. They reside in Oklahoma, where Rene writes full time and enjoys instructing in college classrooms and writers conferences.




ABOUT THE BOOK





Hope Landon has been rewriting other people's greeting cards since she was six years old -- there's always a funnier caption. She's all set to chase those creative dreams with her musician fiance in New York City until he leaves Hope at the altar, deciding he must not really love this girl if he can't write a song for her. That may give her something to write about . . .




Hope disappears alone on what was supposed to be the couple's month long honeymoon. Upon returning she learns of her funeral -- everyone in her life concluded Hope must have killed herself after being jilted. Needing a fresh start more than ever, she heads for the Big Apple only to discover it's not that easy to rent a place when you've been declared dead.




Taking shelter at the YWCA, Hope soon lands a job at a Christian inspirational greeting card company as an assistant to Jake, a guy who shut down his organization's humor department. She has lost her faith in love; he needs to find something or someone that will make him laugh.




Is there anything in the cards for these two? Find out in the truly original Greetings from the Flipside by authors Rene Gutteridge (Boo) and Cheryl McKay (screenplay for The Ultimate Gift).



If you would like to read the first chapter of >Greetings from the Flipside, go HERE.






My Thoughts:

5 Stars!!!

If you thought the synopsis of this book was unique and interesting, I'm here to tell you the story is even more unique than it appears!

I first heard about this book a few months ago, it really intrigued me. So when I was given the opportunity to review it, I jumped at the chance!

I pleased to say that I loved this book! I was drawn into the story from the first page! I hated to put the book down, I read one hundred pages in a single sitting and finished it the next day!

There really isn't anything I didn't like about this book! There are some key plot points that aren't mentioned in the synopsis (But I understand why they weren't!) which some people may view as weird or bizarre, although I personally loved it and thought it was perfect! Sorry to be so vague but I don't want to risk giving away any spoilers! I know this review is kinda short but I honestly don't know what else to say, besides I loved, loved, LOVED this book! This book would make an awesome movie!

To sum up, Greetings From The Flipside is a fun, unputdownable read which I highly recommend. I know I'll definitely be reading it again many times in the future!




I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Review: A Bride For Keeps by Melissa Jagears

My Review:

5 Stars!!!


First let me say that the words mail-order bride usually make me NOT want to read a book, simply because I'm not a huge fan of these story lines! However, something about the description of A Bride For Keeps reached out to me and made me really want to read it! And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the characters. Julia was really cool, I really felt bad for her, all the emotional baggage she carried was awful but very realistic. Everett was such a great hero, I loved him, one of the things that I love the most was that through him the author showed that even after we give our lives and hearts to Christ and begin a relationship with Him, there will still be times when we struggle with our thoughts and emotions, and will have to learn to turn them over to God!

The setting was really cool, I'm not sure that I've read a historical set on the Kansas prairie, before!

I hate it when the awkwardness and misunderstandings between characters feel unrealistic, I am happy to report that such was not the case in this book. The awkwardness in this book all felt very real, and resulted in some hilarious scenes at which I literally laughed out loud while reading!

I can't really think of anything else to say except that I really enjoyed this book, I will even go so far as to say that I loved it. And I definitely anticipate re-reading at least my favorite parts, if not the whole book, in the future!
I highly recommend this one to mature teens and adults.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.





This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


A Bride for Keeps


Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013)


by


Melissa Jagears





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




A Word From The Author:





I am a stay at home mother on a tiny little farm with a fixer-upper house. As much as I love writing and reading about homesteaders, I am so glad I’m a homesteader during an era with modern grocery stores to take up for my slack. I am an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher by trade, and I still work occasionally in that field along with being my church’s financial secretary and writing novels.



My husband and I have been married since 2001 and have a daughter and two little boys. My husband shares my fascination with traditional living except for being more hands on. He loves blacksmithing, knife smithing, traditional archery, hunting, etc. Generally whatever a mountain man does, he does it or has or wants to attempt it. He comes in handy for research! And of course, the rest of the family gets involved. I have my own blackpowder rifle, named Calvin, that my husband made for me. And I’m pretty sure my daughter is probably one of very few her age who can instruct adults how to shoot a longbow properly. The boy digs random holes in my yard to make “cement” with dirt and water making our yard a tripping hazard. The baby does what babies do.




ABOUT THE BOOK





A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers!




Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.




Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.




Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?




If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride for Keeps, go HERE.



Thursday, October 10, 2013

An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus

My review:

After reading and enjoying the first book in this series earlier this year, I was eagerly anticipating Caddy's story! I am thrilled to say that I loved this book even more than the first one! I loved Caddy and Neal was an amazing hero! It was really interesting that this book took place at the same time as book one, just from different characters perspectives!!! Many times in this book I was convinced that I had everything figured out and every time I was surprised by yet another twist in the story!!! This was a great read and the only things I didn't like about it were, 1. There were a couple of questions that didn't seem like they were answered-but they were just minor details so it wasn't a big deal. And 2. I felt like the ending was just a tiny bit abrupt, I actually wouldn't have minded seeing this book be a little longer- but this wasn't really a big deal either and probably the only reason I felt this way was because I didn't want the book to end!

Overall, I loved this book! It didn't disappoint. I definitely anticipate re-reading it in the future! I highly recommend An Honest Heart but I think you may want to read Follow The Heart first!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.






This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Honest Heart


B&H Books (October 15, 2013)


by


Kaye Dacus





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:






Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing, Harvest House Publishers, and B&H Publishing. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.




Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and educator who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is an academic advisor and English Composition instructor for Bethel University.




ABOUT THE BOOK





Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, An Honest Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.




Featuring dual romance stories, the main plot involves seamstress Caddy Bainbridge and the choice she must make between two men: one from the aristocracy, the other from the working class. Award-nominated author Kaye Dacus pinpoints the theme of honesty—both men in this love triangle have deep secrets to hide, and Caddy’s choice will be based on which of them can be honest with her.




Courtship . . . cunning . . . candor. Who possesses an honest heart?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Honest Heart, go HERE



Monday, October 7, 2013

Cover Reveal~ Silenced by Dani Pettrey

This cover was officially released today! I absolutely love it, SO gorgeous! Silenced doesn't release until May but I cannot wait to read it!!! :-)

BTW the author has also revealed that Silenced will be Kayden and Jake's story!
*Smiles from ear to ear*
Here is the link to Pre-order Silenced from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0764211951/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?qid=1381180503&sr=8-13&pi=AA75

I am so crazy about this cover, I just had to do a cover reveal!!!

So without further ado, I present the cover for Silenced

Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins (CFBA TOUR)




This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Dark Justice


B&H Books (October 1, 2013)


by


Brandilyn Collins





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:






Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e . . ."® Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn's awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice.




Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.




When she's not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching the craft of fiction at writers' conferences.




ABOUT THE BOOK





If I’d had any idea what those words would mean to me, to my mother and daughter, I’d have fled California without looking back.




While driving a rural road, Hannah Shire and her aging mother, who suffers from dementia, stop to help a man at the scene of a car accident. The man whispers mysterious words in Hannah’s ear. Soon people want to kill Hannah and her mother for what they “know.” Even law enforcement may be involved.




The two women must flee for their lives. But how does Hannah hide her confused mother? Carol just wants to listen to her pop music, wear her favorite purple hat, and go home. And if they turn to Hannah’s twentyseven- year-old daughter, Emily, for help, will she fall into danger as well?




Pressed on all sides, Hannah must keep all three generations of women in her family alive. Only then does she learn the threat is not just to her loved ones, but the entire country . . .



If you'd like to read the first chapter of Dark Justice, HERE.





My review:

Brandilyn Collins is a new to me author, but I have heard lots of amazing things about her books. So when I was given the chance to review her latest release, I jumped at it! I really liked the characters, I especially loved Hannah's mom Carol it was so cool how she kept quoting scripture verses even though she could no longer remember what book of The Bible they were from. I liked Hannah, and even though there were times that I got a little annoyed with some of the things she did that seemed to me like kind of stupid things to do when there people after you, but I also understood that the author did it because real people sometimes do dumb things without thinking, so that did give the story a very realistic feel. I liked the way this story was told, mainly from Hannah's perspective in first person but also from her daughter Emily's and the villains perspectives which were told in third person, this was a really neat way to write the story!

The suspense was very good, many things in this book surprised me, including who was working with the villains! And I loved the ending!!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found myself hating to put it down!
I very much look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future! I highly recommend Dark Justice if you enjoy Christian suspense stories in which not everything is as it appears!!!




I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.