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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Home For the Summer



There is a reason for Lucy Sinclair to stay away from her childhood home in St. Dennis, it simply holds too many memories she wishes desperately to forget. It's also a reason she hasn't told anyone and doesn't plan on it if she can help it. If only the nightmares didn't keep her up all night and her mother didn't want her to come home for the holidays more. Being a successful wedding planner as a joint owner in her own company Shaefer & Sinclair, she stayed more than busy in her office in Los Angeles. Now after the biggest celebrity wedding she hosted for Dallas MacGregor in her hometown of St. Dennis, the phones were literally ringing off the hook with business.

But things are going to get even more interesting as Lucy gets another big boost to her business when billionaire Robert Magellan wants the exact same wedding set up for her new bride Suzanna and he will spare no expense to ensure she has the true wedding of her dreams. Their's won't simply be a one day affair, they want a week long event and they want it all to take place at her family's historic inn in St. Dennis. Knowing she can't possibly turn down an opportunity this grand, Lucy does what she can to hop back and forth from L.A. to St. Dennis to attempt to coordinate this wedding. However Susanna isn't the type to deal with phone calls and emails. She wants the personal face to face contact with Lucy and she won't deal with anyone else.

Now Lucy has to try and find some way to work through the many details of pulling together a wedding of a life time in only 5 short months while trying to manage her ever increasingly busy business back in L.A. Her partner Bonnie is now commuting to Sacramento to help her ailing ex-husband back to health and finds herself falling in love with him once more. Will Lucy be able to handle all the increasing work load on both coasts or will she have to find a way to cut something lose before she loses her sanity.



In book 5 of The Chesapeake Diaries series by Mariah Stewart, Home for the Summer will require a balancing act for poor Lucy Sinclair of epic proportions to make her business a success and still give her elite clients exactly what they desire. Along the way, Lucy befriends her childhood friend, Clay Madison and soon finds that there is more there than simply friendship with someone she has grown up to respect and possibly love. But is that enough to warrant leaving her successful business in L.A.? Only time will tell as the romance continues to grow between some of the most wonderful characters in St. Dennis. If you haven't had the opportunity to pick up this series, may I suggest starting at the beginning with Coming Home? This is an unforgettable series and I for one am more than thrilled that Mariah is keeping this one going when most authors end a series after three books.

I received Home For The Summer by Mariah Stewart compliments of Ballantine Books and TLC Book Tours for my honest review and the saddest part about her books is when you get to the last page. It's hard to let go of the characters you honestly come to love and get to know. From the always quirky Inn owner and editor of the St. Dennis Gazette Grace, to the fun-loving ice cream shoppe owner, Stef, you are just bound to connect to someone in this delightful and truly charming series. I personally rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and while it's not a stand alone book there is certainly enough given in the book, that you could read it as a first, but trust me you'll want to pick up the entire series! I absolutely LOVE it and highly recommend it! Now I'm am anxiously awaiting, the Long Way Home which is due out in January 2013!!!

For more information about Home For The Summer, Mariah Stewart or where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:


You can find Mariah Stewart on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books (May 29, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345531221
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345531223
  • Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1 x 6.9 inches

Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Reunion



Sometimes life isn't about us. It's about the difference we make in the lives of people around us. Aaron Miller is one such person. Thinking he has little to offer the world as a retired Vietnam veteran, he spends his time working as a maintenance man for a little trailer park in Florida. Reflecting back on his life offers him the justification for the life he currently finds himself in. After serving in Vietnam and saving the lives of three men in his squadron, he was injured and thus found a way out of the way. Disabled in both body and spirit, Aaron tried to find his way back to his wife and children. When his PTSD symptoms and addictions to pain medications caused a division in his house, his wife told him that they would be better off without him.

So Aaron left, and spent the next few years eking out a living on the streets. When he finally found the strength to get clean, he tried to make his way back home for a second chance. His wife told him that his kids no longer asked about the whereabouts of their dad and it's for the best to give them a second chance at a better life with her new husband and now father to their kids. Heartbroken, Aaron found solace living in the storage shed while trying to save money to purchase a small trailer in the park he helped to maintain, but that seems to be a dream far out of his reach.

In the Reunion by Dan Walsh, restoration seems to be the theme. Aaron's old habits die hard and soon he finds himself helping people out around him who seem to be filled with no hope. Aaron becomes more than a hero to them. While he keeps his own past buried, he works to offer hope to those who need it the most. Dan Walsh is instrumental at getting this powerful message across in this wonderful inspirational book about looking at the lives of the men and women who serve in our military. It gives us insight into the details we may never fail to inquire about but a story that each needs to share if only given the chance. I think he does a wonderful job at conveying that just because they finish their tour of duty, these wounded men and women still have a much needed purpose in life. This is a book to be treasured and shared. Be warned however, this may require more than a boxful of tissues by the time you reach the end. A well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Reunion, Dan Walsh and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


You can also find Dan Walsh on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books!!!


  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Revell; Original edition (September 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0800721217
  • ISBN-13: 978-0800721213
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches 




  • Green Mountain Coffee - Wellness Collection



    A good cup of coffee can do so many things - put a smile on your face, a skip in your step, and the good kind of taste in your mouth. But a great cup of coffee? It works harder to make things easier for you...at lest when it comes from the Green Mountain Wellness Collection.

    Kick start your day or settle in with high-quality coffees you can look forward to drinking because they're delicious and part of the Green Mountain Wellness Collection! Finally, your wellness Collections includes innovative brews like Focus Blend and an Antioxidant Blend to inspire wellness without compromising on the taste. Wellness Brewed beverages are proof that wellness can be effortless.

    Conveniently available in K-cup packs for your Keurig brewer, the Green Mountain Coffee Wellness Collection is all Fair Trade Certified, making that great cup of coffee feel even better. It is best brewed using the 8 oz setting on your Keurig brewer and retails for $18.49 for a 24 count box of Keurig K-Cup packs at your local retailer. It is also available for purchase online at GreenMountainCoffee.com and Keurig.com.

    Green Mountain Coffee Focus Blend provides not only a great cup of coffee but also a balanced brew with 50mg of L-Theanine in every 8 fl.oz. serving.

    Green Mountain Coffee Antioxidant Blend makes choosing a healthy cup of coffee even easier. Each 8 ounce serving is deeply satisfying and is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C & E.

    Both of these roasts are a engaging, medium-roast-taste of both the Focus Blend and Antioxidant Blend, Green Mountain Coffee blended with lightest roasts with mellow, darker roasts. A leader in the specialty coffee industry for more than three decades, Green Mountain Coffee Wellness Collection is the first wellness-focused line of its kind launched by a national coffee brand. They believe that a better cup of coffee means a better day for everyone it touches. It doesn't need to be complicated to get a good choice and great taste all in one cup!!!

    I received Green Mountain Coffee Wellness Collection compliments of Green Mountain Coffee and BzzAgent for my honest review. As a person who needs to have her coffee each morning to get my day going, I feel great about a product that provides not only a truly satisfying cup of coffee but with something healthy to make my body more productive as well. For all of you that must have coffee, you have to try Green Mountain Coffee Wellness Collection, either Focus Blend or Antioxidant Blend for your needs. I tried both and they are truly amazing. Not only does the coffee taste great but knowing I'm doing something great for my body as well all in one cup of coffee is well worth it for this busy mom. I personally would rate this product a 4 out of 5 stars.

    For more information on Green Mountain Coffee Wellness Collection please click on the links below:


    You can also find Green Mountain Coffee Wellness Collection on Facebook by clicking here.

    You can also get $3 off your order online when visiting Green Mountain Coffee's website and entering the code "GMCBEWELL".

    Friday, December 28, 2012

    The Intercept - Giveaway and Review



    July 4th is usually a time when most of us are looking forward to spending some time with our families, but when an attempted airline hi-jacking on Scandinavian Flight 903 is stopped by six heroic passengers and crew, it seems there is more there than just an ill conceived plan. Jeremy Fisk, a detective assigned to NYPD's Intelligence Division believes it may have just been a diversion to a much deeper terrorist plot. Having worked with bringing down Osama Bin Laden and deciphering clues from his network, he believes that something big is going to happen in New York and soon. As he works with other agencies to break down the passenger manifest to see if anyone interacted with the hi-jacker while in route to New York. He soon finds another man on the plane, Baada Bin-Hezam, has terrorist backgrounds but seems his plan was to stage the hi-jacking with another man so he could find his way into New York to simply disappear until it was time.

    Now it's a race against time for Jeremy Fisk and his team to try and find a proverbial needle in the haystack before his terrorist plan is attempted. On the heels of the biggest 4th of July celebration planned along the Hudson River, there is also the dedication ceremony for the new Freedom Tower at Ground Zero. If Jeremy and his team can't locate Baada Bin-Hezam in time, he wonders which target may have the greatest threat. Will it be a bomb, a deadly viral assault, or will it be bigger than any of them could ever possibly imagine? It's simply a race against time and the clues are getting harder and harder to find.

    In the latest suspense thriller from Dick Wolf, the legendary talent behind the iconic Law & Order TV drama, he makes his literary debut with this extraordinary tale filled with the ingenious twists and high-wire drama that we have come to expect from this master storyteller in The Intercept. The reader is in for a roller coaster ride as each new lead that Fisk chases soon fizzles to another dead end while the time continues to edge closer to the 4th of July. If you love suspense action thrillers, then this will be a must read for you to pick up and enjoy.

    I received The Intercept by Dick Wolf, compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. The storyline was amazing but the thing I didn't care for was how much the book jumped around between different aspects of the story in the beginning. At one point he is working with Osama Bin Laden and the next chapter they are working with trying to find clues amongst his affects and it's apparent he is now dead. There needs to be a little bit more continuity to help the reader maintain that connection, and I found myself flipping back pages to see if I missed a page along the way. Yet all in all by 1/3 of the way through the storyline is gripping and soon your buried deep with Detective Fisk to uncover the plot before it's too late. In my opinion, I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

    For more information about The Intercept, Dick Wolf or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


    You can also stay on top of the Jeremy Fisk novels by Dick Wolf on Facebook. 

    Now the fun part....

    William Morrow is providing a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog. Here's all you need to do to enter to win:

    1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

    2. "Like" my Facebook Reviews From The Heart Page. 

    3. Must live in the the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

    4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. I will notify the winner by email when the giveaway ends on January 6th.






    Coricidin HBP Cold & Flu Product Review



    Did you know that...

    67 million Americans have high blood pressure...

    But not all high blood pressure sufferers understand the potential impact decongestants can have on their condition. If you have high blood pressure, choose your over-the-counter cold medication wisely. Coricidin® HBP provides powerful cold relief without raising your blood pressure. Each of the six products is decongestant-free. They are safe and effective for the treatment of cold and flu symptoms when taken as directed. All six Coricidin HBP formulats are decongestant-free and safe and effective for the treatment of cold and flu symptoms when taken as directed. It's the #1 pharmacist recommended cold brand designed for people with high blood pressure. A cold shouldn't get in the way of managing your or a loved one's blood pressure.

    If you're like me and with the cold and flu season under way, you are concerned with the number of products on the market dealing with relieving runny nose, sneezing, body aches and pains and fever all without the added risk of raising your blood pressure. I was super excited to receive Coricidin HBP Cold & Flu to try compliments of simply being a BzzAgent. I've been diagnosed as having high blood pressure already and the last thing I need to do is to take a product that could potentially raise my blood pressure more.

    With our cold winter weather setting in, I developed a cold and in the past have had to deal with products that offer less than promising results. Either they don't work on the symptoms or I have to deal with the racing heart and jitters that usually accompany most over the counter cold medicines. Thankfully Coricidin offers the best of both world in my opinion. Not only does this product deliver as promised, I don't have the side effects of the racing heart and jitters. I am able to find a cold product now that delivers what it promises. Since there are six different ones, I can tell you, it gives me hope the next time a cold or flu strikes my own home. Normally you go around feeling overly medicated but not in this case. I can personally tell you that it works!!!

    The best part is that this product is available over the counter and at your local drug store or retailers without a prescription. Finally a product that doesn't over do it when it comes to cold or flu relief. I plan on keeping this in my medicine chest for when the next cold or flu strikes my family. I received this product compliments of BzzAgent and Coricidin HBP for my honest review and this one gets a 4 out of 5 stars.

    For more information on Coricidin HBP products, please click on the links below:


    You can download a $ 2 off coupon for Coricidin HBP by clicking here.  

    You can also visit the American Heart Associations Website and test your blood pressure IQ. 




    Thursday, December 27, 2012

    Febreeze Holiday Collection ~ Giveaway and Review



    Now that the holidays are almost over, I wanted to share with you an amazing offer I had the opportunity to review and try over the Christmas holiday and to also share a little of the goodness after the gifts have long been opened under the tree. I love it when the gifts keep on coming.

    Febreeze Holiday Collection is a unique series of signature fragrances that are only available for a limited time. You can freshen your home up with one of six unique and completely unforgettable fragrances, Apple Spice & Delight (available online only), Cranberries and Frost, Glistening Alpine, Winter Magic and Glow, Holiday Bloom and Cheer, and Cozy Vanilla Sugar, the one I tried and absolutely LOVE!!! I received a wonderful gift pack to sample and enjoy. It included One Febreeze Air Effects Spray, One Febreeze Candle, One Twin-pack of Febreeze NOTICEables, and Two NOTICEable refills.

    The NOTICEables are basically your plug in oil fragrance with a perfect sweet blend of two fragrances that simply compliment one another. Since I received the Cozy Vanilla Sugar collection, this contained a blend of Cozy Vanilla and Vanilla Bean. I decided to use this in our guest bath which also contains our cat box. The best part of this, is the smell. It's not overly sweet and just the right blend to keep all my bathroom odors at bay. Since the NOTICEables contain a switch on the back, you can choose just how strong you want the fragrance dispersed. I kept mine on low since the bathroom is relatively small. My kids actually fought over who would get my second dispenser and we opted to keep it in the kitchen which worked out perfect to keep our kitchen odors under control.

    I used the Cozy Vanilla Sugar candle in our family room for the entire family to enjoy while watching our Christmas movies. It lasted about a week but we really burned it for a long period of time. Again the fragrance was amazing and it worked out perfect whenever guests came to visit. They actually thought we were baking sugar cookies. Finally we tried the Cozy Vanilla Sugar Air Effects spray which worked to get rid of smells quickly. I didn't much care for the fragrance in this one because to me it smelled like baby powder instead of the similar vanilla fragrance from the other products.

    “The Febreze product, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Febreze.”. This entire collection was amazing and I can't wait to pick up some of the other fragrances just to keep on hand when I want to bring back the Christmas memories we shared this year, all year long. But remember, this collection is limited and you'll want to pick yours up before they are gone. Trust me, you'll want to pick up a few spares to keep on hand til they are available again. If you love the simplicity of something quick and easy to remove odors instantly, you'll want to pick up the Febreeze Air Effects Spray. If you want something to last a bit longer, try the Febreeze candle or the no-hassle Febreeze NOTICEables oil plug ins. I personally rate this entire collection a 4 out of 5 stars. These products are available at your local retailer and remember the Apple Spice & Delight is only available on line!

    For more information about the Febreeze Holiday Collection, please click on the links below:


    You can also find Febreeze on Facebook by clicking here. 

    Now for the best part. I get to offer a giveaway to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. The winner of this giveaway will receive a $10 Febreeze Coupon Book and a $15 Visa Gift Card. Here's all you need to do to enter:

    1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

    2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart and leave a comment while you're there.

    3. If you have already "Liked" my Facebook page, simply leave me a comment there.

    4. You must be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

    5. Leave a comment below telling me which fragrance you'd love to try and which product type you'd be interested in using in your home. Don't forget to leave me your email so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

    The giveaway will end on January 7th and I'll notify the winner by email at that time.

    “The Febreze product, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Febreze.”

    NOTE: Febreze® does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blogsite.

    Thursday, December 20, 2012

    The Time Keeper



    "A man sits alone in a cave. 

    His hair is long. His beard reaches his knees. He holds his chin in the cup of his hands. He closes his eyes. He is listening to something. Voices. Endless voices. They rise from a pool in the corner of the cave. They are the voices of people on Earth. They want one thing only. Time.

    Sarah Lemon is one of those voices. 

    A teenager in our day, she sprawls on a bed and studies a photo on her cell phone: a good-looking boy with coffee-colored hair. Tonight she will see him. Tonight at eight-thirty. She recites it excitedly - Eight-thirty, eight-thirty! - and she wonders what to wear. The black jeans? The sleeveless top? No. She hates her arms. Not the sleeveless. "I need more time," she says.

    Victor Delamonte is one of those voices. 

    A wealthy man in his mid-eighties, he sits in a doctor's office. His wife sits beside him. White paper covers an exam table. The doctor speaks softly. "There's not much we can do," he says. Months of treatment have worked. The tumors. The kidneys. Victor's wife tries to speak, but the words catch. As if sharing the same larynx, Victor clears his throat. "What Grace wants to ask is....how much time do I have left?"

    His words - and Sarah's words - drift up to the faraway cave, and the lonesome, bearded man sitting inside it. This man is Father Time. 

    You might think him a myth, a cartoon from a New Year's card - ancient, haggard, clutching an hourglass, older than anyone on the planet. But Father Time is real. And, in truth, he cannot age. Beneath the unruly beard and cascading hair - signs of life, not death - his body is lean, his skin unwrinkled, immune to the very thing he lords over. Once, before he angered God, he was just another man, fated to die when his days were done. Now he has a different fate: Banished to this cave, he must listen to the world's every plea - for more minutes, more hours, more years, more time.

    He has been here an eternity. He has given up hope. But a clock ticks for all of us, silently, somewhere. And one is ticking even for him. Soon Father Time will be free. To return to Earth. And finish what he started." (pg 3-4).

    In The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom, we are immersed in the lives of two people who one man has been asked to intervene and help in their quest for more time in very different aspects of their lives. It takes the reader into their own personal question of what are they doing with time, are they wasting it, do they value it the way they should, and how can they begin to change their seconds and minutes moving forward. There are truly so many things to take away from this book in retrospective and great quotes worth keeping. I know for me, I'll be taking this one out time and time again to make sure I am living my life as it should be, a gift, that's why it's called the present. I would easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and makes the perfect gift for those that wish things were different or as an inspiration to make their lives truly better beginning today!

    For more information on The Time Keeper, Mitch Albom, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


    You can also find Mitch Albom on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books!!!

    • Reading level: Ages 18 and up
    • Hardcover: 240 pages
    • Publisher: Hyperion; BOOK CLUB edition (September 4, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1401322786
    • ISBN-13: 978-1401322786
    • Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.8 x 1 inches

    Tuesday, December 18, 2012

    A Christmas Homecoming



    I truly believe that books don't have to be too long to get their message across to the reader. Especially at this time of the year where we often have very little time to do anything but last minute shopping, work so we can pay the bills, and spend the evenings with family. That's why I love it when you find an exceptional book you can squeeze in and still get something magical out of it. The Christmas season is more that just gift giving and the hustle and bustle of life, it's about coming to realize what's really important. It the season of hope and believing that the world in general will be a much better place if only for this time.

    In A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnne Diorio, we get that sense once we reach the end of the book. It begins with heartache, loneliness and death for a family facing what most would considered unimaginable odds. Sonia Pettit is still going through dealing with the recent death of her husband and all the things that often went unsaid. As with most circumstances dealing with death, it drives a family apart as each of them tries to find their own way to cope and move into a new sense of normal. Her son, Ben is becoming increasingly distant and bitter, her daughter Jody has left her family unexpectedly and without any logical reason and now resides more than a half a world away. Now with Christmas coming is there any way for this family after seven long years to find a way to reunite and find the love that held them together at one point or has too much time simply passed and allowed them all to become different people?



    I received A Christmas Homecoming compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. At this time, this book is only available in ebook format and I am hopeful that this will soon become a print book after all the wonderful reviews. This is truly the story of unconditional love, forgiveness and hope that can become yours no matter how difficult any situation is that you are currently facing. This is the true message behind the Christmas season and I believe that MaryAnn Diorio did an exceptional job at bringing this to the conclusion to this short story. It would be the equivalent of about 53 print pages and just perfect for settling down with a warm cup of cocoa by the fire for some inspirational reading this Christmas. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and look to more by this wonderful author.

    For more information about A Christmas Homecoming, MaryAnn Diorio, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


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

    To read more reviews from the Litfuse Book Tour, please click here. 


    Saturday, December 15, 2012

    A Season of Love



    Poor Katie Kauffman has found herself in one of the worst predicaments imaginable. After returning back to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, back to the bakery she loves, she finds her best friends Lindsay and Lizzie Ann have found great Amish men to begin their courting. Katie on the other hand seems to think that she will grow old and only have the love of baking to keep her warm at nights. After finally being baptized as part of the Amish faith alongside her friends, she suddenly finds herself a bit of the odd person out. While Lindsay and Lizzie talk about wedding plans and of what type of life they envision for their families, Katie can't help but feel left out.

    When she finds comfort in Jake Miller, a boy that works for her grandfather's shop as a carpenter apprentice, she finds herself attracted to him in ways she would have never imagined. She knows there isn't any possibility for them to go any further than just friends. Jake is a Mennonite while she comes from a strong and strict Amish family. They can never been anything more than just friends. However when Katie and Jake find themselves in a compromising situation, Katie's father, Robert rages out of control and ground Katie for a month. He forbids her to have anything to do with Jake even as just friends. However with Jake working with Katie's grandfather Eli on a cabinet for the bakery, it seems that there is more than fate pulling them together. Will Katie find a way to forget what can never be between Jake and herself? Or will Jake's long lost first love, Jessica be the only way out for them both?

    In the conclusion to the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, A Season of Love by Amy Clipston takes the reader in the 5th book to see how the remaining characters we've come to love and adore wrap up their lives. Lindsay Bedford returns from Virginia Beach with her GED in hand believing she can be just as smart as her sister, Jessica and finds a way to prove it. Now returning back to Pennsylvania where Katie has been caring for her ailing Aunt Rebecca who has been confined to bed rest due to complications with her pregnancy. Lindsay believes she is finally read to become Amish and in the process will see if love awaits her on the other side. Katie has to deal with her father's issues about dealing with what he believes is proper without waiting for all the facts to come in. It shows how damaging rumors and perception can be to an Amish family and must in fact cost her to be shunned. This is truly an unforgettable novel to wrap up life with the Kauffman family. You can read this one as a stand alone but trust me, you will want to go back and read them all. This is truly an exceptional ending to this series.

    I received A Season of Love by Amy Clipston compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for my honest review and I have to say, I gladly give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. For more information about A Season of Love, Amy Clipston, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


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

    To read the entire series of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, look for the following books at your local book retailer:

    # 1 A Gift of Grace
    #2 A Place of Peace
    #3 A Promise of Hope
    #4 A Life of Joy
    #5 A Season of Love


    Friday, December 14, 2012

    A Lady in the Making



    Sometimes the hardest thing to do in life is to convince people you have wronged, that you have truly changed. That's exactly what Millie Evans is trying to do. She no longer took part in swindling innocent people or conspire to have people murdered and even giving up being part of her brother-in-law's gang. Nope for Millie, she's had a complete change of heart. Must have been all that time, working hard at cooking and trying to make an honest living that has changed her deep down inside. However for some people, they believe no one ever really changes.

    When Millie decides to take the stage to Salt Lake City to being her new life away from her past and her brother in law, she didn't plan on running into David Stone. He was the man she had fallen in love with and also the man she tried to murder and run off with all his money. Is it possible for her to convince David Stone to give her another chance? He believes Millie has been watching him for sometime and planned to take the same stage coach in an effort to finish what she had begun the first time she met David. Now he was wealthier and part owner in his own stage coach business and wonders just what Millie is up to now. He's not about to be caught off guard this time. Not if he can help it.

    Millie thinks this is divine providence that she has run into David. It at least provides her with an opportunity to return the Bible she has stolen from him as well as the onyx cuff links his grandfather had given him on his twelfth birthday. . No matter how much she pleads with David that she has found God and has truly changed, he's not about to give her a second chance. He'd come so close to losing his heart to her. He'd been blinded by her charms. The knowledge left him feeling witless and old. He never wanted to see her again. Yet something kept nagging at him. Was even a tenth of what she'd said to him the truth?

    In the conclusion of the Prairie Dreams Series, A Lady in the Making by Susan Page Davis takes us back to the late 1800's to the Oregon Territory to see just where David Stone and Millie Evans have wound up since their fateful encounter in the previous books. She has stolen from him and tried to lure him into marrying her so she could live in style. Without meaning to, she'd endangered his life. If only he'd give her the chance to show him that she had transformed into a new Millie Evans. He didn't even know her really name since she changed it to Charlotte Evan in Scottsburg because it sounded more elegant than Millie. This novel shows how difficult it can be for people to accept the changes we make, even if they are for the right reasons. Will Millie give up and go back to the life people have come to believe is true about her or has she truly changed both inside and out?

    I received A Lady in the Making by Susan Page Davis compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for my honest opinion. I have read the entire series and have grown to love each of the characters that Susan creates for her reader to come to know and really love. I didn't care for Millie's character in the first two books because she was truly rooted in greed and deceit but looked forward to seeing how Susan would convince me that she had changed as well. For those that love Christian Historical Fiction set in the old west, then you will absolutely LOVE this one! You can read this as a stand alone since Susan does a great job at outlining Millie's past in this book, but trust me, you'll want to see where this all began! In my opinion, I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars!!!! This is one of my favorite genre's to indulge in!

    For more information about A Lady in the Making, Susan Page Davis or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


    You can also find Susan Page Davis on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

    Be sure to look for the other books in the Prairie Dreams Series as well at your favorite book retailer.

    # 1 The Lady's Maid
    #2 Lady Anne's Quest
    # 3 A Lady in the Making

    • Paperback: 320 pages
    • Publisher: Barbour Books (October 1, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1616264411
    • ISBN-13: 978-1616264413
    • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches


    Thursday, December 13, 2012

    Trinity: Military War Dog



    After three tours in the Special Forces, she outranked most of the men she worked with. Especially her handler Heath "Ghost" Daniels. War dogs and specialized search dogs were high-value targets. Terrorists paid big for dead military working dogs. She has countless lives saved under her belt and her final tour almost cost her and Heath their lives in Afghanistan. Thanks to the efforts of the new resolution signed into law by President Clinton a few years back, which allowed dogs to live out the remainder of their years rather than being euthanized after the military decided they were done with the dogs, Trinity has a second chance.

    As one of three dogs working with their handlers at A Breed Apart Ranch in Texas, each of these teams is once again training for contract work from companies who have contractors on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, even their own military. They've seen the great benefit of war dogs and will pay nice fees to have a for-hire availability. Especially since his latest request to rejoin his team as a chaplain was also turned down. It seems to Heath that God is keeping him from finding his true calling back into active service and soon grows frustrated in his own faith. For Heath this is the opportunity for them to get back into action since the IED concussion from the blast and shrapnel sliced through his skull and left him with a traumatic brain injury. This is a program designed by Jibril Khori, former Green Beret and colleague for former military war or working dogs and an opportunity to continue to utilize what they were trained for once again but in a different capacity.

    When Heath and Trinity get called to Northern Afghanistan under contract for the Public Affairs Office, as part of a morale-boosting for the troops, he meets Darci Kintz. It seems they have a lot in common but Heath has to make sure to keep his stress in check. In fact that is why the other handlers, Timbrel Hogan and Aspen Courtland are also on this trip, to ensure he doesn't black out. The truth was spelled out on the three faces of the other ABA( A Breed Apart) members: They didn't trust him to do his job. They expected him to fail. God just wouldn't give him a break. And the more he stressed about it, the more he kept blacking out. Is it possible she can find someone who can truly love her despite her secrets or will Trinity be the only girl for Heath? When Heath receives word that a military intelligence officer, Darci who is gathering evidence tracking the Taliban as an undercover geological survey team member has been kidnapped, it will be just the golden opportunity for Heath and Trinity to be called back into action once again. Will he be able to keep his focus or will he put all their lives in danger?

    In Trinity, Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig, we get an opportunity to see what its like to work with these handlers and their canine companions in the various military forces and see just how dangerous and truly rewarding their work can be in this fictional novel. Ronie did an exceptional job at her research into what it takes for both the canine and their handlers to work together in some dangerous assignments. I am so honored to be able to look into a different side of serving in the military and just how far loyalty and honor go hand in hand with these service dogs. I also got an opportunity to view the Belgian Malinois that is Trinity's breed of dog and learn more about them after I finished this book. Truly a remarkable breed of dog that is highly intelligent for this line of work.



    I received Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for my honest opinion. It is a must read for any military or service dog lover and really hit home for me. I love how much a handler and their dog play upon one another so that they really become one with their thoughts and actions. I applaud Ronie's expertise is bringing this unsung hero to light and to showcase just how dangerous and rewarding their work really is. It is the beginning of an exciting new series, A Breed Apart and I can't wait to read the next book!!! In my personal opinion, this one rates a 5 out of 5 service stars!!!

    For more information on Trinity: Military War Dog, Ronie Kendig or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


    You can also find Ronie Kendig on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books or at her website by clicking here. 

    • Paperback: 352 pages
    • Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1616265949
    • ISBN-13: 978-1616265946
    • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches


    Wednesday, December 12, 2012

    A Cascades Christmas



    I love it when you can find a really great value and still get something special!!! In the short story collection, A Cascades Christmas, authors Mildred Colvin, Mary Davis, Lee Debby and Gina Welborn each take a turn with a series of characters that we meet in four different stories. These are perfect for nightly reading and you'll find yourself learning more about each of them as each story continues. This is truly four books in one setting.

    In the first, Home for the Holidays by Mildred Colvin, the reader is taken back to 1888 to the deep Pacific Northwest, where we are introduced to Anna Wilkin, turning 18 in just three short months. She is a girl of unconventional ways and is considered a tomboy by most who know her. Her mother and older sister, Kathleen, try to steer Anna into spending her time learning how to become more of a woman, but Anna would love nothing more than to spend time with her father in the woods, fishing and climbing trees among the logging camp. When she runs quite literally into Jeremiah Tucker, she soon learns that you don't have to change who you are to truly fall in love. Jeremiah finds Anna similar to his younger sister, Rebekah that died too soon. He desires to build a home and a family but can he do it with someone as unrefined as Anna?

    In the second story, One Evergreen Night by Debby Lee, we pick up with two characters that are briefly introduced in the first one, Emma Pearson and Frederick Corrigan. Frederick Corrigan is responsible for getting loads of logs to the mill by train on time, even if at times it means taking some risks for the Kenicky Logging Company. Yet he knows how far he can push it and would never put anyone at risk. Yet that is not what Emma Pearson has heard. She works cleaning the bunkhouses and lives in a loft at the Wilkins. She's had an issue trusting men who said they were sorry for their mistakes like her mother. She has vowed not to wind up the same way. Now that its only her and her brother Jake, she feels like it's her responsibility to ensure nothing happens to him. When she learns Jake going to train to be an engineer and that Frederick will be the one to train him, she isn't so sure that Jake will remain safe. Will she learn to trust again or will Jake become her greatest liability?

    In the third addition, All Ye Faithful by Gina Welborn, we are introduced to E.V. Renier, owner of Renier Lumber Company, and Larkin Whitworth, who is Anna's dearest friend and isn't highly looked upon by the other girls in town because she is wealthy and most consider her to be a bit of a snob except for Anna Wilkin. Her father's the richest man in town. However after waiting for two years since E.V. has confessed his love for her and still no proposal or offer to court her, Larkin is about to take matters into her own hands. When she sees Abigail Leonard occupying E.V.'s attention at the party and filling her dance card, Larkin wonders if perhaps his feelings have changed for her after all. Since turning 21, she is the only female in Tumwater of courting age who had never had a suitor. Either non one had the courage to approach her father, or worse, none wanted a nicer than nice wife.

    Finally A Carpenter Christmas by Mary Davis wraps the collection up with Natalie Bollen and Willum Tate. Willum Tate has been the towns carpenter and often times finds himself called upon to build houses or renovate rooms as needed. He's been a recluse since moving to Tumwater and has hoped that during all this time, his heart has healed. Natalie Bollen, is the daughter of the town's pastor and has hopes of wooing Willum. In the three years since she has known him, she has only grown to love him more. When he finally does ask her father for permission to court her, Natalie makes a fatal mistake that will cause Willum to realize that perhaps his heart will never heal from the pain that women seem to inflict on him. It is too late for them to find love or will their pasts keep them from forever finding the future that awaits them both?

    I received A Cascades Christmas compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for my honest review. Each of these stories takes you back to a much simpler times when women dreamed of falling in love and being romanced by some charming man. What I enjoyed the most about this collection is that even though they are four separate stories they are joined together but the same characters and setting throughout each of them. It's like you get a chance to know each of them a little bit more and see how their individual interactions bring them the romance each of them desires in different ways all set during Christmas in the late 1800's. For those of you that love a bit of something special and unique in your historical romances, then I would highly recommend this collection to you. I personally rate this a 5 out of 5 stars!!!

    For more information about A Cascades Christmas, Mildred Colvin, Mary Davis, Lee Debby, Gina Welborn or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the link below:


    • Paperback: 352 pages
    • Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 161626845X
    • ISBN-13: 978-1616268459
    • Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1 inches

    Tuesday, December 11, 2012

    Every Perfect Gift



    The problem with secrets is that they are hard to hide and even more difficult to keep hidden. That's just what Sophie Caldwell and Ethan Heyward are figuring out. Both have moved to Hickory Ridge to try and find new beginnings despite their past. For Sophie Caldwell, she has returned to try her hand at running the local paper, The Hickory Ridge Gazette. She had worked for several newspaper companies in the past and with some luck and an open mind she is hoping that people will be willing to overlook her age and the fact she is a woman to give her a fair chance. With an eye for the truth and strong determination to report the fact, Sophie soon finds herself the town's advocate for a women's infirmary. But with lack of funds and the support of the local men of the town, it is unlikely it will be anything but front page news despite the overwhelming need to provide better care for the women and children in town.

    Ethan Heyward is trying to put his best foot forward in making a name for himself in Hickory Ridge as the new manager of Blue Smoke, a glamorous resort geared to bring money and the wealthy to stay for vacations in the small town. He is hoping it will bring the vital blood back into the town that seems barely able to hang on. He finds himself enchanted by the beauty and strength of Sophie Caldwell and seems drawn to her in a most unusual way. However when she happens upon a riot during the construction of the resort, she feels compelled to report the truth even though it is simply the opinion of one local worker. Will Sophie's search for the truth uncover more than just the growing popularity of the resort or will she be pulled into a much bigger story that Ethan is trying to keep undercover and hidden.

    In the novel Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love, the reader is taken back into the town of Hickory Ridge, Tennessee to find strong grit and determination despite overcoming difficult circumstances for both our main characters. They both compliment one another with their secrets and only have to discover that sooner or later, in evidently the truth will always come out. They are both given ample opportunity to share their secrets with one another but soon make more excuses and lies to keep their secrets buried and hidden. Sophie is your historical version of a women's rights advocate even though it still 1886 and the need for women to become accepted as much more than a wife and provider is still many years away from becoming a reality. I love her determination to dig deep when other women may have packed up and went running for the safety and comfort of home. It is that strength that I believe will lead Ethan to find romance and love in Sophie while allowing her the freedom to continue in her passions as a newspaper reporter/owner of the Gazette. How it turns out? Well, you'll have to pick up a copy of this one to find out.

    I received Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. This is the third book in the Hickory Ridge Romance Series and I can only hope for more by this talented author. This story is charming, heart-warming and truly captivating for the die hard Christian Historical Romance fan. You will not be disappointed. This one can be read as a stand alone but once you read this one, you'll want to go back and check out Beyond All Measure, Book 1, and Beauty for Ashes, the second in this series. For me, I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and each one is completely different but worth reading.

    For more information about Every Perfect Gift, Dorothy Love, and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


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

    To read more reviews on Every Perfect Gift from the Litfuse Publicity book tour, please click here. 

    • Paperback: 320 pages
    • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 4, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1595549021
    • ISBN-13: 978-1595549020
    • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

    Sunday, December 9, 2012

    Prayers of A Stranger



    I'm starting to sense God's presence in all things, especially in the latest books I've been writing and Prayers of A Stranger by one of my favorite authors, Davis Bunn is certainly no exception. In fact I've highlighted more passages that spoke to me personally than I think I ever had in a book before and to me, that means something.

    "It's a shame that life does not give us a time free of other worries when we can heal."

    In the novel, Prayers of A Stranger, Davis Bunn accomplishes something more than taking the reader along for a great story. He lets the presence of God speak to your own heart, if you are willing to listen and open yourself up to Him. In fact he does this so well, you feel as if the journey is designed especially with you in mind and I personally feel that is God's anointing on this wonderful novel without being heavy handed on religion that would put most people off when reading a Christian book.

    Prayers of A Stranger is a story about healing and seeing the good that often accompanies difficult times we can not understand and may not this side of heaven in our walk on Earth. Amanda Vance works at the local hospital as the administrative assistant under a harsh director, Moira Campbell, who makes work a living hell for those working with her. In fact her day starts out like the ordinary but soon turns into something quite unexpected. All the hospital staff seem to be in good spirits and being close to Christmas is not the reason. It seems that Moira is about to be reassigned, and thus the need for the rejoicing of all the hospital staff. It even puts Amanda in better spirits.

    She learns the new director will be starting in the coming days and she is advised to take a few weeks off to think about what direction she wants to take her career in. Seems some of the staff think she will return to her former job as a critical care nurse since she was seen waiting just outside the nursery of the critical care infants. But she can't go back to that. Not yet. It's still too soon and the pain is as fresh as the day it happened. The day she lost their only child, before it had a chance at life. This is the reason she stayed as far away as possible and taken the position of working as an administrative assistant. How will she ever move forward.

    When Amanda is given a gift of a trip to Israel with her neighbor Emily, who can't take her husband Frank since he is waiting a double hip replacement and can't endure the trip. Rather than having the trip wasted, Emily invites Amanda to see the Holy Land with her. Amanda isn't sure she should go since her husband Chris is still trying to find a way to save his company Avery Electronics from going bankrupt in this tough economy. Yet even Chris knows that Amanda hasn't been the same wife he married since the loss of their child and thinks this might be the answer to restoring her faith and helping to heal her from this loss. Yet neither of them could prepare for what happens when Amanda places a simple prayer into the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. It's truly an inspirational story for cold hearts to make them whole again.

    I received Prayers of A Stranger compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review. I have read several of Davis Bunn's books and remain amazed at how many different directions his writing has taken him. This is such a great book to share with those that may be questioning their own walk of faith through tough times. I know for me, it has truly been a huge walk up call and has melted my own hardness of heart and restored my prayer life. Thank you to Davis Bunn for sharing God's message to my own soul. For this reason, I personally rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion, and I am sure that there is something for everyone is this one. It comes at the perfect time for those looking for a bit more than just a really good Christmas story. Perhaps one with just the perfect message in store to speak to your own heart. Are you will to listen and open your heart?

    For more information about Prayers of A Stranger, Davis Bunn or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:


    You can also find Davis Bunn on Facebook to stay up with the latest on all his wonderful books.

    You can also visit his website by clicking here. 

    • Paperback: 224 pages
    • Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Original edition (September 11, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0849944880
    • ISBN-13: 978-0849944888
    • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches

    Saturday, December 8, 2012

    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:


    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

    Friday, December 7, 2012

    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. 

    Thursday, December 6, 2012

    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:


    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

    Wednesday, December 5, 2012

    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:


    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

    Saturday, December 1, 2012

    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:


    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