After Alice

Just in time for the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carrol's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, comes this novel After Alice from Gregory Maguire, (author of Wicked), who picks up the story after Alice falls down the proverbial rabbit hole. The title itself can be a bit misleading, because I had the notion it would be a sequel of sorts about what happened "after Alice" came back from Wonderland, but it is the story of Alice's best friend, Ada Boyce, who readers get a brief glimpse of in the original book. This is highlighted in the opening to this book where we find an excerpt from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland where Ada is mentioned.

This novel on the other hand is what happens when Ada follows Alice quite unfortunately in an attempt to find Alice, thus the fitting of the title "After Alice" comes into play. She wasn't intentionally looking for her, but was headed out exploring and trying to avoid her nanny of sorts, Mrs. Armstrong, whom Ada refers to as Mrs. Armstrong Headstrong, who has lost sight of Ada and fears the repercussions from Ada's father when she returns without her. Mrs. Armstrong doesn't know quite where Ada has run off and spends the length of the novel attempting to find her as the chapters toggle between Ada's adventures in trying to find Alice while she herself is lost in the many wonders in Wonderland, and Mrs. Armstrong's attempt to find her with little help from Lydia, Alice's older sister.

As Ada struggles to understand what is happening to her, we catch a sneak peek at some of our beloved characters from Wonderland like the Cheshire Cat, the Walrus and the Oysters, the talking roses and more as Wonderland rushes to make preparations for the Queen of Hearts garden party. Ada finds herself always a step behind where Alice has traveled and even finds herself accused of stealing a spoon from the Mad Hatter and March Hare when she sits down for tea, failing to realize she had the spoon in her pocket when she was in her home, trying to console her sickly baby brother.

I received After Alice by Gregory Maguire compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from the free copy of the novel and the opinions contained here are my own personal ones. While I wished this book would have stayed focused on Wonderland, I found the alternating chapters involving Alice's sister Lydia a bit distracting from the story. It was like having two very different stories in one book but alternating them. It was not something I preferred, but did enjoy the those chapters in which Ada's exploration into the mysterious world of Wonderland come to life again. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and fans of Gregory Maguire's novels such as Wicked would love this one as well.

For more information about After Alice, Gregory Maguire or where you can preorder a copy of this novel which is released in October of 2015, please click on the links below:

After Alice by Gregory Maguire

You can find Gregory Maguire on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

To read more reviews on After Alice, please visit William Morrow's website. 

You can preorder a copy of this novel at Amazon.com.

When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family

I have absolutely fallen for the series When Calls the Heart, produced by Michael Landon Jr, and based on the novel by Janette Oke. Now part of the Hallmark Channel this series takes viewers back to the good old days of family entertainment, where good wholesome values and love can still be found without all the questionable content families want to see in their television shows, much like the old Little House on the Prairie series we appreciated quite awhile ago.

In the second series, Heart of the Family brings us back to those beloved characters we fell in love with in the first season. Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing)  and Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow)are facing a series of challenges in their relationship when Charles Kensington is thrown in the mix, a childhood friend from Elizabeth's past who believes he is the right man for her and has garnered her father's support as well. Seeing that her mother is well, Elizabeth returns to Coal Valley only to learn some changes have taken place, and for one, a new town name, Hope Valley now. School is just ready to start again, and Jack can't wait to show Elizabeth the schoolhouse he has built for her along with the help from others in town.

Mr. Henry Gowen has now become the new mayor and is still up to his underhanded ways to control those in town who refuse to adhere to the way he wants to conduct business beginning with Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin), and now added to the mix is Lee Coulter who is trying to revive the town through opening a sawmill now that the mine is closed down. Only Mr. Gowen will stop at nothing to ensure that Lee's business is brought down at all cost gouging him with fees and paperwork. Rosemary is still giving Lee a run for his money as the harder he tries to garner her interest, she keeps him at bay. She is now taking on an advice column in the local paper, "Ask Mary Rose!" She believes the women in Hope Valley will take her advice because her life is filled with glamour and romance!

Just when you think it couldn't get any seedier, Bill Avery returns hoping to persuade Abigail of his true intentions despite the fact he remains married. He seems to be up to no good dealing with counterfeiters but assures Jack that he is merely working undercover to expose who the head of the operations really are. Abigail meanwhile begins to accept the help of her newly discovered daughter in law Clara, who is trying to find a fresh start in town by being courted by the young men of Hope Valley. But Abigail is still dealing with the loss of her husband and son, and believe it's too soon for Clara to date, but is it?

I received When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family compliments of Hallmark Channel, Word Films, and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of a free copy of the DVD and the opinions contained are my honest and personal ones. The running time on this DVD is 88 minutes and includes exclusive behind the scenes interviews with your favorite characters. I love this series, because it takes us back to a much simpler time in history and I've always been a huge fan of westerns and historical romances. Just like in life, things aren't always each to work out, much like the relationships we see happening in Hope Valley. They offer us a chance to see the consequences played out when they make the choices they do. I only wish there were more television shows like this. For me this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family, The Hallmark Channel, Word Films or where you can get a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family

You can find When Calls the Heart on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest episodes and fun.

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest projects and films.

To purchase a copy of this DVD on Amazon, please click here. 

A Heart's Home

The sad part is here, and that is the Journey of the Heart series by Colleen Coble is unfortunately here. In the final novel in the series, A Heart's Home is the sixth book in this wonderful historical western series that is stationed at Fort Phil Kearny in Wyoming in 1866. Readers have gotten bite size chunks of this heartwarming series in each subsequent book that has lead us to the final part, and that is dealing with Emmie who has finally decided that she will put aside her past, and move forward in a future with Isaac Liddle. The women have formed a united front in this series with each taking a lead role at some point in their own book, and with the conclusion it's going to be one that you don't want to miss.

As we left Emmie in the last book, she was facing a future with a child she had with a man she believed was her husband. When she learned he never conveyed the truth that he was already married, Emmie realized that all she was counting on to help her move forward in the loss wasn't rightfully hers so she headed west to stay with her good friends in Wyoming. Only it seems that no matter where she goes, the truth of her situation follows her and threatens her potential marriage to Isaac if the truth gets out. If only Emmie can find a way to tell Isaac herself before someone else does, she might stand a chance. But when tragedy strikes the heart of the fort, Emmie's only chance at happiness slips away like the sand in an hourglass and there isn't anything she can do about it if she believes she is a good Christian woman!

I received A Heart's Home by Colleen Coble compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation outside of a free copy of the book for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a poignant way to end the series, and find myself now wanting to go back and read them all in one sitting. Each of these books feels like a full length novel and the women I've gotten to know through each of these books feels like friends and not just characters in the story. They all have their own challenges living at the Fort and must band together to help each other out in the face of rising hostilities among the Sioux Indians! I'd give this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and hope Colleen Coble decides to write more western romances in the very near future.

For more information about A Heart's Home, Colleen Coble or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Heart's Home by Colleen Coble 

You can find Colleen Coble on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on A Heart's Home, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


A hidden pregnancy, a promise sure to break hearts, and a tragic loss at Fort Phil Kearny: Don't miss the gripping conclusion in book six, A Heart's Home, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie’s solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac’s? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?

Colleen is celebrating the final book release of her A Journey of the Heart series by giving away the entire series and the chance to host Colleen virtually at your book club, local library, or women's group to talk about the series.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Books 1–6 of A Journey of the Heart series
• A chat with Colleen via Skype or Google Hangout
• A custom book-club kit PDF, featuring Colleen's favorite recipes and group discussion questions

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 31st. Winner will be announced September 1st on Colleen's website.

Uncommon - DVD Review

It seems that lately more and more of our rights keep being stripped away. Just lately, we have watched our traditional marriage rights between one man and one woman being challenged by the Supreme Court as well as the banning of the Confederate Flag and soon the stripping of more monuments and icons based on what offends anyone these days. Its funny how a difference in opinion has gotten completely out of hand and now rights need to be defended or rejected. None greater than anything dealing with Christianity. It seems to be the one thing that remains untolerated by most groups.

In the DVD movie of Uncommon, Aaron Chase (Ben Davies) has relocated to another highschool, Rosewood High after the death of his brother Chase during a school shooting. As he struggles to piece together his new life, he runs across his brothers journals that speak to him about what he only wished he had been able to communicate when he was alive. It becomes an inspiration that Aaron utilizes to challenge his civics teacher, Mr. Stevens, who feels compelled at every turn, to persecute the Christian way of life. Aaron even goes as far as sponsoring a student led Bible study at school but is bullied by the teacher at every turn.

Now that the school is subject to budget cuts, they have eliminated the theater and music departments which is disappointing to the students facing their senior year and now risk losing their potential scholarships unless they can convince the principal to let them try to put together a show on their own. She relents but only if they can find a staff member to supervise them, which comes under the unlikely candidate of the janitor, Marc Garcia (Eric Estrada). He manages to work with the students if they agree to put some time in at a local senior center that is going through refurbishment and needs all the help they can get. Will they be able to manage through the storms facing them ahead?

I received Uncommon by JC Films compliments Edify Media Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review of this DVD and the opinions expressed here are my own honest personal ones. While this DVD deals with the right to religious freedom in the high school, the overall film did not really appeal to me. I found that the lack of concern for the main characters was missing and thus the reason I couldn't thoroughly enjoy the film. Aaron's dry personality was something that just didn't engage me as a viewer and found myself wondering when this movie would end. The only thing really saving it was understanding the implications facing students to attempt to keep their religious convictions while attending a public school from a Bible study to a play centered around a religious theme. The Liberty Counsel which supports the film was the only real aspect of the movie I enjoyed. There are some bonus features like a discussion guide available at the uncommonfilm website and trailers for this movie. I would rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Uncommon, JC Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Uncommon by JC Films

You can find JC Films on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest movies.

Counting on a Cowboy

Thankfully, I have never to this date, experienced the loss of a spouse, but I know many who have, and it is not an easy place to be. Often times, well meaning people, will believe that enough time has passed in their books, for that person to be willing to move forward, but what we fail to realize is that it is different for everyone. What we need to do, is to be there for them, as often as they need us and never underplay what they are feeling or dealing with from one day to another. That is the premise behind Debra Clopton's novel, Counting on a Cowboy, the second novel in the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series.

I quite literally read this in a couple of hours, it was simply that good. I mean who wouldn't want a handsome cowboy like Bo Monahan to be interested in helping you out. For Abby Knightly, she isn't. The only reason she sold her home and moved to Wishing Springs, Texas was to start over and based on the advice columns she read from Maggie, this was a ladies paradise for all the right reasons beginning with the eligible men that lived there. This wasn't the reason she moved here, she simply had to get away from all those well meaning friends and family that felt after two years, the loss of her husband Landon, should be old news by now. She should be willing to look for love again. For Abby, she was just ready to leave that all behind, but the problem was that no matter how far away she moved, unless she was ready to deal with things, it would follow her for the rest of her life.

Bo Monahan wasn't looking for love until it hit him, well almost anyway. Trying to corral a wayward steer, put himself in the middle of the road at night and cause Abby to swerve her car and put her into a ditch. Knowing he was partially to blame, he offers to be her escort around town until her car can be fixed. He just doesn't know that the more time he spends with Abby, and the more she tries to push him away, the more deeper he gets in his feelings for her. Thankfully, he has to put his mind on other things like a baby that is dumped on his porch that claims he is the father and that if this has happened, then the mother has passed away from cancer. Life certainly just got interesting in Wishing Springs and for some it will be quite life changing in more ways than one.

I received Counting On A Cowboy by Debra Clopton compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from a free copy of the book. and the opinions contained here are my own personal and honest opinions. This is such a wonderful heartwarming story because it deals with loss on a different level. It shows us that no matter what we are all facing in our life we can make it through it when we rely on God's promises found in the Bible. We just need to learn to lean on Him and one day before we know it, will we arrive on the other side in our own timing and with His! This one is worth 4.5 out of 5 stars and I can't wait for the final novel in this series Kissed By A Cowboy which is slated for release in February of 2016. I will be sad to see it end for the Monahan family!

For more information about Counting on a Cowboy, Debra Clopton or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

You can find Debra Clopton on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Counting on a Cowboy, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page. 


A new tale of romance, family, and taking risks—don't miss Debra Clopton's Counting on a Cowboy! After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

Saddle up with Debra and her new book and enter to win her Love at the Reins prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Counting on a Cowboy
• A $25 gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Starbucks
• A western-inspired bracelet
• A horseshoe heart

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 8th. The winner will be announced September 9th on Debra's blog.

Goodbye, Magnolia

I am such a huge sucker for Hallmark Romance Movies and most weekends, you will find me watching the latest one just before my day comes to an end. Partly because I believe in happily ever after and love at first sight. Such is the case in my own life, and I've often said my fairytale came true when I met my husband. That is why I love a great romance novel. Guess what I found another amazingly talented author who knows just how to write a great romance too, Krista Noorman. In her latest novel, Goodbye, Magnolia, she takes readers into a college life between Maggie James and Simon Walker where they met at a Christian college in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a photography class of all places. It is where she was given the nickname Canon by Simon, and they would have made quite the pair except that Simon was more of what most girls would have called a player. With good lucks, a knockout smile and more charm than a girls bracelet, Simon had more than enough girls interested in him throughout college, and it was enough to keep Maggie far away from the likes of one like Simon.

Years later, as she is beginning her own wedding photography business in Hastings, she runs into Simon once again. It seems that his Uncle Pete, wants to give it a go at the photography business but unlike Maggie's photography style of capturing those once in a lifetime moments, Simon's is more your formal sittings. In fact, he is so sure, that they are at opposite sides of the wedding photography spectrum, he invites Maggie to help co-promote one another's business based on what each of their clients wants. It will garner them more publicity than if they go it alone, but Maggie believes she's wise to Simon's ways to put her out of business. That fact is even more solidified when her two friends, agree to hire Simon as their photographer as well as Maggie to get the best of both photography worlds.

Maggie is so sure of everything she believes about just who Simon is, that she purposely goes out of her way to make sure they don't work together any more than they need to, but lately it seems like every photo shoot she has scheduled, Simon is right there with her. Coincidence or merely healthy competition? All Maggie knows is based on her past love life and heart break, she can NEVER trust another man especially one like Simon to ever get involved in her life. Will Maggie be resolved to always be the photographer at someone else's wedding or is there hope for love in her future where she doesn't expect it? Time will tell!

I received Goodbye, Magnolia by Krista Noorman compliments of the author herself for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and aside from the free copy of the book, the opinions contained here are strictly my own honest and personal ones. This definitely needs to be picked up by Hallmark Movie Channel because it has all the right elements to make a successful movie. There are those moments of comedy when things don't exactly go off as planned, especially when it comes to capturing the perfect moment on film, to those tender heart felt moments where you are hoping against hope that they two will finally fall head over heels in love, and I applaud Krista's efforts to making this well worth the wait. Along the way, you meet some amazing characters such as Sarah, Maggie's assistant, DeDe, the wedding planner with all the right contacts, and even a guest appearance from Michael Bublè! Well worth every single one of the 5 out of 5 stars and I hope, we might see a sequel out of Krista before too long!

For more information about Goodbye, Magnolia, Krista Noorman or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Goodbye, Magnolia by Krista Noorman

You can find Krista Noorman on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

Once Upon a Summertime

I am so blessed to be able to read Melody Carlson's latest novel Once Upon a Summertime, before the closure of summer for me. What an incredible series this is going to be and I can't wait for the next novel in this series! For those looking for an exceptional romance, pick this one up! You won't be disappointed.

Anna Gordon has always had a heart for hospitality, and thus the reason for getting her degree in hotel management. Having lived a rough childhood, living on the streets at times, she relished those moments when they would find a place to stay in a motel. She tried her best at those times, to make it the best it good be, despite what her parents did, and the very reason why she had such a desire for those guests that would come to a place to stay, wanting to ensure that it was truly a great experience.

Yet she never dreamed after all those years of attending school, that she would wind up working at the Value Lodge and living on her grandmother's couch. While all her other friends, were busy living it up at exotic locations managing exceptional hotels, she was questioning if this is as good as her life would get. Was this what her degree would be used for? Not to mention that the Value Lodge was beyond run down and the employees lazy and without the same desire for seeing the potential of what could be. So when an offer to move to New York and help manage one of the high end newly renovated hotels becomes available, Anna believes God might just have a plan in mind if she is willing to place her faith in Him.

She meets a long time friend from home, Sean O'Neil, who most girls had crushes on in high school has now been appointed as the day manager. The two eventually realize that they need a friend while trying to make their way in an unfamiliar city, but if sparks begin to fly, they both could be out of a job when the hotel mandates a no romance or dating policy among it's employees or guests. But all Anna needs is a chance to prove herself worthy so she can move on to bigger and better goals and New York right now offers her the best chance at a new life, she had only dreamed of before.

I received Once Upon A Summertime by Melody Carlson compliments of Revell Publishing and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of the book for my honest and personal review. This was such a great novel, that I read it in one sitting. I was completely lost in the world of what it is like to manage a hotel, and being a huge dreamer of one day opening a Bed and Breakfast, this one will appealed to me. Readers even get a sneak peek at the second novel in this series, even though it is unnamed at this time, I can't wait to add this one to my personal collection at home. For me, this one well deserves all 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Once Upon A Summertime, Melody Carlson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Once Upon A Summertime by Melody Carlson

You can find Melody Carlson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Once Upon A Summertime, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliances, book tour page.