{Review} Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

Blue Moon Promise
by Colleen Coble
300 pages
Thomas Nelson Publishing

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Book Number One in the Under Texas Stars series

A love like Lucy and Nate’s only comes along once in a blue moon . . .

Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.

Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh—a city girl—on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

 

MY REVIEW:  I have to admit right off the bat that one of the things that first drew me to this book was the fact that it was set in Texas.  Fortunately it also turns out that this book is the first in a series so we can look forward to enjoying these characters again!

After her father’s death Lucy is set to do anything to keep her young siblings safe – including the acceptance of a marriage proposal to a man she’s never met.  The proposal couldn’t have come at a better time for Lucy as her job was abruptly ended and her landlord had just delivered the news that they must move out.

Unfortunately the news of a proxy marriage didn’t sit well with Nate and he was not pleased at all.  However, through faith and patience a workable solution was found.  And did love follow shortly after???

This book was a great read for me, even though it took a bit for me to get into.  Once I did there was no stopping and I would easily recommend this book to anyone who likes period romances.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  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.

For more about Colleen and her other books visit www.colleencoble.com

 

ABOUT THE PARTY:  Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

To celebrate Colleen is teaming up with her publisher Thomas Nelson for a "Blue Moon Promise" Facebook Chat party where she will giveaway a KINDLE Fire and a Texas-sized gift basket (fabulous Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products)!

Click the banner, RSVP today for the Facebook Party and mark the date on your calendar!

Invite your friends and don't miss Colleen's evening of chat, trivia, prizes, and more.

Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date - 3/13!

 

** Thank you to Litfuse for providing a copy of this book for my review.

{Review} Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

Chasing Mona Lisa
by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey
322 pages
Revell Publishers

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:   It is August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country, stealing countless pieces of art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all, the Mona Lisa, as a post-war bargaining chip to get him to South America. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue DaVinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps.

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here. http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#ChasingMonaLisa

 

MY REVIEW:  In a book that definitely should be Hollywood bound, the authors deftly send us back to the Nazi German occupation of Paris during WWII.  From the very beginning of the book we are kept on the edge of our seat during this adrenaline pumping story.

Through the mad rush to see who reaches the Mona Lisa first we meet both the ‘good guys’ and the ‘bad guys’ and there is never any problem deciding who to root for.  This seriously was a book I hated to set aside and kept saying to myself “Just one more chapter and then I’ll……”

Another plus to this book was learning about the tremendous effort during the war to protect and preserve the great art classics.  This is something I knew absolutely nothing about and it was so fascinating to me.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:  Tricia Goyer is the coauthor of The Swiss Courier as well as the author of many other books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Arkansas. For more about Tricia and her other books visitwww.triciagoyer.com

Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including The Swiss Courier and the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California. For more about Mike  and his other books visitwww.mikeyorkey.com

 

Win an iTouch SPY Prize Pack!

Enter 1/16 - 1/31. RSVP for Party today!

Win an iTouch SPY Pack in the Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway from @triciagoyer
@mikeyorkey!

Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The Swiss Courier). This time the due are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world  - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

• iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)</ li>
• Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
• Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
• Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
• Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. The winner will be announced at the Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away their books and a Book Club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)

So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (do you know how to pick a lock? ) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

{Review} The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

The Shadow of Your Smile
by Susan May Warren

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage.

After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember?

Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/the-shadow-of-your-smile.

 

MY REVIEW:  It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Susan May Warren books, but don’t let that keep you from believing my review!  And I’m not going to tell you it’s my favorite book so far this year since the year is so new and you’d just shake your head.  What I will tell you is just how much I loved this book.

Have you ever wondered about the path you’ve taken in your life – and wondered what your younger self would think of it?  Noelle Hueston is faced with those thoughts when she recovers from an accident that erases her memory. 

As she learns more about the life she’s created she also discovers that an earlier tragedy in her marriage has caused a giant rift between she and her husband.  Have you ever wondered about second changes?  Noelle gets a second chance to make her marriage work – if that is what she chooses.

This truly was a book I had trouble putting down.  The dialogue between characters makes you fall in love and care about all of them, both with the primary story and the secondary stories. 

The Deep Haven novels continue to be favorites and I hope we soon get to meet more of the residents!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

 

A GIVEAWAY AND A PARTY! 

Come Back to Deep Haven and Win a $200 Visa Card from @SusanMayWarren! Sometimes love requires a little forgetting ... Come back to Deep Haven and find out what's been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you're new to the Deep Haven series - this is the perfect book to start with - each book in the series is a stand alone story.

Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)

• The entire set of Deep Haven Books

The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles</ a>! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK</ a> or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

 

 

** Thank you to Litfuse for providing a copy of this book for my review.

{Review} Lost Melody by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lost Melody
by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
312 pages
Zondervan Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK:  The beautiful piano sitting in the corner of Jill King's apartment begs to be played. For over a year, it has sat untouched, ever since a terrible accident shattered Jill's ambition of becoming a concert pianist. The ragged scar on her left hand is a cruel and constant reminder of the death of her dream. But another dream is about to come to life---an unexpected, horrifying dream that will present Jill with a responsibility she never wanted. And choices she never wanted to make. Hundreds of lives depend on Jill's willingness to warn her small, oceanside town in Nova Scotia of a nameless, looming disaster. But doing so could cost Jill her reputation, jeopardize the political career of the man she loves, and ruin their plans for a future together. The fate of an entire community hangs in the balance as Jill wrestles with the cost of heeding one still, small voice.

If you would like to read a chapter excerpt of Lost Melody, go HERE.

 

MY REVIEW:  This book was so very unlike anything I’ve read before… and I loved every minute of it!

Still putting her life back together after a terrible accident, Jill begins having a very disturbing dream.  A sense of urgency leads her to question whether the dreams could be from God – or are they merely a product of her subconscious?  And is she ready to put everything she holds dear on the line on the off chance that the dream is real?

This book was so thought provoking and I love it when a fiction book can do that.  Even better, the authors also provided an alternate ending, which also led to thought.  Very great book!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:  Lori Copeland lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market. To date, she has had over 100 books published.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels and over fifty articles and short stories. Her books have been named finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award, and ACFW's Carol Award.

A Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, Ginny's messages are always well-received by a variety of audiences in conferences, retreats and churches across the country. When she isn't writing or speaking, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature – snow skiing in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, motorcycle riding on the curvy roads in central Kentucky, and scuba diving in the warm waters of Mexico and the Caribbean.

 

** Thank you to CFBA for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review.

{Review} Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Baby, It’s Cold Outside
by Susan May Warren
309 pages
Summerside Press

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Hope finds the hopeless when a storm hits.

It's Christmas weekend 1949, and despite the threat of a storm, the townspeople of Frost are determined to continue their holiday traditions, if only as a means to forget the war that they had all just suffered through. But the suffering hasn't ended for Dottie Morgan who lost her only son in the war. She's preparing to wallow in her isolation for the weekend, when Violet, nearly a spinster at age 29, dares to make a request that will force Dottie to publicly revive the memory of her dead son.

When a storm traps the two women at home with a strange young man who has an unbelievable confession and a neighbor with more to do with Violet's past than she would like, no one can predict how this Christmas will give them all a second chance.

Read an excerpt here and find out the story behind the novel

 

MY REVIEW:  “Oh the weather outside is frightful…”  But it manages to bring five people together for some unintentional, intense time together.  That time seems to be exactly what each of them needs, even if they might not have known it before.

Each character is instrumental in bringing about changes in thoughts in somebody else within the house.  Preconceived notions are put to the test and they question some of the things they believe – both in themselves and in those with them during the blizzard.

Such a very good book!  The characters are so easy to love, the time period of right after the war and watching love bloom make this a new favorite book of mine.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

Warm up to Christmas early this year with Susan May Warren's Baby, It's Cold Outside</ a>! To celebrate the release of her new Christmas book with Summerside Press, she and the publisher are giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting an early Christmas Party on Facebook

Read what the reviewers are saying here.


One festive winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/26

But, wait there’s more! Join Susan May Warren on 10/27 for merriment and a few early Christmas presents at her Baby, It's Cold Outside Christmas party! Grab your Christmas sweaters, socks and pj’s and join Susan and a few friends for a fireside chat about her recent books (Heiress & Baby, It’s Cold Outside), holiday traditions, favorite Christmas recipes, a trivia contest and more! Invite your friends and don’t miss the fun!

RSVP here and we'll see you on October 27th at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST!

 

** Thank you to Litfuse for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review.

{Review} Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards

Zombie Church
by Tyler Edwards
211 pages
Kregel Publications

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  There is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: life. Real faith--and a real relationship with Jesus--is not about playing by the rules, attending services, and praying before meals. Real faith is more than religion.

Believing there is a way to breathe life back into the church, Tyler Edwards adopts a contemporary and entertaining metaphor--zombies--to highlight and challenge the problematic attitude of today’s believers.

Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus.

While other books have addressed legalism in the church, this is the only book that effectively capitalizes on a popular entertainment genre in order to diagnose and correct the problem. Realizing that even his own church is part of that problem, Edwards has written an accessible and often humorous book that will help believers change the Spirit-draining (or life-draining) habits that stop them from achieving a full, fulfilling life in Christ.

 

MY REVIEW:  I’ll be the first to admit that the title is what made me look into this book.  As the mother of two 20-somethings and a family of zombie fans, this caught my eye.  When I read the back of the book and saw what it really was about I was thrilled.

Instead of being a book content to throw stones at churches that “do it wrong”, Tyler Edwards gives us both the diagnosis and the cure.  I found myself actually taking notes while reading this book and pondering his thoughts late into the night or while driving to work.  The church is definitely ailing and maybe if we’d all take a hard look at ourselves and begin within it would be our first step.

I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but I can say wholeheartedly that this book should be read by all.  The smaller thickness of the book might fool you into thinking it will be a fast read, but the reality is that there is so much content in those pages that you will want to ponder and reread quite often.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Tyler Edwards is the lead pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church in Joplin, Missouri, where he works to help people learn how to live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and look like Jesus—so they carry out the mission of Jesus to the world. He graduated from Ozark Christian College with bachelor’s degrees in both Biblical Literature and Christian Ministry. He has written articles for Lookout Magazine, spoken at various campus ministry events in Missouri, and served overseas in Mbale, Uganda.

Tyler loves cheesy horror films. He is particularly fond of movies like Dawn of the Dead, The Signal, and 28 Days Later, where zombies run wild and threaten to infect an entire town. Connect with Tyler on Facebook.

 

The publisher is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway!

About the Giveaway! To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Zombie Church or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com).

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea:

TWEET THIS: Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards - a fair-minded & tenderhearted critique of the church http://ow.ly/6Nv05 @litfuse RT for $50 to @amazon

FACEBOOK THIS: Don’t miss Edwards - a fair-minded and tenderhearted critique of the church. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13424384 Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus. Share this for a chance at $50 to Amazon.com

 

** Thank you to Litfuse for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review.  Click here to see what other reviewers have to say about the book.

{Review} Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy

Reclaiming Lily
by Patti Lacy
373 pages
Bethany House Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK:   A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Ft. Worth hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer--or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

 

MY REVIEW:    Once again Patti Lacy has given us a book with characters filled with such depth that you hate for it to end.  The first Patti Lacy book I read was The Rhythm of Secrets and from that moment I keep an eye out for her books as I know she will not let me down.

The book opens with Rev. and Mrs. Powell in China, having arrived to adopt a baby.  Upon arrival they are told that there are no babies, and through disappointed eyes Mrs. Powell spots Lilly, a ten year old girl that she knows  they were meant to adopt.

Fast forward to “today” when Joy (Lily’s new name) gets into serious trouble and the family gathers around, including her new to her older sister Kai.  Kai seems to be just what this family needs as they struggle through tumultuous times…or is she?

This book receives the full 5 stars from me as I was fascinated right from the beginning.  The story goes back and forth between continents, cultures, families and time in history.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University with a BS in education and completed master's-level courses in English at Indiana State University. She taught at HeartlandCommunity College until May 2006, when she resigned to pursue her passion of writing. The author of three previous novels, Patti is the mother of two grown children and lives with her husband in Normal, Illinois.

For more about Patti and her other books, visit her website at www.pattilacy.com.

 

WIN A KINDLE TOUCH FROM PATTI LACY!

Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily,  with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!


Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

 

 

** Thank you to Litfuse for providing me a copy of the book for my review. Click here to see what other reviewers have to say about this book.

{Review} Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

Along Wooded Paths
by Tricia Goyer
B&H Publishing Group
294 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:  All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . . But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.

As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.

Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.

MY REVIEW:  In the book Along Wooded Paths, Tricia Goyer’s second book in the Big Sky series, we once again join Marianna with her family in Montana.  Her heart is still torn between two men and that dilemma is made more intense when her Amish fiance’ shows up.

As we struggle along with Marianna as she tries to make a decision between the two men, Ms. Goyer treats us to some lyrical descriptions of the beautiful outdoors.

“And as she sat amongst the trees, with bird song filling the air, it was as if God sat beside her, whispering words of hope and promise to her heart.”

Such beautiful words to enjoy as we read through the book.

Although this is book two of the series, it does stand alone on its own merits.  The references to events in the first book are explained enough to make this book enjoyable on its own, though I would recommend reading Beside Still Waters first (click through to read my review of the first book).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books includingSongbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

For more about Tricia and her other books visitwww.triciagoyer.com

Come to a Facebook Party and Live Author Chat!

Tricia is celebrating the release of Along Wooded Paths with a Fabulous Facebook party on October 18th. She'll be giving away prizes and a sneak peak at the next book in the Big Sky series.

Then during the second half of the party she'll be hosting a LIVE AUTHOR CHAT on her website and announcing something BIG! CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party - then go here to sign up for the Live Author Chat.

 

** Thank you to Litfuse for providing me with a copy of this book to review.  Click here to see what the other reviewers have to say about this book.

REVIEW: Dangerous Mercy by Kathy Herman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dangerous Mercy
by Kathy Herman
408 pages
David C Cook Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. —Matthew 5:7

When eighty-five-year-old Adele Woodmore moves to Les Barbes to be near the Broussards—and her namesake, their daughter—she wants nothing more than a comfortable, quiet life. Employing men from Father Vince’s halfway house for the homeless to do odd jobs and landscaping, she delights in the casual conversation she has with them, the fledgling friendships, and the idea that she is helping them get back on their feet.

A series of murders in Les Barbes has cast a pall over the town and, in fact, one of Adele’s handymen becomes a person of interest to the police. But Adele cares for these young men, she knows them, and continues to show them kindness in spite of her friends’ concern. And then one day a murderer walks through Adele’s defenses, sits down at her kitchen table...and they begin to talk...

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dangerous Mercy, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Suspense novelist Kathy Herman is very much at home in the Christian book industry, having worked five years on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eleven years at Better Books Christian Center in Tyler, Texas, as product buyer/manager for the children’s department, and eventually as director of human resources.

She has conducted numerous educational seminars on children’s books at CBA Conventions in the U.S. and Canada, served a preliminary judge for the Gold Medallion Book Awards of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association , and worked as an independent product/marketing consultant to the CBA market.
Since her first novel, Tested by Fire, debuted in 2001 as a CBA national bestseller, she's added sixteen more titles to her credit, including four bestsellers: All Things Hidden, The Real Enemy, The Last Word, and The Right Call.

Kathy's husband Paul is her manager and most ardent supporter, and the former manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas. They have three grown children, five almost-perfect grandchildren, a cat named Samantha. They enjoy cruising, deep sea fishing, and bird watching—sometimes incorporating these hobbies into one big adventure.

REVIEW-Here’s To Friends by Melody Carlson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's To Friends
by Melody Carlson
313 pages
David C Cook Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.

Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B&B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

 

MY REVIEW:   What an enjoyable book this was!  Imagine four friends enjoying one another’s company into their 50’s – and their friendship began in the first grade!

Melody Carlson has become one of my favorite authors as she can make a story so real.  I looked forward to reading this book every free moment I had – it’s that good.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

 

**My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review-To Have and To Hold by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Have and To Hold
by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
341 pages
Bethany House Publisher

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  When Audrey Cunningham's father proposes that they move to Bridal Veil Island, where he grew up, she agrees, thinking this will help keep him sober and close to God. But they arrive to find wealthy investors buying up land to build a grand resort on the secluded island--and they want the Cunninghams' acreage.

Contractor Marshall Graham can't imagine why the former drinking buddy of his deceased father would beckon him to Bridal Veil Island. And when Boyd Cunningham asks him to watch over Audrey, Marshall is even more confused. He has no desire to be saddled with caring for this fiery young woman who is openly hostile toward him. But when Audrey seems to be falling for another man--one who has two little girls Audrey adores--Marshall realizes she holds more of his heart than he realized. Which man will Audrey choose? And can she hold on to her ancestral property in the face of overwhelming odds?

If you would like to read the first chapter of To Have and to Hold, go HERE.

 

MY REVIEW: Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to review a book. This book is not an edge of your seat thriller, the greatest love story ever told or a laugh out loud comedy. What it is though is a very good book.  The kind you enjoy picking up and reading and getting to know the characters.  The kind that leaves me knowing I will look for more books by this author duo.

The comedy parts I loved….Aunt Thora with her gun reminded me so much of Granny in the Beverly Hillbillies – at least in my mind.  Audrey was the devoted daughter, torn and trying to decide what to do in their situation.  And of course Marshall, who was trying to figure out what he did wrong from the very beginning.

A book I thoroughly enjoyed and I give 4 stars to.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels. She received her first book contract in November, 1992 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. In 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests. Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max.

Judith Miller's first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when she was commuting sixty miles to work each day. She wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. Through a co-worker, she was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from her. Having never met Tracie, Judith was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history. Since that first encounter many years ago, Judith has been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, she and Tracie had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, they have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy.

**My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review–Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa by Melanie Dobson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa
by Melanie Dobson
310 pages
Summerside Press

ABOUT THE BOOK:

With a backdrop of the community of The Amana Colonies, the Civil War, and a great love story, Melanie Dobson’s new historical fiction title LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA both enlightening and entertaining.

The novel is set in the United States during the turmoil of the 1860s. As the rest of the nation is embroiled in the Civil War, the Amana Colonies have remained at peace with a strong faith in God and pursuit of community, intertwined with hard work, family life and the building of their colony.

Amalie Wiese is travelling to the newly built village of Amana in 1863. When she arrives in the colonies she finds that her fiancée, Friedrich has left to fight with the Union Army. Amalie fears for his safety as she also struggles with his decision to abandon the colony’s beliefs. Matthias, Frederick’s friend, stays back in Amana to work in the colonies. But there is something wrong with Matthias; he always seems angry at Amalie when there is no simple explanation for him to act that way.

The goods that colonies manufacture are much needed supplies for the war effort and Matthias decides to deliver the goods to the soldiers. When he leaves, Amalie realizes that her fear for Matthias’s safety is equally as strong. What will become of Friedrich, will Matthias return safely, and will Amalie marry Friedrich? LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is a richly told story of life in the Amana Society and the people who live and love there.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, go HERE.

 

MY REVIEW:  The “Love Finds You” series of books are always a delight.  Honestly when I see that a new one is out it reminds me of the excitement I felt many years ago when I would get a new Nancy Drew book!  These books are stand alone novels written by a variety of the greatest in Christian Fiction authors.

In Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa we are introduced to Amalie Wiese, an Inspirationist who is travelling across the US during the Civil War to join the rest of her group in the Amana Colonies.  The author obviously researched the Inspirationists extensively in order for us to learn so much about them and their faith.

When Amalie travels to the Amana Colonies to join her fiancé she is in for quite a surprise to see that he is not there.  Shortly thereafter the story turns into a love triangle and I found it interesting to see that from the Inspirationist point of view.

A great read and one I give 4 stars to.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good, and she has now authored nine contemporary and historical novels including Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania which releases in November 2011. 

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

 

**My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review–Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canary Island Song
By Robin Jones Gunn
284 pages
Howard Books Publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK: When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise.

    The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes.

    Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?

    Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Canary Island Song, go HERE.

MY REVIEW: Robin Jones Gunn’s Sisterchick books remain some of my absolutely favorites. Because of this I am thrilled every time I see a new book from her and I am never disappointed.

This book is no exception – and I honestly think I like it even better than the Sisterchick series! One of the reasons might be that the main character, Carolyn, and I are at a similar stage in our lives with daughters about the same age. I also loved watching how close she was with her mother and daughter.

As Carolyn steps back into life several years after the death of her husband she’s not greeted by marching bands and fireworks. Instead it’s the quiet love of her family that is there for her, along with showing her the way back to her faith.

“And for a single moment twice each day her mother was blind to everything except God and her deep and abiding love for Him.”  page 115

This is a beautiful book and easily deserves the 5 stars I give it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Robin Jones Gunn was born in Wisconsin and lived on a dairy farm until her family moved to southern California when she was five years old. She grew up in Orange County and spent her summers at Newport Beach with friends from her church youth group. After attending Biola University and Capernwray Bible School in Austria, Robin and Ross were married and spent the next two decades working together in youth ministry.

It was the young teens at Robin’s church who challenged her to write stories for them. She hadn’t thought much about being a writer, but took their request to heart and set her alarm for 3am, three days a week. With two small children it was the only time she could find to write the first story about Christy Miller. After two years and ten rejections the novel Summer Promise was accepted for publication in 1988. Robin hasn’t stopped writing since. Over 4 million copies of her 75 books have sold and can be found in a dozen translations all over the world.

Robin and her husband now live in Hawai’i where Ross is a counselor and Robin continues to write to the sound of tropical birds chattering in the palm trees outside her window. Their children are grown but manage to come to the islands with their families every chance they get. Robin's awards include: three Christy awards for excellence in fiction, a Gold Medallion finalist, Mt. Hermon Pacesetter and the Mt. Hermon Writer of the Year award. Robin travels extensively and is a frequent key-note speaker at various events around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and Jerry Jenkin’s Christian Writer’s Guild.

 

* My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review–Bridge to a Distant Star by Carolyn Williford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridge to a Distant Star
by Carolyn Williford
David C Cook Publishing
371 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It All Comes Tumbling Down

As a storm rages in the night, unwary drivers venture onto Tampa Bay’s most renowned bridge. No one sees the danger ahead. No one notices the jagged gap hidden by the darkness and rain. Yet when the bridge collapses vehicles careen into the churning waters of the bay below.

In that one catastrophic moment, three powerful stories converge: a family ravaged by their child’s heartbreaking news, a marriage threatened by its own facade, and a college student burdened by self doubt. As each story unfolds, the characters move steadily closer to that fateful moment on the bridge. And while each character searches for grace, the storms in their lives loom as large as the storm that awaits them above the bay.

When these characters intersect in Carolyn Williford’s gripping and moving volume of three novellas, they also collide with the transforming truth of Christ: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Bridge to a Distant Star, go HERE.

MY REVIEW:  “It was a dark and stormy night….” - a simple phrase that we’ve heard so many times and it sets the stage well for this book. From the prologue to the end this book had me caring deeply for the characters. It’s written almost like distinct short stories until they all become intertwined at the end. And each time we transition from one story to the next there’s almost a bit of let down as we’ve become so attached to the characters. However, in short order we are entrenched in the next story and once again not able to put down this book.

From the woman whose best friend’s marriage has fallen apart and makes her question her own circumstance, to the young soccer player who receives devastating news, to the missionary kid who is finding her way – each is a unique story in itself.

Truly this author has written a book that is not only one that you can’t put down, despite knowing the disaster at the end. And along the way there are so many “life-isms” and pearls of wisdom about faith. I cannot recommend this book enough – I enjoyed it that much.

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34   I’ll not look at this verse the same again…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Carolyn Williford has authored seven books, including Jordan's Bend, Devotions for Families That Can't Sit Still, and Faith Tango, as well as numerous articles. She and her husband, Craig, live in Deerfield, Illinois, where he serves as president of Trinity International University. They have two children and four grandchildren.

 

* My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review–She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen

She Makes It Look Easy
by Marybeth Whalen
David C Cook Publisher
309 pages

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood play dates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.

 
Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.

 
If you would like to read an excerpt of She Makes It Look Easy, go HERE.

 

MY REVIEW:  One of the words that can cause a person more discontent than any other is “comparison.”  Especially in women we see this so often as we compare children’s behavior, organization skills, exercise routines – even Bible study habits.  But this book points out that “the grass is NOT always greener on the other side of the fence” and that “what you see isn’t always what it appears.”

 

When Ariel moves into a  new neighborhood she is flattered and thrilled when the her neighbor, the woman who is so together, befriends her.  Justine invites Ariel to her church to listen to a talk she’s giving on organization skills and Ariel thinks she is on the right path for what her family needs.

 

She soon suspects that “all that glitters is not gold” in the life of Justine and the story goes on from there.

 

This is easily one of my favorite books of the year as Mary Beth Whalen’s writing style is superb.  I found myself doing the typical reader “just one more chapter” each time I was reading.

 

This book does a great job of showing women’s friendships, even the side that isn’t so desirable, and how easily we allow ourselves to be led.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions. Her first novel,The Mailbox was released in June 2010. Her next novel, She Makes It Look Easy, will be released in June 2011. Additionally, she serves as director of She Reads, Proverbs 31 Ministries' fiction division.

 

 

* My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review–Branded by Tim Sinclair

Branded
by Tim Sinclair
Kregel Publications
121 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:  The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute.

What is it that makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring? What is it that compels someone to bring their iPod everywhere and their Bible nowhere? In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy salespeople-people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word "evangelism" and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God.

What would life look like if we stopped mass-marketing Jesus and started marketing our faith like Nike and Apple market their products--sharing relationally, from person to person? Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior.

Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded peels away the feelings of fear and encourages readers how to share their faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective.

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Branded-Sharing-Jesus-Consumer-Culture/dp/0825438942/ref=sprightly-20

 

MY REVIEW:  Our church has been talking a lot lately about how the “tried and true” evangelical methods no longer work in today’s society. So when I saw this book I eagerly delved in to see what thoughts the author might have.

It was really quite interesting and had many comparisons to some of the popular brand names that are being marketed today.  While it’s definitely not an evangelical how-to book, it does give you quite a bit to ponder and consider.

“The hardest part for Christians to grasp is that, even though we might not “get”a specific culture or worldview, our inability to understand it is completely irrelevant. A persons’ lens is that person’s reality, and it’s a reality that we must be prepared to speak to (and through) if we hope to effectively share Christ.”

Umm….wow!  When reading such clear honesty it can sometimes cause a person to squirm in their seat.  But perhaps it’s time for us to do some squirming and actually look at the way we talk to and act around others rather than trying to bop them on the head with a Bible.

I definitely recommend reading Branded, Sharing Jesus With A Consumer Culture as it gives some out of the box ideas to a centuries old Christian task.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tim Sinclair is a radio personality on one of the top Christian morning shows in the country, Mornings with Tim and Pam. For over a decade, he has been helping radio stations and various other businesses creatively and effectively market themselves. His award-winning productions have been heard on more than 2,000 radio stations worldwide and recent clients include McDonald's, Word Records, Moody Press, and the country's most-listened to Christian nonprofit radio station KSBJ/Houston. Tim has written for CCM Magazine and the Huntsville Times. For more about Tim, please visit his website, http://www.tim-sinclair.com.

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Kregel Publications is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to all!

About the Giveaway:

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using #litfuse) about Branded or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy.

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea.

TWEET THIS:  Branded by @timjsinclair - Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy sales-people! @litfuse http://ow.ly/566nr

FACEBOOK THIS: Branded by Tim Sinclair is a compelling look at what Christians can learn from companies like Apple & Starbucks about sharing their faith! Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy sales-people!  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13338985

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My thanks to Litfuse for furnishing this book for my honest review.

Review–My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

My Foolish Heart
by Susan May Warren
Tyndale Fiction
354 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

Read an excerpt here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/novels/contemporary-romance/

MY REVIEW:  Any time I pick up a book by Susan May Warren I know that I’m in for a good read – and this book was no exception.  Ms. Warren’s characters always have depth and are more often than not people that I’d like to meet and get to know. But even more than that – they are FUN!

In this story the two main characters both struggle with their “disability” – she has PTSD and he is back stateside from Iraq. I knew very little about PTSD prior to reading this book and Ms. Warren dealt with this in a manner that made me not only understand it, but I really felt for Issy.  And Caleb’s desire to prove himself without relying on a sympathy vote was both commendable and frustrating.

As they both get to know each other better without really knowing the other I found myself smiling and wondering when they would catch on.  It really is a fun book (did I already mention that???) and one that I almost hated to see come to an end.

A 4 out of 5 rating.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:    Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

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Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!

Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest Deep Haven book, My Foolish Heart! Read what the reviewers are saying here. To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)
* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel
* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

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My thanks to Litfuse for furnishing this book for my honest review.

Review–Fade To Blue by Julie Carobini

 

 

 

Fade To Blue
by Julie Carobini
B&H Publishing Group
384 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Suz Mitchell is the determined dreamer we should all be and won't allow her ex-husband Len's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, she moves with her child across the country to California's central coast and lands a sweet job restoring priceless paintings at the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the ocean.

To her utter surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, is also now working at Hearst and jumbles the dreams inside Suz's heart. While sorting out the awkwardness of their past split and current spiritual differences, a repentant Len shows up eager to restore his family.

Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fade to Blue, go HERE.

MY REVIEW:  I will admit up front that I had to suspend my disbelief a bit on one of the main plot points of this book – the fact that after moving across the country she just happens to run into an old flame.  Once I got past that though, I sat back to enjoy the book.

Fade to Blue was an easy read, especially with summer coming up.  But while I did enjoy the book, it was not my favorite by this author.  Enjoyable, but not one I felt I had to read every spare moment I had.

A 3 out of 5 star rating.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:
I grew up as Julie Navarro, in a family of truly right-brained individuals. Among us you’ll find writers, artists, and musicians, all of us willing to talk about the arts at a moment’s notice.
Over the years, I’ve published several hundred articles and stories in magazines and books, including Aspire, Decision, Expecting, Focus on the Family, Key Magazine and God’s Abundance: 365 Days to a Simpler Life. As I wrote, I found a common theme cropping up: my family, the sea, and God’s timely work in the lives of those around me.

Maybe it was time to incorporate those interests into novels, I thought.

And so I did. Not once, but twice. Both times, God shut both doors and windows. So I continued to write and dream and raise my kids with Dan. Eventually I decided to write romantic seaside novels, and that’s where I found my voice.

When I’m not writing, marketing, or editing for others, I’m driving my kids around town, imagining that my mid-sized SUV is actually a sleek sailing yacht.

 

My thanks to CFBA for furnishing this book for my honest review.