Material Witness

I just love it when really talented authors take some of my favorite genre's and mix them together to create such a seamless blend for a great story you truly fall in love all over again with being an avid book reader. In the case of Material Witness by Vannetta Chapman, we are taken back to the small Amish town of Shipshewana, Indiana that is comprised of about 600 residents, not all of them Amish. Here in this small town there's been a bit of competition between two owners of Amish quilt stores. Mrs. Knepp is the eighty-year-old owner of Quilts and Needles and feels that Callie Harper and her friends that run Daisy's Quilt Shop have deviated from the traditional Amish ways by offering quilting, knitting and other craft classes that draw much of the business to their shop. Even the English tourists have been frequenting Daisy's Quilt Shop over Mrs. Knepps.

Yet in the middle of the Fall Festival, things are about to get interesting. Now the population of the small town is well over thirty thousand and business is booming. The streets are crowded and no one seems to notice an Amish women standing in the shrubs just outside the parking lot of Daisy's Quilt Shop. No one that is except for Aaron, a small boy who is confined to a wheelchair and a Labrador named Max. Without any sound, the woman falls sprawled out on the ground. There is no sound, no blood. In the darkness only the evil eyes of a man who stands over the women and then stares at Aaron is the only lasting memory of what has just happened.

When Callie Harper learns what has happened and to whom, she is immediately ridden with guilt for all the months that her and Mrs. Knepp argued over their businesses. What's worse is this is the third murder to happen in the small town of Shipshewana in the last fifteen months and in every single one of those cases, Callie Harper has been involved. Not it seems that this murder case is about to get personal on many levels. Callie Harper is the target and not only does someone want what she has or they'll risk murder, but Aaron is the only eye witness. Will Callie be able to help solve this crime or will she finally run out of options?

I received Material Witness by Vannetta Chapman compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Net Galley for my honest review. I absolutely LOVED this book and it immediately captivated my interest from the first page and I could not put it down until I knew who did it! This is the third book in the Shipshewana Mystery series and once again brings back the characters we have fallen in love with including the romantic tension between investigator Shane Black and Callie Harper. Will they finally realize their interest lies more than just in solving cases and goes much, much deeper? You'll have to pick this one up to find out. I personally give this one a 5 out of 5 stars!!!

To find out more information about Material Witness, Vannetta Chapman or to pick up a copy of this wonderful book, please click on the links below:

Material Witness by Vannetta Chapman 

You can also find Vannetta Chapman on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 4, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310330459
• ISBN-13: 978-0310330455
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches

The Bridge - Spotlight Tour

About The Bridge:
Tommy Thompson recalls with vivid detail the summer of 1967, when he was twelve years old and living in a small town in rural America. At that time in his life, all he wanted was a Honda motorbike, and he believed the smartest person in the world was his Uncle Cletus. The Bridge follows Tommy’s summer-long quest for the Honda and his love, Wendy, whom he pursues with the comical romanticism of a young boy.

During the course of the summer Tommy helps his best friend, Booger, cope with family tragedy. He is terrorized by Clyde Goodpasture, the biggest bully in the sixth grade, and the town of Colby is shaken by news that its hat factory will close. While he isn’t a religious child, Tommy faces these challenges armed with the few Bible verses that he knows and the support of his Christian family. Tommy has a knack for doing the right thing and ultimately makes a sacrifice that shows without a doubt that his heart is in the right place.

About Stan Crader:
Stan Crader’s first book, ‘The Bridge’ spent several days on the best seller list for Christian fiction at both BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com. His articles about flying have been published in flying magazines and local newspapers. He won a Bronze Quill award from the International Association of Business Communications for articles written for his company’s quarterly newsletter.
Stan was born and raised in Bollinger County Missouri. Coming of age in rural Missouri provided him the material for many of the rich characters in his books. He credits the variety of jobs he had as a child and the people with which he worked for providing him his creative foundation.

Stan’s childhood jobs included grocery store carry out, a paper route, mowing lawns, farm equipment set-up, sawmills, and janitor. “You learn a great deal about people when you see what groceries they purchase,” Stan says.

After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Missouri, where he met his future wife, Debbie at a Missouri / Nebraska football game. It was Debbie who first made Stan realize that his childhood was unique.

They spent the early years of their marriage living in Bollinger County, Missouri. Stan joined the family business and Debbie worked as a community nurse. As a nurse, working with a caring country doctor, she began to collect stories of her own.

The two of them raised three boys and a golden retriever as the life experiences continued. Stan began writing Christmas letters. Friends and family began to look forward to the somewhat informative but largely humorous Christmas epistle.

Stan’s first novel was written after the encouragement of those on his Christmas letter mailing list and the recipients of the company’s quarterly newsletter. He’s flattered beyond measure each time someone who has read ‘The Bridge’ asks about a sequel.

Visit Stan’s site:  http://www.stancrader.com

Please note that all proceeds go to support Resurrecting Lives, a non-profit that supports veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

To read more reviews from the Pump Up Your Book Tour for The Bridge, please click here. 

A Patchwork Christmas

Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to read a really great Christmas story because so often we are too busy that reading a large novel be difficult. In A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Stephanie Grace Whitson, the reader will be delighted to find three beautifully written short stories that give the reader the impression of reading a full length novel. Each is different and based in the historical late 1800's. This book is perfect for those of you wanting a taste of truly something amazing and are limited on time to complete a full length novel. Each of these three Christmas romances offer the reader something beautiful to keep the warmth of finding true love at the forefront of the holiday.

Seems Like Love by Judith Miller takes us back to Amana, Iowa to a small Amish town where we find Karla Stuke is working with her family running the town's hotel. Little did she expect to find her childhood friend, Frank Lehner to show up as a guest while working as an apothecary in training before moving to his own shoppe. Karla has found that hiding away working at the hotel keeps her from finding true love, since her own opinion of herself is quite low, considering her finace' left her for another woman. Thinking it's all based on her looks, she doesn't think that every a spark with her old friend can be ignited into anything more, but could Karla be wrong? This one is truly a fun and hopeful romance to enjoy.

A Patchwork Love by Stephanie Grace Whitson takes us back in time to find love between a war-veteran Peter Gruber who becomes a savior and hero at some point when a train finds itself stuck in the snow. Peter and his mother offer a warm food until the train can continue and he finds a young girl, Molly is ill. Since his mother is familiar with healing they offer Molly and her mom, Jane shelter until the train can move again. Jane has also injured herself in a fall and between them both, need more than just physical healing. Like Karla from the first story, Peter feels that since he has been disfigured from his service in the war that his hopes of every finding love is lost forever. Will Jane seem something more in Peter that just his external scars?

Finally in The Bridal Quilt by Nancy Moser, you find the classic love story of two people, Ada and Samuel that should be together but everything in their lives is keeping them apart. While they are dating, they are not yet engaged , and every single opportunity that presents itself, seems to turn out quite differently than what either of them was planning. In one case, she was hoping he was coming to ask her to marry him and finds out he only wants her help with finding gifts for the orphans instead. Even though his family wants Samuel to give up his charity efforts, Ada is all too willing to marry him, but it soon seems Samuel may never be ready to propose until another man appears in Ada's life. Will Samuel soon realize that the gift he's been searching for he been in front of him the whole time?

I received A Patchwork Christmas by these lovely, talent authors compliments of Barbour Publishers and Net Galley for my honest opinion. In each of these stories there is a profound message of hope and acceptance to be found, no matter what the circumstances may be. Included in all of them are discussion questions and wonderful recipes that would be an added bonus to any book club. There are also some quilting patterns for Christmas Ornaments as well for those looking for something a bit more than just a Christmas romance book!!! I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and think this is the perfect book for those looking for great short stories with a Christmas theme.

For more information about A Patchwork Christmas, Judith Miller, Stephanie Grace Whitson or Nancy Moser, or where to pick up your own copy of this delightful Christmas book, please click on the links below:

A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Stephanie Grace Whitson, and Nancy Moser

You can find them all on Facebook book to stay up with their latest books, simply click on their names to go to their pages.

Judith Miller
Stephanie Grace Whitson
Nancy Moser

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616267488
• ISBN-13: 978-1616267483
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches

The Heart's Journey

The Heart's Journey from Barbara Cameron is the second book in the Stitches in Time Series, and one that everyone can relate to and a true delight if you're a fan of Amish fiction. In this one, the reader is once again transported to the charm of a delightful store, Stitches in Time operated by Leah and her grand-daughters whom we have met in her first book. This time the story deals with her granddaughter, Naomi who is wondering if her upcoming marriage to John is truly what God had in mind. It seems that John is taking his authority of being the man of the house to heart and tries to ensure that Naomi will obey him at all costs, even if it means man-handling her at times. No matter how hard Naomi tries to put on her best smile, however, her grandmother Leah can see right through it.

When she confronts Naomi about the relationship, she finally tells her the truth and that John is more than controlling. In fact, he has already hurt her physically but believes he can change, especially after how sorry he felt. Leah reminds Naomi that in the Amish world, once you marry the only way you can get out of a bad marriage is for one of you to die. That hits too close for home for Naomi and she agrees with Leah that perhaps they should break up. When Leah takes a nasty fall just outside of her shop, their Englisch driver, Nick comes to take her to the doctor. It is then that Naomi realizes that not all men can be as controlling as John and sees the true heart that lies within Nick.

Opportunity presents itself to head to Pinecraft, Florida with her grandmother to help her pass the time recovering from her fall where the climate is warm and oranges are as close as an arm's reach. Naomi is more than delighted when Nick offers to drive them from Paradise, Pennsylvania to Florida for a mini vacation and both Naomi and Nick discover that something is brewing beneath the surface for them both. However will they be able to find common ground with living in two different worlds or will John find Naomi and bring her back to her senses in more ways than one?

I received The Heart's Journey compliments of Abingdon Press and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review and love the blending of the two worlds in the Amish fiction. Barbara Cameron takes the issue of abuse to a new level introducing it to her Amish character and then inviting the reader along for the ride to see how the Amish might deal with such an issue in their private world. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and can't wait for the third book in this series!!!

For more information about The Heart's Journey, Barbara Cameron or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Heart's Journey by Barbara Cameron

You can also find Barbara Cameron on Facebook to stay up to date with her latest books.

To read more reviews on The Heart's Journey from the Pump Up Your Book Tour, please click here. 

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426714335
• ISBN-13: 978-1426714337
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

A Kingsbury Collection

If you've never picked up a Karen Kingbury novel, you are truly missing out on some great reads! This is my 7th book and it's actually three books in one. A Kingbury Collection combines, Where Yesterday Lives, When Joy Came to Stay and On Every Side in one massive volume so you can keep the momentum going when you finish the first book and immediately begin the second and then the third in this series. In each book you find a message within the book and you can immediately relate on some level to one or more of the characters in each of the books. She immediately draws you in as you begin each of them and not being able to put them down until you finish each of them. It's almost like an addiction because you will want to read more and more of her books. There is a feel good feeling that each of her novels leave behind and you can't forget them once your done.

In Where Yesterday Lives, the book opens with a scene of a man having a heart attack in his living room while gaining one final look at the family portraits that hang on the wall before blacking out. Ellen Barrett was a top news reporter for the Miami Times and when she receives word of her fathers heart attack from her husband Mike, she knows it's not going to be good. It was a call that she expected and dreaded at the same time. When Ellen asks Mike to accompany her to Michigan, he explains he can't take time off of work on such short notice. She isn't looking forward to returning home to deal with things and her family, but will this be the sort of thing that God can use to bring healing to her family or will it ultimately drive them apart.

In When Joy Came to Stay, is a story dealing with the effects of depression on the life of Maggie Stovall and also how it impacts the lives of those around us. It focuses on how sometimes the person we see on the outside is not the person who is dealing with life on the inside. It takes the reader into the heart of what happens when life spirals out of hand, and too often we put on our facade to show the world that we're alright when deep down inside we are trying to find ways to simply hang on for one more hour. This was a story I could definitely relate to on many levels and shows you the inside view of what goes on in the mind of someone who is depressed and how it impacts marriages, families and even our friends. Sometimes in the case of Maggie's husband Ben, he can't seem to wrap his head around why his wife simply can't snap out of it and move on with her life. Is there a way for them to work together or will this circumstance test just how solid their marriage really is after all?

Finally in On Every Side deals with what it's like to deal with defending your faith. Just how far would you be willing to go to stand up for what you believe? In this casse, Faith Evans is about to be tested in ways many of us are. She is s solid newscaster who decides to defend her faith when a hundred-year-old statue of Jesus that stands in the middle of their park is asked to be taken down in a violation of the separation of church and state. Now Faith is about to go head to head with powerful attorney, Jordan Riley who is fighting for human rights and is completely against the God that Faith believes in. Will they be able to find common ground or will this be another religious item that is removed simply because it offends a handful of people?

I received this wonderful collection compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review and have been completely captivated by the entire collection. It's hard to pick a favorite in this three-in-one book because there are powerful messages to be gained in each of them that will help you or someone you know, at some stage in your life, maybe not now but in the future. Karen Kingsbury continues to be a favorite author for me and I look forward to every single one of her books that come out or even ones I haven't yet been graced with the opportunity to read just yet. If you are looking for a wholesome story with a powerful message, consider picking this one up at your local book retailer. In my opinion, this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars and has found a permanent home on my library shelf.

For more information about A Kingsbury Collection, Karen Kingsbury or where to pick up this book today, please click on the links below:

A Kingsbury Collection by Karen Kingbury

You can also find Karen Kingsbury on Facebook to stay up with the latest from this talented author or by visiting her website by clicking here. 

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601424272
• ISBN-13: 978-1601424273
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1.8 x 8.5 inches

A Promise to Protect

"Tristan is the closest thing I have to a brother. He's worried about you, and so am I. Let me help."

Fear flicked through Ashley's eyes as she whispered, "Someone almost ran me over."

"Tristan said something about a letter," Matt pressed.

Ashley nodded. "When I got home that day, there was an anonymous note saying that someone wanted hsi property back."

His gut clenched. What kind of jerk threatened a bettered women's shelter? "Listen, I'm in town for a few days. Let me look into things."

She smiled up at him. "Thanks, but I got the note more than a week ago. If there was any danger, something else would have happened by now."

As they reached her car, her smile died. He didn't have to ask if she still thought the threat had passed as she took in the smashed windshield of her coupe. Tucked under a wiper blade, the person responsible for the mess had left a clear message.

If I don't get what's mine, you'll get what's yours. (pg. 18).

In the latest suspense romance novel from Liz Johnson, A Promise to Protect involves Matt Waterstone, a Navy SEAL who is recovering from an injury who takes on an investigation and protection of his best friend's sister, Ashley is almost run over. Since she took over helping women find safety and refuge at Lil's Place, a battered women's shelter this is her first time that the threat levels for her personal safety have taken on a different meaning.

It seems that helping a young Asian woman, named Joy seems to be the only link in helping both Matt and Ashley uncover who is behind a string of increasingly violent threats against Ashley. While she thinks its no more threatening than ex-boyfriends or husbands she has dealt with in the past, these threats are now involving the personal safety of the women and children in the shelter unless Ashley returns Joy. Even the local small town police don't seem to have enough resources to help locate the person responsible and when a lady who aided Joy turns up missing, Ashley and Matt know that this threat is personal and it won't stop until Joy is returned or Ashley is made to pay for her intervention.

I received A Promise To Protect compliments of Liz Johnson and Harlequin's Love Inspired Series for my honest review. This is perfect to take along in your purse to read anywhere, but trust me once you get started, you'll be hooked until you reach the final page. Liz does just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat with enough suspense to keep you frantically turning pages hoping to find out just what happens, both to solving the threat to Ashley and to seeing if the romantic tension between Matt and Ashley connects with true love for them both. I easily rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and can't wait for more from Liz in the future. The Love Inspired series from Harlequin is geared to the Christian Romance reader and is one I am certain you will enjoy.

For more information about A Promise to Protect, Liz Johnson or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the link below:

A Promise To Protect by Liz Johnson

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired (November 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373445180
• ISBN-13: 978-0373445189
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches

The Captains' Airline: Pushing Back From The Brink

As someone who has a great fear of flying when I saw the request to review Art Samson's book, The Captains' Airline:Pushing Back From The Brink I knew I would immediately enjoy this one. Art writes a fictional story based on actual events that really happened. He immediately takes you into the cockpit to see what it's like from both a pilot's perspective from also from the flight crew and even passengers. The best part of this book for me is that I didn't have to leave the ground to enjoy it. Now I have a completely different perspective into what really goes on during commercial airline flights and hopefully will provide a sense of peace whenever I chance a trip on a plane in my near future.

As Art opens the novel with a perspective in what can happen whenever human error is involved in some of the greatest tragedies to occur with the sinking of the Titanic along with the latest plane crash involving Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger with United Airways Flight 1549 that landed safely in the Hudson River mostly in part to the experience of the flight team working together. "In fact if you consider the statistics lately, as of November 2011 there have been no loss of life on a major U.S. carrier in nearly ten years because of the basic principles of effective human interaction and team dynamics - known in the industry as crew resource management or CRM. These are the key ingredients in maneuvering our technological marvels safely through the skies. Effective problem solving occurs when leaders elicit information and expertise from every team member. Greater success does not result from a new technological gadget, a more detailed operating manual, or an arbitrary government mandate, as previously imagined. It is all about the team." (pg 3). Art does an exceptional job at articulating this perfectly as he combines the historically accurate accounts of many accidents and hair-raising incidents with a tale of transformation within one fictional airline.

Through the fictional account involving an airline company called Omega who is undergoing some accidents and near misses that are making the airline less than profitable, Art walks us through the typical flight of what happens when weather plays a factor in trying to land a large commercial plane. Using all the typical dialogue that would be found between the flight crew, he offers readers a chance to get a true bird's eye view of what goes on. How some pilots think that they are the final word in the cockpit and how simple mistakes can be avoid by better communication with not only the cockpit crew, flight crew and even ground operations. He also shows how persuasive some of the aircraft companies can be in making sure that no matter what happens resulting in failure of the planes, that they are kept looking like the good guys even when it comes to mechanical failure at times.

I received The Captains' Airline: Pushing Back From The Brink by Art Samson compliments of the author himself and Bostick Communications for my honest review. I was cringing at times even though this was a fictional based story involving some historical incidents from 1988 to current and often found myself remembering similar stories involving airlines in regards to the facts. In one particular incident the airlines is having issues with the rudder issues sticking and immediately I remembered that hitting the news until the airline recalled all their planes to check for the issue. Makes you wonder how long they knew about these things before the manufacturer and airline got involved to help protect passenger safety. If you love books about airline travel and what really goes on behind the scenes, then like me, I know you'll really enjoy this one. In my opinion, I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Captains' Airline, Art Samson and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the link below:

The Captains' Airline by Art Samson

• Paperback: 428 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1479342823
• ISBN-13: 978-1479342822
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches