Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingYankee in AtlantaRiver North(June 1, 2014)byJocelyn Green



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.



ABOUT THE BOOK

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin's only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta.
Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who is about to enlist with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman's troops edge closer to Atlanta. Caitlin tries to escape north with the girl, but is arrested on charges of being a spy. Will honor dictate that Caitlin follow the rules, or love demand that she break them?


Id you would like to read the first chapter of Yankee in Atlanta, go HERE.





My Review:
5 Stars!!!
After reading and liking Widow of Gettysburg last year I knew I wanted to read this one (Even more so after I found out that main character shares my name!) and I am delighted to say that I loved this one even more than Widow of Gettysburg! At 400 pages this is a quite long read, but it's totally worth it! The story is amazing and epic. No it's definitely not a light read (I would recommend it for ages 16+) but it is still incredibly uplifting, when I closed this book my heart was soaring and I was sighing in happiness! One thing I loved about Yankee in Atlanta was that even though there was lovely romance, the love stories (There were two!) were really secondary to the main plot which was neat for a change! This one of those books that just when you start to think that no other crises could possibly happen to these characters, something does! I loved all the characters, except one who wasn't supposed to be liked anyway, but my favorite was probably Caitlin we not only share a name but have similar personalities as well!

I don't want to risk spoiling anything so I will just say that I absolutely loved this book, it has a spot on my list of favorite books of 2014! If you enjoy raw historical fiction set during the civil war, that is so rich and realistic you feel like you're there, Yankee in Atlanta is one you won't want to miss!

I can't wait to see what Jocelyn Green has for us next!



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.

The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart by Allie Pleiter (CFBA)

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Lawman's Oklahoma SweetheartLove Inspired (June 3, 2014)
byAllie Pleiter



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter, harp player and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The "dare from a friend" to begin writing eight years ago has blossomed into a career that includes numerous public speaking engagements, two books on parenting; Becoming a Chief Home Officer and Facing Every Mom's Fears and now novels for Steeple Hill Books. She is the mother of two children and, most recently, a Havanese dog named Bella.






ABOUT THE BOOK

When Katrine Brinkerhoff's cabin is attacked, only sheriff Clint Thornton's heroism saves her. She owes Clint her life—and her help catching the men responsible. All she has to do is trust in Clint's plan to protect her family. But she can't let herself care too deeply, not when her past carries secrets that would drive him away. 




Infiltrating the murderous gang is a dirty job, yet Clint is determined to see it through. The brigands will face justice—and they will never harm Katrine again. Clint would give his life to keep the beautiful settler safe…but will he be willing to risk his heart? 




Bridegroom Brothers: True love awaits three siblings in the Oklahoma Land Rush




If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart, go HERE.



My Review:
5 Stars!
I'm a big fan of the Love Inspired Contemporary and Suspense lines of books, I have read several of both and really enjoyed all of them. But this was my first time reading a Love Inspired Historical, and this was a new to me author so I didn't really know what to expect. But I'm very happy to say that I enjoyed every moment of this book! This book had a great cast of characters and I really liked them all. I read a lot of historical romances but so many things in this book struck me as unique, I will list a few of them. 1. The page count, at 278 pages this book was long for a Love Inspired title which really showed in the level of depth and character development the author wrote into the story, I was also impressed that even though the story does take place in a short timeframe it never felt rushed at all! 2. I don't want to give anything away but you know the secret that both the hero and heroine have that keep them apart in books like these? Well let me just say the secrets in this book were by far the most unique and original I have ever read about. Thank you to the author for her fresh take on that and not just doing the same old, same old! 3. I love it when my two favorite sub-genres (Historical and Suspense) come together in a book. The suspense aspect of this book is what drew me to it in the first place, and that part of the story was so beautifully written that I felt like I was there, loved that!

I have not read the first two books in this series, so I don't think it's necessary to read them in order.

Overall, I loved every minute of this book, it kept me turning pages and I hated to put it down. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read and review The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart!

I highly recommend this book. Love Inspired really knocked my socks off with this one!


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.

Review: Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

I've been a huge fan of Karen Witemeyer for over two years now, I've devoured(And loved!) all of her books! This was yet another fun, cute read with a great depth to it and a wonderful faith message! The storyline was so unique, I loved it! I also loved the action, suspense and mystery aspects of the story! Nicole was awesome, I will always relate to a spunky heroine who can take care of herself and hold her own against the men, Nicole was absolutely such a character! And Darius oh my goodness such a great hero, I loved him. In one scene his anguish and guilt over something he had no control over was written so beautifully that it made my heart break for him and nearly brought me to tears! This story also had a wonderfully delightful cast of supporting characters, I really liked them all. Especially Mrs. Wellborn, which isn't surprising because she kept reminding me of Mrs. Potts, one of my favorite characters in the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast, if you read this book you'll know what I mean! 

I know it wouldn't have been practical to the story but I would have loved to have 'met' Darius' parents, brother and sister in this book! There were also a couple of things that I would have liked a little more closure about, but I loved this book so much that I am giving it five stars all the way!

I don't want to risk giving anything away so I will just say that I absolutely loved this book, it's another Witemeyer book for my keeper shelf! And I can't wait to see what else Karen Witemeyer has in store for us, whatever it is I know I will love it!

I highly recommend that you sail Full Steam Ahead to your nearest bookstore or online retailer and claim  your very own copy of this wonderful adventure! You won't be sorry! 

I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Bethany House publishers, in exchange for my honest review! 

Monthly Reflections #12

In May I was able to read 10 books! I was very pleased with that and I really enjoyed all the books that I read.
The books I read were:

1. Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

2. Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

3. Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes

4. Take a Picture by Lena Goldfinch

5. Yesterday by Amanda Tru

6. A Highlander for Christmas by Jamie Carie

7. Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

8. Gift Horse by Bonnie Bryant

9. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

10. The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart by Allie Pleiter

Most of these were five star reads for me so this is one of those months that it's absolutely impossible for me to choose a favorite! :D


My goals for June are to simply read as many books as I can! Here is a list of some of the books that I know I will be reading this month: Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer, Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green (These are both review books and I am super excited about them!)
The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden, It Had To Be You by Susan May Warren, and hopefully X(Ten)Plagues by Mary Nealy, and Anomaly by Krista McGee! But we'll see how it goes!