The Nurse's Secret Suitor by Cheryl Wyatt (CFBA TOUR)

My review: 5 Stars!!!

This was my first read by this author, and I am happy to say I loved it!
I don't usually contemporary romances but I chose to review this one on a whim because it sounded interesting to me! I was not disappointed! First off I loved the setting, a small town in which a group of dedicated doctors and nurses run a trauma center was very unique and in my opinion, genius! I loved the main character Kate from the very beginning, I found I could relate to her quite a lot! Caleb was an amazing hero! And I loved all the other characters, Tia was so adorable and she made me laugh so many times! I also really liked Ian and Mitch, I can't wait to read their stories in the two previous books in this series!

And the ending was oh so sweet!

Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it!



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.


Link To Buy The Book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00CFX57F8

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Nurse's Secret Suitor

Love Inspired (October 1, 2013)


by

Cheryl Wyatt




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Not even Cheryl Wyatt’s closest friends would dream that this sweet, shy intercessor plots mayhem during announcements at church. She is a Registered Nurse turned stay-at-home-mom, wife and writer who loves Jesus with all of her heart.




Joyful chaos rules her home, and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. She is convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentines Day destined her to write Inspirational Military Romance.




Cheryl loves to laugh and to make others laugh, so she often plans comedic moments for her defenseless characters in spite of their grumbling. She says it’s payback for when they refuse to obey the plots she’s set out before them.




Prior to publication, six of Cheryl’s manuscripts placed in ten RWA Contests. Two of Cheryl’s stories also placed First in ACFW’s Noble Theme Contest 2005 (Contemporary Romance Category), as well as ACFW‘s Genesis Contest 2006 (Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Category).




She currently writes for Love Inspired. Her Wings of Refuge Series, about a team of USAF Pararescue Jumpers and the ladies who capture their hearts, can be purchased anywhere books are sold.




ABOUT THE BOOK

A Strong-Willed Heart
Trauma nurse Kate Dalton can handle any challenge—except love. The combat veteran dreams of settling down, but heartbreak is one risk she won't take. Then a chance encounter opens her heart to a masked stranger…who might not be a stranger after all! Caleb Landis, the army medic behind the disguise, has always admired Kate, even though she only saw him as her best friend's brother. What will it take for Kate to discard her fears and discover the man she's always hoped to unmask?
Eagle Point Emergency: Saving lives—and losing their hearts— in a small Illinois town



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Nurse's Secret Suitor, go HERE.

Review: Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund 4 Stars!!!

Another delightful historical read from Jody Hedlund.


The only thing I didn't really like about this book- and the reason why I gave it four stars instead of five- was that the romance between Ben and Susanna was just a tiny bit too passionate and edgy for my taste, but never fear this book is clean!

I really enjoyed this story, I'm not sure that I've ever read a book that was set in Pre-Revolutionary War America, so it was really neat to immerse myself in what the Colonies were like before the War! I loved getting to see Susanna's character develop through the course of the story! And I really liked Ben, I love it when a hero is skilled in multiple areas, and Ben most definitely was!

This is the third book of Ms. Hedlund's that I have read, and while my favorite is still The Doctor's Lady, this one definitely made my keeper shelf!

When I read a book by Jody Hedlund I know that I am in for a lovely romance combined with a strong plot, awesome historical detail, characters that feel like friends, and a great deal of suspense, Rebellious Heart did not disappoint!

Overall, I greatly enjoyed getting the opportunity to read another of Hedlund's masterpieces!




I received 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

Review: Winter Shadows by Casey Bond 4 Stars!!!

A very enjoyable Christian YA debut!

I really liked how this book started off with a great deal of suspense and tension! The characters were really cool (Especially Claire and Ethan!) but there was quite a large cast and at times I had difficulty keeping them all straight. I thought the idea of a dystopian America in which people evacuate to a cave in order to survive, was brilliant!

The storyline was really good but there were times when I felt that the story lagged a bit. But the pace always picked back up quickly!

I really enjoyed the whole book, but I especially loved the last third of the book, I couldn't stop reading, there were moments that made me smile and moments that gave me chills (In a good way!) There were many things that surprised me, especially the twist at the very end!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I want to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If you enjoy Christian fiction and Dystopian YA stories, I highly recommend that you add Winter Shadows to your to- read list.

I very much look forward to reading this author's future books! :-)

Review: Stranded by Dani Pettrey 5+ Stars!!!

Okay, anyone who knows me at all, knows that I am OBSESSED with this series! It's safe to say that my expectations for Stranded were very high (Alaskan mountaintop height!) I am thrilled to say that I found myself Submerged in and my expectations were Shattered by Stranded! (Pun intended!:-)
Dani has hit it out of the park once again! In case you couldn't already tell, I LOVED Stranded! Seriously, I read it in about eight hours! The setting was so cool, I loved that it was set on a cruise ship, how unique! I knew from the previous books that I was going to love Gage and i really liked Darcy in Shattered but I absolutely loved her in Stranded, she is such an awesome character. I don't want to spoil anything but I just have to say that the scene where Gage comes to Christ was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes!
I also loved that Piper and Landon the main characters of the previous book were in Stranded a lot!!!
The amazing mysteries that Dani weaves usually stump me, so I was very surprised that my guess of what was really going on was actually correct- love it when that happens!
Dani Pettrey is one of my all time favorite authors, and while I think I my favorite is still Shattered, Stranded has most definitely earned a permanent spot on my keeper shelf!
This series is a must read, seriously go buy them, NOW! But be warned, don't start them on a day when you have to be up early the next morning, because you will end up being up all night reading 'just one more chapter', these books are very insomnia inducing and oh so worth it!!! :-)
In closing, I highly recommend Stranded, I absolutely loved it. Even though it did leave me with two burning questions: 1. Is it Summer 2014 yet? And 2. Why does Darcy own a lock picking kit?! LOL! :-)



I received this book from the author and 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

Born Of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta (CFBA Tour)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Born of Persuasion

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2013)

by

Jessica Dotta




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in the wrong century–except for the fact that she really likes epidurals and washing machines–Jessica Dotta writes British Historicals with the humor like an Austen, yet the drama of a Bronte.




She resides lives in the greater Nashville area—where she imagines her small Southern town into the foggy streets of 19th century London. She oversees her daughter to school, which they pretend is an English boarding school, and then she goes home to write and work on PR. Jessica has tried to cast her dachshund as their butler–but the dog insists it’s a Time Lord and their home a Tardis. Miss Marple, her cat, says its no mystery to her as to why the dog won’t cooperate. When asked about it, Jessica sighs and says that you can’t win them all, and at least her dog has picked something British to emulate.






ABOUT THE BOOK

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.




With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

I didn't finish this book. The writing was really good. I don't know why but I just wasn't connecting with the story, I couldn't 'get into' it. I read about eighty pages and found that that I personally just didn't care enough about the characters to find out what would happen next in the story, so I ended up just skimming the rest. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this book, it just wasn't for me. But I have seen tons of amazing reviews for this book, so it is clear to me that a lot of people have loved this book, and if this book interests you, please don't listen to just my opinion! :-)




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.







If you would like to read the first chapter of Born of Persuasion, go HERE.

How Different... A Tag!

I was tagged by Abbi @ Christian Novels. Thanks Abbi! :-)


What To Do: This is a "make you think" tag. List three to five things that would be different in your life without fictional books, or fictional characters. When your through, tag three other people.


1. I would read the Bible more!

2. I would never have 'met' some of my greatest friends (This includes fictional characters, authors, and my awesome blogging friends!)

3. I would have nothing to write, since I mainly write fiction!

4. I would go on more stay-cation road trips with my family around my home state of Vermont!

5. Without fiction I wouldn't have a chance to live a million different lives! What I mean is that I tendency to live vicariously through the characters in books. Here is a list of just a few things I have gotten to do in books that I will probably never do in my own life! I have, kayaked, ice climbed, arrested several criminals, saved someone from a fire, gone scuba diving, been a wedding planner, inherited a fortune, been the target of a serial killer.
All from the safety and comfort of my living room!

In summary, the thing I love most about fiction is that every time you open the book, the story is always the same! In this world where everything is always changing, I find myself craving the familiarity of one of my favorite books! Without fictional books, I think I would like a piece of myself was missing! :)


This was really fun to do!
Since all the bloggers I could think of have already been tagged, I am tagging anyone who has read this post! If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your answers in a comment. I'd love to read your thoughts! :-D

Review: Into The Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

After reading (and absolutely loving!) Against The Tide last year, I was really looking forward to Elizabeth Camden's newest book!
I loved that this book featured the Great Chicago Fire, a piece of U.S. history that I knew little about prior to reading this book! Elizabeth Camden has a way of writing that made me feel the heat and taste the smoke of the fire! I really enjoyed this book, I think I liked the first half more than the last half but it was still a really good read! And while Into The Whirlwind didn't quite top Against The Tide for me I still highly recommend it!!!




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.

Monthly Reflections #3

In August I didn't quite make my goal of reading twelve books; I only managed to finish nine but I'm happy with that and I had a blast participating in the Bout Of Books Read-A-Thon with a couple of my amazing blogging friends! :-)

The books I read were:

1. Beguiled by DeeAnne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

2. Daughter Of Texas by Terri Reed

3. Proof by Jordyn Redwood

4. Escapement by Rene Gutteridge

5. Oregon Outback by Elizabeth Goddard

6. The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

7. Teardrop by Travis Thrasher

8. Into The Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

9. River Of Secrets by Lynette Eason

My favorite read:
I really enjoyed all the books I read in August but my favorite would have to be a tie between Proof and The Wedding Dress! With Beguiled and Terdrop also being tied for a very close second! :-)

In September my goal is to read 10 books!

Thanks so much for checking out my reading month! :-)