Whispers on the Dock

The mystery of what happened to Hannah Montague is still in the minds of Sam Carter, Caroline Marris and Gracie Gold, three sisters who are all co-owners of the Misty Harbor Inn. They are still no closer to finding out any more clues than they had hoped and lately everything has been coming to a dead end. With the issue that this happened in the late 1800's before most records were being stored, their only clues have been trying to trace handwritten post cards that Hannah left with encrypted codes. Rumor has it that Hannah went missing and may have stolen money from a church at the time. However the three sisters have a feeling that there is more to the story than what they have heard. When an elderly resident comes to stay at the Inn could she be the one to put all the missing pieces to rest once and for all?

Secret passages and rooms are still being discovered along with boxes and crates of items that belonged to each of the Inn's former owners. Will they be able to uncover the one thing that will link all the missing pieces together or will they find out that poor Hannah Montague met with a fate she wasn't expecting?

In the latest and final novel in the Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn by Evangeline Kelley, Whispers in the Dock ties up all the lingering answers in this heartwarming romance/mystery novel. Evangeline Kelley is the pen name for the writing team of Patti Berg, Pam Hanson, Barbara Andrews and Camy Tang and was one I was waiting for the put an perfect end to my summer reading series of novels. I got this one just in time to head to the beach for a perfect blend of sun, ocean waves and the romance that the ocean always brings.

While the three sisters continue searching for the solution to the mystery of Hannah Montague, each of them also has their own personal issues to deal with. For Caroline Marris is in the midst of making plans for her upcoming wedding to George and is finding things a bit challenging since she isn't feeling like your typical bride should be in looking forward to her wedding as well as searching for a home that they both will share once they are married. She's beginning to wonder if marriage is the right path for her after all.

Sam Carter, the Inn's resident baker extraordinaire is being challenged to enter her latest dessert creation in the town's baking contest, her blackberry cobbler using her mother's recipe with a little tweaking added. However she learns that the contest may be rigged when it seems that Betsy Carlisle has been the winner in the previous four years and then her mother five years before that. Will Sam be able to put the winning streak for Betsy Carlisle to an end or will her dessert wind up on the losing side?

Gracie Gold is still trying to find a buyer for her home since putting in all her inheritance money into the purchase of the Inn. It seems that her thirty five year old home needs more money in renovations than she is willing to spend and she struggles with making a decision to sell the only home that's been in her family for ages or cut her loss and sell it for whatever she can. Will she make the right decision that she can live with?

I received Whispers on the Dock by Evangeline Kelley compliments of Guideposts Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. I will be missing the three sisters that I've gotten to know this summer during my journey and stay at Misty Harbor Inn. It is bittersweet knowing that at least for now, this is where it all ends. I think the authors did an exceptional job at keeping the cliff hanger mystery going throughout all three of these charming novels and love all the little personal stories that have come along with them and in renovating a childhood Inn that their own mother used to talk about owning one day. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and will be adding this one to the rest of the novels in this series to my summer beach bag to read again next year to spark those old familiar feelings of romance and intrigue once again.

For more information about Whispers on the Dock, Evangeline Kelley or where you can purchase a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Whispers on the Dock by Evangeline Kelley

You can also find more reviews for Whispers on the Dock on the Litfuse Book Tours by clicking here. 


Book three in the Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn series, Whispers on the Dock(Guideposts Books) is now available. Come back to Nantucket and be enthralled by the final installment of the cozy intrigue of Misty Harbor Inn.

Enter to win the entire set of Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn.

Three winners will receive:

• Seaside Summer, Sunflower Summer and Whispers on the Dock by Evangeline Kelley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 31st. All winners will be announced September 2nd at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 2nd to see if you won one set! (Or better yet, subscribe to our blog (via the box in the top right sidebar) and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Tamarack County

"Tamarack County, Minnesota is the gateway to the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Within its borders lie a million acres of deep forest, a thousand crystal clear lakes, and a few quiet towns. Nobody builds fences in Tamarack County. It's not the neighborly thing to do. This is the place that, for most of his life, Cork O'Connor has called home.

During a blizzard one bitter winter night, just days before Christmas, the car belonging to the wife of a retired local judge is discovered abandoned on a rural county road. The gas gauge reads empty. Judge Carter's wife is seventy years old and has a bad heart. After days of fruitless effort, the Search and Rescue team has little hope that she'll be fhound alive, if she's found at all. Cork O'Connor is part of that team. "(excerpt from inside cover).

New York Times Best Selling author, William Kent Krueger once again takes the lead into launching the reader into another compelling murder mystery surrounded by deep forests and great spirits from the Anishinaabeg people who live there. While it all seems to surround the same premise of another crime that came to Tamarack County a few years ago, Cork is convinced this one is different. The dots don't seem to offer up any logical clues to motive that would point to a possible criminal. It seems unrelated until it begins to draw closer to Cork personally. It is possible that the sins that were committed long ago have begun to resurface in hopes of finding not only justice but to bring about the innocent after all these long years?

I received Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger compliments of Atria Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This novel does contain some profanity and sexual content and thus the reason for my rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on my own review standards. The storyline however is moving, compelling and drew me deeper into the heart of what makes this such a great novel. The character development is amazing and loved the mystery surrounding the Native American tribes that live in Tamarack County. I love how appreciate the land and the living things that dwell within it. I think combining those elements added a level you don't find in most murder mystery novels and for me this is what really sold me on the novel. I would love to have spent more time with the character of Henry and gotten to know a bit more about him. He is the wise Native American sage that the characters ultimately turn to when things get personal. Overall, a wonderful novel for murder mystery fans everywhere.

For more information about Tamarack County, William Kent Krueger or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger

You can also find William Kent Krueger on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (August 20, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451645759
• ISBN-13: 978-1451645750
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches

On Distant Shores

One of my all time favorite historical authors has managed to do it again! Sarah Sundin has the talent to bring the reader right back in time to 1943 so much so you can almost feel the grittiness of the dirt and the smell of bombs being dropped, and the emotions of not knowing if you are going to live or die in her latest novel, On Distant Shores, the second novel in the Wings of the Nightingale series.

This one picks up right where With Every Letter left off. Here we find ourselves tagging along with Lt. Georgiana Taylor as flight nurse serving with the Army. The only issue that Georgie that she volunteered for the flight program by following on the heels of her best friend Rose. When she found out about medical air evacuation, Rose had to be a part of it, so of course Georgie came along too! Her problem is that she's a big ol' fraidy-cat. She tries to be brave, but she's never been so close to the front, and the flights are more dangerous here than over North Africa. Worst of all, she's afraid something will happen, and she'll freeze, and she won't be able to help her patients. So most of the time Georgie finds herself grounded or only called upon when all the other flight nurses are busy. If she doesn't find a sense of courage somewhere, more than likely she'll be sent packing. Her only hope is that Ward Manville, her fiancè is waiting for her to come home so they can start a life together. For now, she continues to write him letters of encouragement and love so he doesn't forget about her. He has been her childhood friend, then high school sweethearts. He never officially proposed, but they knew one day they would get married.

What the Army needs is the Pharmacy Corps. The pharmacies in most mobile hospitals are run by technicians with three months of training. Back in the states, it's illegal for anyone but a pharmacist to fill a prescription. Sgt. John Hutchinson "Hutch wants to change that. He believes that patients deserve the same level of care they'd get at home and for now all he can do is document what is happening on the front lines and hope his father might be able to sway Washington to make some changes that might elevate this position to be created and thus the needs for saving lives. When his surgical unit is short on medicine, he is able to compound them from scratch something that is missing from the Army training manual and such mistakes can cost someone their life. This is where the differences lie between the enlisted men who are placed in these positions if they can simply a label whereas Hutch has gone to school for. He too, has a girl, Phyllis waiting for him to return from the war, one that he has promised he will remain faithful to even though she has doubts.

Will Georgie be able to find the courage she needs to save the lives of the men who depend on her as a flight nurse or will she come to face the truth that she was meant to return home and be a wife and mother with Ward? Will Hutch be able to remain faithful to Phyllis despite the man miles that separate them until they are together again? Will he be able to convince the Army that the Pharmacy Corps are a vital part of patient care before lives are lost to simple mistakes made by untrained men and women? To find out, you'll have to pick up a copy of On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin at your local retailer.

I received On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin compliments of Revell Publishers and Litfuse Publicty for my honest review. I have not received any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I love how Sarah can take you and place you right in the heart of the action in her novels. What I loved about this one was the character of Georgie and how despite her honesty in knowing she might not be in the best position, she tries valiantly to figure out how to make it work. At times she gives into her fears and then when called on it, tries to change. She contributes this to her inability to be able to make decisions and questions everything. She realizes that her family and even Ward have made all her decisions for her and she has merely went along, much like she did in following Rose. She'll either need to confront her fear of making decisions or be honest enough to admit her short comings. I love all the elements and research that Sarah incorporated into this wonderful story. The issues with not having trained pharmacists in the field hospitals and the needs that they brought to the war effort I felt was missing. Thank you for bringing this much needed position to the forefront in this novel. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to see where she will go with her next novel in this series!

For more information about On Distant Shores, Sarah Sundin or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

You can also follow Sarah Sundin on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews for On Distant Shores from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour, please click here.

Sarah Sundin is celebrating the release of her latest novel, On Distant Shores, with a Romantic Weekend Getaway giveaway!









One grand prize winner will receive:



• A $200 Visa Cash Card (good for a perfect couple's getaway)


• With Every Letter and On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin


Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 2nd. Winner will be announced September 3rd at the "On Distant Shores" Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Weekend Getaway, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at the next book in the Wings of the Nightingale series.


So grab your copy of On Distant Shores and join Sarah on the evening of September 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)






DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 3rd!

Rapture's Rain

As a Christian reader, I've come to love the entire Left Behind series, and any fiction book that tells a similar story. If you have read the books of the Bible from Daniel to Thessalonians to Revelation, the story is pretty clear what awaits the world in the last days.

I was thrilled when I received an invitation to take advantage of a Free Book deal through Amazon to review Rapture's Rain on my Kindle. In fact once I read the synopsis I couldn't wait to finish up another book I was reading so I could jump right into this one. I've been reading Bible Prophecy for well over 25 years now and it's something I remain passionate about. This is such a journey but with an unexpected twist. First of all I caution Bible advocates to remain subjective in reading this fictional based novel and to realize that what I believe author Chris Pennington does, is simply ignite a spark that will draw readers to investigate on their own just what is fictional and what is real from picking up the Bible after reading this one. It does contain some profanity and for that reason I can't not based on my own personal criteria for reviewing books give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I will however give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. Had the profanity been removed, hands down it would have garnered that perfect rating.

The novel involves Jason Stover, a dedicated family man to his wife Kristina and his young daughter Nikki who live in a lakeside home in the community of Lake Royale in North Carolina. While sitting in his office writing, he watches his wife and daughter play a game of hide and seek among the laundry hanging on the line. He and his wife didn't actually include a lot of religion in their lives early on. They both said they believed in God and Jesus, but like so many others, that was the extent of it. In reality they were just checking the boxes. Go to church - check, pray before meals - check, give to an occasional charity - check. Neither had ever read a Bible verse, they didn't understand the concept of the Holy Spirit, and they didn't really understand the full meaning of why Jesus died for man's sins. But when Nikki was born, things began to change and Kristina took to meeting with the church's community group and Jason remained supportive but uninvolved initially.

Yet soon he began to grow curious with what the group really was about and found himself enjoying the time he spent with them and bounded with one of the groups members who was a lot like himself Mike Branson. He couldn't argue that Kristina seemed more at ease and happier because of this time spent with the group so he continued to support her. Yet this afternoon while watching his wife and daughter playing hide and seek outside, he noticed that the hair on his arms stood still and a chill ran down his spine. Next his knees grew weak and he had a hard time balancing and his head was beginning to spin like a top. Believing he might be having a seizure or a stroke, he attempt to locate his wife and daughter. Struggling to locate them just thirty yards from the house, he can only cry out, but they seem to simply have vanished into thin air leaving Jason all alone.

What happens soon afterwards compels Jason to believe along with his friend Mike that they have been left behind while all the believers have been raptured just as the Bible had predicted. Together they try and figure out just what has happened and how they will survive until the end of the Tribulation period. What follows is what Rapture's Rain is all about and one that will literally keep you on the edge of your seat watching how Chris Pennington has chosen to interpret the end of days in his novel.

I received Rapture's Rain by Chris Pennington compliments of the author offering this novel for Free right now until Thursday, August 29th on Amazon. So if you have a Kindle, you definitely want to check out this action packed, edge of your seat suspense thriller and hopefully it will draw you to a deeper exploration of the Bible to see just what it predicts will happen in the end of days.

For more information about Rapture's Rain, Chris Pennington or where you can pick up a copy of this book today available on both paperback and eBook formats, please click on the links below:

Rapture's Rain by Chris Pennington

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Chris Pennington (May 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615814999
• ISBN-13: 978-0615814995
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches

Pattern for Romance

Not everything in life can be as simple as we want it. Enter the world of Honour Metcalf as she finds a way to make ends meet for her and her sister, Temperance who were orphaned when the ship they were traveling on was attacked by Pirates, killing her parents and brothers. She has a few things remaining from that fateful night, one a quilted workbag that her mother made, and a one piece quilt that protected them both from that night on the ship. All their other belongings were lost or never recovered. She makes her living as a quilter for Mrs. Wadsworth along with her sister in Boston, Massachusetts in 1769.

During a violent hail storm, Honour finds herself transported back to the cannon fire that erupted that night that robbed her of the only family she had known and now is struggling with the noise of the storm. She runs into the street and is immediately pelted by hailstones that threaten her life. Her only savior is that of Joshua Sutton who finds her falling apart in the storm and not knowing quite where she is anymore, When she recovers in the small town church, she learns that Joshua saved her life and is indebted to him in more ways than she'd life to admit. Has this kind gentlemen found his way into her fragile heart?

In the latest novel to find its way into the Quilts of Love Series, Pattern for Romance by author Carla Olson Gade takes a different spin on the pieces and bits that usually make up the novels in their compelling and heartwarming series. She takes the rare look into what is called a whole-cloth quilt that were popularized in France and Italy in the fourteenth-century. These were also the basis for the whole-cloth quilting that was found in early America in the form of bed coverings and quilted clothing such as petticoats, jackets, waistcoats, and robes, and is this such type of quilting that Honour is skilled at doing for Mrs. Wadsworth. However it seems that while love is brewing between Honour and Joshua, both of them are also dealing with their own pain of lost love and wonder if it's truly worth the risk of falling in love all over again.

I received Pattern for Romance by Carla Olson Gade compliments of Abingdon Press and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly mine alone. For those that love romance added to a wonderful historical backdrop, you will LOVE this one. I personally rate it a 4.5 out of 5 stars and this is my first introduction to author Carla Olson Gade. The rich details that are embedded in this story make it all the more vibrant and give a genuine feel to the story that takes you back into the late 1700's from the way business are managed to the merger way a single woman must find her way to make a living without a family to support her. I will be looking for more books from this author in the future. This is the 9th book in the Quilts of Love Series!

For more information about Pattern for Romance, Carla Olson Gade or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Pattern for Romance by Carla Olson Gade

You can find Carla Olson Gade on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Pattern for Romance on the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here.

• Series: Quilts of Love (Book 8)
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (August 20, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426752717
• ISBN-13: 978-1426752711
• Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 7.3 x 9.5 inches

Into the Whirlwind

While the cause of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 still is a mystery and left up to debate, it is the setting for Elizabeth Camden's latest historical novel Into the Whirlwind. We get a glimpse into the lives of Mollie Knox, the owner and proprietor of the 57th Illinois Watch Company one that she has managed to keep running long after the death of her father. Something virtually unheard of in this time period was a woman with a strong business sense and the unique ability to forecast future needs in order to keep ahead of the competition making the finest pocket watches sold exclusively at Hartman's, one of Chicago's finest department stores.

To say that she is more than intimidated to deal with Zack Kazmarek, Hartman's attorney is an understatement and she lives in fear that their next meeting will mean nothing but bad news for her company. It is one her father started after he fought with the 57th Illinois Infantry, a regiment that met its end backed against a cliff and was decimated in a three-day shootout that killed, crippled, or maimed the majority of the soldiers. The survivors of that battle were like brothers to her father, and he sent out word that any wounded veteran of the 57th could find employment at his watchmaking factory in Chicago. He renamed the company in honor of his old battalion, and fifteen of the forty employees were veterans with various afflictions. It was these employees that concerned her the most. If the company were to fail, what would these people do for work?

So when she received a note on gold letterhead and engraved ink asking her to meet with him to discuss a potential business venture at her office at 2pm, Mollie had every reason to be concerned. Zack Kazmarek was the legal mastermind behind the city's most elite mercantile empire. Half of Chicago was in his back pocket and the other half was afraid of him. Mollie fell into both categories. He had always been coolly polite to her, but Mollie knew better than to let that lull her into a false sense of security. After all, the rumors about Mr. Kazmarek were legendary. It would definitely be a life changing meeting for both of them but could either of them handle what would become of that fateful meeting?

You'll have to find out by picking up a copy of Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden. For those of you that love historical fiction novels, then this is simply perfect for you. Once again Elizabeth manages to create a strong female character that shows both her determination to move ahead despite all the odds facing her as well as taking the advice of the people who are working at the company including Frank,  the company's blind attorney, who can see more than those around him. This is such an exceptional novel and once again, I was completely captivated by the first page until the final one and easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I received Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review.

For more information about Into the Whirlwind, Elizabeth Camden or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

You can also follow Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews of Into the Whirlwind from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210246
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210242
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches

The Rockin' Chair

Once again Steven Manchester has done it. He has caused me to cry quite unexpectedly without any prior warning before reading his latest novel, The Rockin' Chair. I will warn those of you that prior to jumping right into this one, grab a box of tissues as well as a notebook or highlighter. There is so much amazing quotes that you will want to remember long after you finish the final page, or if you're like me, you bookmark them by turning down the corners of your favorite pages. It makes them much easier to find!

This is a novel that you won't want to rush through, but one you will want to find a nice quiet place and savor the story as it begins to unfold. The first couple pages are a bit confusing as the details of the story jump around a bit, like fragments of someone's memories that they are catching glimpses of, and that is just what is happening. Alice McCarthy has once again wandered away from home suffering from the long time effects of Alzheimer's and simply can't remember where she is or for that matter what age she is. Her hands convince her she is much older than her memories at the present and that is what is causing most of her confusion. Not only that but the people she meets now, she has no memory of them. Even as her daughter in law Elle, tries to convince her to come on home.

Remaining faithfully committed to her, her husband John is overwhelmed with knowing how to properly care for a wife, that seems more comfortable with her childhood memories that all the love they have shared over the years. Fearing that she may in fact be living in her last moments before the illness completely consumes her, he reaches out to the estranged family members and tells them it's time to come home and say goodbye to Alice.

This is a wonderful heartwarming novel that takes you by the hand into each of the family member's lives now that they have since moved away from the family farm in Montana. John and Alice were only blessed with one child, Hank. He married Elle and they had three children, George who is now serving in the armed forces, Evan is searching for a way to make a big break in the world of publishing, and Tara is searching for the stars in the Big Apple hoping to become one of them. As time draws short, we get a sense that the family wishes to be closer than it is, and the relationships between father and son, and even father and his children are at best strained. The only close relationships are between Elle and John, who has spent as much of her time helping John care for Alice so he can still get work done around the farm.

I received The Rockin' Chair by Steven Manchester compliments of Partners in Crime Tours and The STory Plant Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is such a beautifully written story because I believe we all have had times in our lives where our own family relationships were at odds, where past issues kept us apart instead of allowing us to work through them even though both sides wanted them worked out. There is literally something for everyone to be found within the pages of this novel. Perhaps some of my favorite parts were the ones written from both sides of the Alzheimer's illness. We get a peek at what Alice is dealing with as well as what it is like from John's eyes. Yet the one thing that remains through all the relationships is a deep seeded love for one another even if they can't always see it. This is my third book by Steven Manchester and he is already on my must read list as everything I've read from him has been life-changing. He makes me simply forget I'm reading a novel and am instead living it. In my opinion that makes it a 5 out of 5 stars in my book.

For more information about The Rockin' Chair, Steven Manchester, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Rockin' Chair by Steven Manchester

You can also follow Steven Manchester on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

You can read more reviews on The Rockin' Chair from the Partners in Crime Tours by clicking here.

The Rockin' Chair

by Steven Manchester

on Tour July 1 - August 31

Book Details

Genre: Fiction

Published by: The Story Plant

Publication Date: June 18, 2013

Number of Pages: 242

Purchase Links:  

Synopsis:

Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, The Rockin’ Chair is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.

Read an excerpt:

Elle picked up Evan, Tara and Lila at the airport. As she approached the threesome, she gasped at the sight of her emaciated daughter. For a few moments, Tara’s eyes scanned every inch of her mother’s face before she spread her twig-like arms. Elle hugged her, then pulled away and peered into her sunken eyes. “Are you sick?” she asked.

While Tara shrugged, Elle grabbed Evan for a hug. “I’ll explain it on the way,” he whispered in her ear.

Lila stood there, looking up at her grandmother—curiously.

Elle bent down and smiled at the baby. “Hello, my love,” she whispered, “Grandma’s waited much too long to meet you.” The little girl was a living doll. She had Tara’s strawberry blond curls and the same dark eyes as Alice.

Lila grinned. “Hi, Gramma,” she said, and never flinched when Elle scooped her up and kissed her cheek.

Elle looked back at Tara and could feel her eyes swell with tears.

“Grandma?” Evan asked, grabbing her attention.

Elle shook her head, the tears beginning to cascade down her tired face.

“When?” he asked.

Elle reached for his hand. “Last night…right in Grampa’s lap.”

“In the rockin’ chair?” he asked, his voice cracking.

Elle nodded again.

Evan’s eyes filled. “Where else?” he said.

Elle noticed the confusion in her daughter’s eyes and thought, She’s so out of it.

Before Elle could explain, Evan leaned into Tara’s ear and filled it with the bad news. “We’re one day too late. Grandma passed away last night.”

Though delayed, Tara burst into tears.

As they left the airport terminal, Elle walked alongside Evan. “How did you find her in New York?” she asked in a whisper. “Her cell phone’s been turned off for weeks.” She looked back at her daughter, who was already lagging behind.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said, and shook his head. “Let’s just say…thank God I did.”

Author Bio:

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestseller Twelve Months, Goodnight, Brian, and several other books. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early

Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Manchester’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Catch Up with Steven:

Tour Host Participants:

Dark Halo

The war between angels and demons continues in the final novel in the Angel Eyes Trilogy by Shannon Dittemore, Dark Halo. This is the darkest of the three and the best part I loved about this one is how Shannon spent sometime highlighting the series for those that may have grabbed this one without understanding a bit of the back story or for those that have and it's been so time between novels, this is a nice reminder of where we left off in Broken Wings.

The novel surrounds Brielle and Jake, a couple fated to fall in love and then be placed in helping to aid in the battle against good versus evil that puts the lives of those most close to them in deadly peril. Brielle has been given a special gift though a halo that Jake gave her, which when worn, allows her to see into the celestial realm and see the spiritual world around her. Jake has been gifted with the ability to heal when he places his hands on those that are injured or dying, and together they are the biggest target the enemy is seeking to destroy. Jake and Brielle's angelic shield, Caanan attempts to protect and lead them in what they need to do to save the enemies attempt to take them from the town of Stratus, Oregon.

When the Broken Wings ended leaving the reader at the cliff hanger ending, a demon by the name of Damien had captured Jake from the safety of Caanan's wings while a heavenly war was raging over the skies of Stratus. Brielle could do nothing to save him but watch as they disappeared into the sky. The Sabre's, a group of twelve angels, whose worship has the capacity to tear through the terrestrial veil and allow the town of Stratus to see just what is harming their small town. Damien has been commissioned by he Prince of Darkness to capture and bring Jake and Brielle to him, and now he has managed to secure the first of the two of them. He can only hope that Brielle's love will bring her to search for Jake and thus secure the one true treasure the Prince of Darkness is seeking, to be able to gift her with the dark halo and give Brielle a break from the nightmares that continue to plague her sleep.

I received Dark Halo by Shannon Dittemore compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. Having read all three novels in this series, this was the one I anticipated reading the most. Shannon does an exceptional job at answering all the lingering questions that have popped up since being introduced to the first novel. I can even see the opportunity for future books in this series as well. I think she did a masterful job at showing just how deceitful the enemy can be when Brielle comes face to face with Satan and helps readers understand the subtlety he can use to twist his lies into what would appear as the truth. This is such a great series to offer young teens as an alternative to all the fiction flooding the marketplace with paranormal romances and for that reason I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. There is also a great discussion guide included for book clubs as well as a sneak peek into the novel Anomaly by Krista McGee.

For more information about Dark Halo, Shannon Dittemore, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Dark Halo by Shannon Dittemore

You can also find Shannon Dittemore on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Dark Halo on Thomas Nelson's website, please click here. 

• Series: An Angel Eyes Novel (Book 3)
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 20, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401686397
• ISBN-13: 978-1401686390
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches

The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone

I love it when I come across a book for young teens that really excites me in such a way that it goes simply beyond reading an action adventure book. In The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone by talented authors Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick (Fireproof, Courageous), the reader is truly in for an unforgettable experience that goes beyond your typical book. This takes the reader not only into a great story but utilizes the advancements in QR technology codes that are scattered throughout the book to link them up to video clips from the movie due out soon. This makes the adventure all the more real because you no longer have to imagine whats happening at different parts of the story, but you can actually catch glimpses into the movie while reading the book. It's like truly getting the best of both worlds, movie and book quite literally rolled into one.

The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone introduces us to the main character, Billy Stone who is the son of an archaeologist Dr. Michael Stone who has spent his entire life searching for the lost medallion that holds unlimited power to whomever possesses the item. Following a series of clues left behind from Billy's mother who was a descendant of the line of Kings that originally owned the medallion at one point, it was buried and no one has ever found it until now. Billy is excited to show his father the medallion so that their relationship can be restored since he has been so consumed with his search and has left his son as merely an afterthought.

But like all good action adventures, it wouldn't be complete without a villain, and none is greater than Mr. Cobb, a wealthy man who has slowly been buying up all rights on the island that the Stones live on. Now they are forcing the expedition for the search of the medallion to be shut down. When Mr. Cobb learns that Billy has discovered the medallion, he uses the love of his father to draw him into the open in hopes of gaining possession of the medallion for his own greed. Only Billy doesn't realize that the holder of the medallion simply has to make a wish and things begin to happen but not like he expected. It is here that the adventure takes an unexpected turn and one you'll have to find out about by picking up this book.

I received The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick compliments of B and H Publishing Group for Kids and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is such a great book not just for young teens but I even enjoyed this one and can't wait for the DVD release later in August at your local retailer. This did come to theaters in March of 2013 but most missed it like myself. Now you can gain a deeper appreciation for the story by picking this wonderful hardcover book up for your teen. It even contains some great color stills from the movie in the center of the book. I hands down rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone, Bill Muir, Alex Kendrick or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick

You can also follow this adventure on Facebook by clicking here.

To read more reviews on The Lost Medallion from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Tour, please click here.

• Age Range: 10 and up
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: B&H Kids; Mti edition (June 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433682060
• ISBN-13: 978-1433682063
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 7.5 inches

What Once Was Lost

Just looking at the title makes me want to think of the lyrics from Amazing Grace and the missing part is what you'll find in the latest novel from Kim Vogel Sawyer, What Once Was Lost. My husband even commented when I got this novel that I sure do have quite a few from Kim Vogel Sawyer and he's definitely right about that. She truly gets to the reader's heart once you enter the world of her historical novels. This one is definitely geared for fans that love a western flair and takes you back to the late 1890's in Brambleville, Kansas.

Christina Willems has taken over the care of Brambleville Asylum for the Poor, a home for those who need a place to live and a safe haven from the world around them that sees them as the outcasts of society. She inherited the position after the death of her parents, most recently her father and was raised in helping out those less fortunate than herself. She offers comfort to a group of poor and displaced individuals until something better comes along. Tommy Kilgore is the only blind boy and it seems he receives the worst kind of treatment by the people of Brambleville, who see him as the burden to society since he was in a boiler explosion and lost not only his eyesight but also disfigured part of his body. His parents abandoned him long ago with Christina and she's been trying to find a way to reach the part of his soul that lies buried deep inside. If only she could find a way to help.

When tragedy strikes the home through a fire that destroys the kitchen, Christina is forced to find temporary housing among the town's residents until the mission sends her the required funds to repair the home. She has found housing for everyone except Tommy and the last person on her list is the most unlikely of people to ask, mill owner Levi Johnson who prefers to be left all alone. Thankfully she manages to convince Levi it will only be temporary until she can find something else and it's during this time alone with Mr. Johnson, that Tommy is able to finally feel something more than simply a burden on anyone. Just what is it that Mr. Johnson does that draws Tommy out of his shell and will he be able to keep him there long enough for him to turn his life around? Just what caused the fire in the first place? Is it possible the reason Tommy fears returning back to the poor farm is that he has a secret he doesn't want revealed?

To find out, you'll have to pick up this heartwarming and emotionally moving story of renewal and restoration by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I received What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer compliments of Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. I whole heartily give this one a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion because the story is such a compelling one to immerse yourself in. You have to understand the timing in history in the late 1890's where a woman's place was not in running a business so the town isn't exactly thrilled that a poor farm in located in their small town and much worse that it is being run by a woman. Yet Christina is a fighter and a firm believer that God will give her whatever she needs to keep the poor house running and the family together despite whatever odds are against her, but can she fight the mission board as well? Is this God's true purpose in her life after all or one merely that Christina wants? You'll love exploring the answers in this wonderful novel.

For more information about What Once Was Lost, Kim Vogel Sawyer or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

You can also find Kim Vogel Sawyer on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on What Once Was Lost on the Waterbrook Multomah Publishers website, please click here. 

The Letters

Welcome to a place of unconditional love and unexpected blessings.

Welcome to The Inn at Eagle Hill in Stoney Ridge Pennsylvania. Rose Schrock has to find a way to earn her own income now that her husband Dean, has passed away from an apparent drowning after she learned that he lost all the investments of both English and Amish customers with Schrock Investments. It seems like the phone calls and letters from investors who have lost everything will never end, asking when she will return the money they have invested. They have already lost their home and have moved back in with Dean's mother, Vera who has suffered from a series of strokes needing someone to be able to care for her. It wouldn't be so difficult if Vera was easy to please and offered a kind word every now and then. But Vera was a hard bitter pill for Rose to swallow every day.

Opportunity suddenly presents itself when Rose overhears a conversation in the local market from an English couple looking for a hotel to stay the night in while waiting for a sudden storm to pass. Rose offers them a stay in their home and suddenly realizes that the basement space beneath their home might offer a way to make a living while still enabling Rose to be at home. If only she could find a way to convince Vera that this is just what they need in order to try and make a come back from the financial nightmare Dean has left her to deal with.

Delia Stoltz is about to have the worst day ever. When she receives news from her doctor that she has cancer, she returns home to find her husband is packing his belongings in his car and tells her that he isn't in love with her any longer and is leaving, for good. Not knowing what else to do, Delia deals with it the way I believe most women would. After a good lengthy cry, she picks herself up, heads to the doctor for a lumpectomy and decides to take a long drive. What she doesn't plan on is running into the Inn at Eagle Hill. Yet something about this place just tells Delia she needs to stay and heal. A place where she can find solitude away from the things in her life that are causing her stress so she can clear her head and make some hard decisions about her future. It this a divine intervention?

In the latest novel from Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Letters is the first novel in the Inn at Eagle Hill series. I received this wonderful, heartwarming story compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Revell Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I absolutely LOVED this delightful novel. It shows how wonderful and healing forgiveness can be when applied in the correct Godly context. Rose will need to come to terms with the financial crisis that is keeping her bound to her husband's past decisions and Delia will need to decide how she will move forward in working things out with her husband Charles. I read this one in a single sitting and can't wait to read the next novel in this wonderful series. I am completely addicted to this one and can't wait to see where Suzanne will pick up next. There are some great discussion questions included in this one as well as a recipe for Blueberry cornbread I can't wait to make and have with some hot tea. I rate this one hands down a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Letters, Suzanne Woods Fisher or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

You can follow Suzanne Woods Fisher on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Letters from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour, please click here.


Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating the release of the first book, The Letters, in her new series by giving away 2 iPads, 2 Kindle Fires and 2 Nook HDs! Wow!

Two grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD or a Nook HD - winner's choice!
• The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 17th. All winners will be announced August 19th at Suzanne's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 19th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Rules of Murder

For those mystery fans of such notable authors like Agatha Christie or even the famed Sherlock Holmes, you will absolutely adore Julianna Deering's latest Drew Farthering Series, beginning with Rules of Murder. In this enchanting novel we take a look back at Farthering Place, a well-to-do estate set in the early 1930's. Drew Farthering and his friend Nick have arrived home in the late evening only to find out that their rooms have been given to guests staying with the family over the long weekend.

When Drew learns that the guest residing in his room is none other than David Lincoln, the same man who reportedly rumors in town have speculated that his mother, Constance was having an affair with. He rushes to the bedroom and drags the poor man out of bed, much to the shock of not only Mr. Lincoln but also to his mother and his step father, Mason Parker, who reminds Drew that he doesn't believe those rumors are even true. Fortunately for Drew, Mr. Lincoln agrees to follow the butler, Dennison to another guest room for the remainder of his stay.

Drew spends the weekend getting more than he ever bargained for when he finds himself attracted to a group of three American girls who are also staying at the family home. Madeline Parker is the niece of his step father Mason and soon it is apparent that both of them are attracted to one another. When he arrives to save Madeline from the not so gentlemanly advances from Mr. Lincoln, he offers to take her for a stroll in the garden to wait for the firework display to begin. A sudden rainstorm catches them of guard and they find shelter in the greenhouse, where the search for something to keep them warm til the rain lets up. It is there that the body count begins when they uncover Mr. Lincoln's body under some coats.

It sets the stage for an investigation into the cause and effects of why someone is apparently murdered the guests staying at the Farthering estate and it will also reveal that everyone seems to have a motive for the bodies that keep showing up in the most unexpected places. Even Drew and Madeline apparently also suspects while the investigation begins into not only who the murderer or murderers are but also for what reason. The twists and turns lead on a simply wild goose chase and just when you think you have this one figured out, you wind up in a dead end. That to me, makes the perfect novel for a great murder mystery along with a bit of suspense and a touch of romance for good measure. Fans of historical murder mysteries will definitely love this one that takes place in London!

I received Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not received any monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is the first novel in the Drew Farthering Mystery series and I think that Julianna Deering did an exceptional job at both keeping the setting of the book and it's characters in perfect sync so much that you simply forgot you were reading a book and not really living it. For me, that is the hallmark of an exceptional murder mystery and thus the reason for a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to see where this series will be headed next and I was completely caught off guard with my own investigation into this series of murders.

For more information about Rules of Murder, Julianna Deering or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering 

You can also follow Julianna Deering on Facebook to stay up to date on all the novels in this exciting series.

To read more reviews on Rules of Murder from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here.

Death Be Not Proud

Be advised if you are contemplating reading Death Be Not Proud by C.F. Dunn, make sure you read Mortal Fire, the first book in the Secret of the Journal Series first, otherwise you will be quite confused at where this one picks up in the story. First and foremost, this is supposed to be a Christian title, and I would strongly caution readers that there is more behind the cover than what we are led to believe. There is some profanity throughout the story and the premise leaves one to question just how "Christian" based this storyline truly is. I would label this series, a paranormal romance over anything with a "Christian" label that would offend most readers who are expecting that genre than what this one delivers.

Without giving too much of the plot away, this novel picks up where Mortal Fire left off. It follows the complexity of a relationship between Professor Emma D'Eresby and Dr. Matthew Lynes. This story picks up with Emma being in the process of recovering from a terrible accident which we are never told what happen. Apparently it had something to do with Matthew and now Emma is dealing with coming to terms with the aftermath of her long healing with involves broken ribs, a stitched up arm and a broken arm along with a sense of ongoing depression that has her wondering just what great secret Matthew is hiding. It seems that he has an amazing ability of healing, super human strength, and is incredibly fast. Not only that the relationship between the two is more than strained. Matthew believes Emma should try and forget him, that he will only bring more pain and hurt her way, and Emma has apparently fallen in love with him.

In order to discover the secrets to Matthew's super human abilities, she ventures back home to England using a journal her grandfather compiled. It leads her to discover that Matthew is actually about four hundred years old and soon she wonders just what he really is. The story is long and drawn out as Emma finds source after source to validate her claims and what she learns through her grandfather's journal. Starting to sound vaguely familiar? (Think Twilight!) The novel finally gets around to Emma confronting Matthew about his past and why the hidden secrets. Their relationship soon moves beyond what most would consider healthy with Matthew at times, becoming violent and threatening to Emma. Yet she has lost her heart and possibly her soul to Matthew and she vows to stick by him no matter what she learns.

I received Death Be Not Proud by C.F. Dunn compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. I would honestly rate this one 3.5 out of 5 stars just based on the overall length of this one to get through the points of Emma's research and discovery of Matthew's secret. For me it simply moved too slow, and had me rereading pages over and over to gain an understanding of where this one was headed. Yet to be fair, I did not read Mortal Fire to see where this novel began so I can't tell how it would blend together after reading the first novel in this series. I can however question the validity of this being a "Christian" based book just due to the violent nature of the character Matthew is, his actions and the language between Emma and Matthew is more than what I would call a family friendly book. This would do extremely well in the secular market for Paranormal Romances that are flooding the bookshelves.

For more information about Death Be Not Proud, C.F. Dunn or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Death Be Not Proud by C. F. Dunn

You can also find C.F. Dunn on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can also visit her website by clicking here. 

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Lion Fiction (July 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1782640347
• ISBN-13: 978-1782640349
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches

The Influence

It seems like lately I've come across some amazing, life-changing novels on the subject of spiritual warfare and how it relates to the unseen realm of angels and demons and the influence they have in our lives. Yet I just finished a fantastic novel that took me much deeper than I could ever imagined as if I were quite literally in the shoes of Mark, a man who is trying to find answers in coping with the loss of his son, a year old. He believes if he can simply understand the "why's" of it, he may help him move through it and move on in his life. But for seven years, it seems he is no further ahead. His wife, Kathy is at a loss on how to help and it doesn't help matters when she can't seem to get pregnant again. Fearing that his depression will only get worse, she struggles with the choice of leaving him behind when her father, John, has surgery that requires her assistance for a few days while he recovers at home. Mark assures Kathy to go, but the unsettling feeling she has continues to plague her as she drives to the hospital.

Sotare is called in when Mark is plagued by a demon's influence to take his own life to help him simply let go of the pain he's been holding onto. It is this angelic presence and divine intervention that will undoubtedly take both Mark and the reader into the answers that only God can provide and give them a peek at just what lies hidden behind a veil we can't not see. Since both Mark and Kathy are unbelievers who honestly accept that simply being good people and live their lives accordingly is good enough, Sotare shows Mark just how wrong they both are. He shows them if they are not believers in God, then they are believers of Satan even if they have not made that decision personally. Until Mark and Kathy find the truth for themselves, the battle for their very souls and human lives in literally on the line.

Kathy's father John has been praying for them both diligently in the hopes that they will find God in their own timing. Yet when he feels an unsettling presence in his room while recovering he knows that something more is at stake than what he can see. He calls his pastor Tim, who agrees to meet with him at the hospital and offers a prophetic vision from God that shows just what the risks are to their souls if they remain where they are at in their lives.

The Influence by author Matthew John Slick takes the reader deeper than I have ever gone into the spiritual world of angels and demons and educates us what really goes on every single day that we simply don't see because it is hidden from our human eyes. Yet it makes such a wonderful case to those that haven't made a decision for God that simply can't be debated. I took so many notes from this one that answered many questions that I had as a believer for years, such as Why does God allow Evil in the world if He is truly a God of love? Why does He allow people to die? If He is all powerful why doesn't He do something about it?
I received this book as a free download quite some time ago and was thrilled to immerse myself in this one. The thought of such influence in our lives is downright chilling even as believers to know how much the enemy can still attempt to cause trouble in our own lives and just how powerful prayer really is. I rate this one an unforgettable 5 out of 5 stars and received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. If you really want to see what is going on in the spiritual world, you will definitely want to check this one out. By far one of the best spiritual warfare fictional novels I've read! I'm hoping for a sequel for this one soon!

For more information about The Influence, Matthew John Slick or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Influence by Matthew John Slick 

You can find Matthew John Slick on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: StoneHouse Ink (August 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615525733
• ISBN-13: 978-0615525730
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.4 x 8.4 inches

Millie's Treasure

"Clipped to the second page was an envelope with his name written in Henry's scrawling handwriting. Inside Kyle found a letter, a match and a key. 

December 24, 1888

While I cannot be absolved from keeping you away from family on Christmas Eve, I can at least make up for the fact by providing a brief respite before work on this case begins in earnest on January 2. Arrangements have been made for rooms at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis form tomorrow night through the aforementioned second day of the New Year. Should you find that your work on the missing gold case requires it, of course the agency will pay for as many nights past that as you deem necessary.

Our friend Taft suggested that the rooftop of the as-yet-unopened Cottn Exchange building on Second Street might prove the venue for your test flight. To that end, he has secured access for you and assures me the three of us are the only ones who have knowledge of this. Thus, I hasten to warn that you must not be caught lest you alone will be forced to explain. And, per Mr. Taft, please remember to leave the key in the Weather Service office on the third floor before the service employee arrives at work after the holiday and realizes it is missing.

Consider this a small measure of thanks for your dedication to the agency. And no, I have not cleared this with Mr. Pinkerton, thus the need for the match. I am sure you will make good use of it, as always.

Best regards,

Henry

December 24, 1888
Memphis, Tennessee

Cook was right. The best thing about marrying Sir William Trueck and beginning a new life in London was that Millie Cope would leave Memphis and everything she knew and once loved   behind. And this was no small thing.

For she knew she could not stay, not when her life in this house was merely the wisp of a shadow slipping into darkness. As Sir William Trueck's American bride, she could step out of that shadow. She tried to recall that when fear rose to make its attempt at choking out good sense. And Millie Cope was nothing if not sensible.

After the death of her mother and two elder sisters, Julia and Sarah, to a yellow fever epidemic a decade ago, the distance that yawned between her and her father had become unbearable. So when Father brought his new business partner, Sir William Trueck, home for dinner, it was Cook's idea for Millie to smile sweetly in his direction. To allow him to court her when he asked. And, finally, to accept his proposal of marriage, but only if it came with the assurance that she would be allowed to live in England and have complete freedom to do as she pleased.

In the latest novel in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker, Millie's Treasure by best-selling author Kathleen Y'Barbo, takes us back into the life of Pinkerton agent, Kyle Russel who has been tasked at searching for confederate treasure believed to be hidden in New Orleans. What he doesn't plan on discovering is that his heart has been lost to a society scientist, Millie Cope who may just be at the heart of his investigation along with her father. Dabbling in inventions along with his partner Lucas McMinn, who readers got an indepth look at in the first book in the series, Flora's Wish, Kyle is hoping to test his latest invention, a flying machine during the down time in his investigations. What he doesn't expect to find is someone who can match his intelligence, skill and passion for science in Millie. Millie's just hoping for a chance to immerse herself in books and research in cryptology and begin her own search for her family's lost treasure. A treasure that may in fact lead her to more than a way to escape the plan her father has in store for her.

I received Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo compliments of Harvest House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I am completely charmed and enchanted by this series, because the women characters that Kathleen's creates are much like how I would envision my own life if I lived at that time. Struggling between what is expected of women from upper society and the desires of their heart, ones that don't conform to what society or their family believes an proper woman should do. They are strong, smart and at times fail to see their own self worth, believing what their family thinks of them instead, but along comes a true hero that shows them they are a unique and beautiful creation, designed specifically by God and captivates their hearts. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read Sadie's Secret, which reader's get a sneak peek at in the end of this one. There is also a discussion guide at the end that is perfect for book groups.

For more information about Millie's Treasure, Kathleen Y'Barbo, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo

You can also follow Kathleen Y'Barbo on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Millie's Treasure from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, please click here.