His Risk

I have fallen in love with Shelley Shepard Gray's latest series, The Amish of Hart County. In the fourth book in the series, His Risk, readers are once again transported back to the Amish community of Hart County. There you pick back up with familiar characters from the previous novels as they now become secondary characters in this novel.

Alice Yoder is the community's school teacher and she adores her job. She believes it is truly her calling and the one thing that brings her the most joy. However when she undertakes watching her brother's home while they vacation in Pinecraft and also care for Valentine, their cat. It is one job she truly looks forward to is a quiet night at the end of a busy day. She just didn't expect to find her curiosity peaked by the young man standing outside her neighbors home. Being a bit bold, she finds herself wanting to know who he is and why he is staying at their home.

Calvin Fisher is now staying with his brother, Mark and his wife Waneta as he undergoes a risky surgery to remove a cancerous kidney. He hopes that he will be able to be there for his brother as much as he helped to raise Calvin as a child. Both of his parents had their own issues to deal with and for Calvin, it meant leaving the Amish community. However know he has come home, but with it comes a threat that he believes he can handle as he works as an undercover DEA agent for a well known crime syndicate. Now that he has worked his way up in earning the King's loyalty, he believes he can balance the roles he is playing while keeping everyone safe.

But when his undercover life begins to show signs of being in Hart County, Calvin believes that he has brought a very real risk to those he cares about and even those he might begin to fall for. Will he be able to end the double life he is living before he endangers those he loves the most?

I received His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray compliments of Avon Inspire, a division of Harper Collins Publishers. This is such a cross over genre because you are combining a love for the Amish with its connection to the English world in a suspenseful way. Without realizing it, and while they remain very much divided in their faith and ideals, there are no physical walls to keep one from encroaching on the other as it does in this series of novels by Shelley Shepard Gray. I think she orchestrates it masterfully in that you don't even realize that you're reading two very different genres in a well blended series. I have loved every single one and am looking forward to the next one in this series. Finally authors who simply don't end a good thing after three books! This one is worthy of all 5 out of 5 stars in my own opinion.

For more information about His Risk, Shelley Shepard Gray or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray

You can find Shelley Shepard Gray on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on His Risk, please visit Harper Collins Publisher's website.

An Inconvenient Beauty

Downton Abbey fans, Jane Austen diehards, want to get hooked on an incredible series of novels? Check out the Hawthorne House Series by Kristi Ann Hunter and you will be as hooked if not more than you are on your favorite area of interest surrounding the traditional Regency Romance genres! An Inconvenient Beauty is book 4 and the possible final one in the series and wraps up the love interest surrounding Griffith, Duke of Riverton!  Now that all his siblings are married off and beginning their own lives, Griffith realizes as the oldest, he must find a way to settle down and produce an heir for the families wealth to be inherited to. Only he isn't about to settle for just anyone that society deems is the right and top choice for him.

His entire family has married for love and not necessarily based on where a suitable lady fell on the social ladder in London. He wants someone who isn't really thinking she might be able to offer anyone, that way she won't necessarily have to work at being the best at all the social graces that come from marrying a Duke, one of the highest honors after royalty that is. With it comes a responsibility and a certain standard that must be maintained to keep things in proper order. Griffith believes he has found a suitable wife in the wallflower Miss Frederica St. Claire who is now going into her fourth season with no potential matches. She would make the perfect wife, because no one would even compete with her plain and homely looks and she wouldn't be out to impress him with things he isn't looking for. Now all he has to do is convince her by simply asking her to dance. Even all of London's society has been wagering on just who he might settle with.

Most think that Griffith will settle for the most beautiful and society's pick of the top females. In fact, her cousin Miss Isabella Breckenridge is working her way to doing just that with all the eligible young and older men vying for the honor to court her. He isn't at all interested in her but in Miss St. Claire instead, but everytime he calls on her, she is unable to communicate and sends signals that she isn't the slightest bit interested in the most eligible and wealthy bachelor in London. It seems Miss St. Claire has her own interests in a young man who has returned from the war, a solider whom she thought dead. Now it seems that Freddie will do all she can to push the Duke's attentions off to Isabella instead and often times it is under the most trying of situations, but then again, Isabella isn't interested in the Duke, because her Uncle wants her to focus her attentions on the members of the House of Commons to sway their vote for an Apothecary Bill he is pushing to be passed. He promises that he will take care of Isabella's family, simple sheep herders in North Umberland, but will anyone discover the true meaning behind Isabella's actions?

I received An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter compliments of Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. This has been such a dream to enjoy every single novel in this series and trust me, you will want to read them in order to understand all the relationships within the Duke's family and how each came to marry the one they have chosen to spend the rest of their life with and ones that they will LOVE first and foremost over what society deems is acceptable. I LOVE Isabella's character because she isn't interested in the Duke for marriage, so it keeps her guard down and she can be the person she is on the inside without having to fake her way through being proper and with that Griffith falls for the true woman she is over the lady she is acting like. Well worthy of all 5 out of 5 stars and only wish there were more to look forward to in this series. There are some historical facts that were incorporated in this novel that are revealed at the conclusion of this novel in the Author's Note section.

For more information about An Inconvenient Beauty, Kristi Ann Hunter or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter

You can find Kristi Ann Hunter on Facebook to enjoy all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on An Inconvenient Beauty, please visit Bethany House Publisher's website.

Bounty Hunter

One of my favorite jobs in the police force has to be the K-9 unit. As an animal lover I would love a job working with a dog and being in sync with them they are part of who you are. Then again, I would hate to think of sending a dog into a situation where they might not make it out alive, thus saving yours. I don't think I could do it. However if you pick up the series of books through the Love Inspired Suspense division from Harlequin, you might just want to pick up Bounty Hunter by Lynette Eason, book 4 of the Classified K-9 Unit.

In each book, they go deeper into the lives of the team of classified K-9 handlers working together as a team to locate one of their own, Jake Morrow, whom they believe may have been kidnapped by a local crime syndicate or acting as a double agent. They have had no luck with following up the tips they have been receiving lately until a random call from a bounty hunter, Riley Martelli who has been shot at by the man they've been trying to find.

When the K-9 unit arrives, FBI Special Agent Harper Prentiss and her dog Star are the first to talk with Riley. At first the team is unsure of his motives, especially when he seems eager to collect the $100,000 reward money leading the capture of Jake Morrow. So Harper follows him and learns that Riley needs the money to pay for his nephew's medical bills after being shot by his father Van Blackwell, who murder Riley's sister and left Asher, his nephew in his custody and now care. He has a bullet wedged along his spine and until he has surgery, he can't walk. So between helping the FBI catch Jake, he is also following his own pursuit to find and bring Van Blackwell to justice, if he doesn't kill Riley first.

I received Bounty Hunter by Lynette Eason compliments of Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense and TLC Book Tours. This is a pocket paperback which means you can take this book anywhere to catch up on this suspense adventure and trust me, there is NEVER a dull moment. I can't wait to read the entire series and readers even get a chance to get a sneak peek at Book 5, Body Guard at the conclusion of this one. I really love the tight knit family of FBI K-9 handlers because they work so well together and even manage to aid Riley in his own endeavors when one of their own is threatened. I love how it all wraps up in the end on one hand but gets you ready for the next adventure on the other. Trust me, murder mystery lovers and animal lovers will want to pick this one up. I give this a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Bounty Hunter, Lynette Eason or where you can pick up a copy of Bounty Hunter today, please click on the links below:

Bounty Hunter by Lynette Eason

You can find Lynette Eason on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Bounty Hunter, please visit TLC's Book Tour page. 

Savoring the Seasons

One of my favorite settings for a novel is an small, quaint country English village. I guess I found my love for them after watching the movie The Holiday. But I became truly enchanted when I picked up the Chilton Crosse novels and found that love I had been missing. In each novel in the series, the reader gets to know each of the village's residents a bit more that live in Chilton Crosse and with Savoring the Seasons, by Traci Borum, the fourth novel, the reader gets to really know Julia Bentley who runs Rose's Bakery in town. Her ninety year old father does his part by sitting outside the bakery handing out samples to those that pass by, whether tourists or simply someone in town. In fact, the entire town knows how much of his life and love he has poured into the bakery.

The bakery has been open now close to 40 years and with that, the town decides to celebrate all the hard work that the Bentley's have put into their baking. Mrs. Pickering decides the best way to do that is to form small committees to complete the tasks need to pull this off as a surprise of a lifetime and the only thing they will allow Julia to do, is bake a cake. So as the town sets off to complete their assignments, Julia discovers Tristan Hannigan, the new delivery man for supplying the bakeries needs and feels immediately drawn to him. Until he shaves off his beard and she realizes he is more than a decade younger than she is. While she is 40, and he is only 29 going on 30, she wonders if there might be a possibility for them. For now, they agree to be friends, something everyone can do with more of, especially Julia who's life consists of waking up early to begin baking, and taking care of her elderly father.

Just reading about all the tasty treats Julia whips up since discovering an old cookbook left behind with all her mother's notes, makes the reader want to indulge in some as well. Just as it seems things might be looking up in the romance department for Julia, Tristan's mates from the University show up since he refused to attend their reunion and with it, Tristan's old ex who is drop dead beautiful who still seems to have a thing for Tristan. With the retelling of all their old school stories, Julia can't really contribute much except for smiling at this and that, and begins to wonder if the feelings she has for Tristan aren't just hopeful anticipation and perhaps the age difference between them is more than meets the eye.

I received Savoring the Seasons by Traci Borum compliments of Red Adept Publishing. The delightful thing about this novel is the quips of wisdom that opens up each chapter. While it might allude to baking advice it also parallels life advice as well. For example, "Don't take fresh ingredients for granted. Smell them, touch them, turn them over in your hand and really look at them. Appreciate their qualities and what they're about to do for your recipe. Don't get to busy that you forget to savor the small things." And that is just the theme of this novel. Savoring the Seasons in our lives. Too often we are consumed by our daily to do lists that we forget to engage in the people around us and before we know it, life has passed us by. I know if you love novels that take place with a small group of people that love and care for one another, pick up the Chilton Crosse series. For me, this one was well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Savoring the Seasons, Traci Borum or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Savoring the Seasons by Traci Borum

You can find Traci Borum on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

The Beloved Hope Chest

"Her hope chest had held not only memories full of pain all these years, but memories full of love she would always cherish. Today her heart was filled to the brim with hope."

In Amy Clipston's latest novel, The Beloved Hope Chest, which is book 4 from the Amish Heirloom series, Martha Jane (Mattie) Petersheim/Fisher takes the time to share with her three daughters, Emily, Rachel and Veronica, about the items found in her beloved hope chest. It conveys the life story of Mattie and her first love Isaiah Petersheim who was the love of Mattie's life. She had hoped to begin a new family with him and looked forward to the birth of their first child, but an unexpected tragedy broke those plans for Mattie forever when Isaiah was killed. This is something that Mattie's daughters never knew about their mother, but it would be the one thing that would unite them all in new ways as each of her daughters could now look back and see how these very events showed them that she understood each of the paths her own daughters lives have taken.

It is also the love story of the father that they always loved, Leroy Fisher and how Mattie and Leroy grew up first as childhood friends and the closest anyone could be with one another without marriage. In fact looking back on these events in her life, Mattie didn't realize all the ways Leroy had tried to convey his feelings for Mattie that went beyond friendship and he had hopes that he might win her heart. But when she married Isaiah, all Leroy could do was remain her best friend. When Isaiah died, the last thing he wanted to do was cause more pain for Mattie, but seeing as she was pregnant with Isaiah's child, he didn't want her to go through any more pain in her life alone, so he offered to marry her with hopes that one day she might love him the way he has always loved her. But even with the best intentions, things didn't work out quite like he had hoped and it would take letting her go, to cause her to see that he really did love her after all, despite everything she had gone through in her life and most of all that he would ALWAYS be there for her and love her with all of his heart.

I received The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston compliments of Zondervan Publishers and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. Sometimes I believe the greatest stories are the ones that our parents have, how they meet one another, the struggles they had to endure and the memories that they treasure. In this novel, Mattie gets to share that personal part of two very special loves in her life and how they not only defined who she is as a wife and mother, but also allow her to share those experiences with her daughters that God can take the pain in our lives and cause something good to come from them. Often times when we least expect it. The theme in this novel is what love, unconditional love and faith and hope truly mean. Our hearts can break but in time, they will heal and we will move forward again. I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is also Discussion Questions included which makes for an excellent selection for book clubs.

For more information about The Beloved Hope Chest, Amy Clipston or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel today due out in early May of 2017, please click on the links below:

The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Beloved Hope Chest, please visit Zondervan Publisher's website. 

Kingdom of Grace

Grace as defined by a dictionary is unmerited favor or goodwill. Think of it as kindness, charity, or even mercifulness. It is what sets being a Christian or Christ-follower apart from the world's religion. There is nothing you can do to work your way into heaven, it's a free gift. You don't have to do anything to earn it, just simply take it and accept it from Jesus. Yes, it's that simple. That is why most in the world reject it or spend their lives trying to earn their way into heaven by what they do. Now, don't get me wrong, works are important, but they are a reflection of that grace we have accepted. It is what defines whether we are loving as Jesus would have. It is a by-product of Jesus transforming our lives and now that is what comes out of who we have become, a changed person reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our own lives, much like a mirror.

Cho Larson in his wonderfully written book, Kingdom of Grace, the fourth book in his Kingdom Series, allows us to see this very nature at work in the lives of believers. Using the way Jesus chose to heal people, He never punished them for their way of life up to the point of His healing touch. He didn't worry about what people might think if He touched an unclean man with leprosy, it was all done out of love and compassion for the person He healed. It doesn't mean others were simply neglected either. It was to demonstrate what the simple act of grace could do, not just in the transforming of the outside of someone but more importantly what it did on the inside. It just couldn't be contained! Jesus even asked those He healed to tell no one about what happened, but they couldn't help it. They were forever changed on the inside and out.

I guess it is easy for some people to see it in order to believe it. Imagine how many more people might be won over for Christ, if He simply appeared and healed all the diseases and illnesses in the world. But it is that kind of faith that won't last. It's like thanking someone for a gift you wanted, and then when you no longer desire that gift, you lose interest in it and even possibly the person who gave it to you. That isn't the kind of grace Jesus provides when it is genuine. It changes you from the inside so much, you can't go back to the way you were before. You don't want to! This is a wonderful book that explores that life changing grace in a way, you might not have considered before. Believers and non believers alike will all get something amazing out of it, if you are willing to be open to see what the grace of Christ looks like!

I received Kingdom of Grace by Cho Larson compliments of Westbow Press. This is such a profound book using the scriptures found in the Bible to illuminate the differences of the grace the world sees and the one that Christ offers to all who put their faith and trust in Him. They will be forever changed by the simple definition of grace according to Jesus. For this reason I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This would make for a great small group Bible study along with the previous books in the series to help you grow in your spiritual walk.

For more information about Kingdom of Grace, Cho Larson or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Kingdom of Grace by Cho Larson

You can find Cho Larson on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To see more reviews on Kingdom of Grace, please visit Westbow Press' website. 

An Amish Family Christmas

Who doesn't love great endings? I know when I find an exceptional series of novels or even movies it is always bittersweet when you see it come to an end even though you know it's going to be great. Such is An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray, who wraps up the love lives of a few characters in the Charmed Amish Life Series, which I have adored.

This time we still see our favorite characters who have become couples in their own previous novels but now its time for Levi, the oldest of the Kinsinger family who left Charm, Ohio after the fire killed his father. He ran not knowing how to live in their family home where memories of both his father and mother continued to haunt him. He arrives home at first in A Sister's Wish, the third novel in the series because it isn't helping to have him stay away from the only family he has known and now that Amelia is about to marry, Levi wonders what is next in his life. Since moving out of the family home and onto a run-down and in desperate need of cleaning home on Jupiter Street, his life consists of going to work, staying as long as he can, and returning home with just enough time to sleep and begin again in the morning.

Julia Kemp, although not her real name, has found a fresh start in Charm, Ohio even though she can barely manage financially to support herself and her 5-year-old daughter Penny. She has had her own fair share of running, including leaving the father of her child, who found abusing her was the only way to control her life. She left before he knew she was with child and could continue his beatings not only on her but on their daughter as well. This is why she needed a fresh start complete with a new name. It also meant she had to leave behind her family as well. She couldn't take the risk of Luther finding out where she had gone, so as much as it pained her, she really needed this. The last thing she ever expected was to find a man who could truly love her the way God intended and perhaps offer her a future she never dreamed possible. She only has to be willing to tell the truth, but is she willing to place her future on the line to do so?

I received An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray compliments of Avon Inspired Publishers, a division of Harper Collins Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. I know Shelley is far from ending her Amish series and looking forward to the next one which readers get a sneak peek at with the conclusion of this novel. There are also Reader Discussion Questions included that is perfect for book clubs. In fact one such question asks if the reader has read all the books in the Charmed Amish Life series and if so, which is their favorite and I have to say, it would be A Sister's Wish because I love Amelia and Simon's story the best. I love how that comes into play as Levi and Luther come to a stand off when Julia is confronted with the truth and Simon has to step in. Oh how I would love to see this one come to life, but for now it remains locked away in my own imagination. For me, this one easily rates a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is even a great recipe in this one as well, but I'll save that as a surprise.

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For more information about An Amish Family Christmas, Shelley Shepard Gray or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray

You can find Shelley Shepard Gray on Facebook, to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on An Amish Family Christmas please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page. 

From This Day Forward

To this date, there hasn't been a novel or book from Lauraine Snelling, I didn't like, until this one unfortunately. Since From This Day Forward is part of a series, and this is book 4, I found it difficult to grasp and understanding any of the relationships that this novel launches into. Perhaps if I had read them in order, it might make better sense to me, than merely jumping into it. I absolutely LOVED the cover of the book and since Christian Historical Romances are usually my favorite genre to read, I was disappointed I couldn't connect with any of the characters in this novel.

Even more than a third of the way into the novel I struggled to find any reason to continue as it seems more and more characters were introduced and overlapped that I couldn't find any one I could relate to and follow until the closure of the novel. I hate when that happens, but in this case it did. As much as we hope that all novels will connect with readers who pick them up, this was one time, when no matter how much I struggled to stay with it, I couldn't. Most of the time, a reader needs to identify with a character or perhaps their struggle and I was really hoping that would be with Deborah who has a deep seated desire to become a nurse to help our her community, but it didn't last.

When you read the premise of the novel is sounds wonderful but since there are so many characters introduced in the first third of the book, it makes it difficult to understand just who is with whom or related to whom. Oh how I wanted this one to work for me, but it didn't. This is one case where picking up a novel already well into the series, just doesn't work.

I received From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Net Galley and would have to rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars. I am hoping that if you have read the other novels in the Song of Blessing Series, than this one will make more sense to you than it did for me. If you haven't read any, I would recommending starting at the beginning because all the previous Lauraine Snelling novels are usually some of my favorites.

For more information about From This Day Forward, Lauraine Snelling or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling

You can find Lauraine Snelling on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on From This Day Forward, please visit Bethany House Publisher's website.

A Royal Christmas Wedding

As a little girl, I have always been fascinated by fairy tales and happily ever after endings, where the prince finds his princess and love prevails. We can look to England for some of that contemporary royal wedding and romance and see that some fairy tales are not just in books. Perhaps that is why I have absolutely adored Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding series of novels. It takes those romance feelings of fairy tales long ago and brings them to life in a "Ah moment" whenever you finish one. I could not wait for this one to release and readers will be able to pick this one up in mid-October.

A Royal Christmas Wedding picks up where How to Catch a Prince left off, and now goes to show that just because you might want it to happen, some happily ever afters must wait. Combining a bit of royal wedding history from the early 1800's, the Pembrook chapel bell has not rang out since the death of Prince Michael who fell to his untimely death after ringing the Pembrook Chapel bell announcing his intentions to marry the woman his loved. To this date, the bell has remained silent along with all the traditions that went along with it. Now it has been 182 years since a Prince climbed the 182 steps of the Chapel to ring the bell and all of London is abuzz with the news that Prince Colin Tattersall will do just that and ring the bell for Lady Jordan who he has been seeing recently.

However on the eve of the Harvest Celebration, what the world doesn't realize is that the Prince has been coming to the chapel for quite some time with his friends to toast in the New Year, not ring the bell. But if he could do it, it would be for the one woman who claimed his heart 4 years ago and not Lady Jordan. That is his prayer to God, that the bell would ring for her. However when it does, by some odd reason, Colin believes it to be a prank ushered in by Guy Smoot, his longtime friend and now the entire world believes Colin has rang it for Lady Jordan instead.

Avery Truitt has arrived with her mother in Brighton to be with her sister this Christmas now that there is news she might be giving birth to the soon-to-be-heir. All she knows is the man who broke her heart 4 years ago, will be present during all the celebrations that will take place over the next month and she is bound to run into him. Despite what she feels, her heart has never gotten over Colin and he will always be the one for her. She just needs to keep her emotions and feelings in check during the next few weeks. All that is in the past and she needs to focus on her future and that is not with Colin, no matter how wonderful he may be. He stood her up 4 years ago for prom and she isn't about to just let him waltz back on in.

I received A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Net Galley. This is truly an adult version of all those fairy tales we read as little girls and gives us hope that love will always prevail despite the odds against it. Who wouldn't want to fall in love with a handsome prince during Christmas? Sign me up for sure. This is one for die-hard royal romance fans who love following their hearts instead of their heads when it comes to romance. The only down side is that this marks the end of the Royal Wedding series, with this being book 4. If you haven't read them, please do so in order so you can gain a true understanding of all the relationships you'll encounter in this one, including Susanna and Nathaniel's own royal romance. For me, this is a wonderful 5 out of 5 stars and only hope at some point in the future, we might get a chance to see how their lives have progressed down the road. There is also discussion questions included that book clubs will love.

For more information about A Royal Christmas Wedding, Rachel Hauck or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

You can find Rachel Hauck on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Royal Christmas Wedding, please visit Zondervan Publishing's website. 

Close To Home

When you lose the love of your life, how long will it take before you feel comfortable about dating again, or do you ever? What about the relationships you have built with the family after the death, do you maintain it or simply realize at some point that too will change? These are the questions running through Bree Whitman faces when it has been five years since she lost her Marine husband Tim in Afghanistan. She just can't even begin to imagine what that must be like, even though she is still young enough to begin again. Where does one even start? How will she ever be able to explain that to the Whitman family who feels more like her own family, than her real ones?

Since she has been on the receiving end of the attentions of her co-worker Aaron, who has expressed more than a passing interest in dating her, Bree just isn't sure what to do, but believes it may be time to see how it might work out with Aaron. While her job permits interoffice dating, she knows if it doesn't work out, it will be very uncomfortable to continue to work together and it may affect her working relationship with clients in the event planning business if her and Aaron can't work together. Still it is a risk she is willing to begin, but when Aaron gets too pushy on what he believes Bree should be willing to do at this point in her grieving process, she begins to wonder if she made a mistake, especially when he wants her to give up her Tuesday night dinners with the Whitman family at the Chicory Inn.

Drew Brooks find himself laid off from his job and with no prospects within town including with his brother Dallas' company that is at a hiring freeze, he opts to look outside for work in St. Louis. He just didn't expect it would mean giving up being a part of the family with the Whitmans. But since Grant and Audrey's mother, Cee-Cee is dealing with health issues including forgetting things and running the risk of getting injured living alone in her old age, they believe now is the time to begin building her a small cottage in the meadow on the land in which they run the Chicory Inn, a bed and breakfast so they can keep her close but still allow her to live independently. Now that Drew is looking for work, Grant offers him a job working on the cottage with him until he can find a more permanent job. That works out perfectly until he begins to spend Tuesday nights with the Whitmans and finds a friendship with Bree building into something much more more!

I received Close to Home by Deborah Raney compliments of Net Galley and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free eBook of Close To Home in exchange for my unbiased and personal opinion. Since I have read the previous novels, this one was missing and was so glad I got the chance to see how Bree would deal with the loss of her husband Tim. I can only imagine how difficult the situation would be and dealing not only with your own feelings but that of your former spouses as well. This played out so well and I was rooting for Bree and Drew the whole time. I really didn't think she would work out with Aaron since their first interactions. A man who thinks Bree is ready but isn't willing to consider all the aspects of beginning again, certainly isn't worth anyone's time. I would easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and reader's even get a sneak peek at the 5th novel coming soon, Home at Last! Even though these are part of a series, you can read this one just fine, but the back stories of each of them are in subsequent novels including the first one that establishes why Grant and Audrey decided to start a Bed and Breakfast in their home.

The Chicory Inn Series
1 - Home to Chicory Lane
2 - Two Roads Home
3 - Another Way Home
4 - Close to Home
5 - Home at Last (Coming Soon)

For more information about Close to Home, Deborah Raney or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Close to Home by Deborah Raney 

You can find Deborah Raney on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can read more reviews on Close to Home at Abingdon Press' website.

Her One and Only

Can you imagine a young, beautiful woman serving as a body guard to a NFL wide receiver? Doesn't this sound like some kind of prank football players might play on one another? Yet this is exactly the premise behind Becky Wade's latest novel, Her One and Only. Gray Fowler is that wide receiver for the Mustangs, and while he has been used to dealing with obsessive fans before, his team manager is taking it a bit more seriously. The threats seem to be getting more bold and while they remain short and simple the point is clear. Someone wants to see Gray Fowler dead.

That is where Dru Porter comes into play. While she might not seem much of a threat when you look at her, she has served in the Marines, is a national expert sharpshooter champion and is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, besides being raised among three older brothers. She make not look like much, but looks can be intimidating and they may in fact work on her behalf. When Gray suggests she pose as his girlfriend instead of a mere secretary or personal assistant for him, Dru is less than pleased by the idea. However it may just work out in the end. It allows her to stay close to him during her hours of protection and their cover story of her working as a preschool teacher during the day, sounds perfect. The only thing she hates it the idea that she might fall for this guy no matter how hard she tries not to and how insistent her brothers are that she keeps her mind on work and nothing else.

Gray has different ideas, despite his threats. Everyone knows most girls fall for the quarterbacks, and Gray's buddy Colin suggests a bet between the two. While it is easy enough to kiss Dru on their end, they both place a wager that they believe they can get her to kiss them first. For Gray his bet is his Rolex watch which Colin would just love to win, while Colin has placed his big flat screen TV up for grabs for Gray. Just imagine the bragging rights these guys would have over the other in the club locker rooms. Things are about to get interesting between the three of them, especially when Dru is the one stuck in the middle. What will she think when she discovers these guys are only interested in her to win a bet?

I received Her One and Only by Becky Wade compliments of LitfusePublicity and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my personal and honest opinions. I absolutely love the Becky took the opportunity to share this novel's conclusion in the Porter Family novels with Dru's story. I can't imagine the competition to measure up to three very masculine older brothers who have their own stories we have shared in the previous novels. Now each of them is settled and married beginning families of their own and while they have the best intentions on protecting Dru, she is one determined and strong willed woman with a mind of her own. I love this bit of a role reversal regarding a body guard scenario and love how it plays out throughout the entire novel. All of your favorite Porter brothers are back as this novel unfolds as well as a Reader Guide Discussion Questions at the conclusion that is perfect for book clubs. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Her One and Only, Becky Wade or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Her One and Only by Becky Wade

You can find Becky Wade on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Her One and Only, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page. 


Meet Dru Porter, former Marine, expert markswoman, and black belt—who also happens to be assigned as a bodyguard to star NFL tight end Gray Fowler. Don't miss the final Porter family novel by Becky Wade, Her One and Only. Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, and Dru is determined to find his stalker. Every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives—and their hearts—to one another.

Join Becky in celebrating the release of Her One and Only by entering to win her Porter prize pack and $100 cash card giveaway!

Meet Dru Porter, former Marine, expert markswoman, and black belt—who also happens to be assigned as a bodyguard to star NFL tight end Gray Fowler. Don't miss the final Porter family novel by Becky Wade, Her One and Only. Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, and Dru is determined to find his stalker. Every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives—and their hearts—to one another.

Join Becky in celebrating the release of Her One and Only by entering to win her Porter prize pack and $100 cash card giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Her One and Only
• A $100 cash card
• Follow Your Heart tote bag
• 24 oz Tervis Wonder Woman Tumbler
• The Blind Side DVD
• Necklace with star charm
• Porter Family navy jersey

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on May 31st. The winner will be announced June 1st on the Litfuse blog.

Her One and Only

Can you imagine a young, beautiful woman serving as a body guard to a NFL wide receiver? Doesn't this sound like some kind of prank football players might play on one another? Yet this is exactly the premise behind Becky Wade's latest novel, Her One and Only. Gray Fowler is that wide receiver for the Mustangs, and while he has been used to dealing with obsessive fans before, his team manager is taking it a bit more seriously. The threats seem to be getting more bold and while they remain short and simple the point is clear. Someone wants to see Gray Fowler dead.

That is where Dru Porter comes into play. While she might not seem much of a threat when you look at her, she has served in the Marines, is a national expert sharpshooter champion and is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, besides being raised among three older brothers. She make not look like much, but looks can be intimidating and they may in fact work on her behalf. When Gray suggests she pose as his girlfriend instead of a mere secretary or personal assistant for him, Dru is less than pleased by the idea. However it may just work out in the end. It allows her to stay close to him during her hours of protection and their cover story of her working as a preschool teacher during the day, sounds perfect. The only thing she hates it the idea that she might fall for this guy no matter how hard she tries not to and how insistent her brothers are that she keeps her mind on work and nothing else.

Gray has different ideas, despite his threats. Everyone knows most girls fall for the quarterbacks, and Gray's buddy Colin suggests a bet between the two. While it is easy enough to kiss Dru on their end, they both place a wager that they believe they can get her to kiss them first. For Gray his bet is his Rolex watch which Colin would just love to win, while Colin has placed his big flat screen TV up for grabs for Gray. Just imagine the bragging rights these guys would have over the other in the club locker rooms. Things are about to get interesting between the three of them, especially when Dru is the one stuck in the middle. What will she think when she discovers these guys are only interested in her to win a bet?

I received Her One and Only by Becky Wade compliments of TLC Book Tours and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my personal and honest opinions. I absolutely love the Becky took the opportunity to share this novel's conclusion in the Porter Family novels with Dru's story. I can't imagine the competition to measure up to three very masculine older brothers who have their own stories we have shared in the previous novels. Now each of them is settled and married beginning families of their own and while they have the best intentions on protecting Dru, she is one determined and strong willed woman with a mind of her own. I love this bit of a role reversal regarding a body guard scenario and love how it plays out throughout the entire novel. All of your favorite Porter brothers are back as this novel unfolds as well as a Reader Guide Discussion Questions at the conclusion that is perfect for book clubs. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Her One and Only, Becky Wade or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Her One and Only by Becky Wade

You can find Becky Wade on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Her One and Only, please visit TLC Book Tours page.


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Simple Pleasures

"Amish novels, Amish tourist sites, and television shows offer second and third hand accounts of Amish, Mennonite, and Hutterite life. Some of these messages are sensitive and accurate. Some are not. Most are flat-out wrong.

Now readers can listen directly to the voices of these Anabaptists through Plainspoken. In the book in this series, readers get to hear Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite writers talk about the texture of their daily lives: how they spend their time, what they value, what makes them laugh, and how they summon strength from their Christian faith and community." (Introduction, Author's Note)

In Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi, readers get to read from the journal writings of a family of four Amish to gain an inside and true-life memories of what one woman captured and began a column in the Collection, an Amish-Mennonite newspaper. If you are looking for well-writing fiction, you will not find it in this book. These are moment by moment memories of what one woman captures in her life as a Canadian Amish woman working in her own business and home with her family and community. From how she deals with being stuck inside on very cold days and wishing it was warm out, to having an appreciation for where you're at in life. How they occupy their time, and how their house isn't as organized as they would like when company comes calling. To dealing with their children who want pets, to sometimes dealing with the hardships when death comes to early.

Here is a sample of what you'll find inside.

I was reading an article about baking bread; the writer mentioned that her husband carved her a bread spoon. I read on, intrigued. A bread spoon? Who ever heard of such a thing, and what could its purpose be? The husband had carved it from a piece of soft maple a little over twelve inches long. It gently curved outward to an almost-flat bowl a little more than three inches wide, somewhat like a paddle. Its shape worked very well in beating together bread ingredients. So that's what it was! That 'odd-shaped wooden spoon we received as a wedding gift." It's always what I grab to mix buns, rolls and the occasional donuts. A bread paddle, no less! No wonder it works so well. Then again, maybe it's not. Maybe I'm guessing wrong. I've done that before."  (pg. 75).

I received Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Herald Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved the simplicity of what you'll find inside. Just like opening an Amish journal and who would have ever guessed that there are Amish in Canada? I love getting an honest look at how wonderful these communities are and how they aren't as put together as some fiction books might have you believe. They are just as real as you and I without all the modern conveniences. For me this one rated a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There are even some great recipes tucked inside I can't wait to try! This is the fourth book in the Plainspoken Series of books.

For more information about Simple Pleasures or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi

You can find MennoMedia on Facebook to learn more about the Amish and Mennonite products.

To read more reviews on Simple Pleasures, please visit Litfuse Publicity Book Tour Page.

The Great Christmas Knit-Off

Have a hankering for a great knitted adventure? Looking for a bit of Christmas romance? Or simply looking for a great novel to pass the time during the Christmas holidays? Then you might want to pick up The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown. Set in a charming English village of Tindledale, our stories main character, Sybil has left her old life in an effort to take a much needed escape from reality in hopes of finding herself and perhaps her sanity along the way.

After her twin sister and her potential groom, left her standing alone at the altar at their Star Wars themed wedding set on May 4th, (as in May the Forth (or Force) be with you), wearing a Princess Leia costume complete with matching hair buns and cloak, she is still coming to terms with what has happened. I mean how does one get over having her sister steal her future husband? How do you handle family get togethers from that point on? Taking a break from life to head across the pond to visit her bestie Cher, she hopes for a reality check. I mean sometimes you just need your best friend to give you the advice no one else will. Talking to her parents doesn't help since they are stuck in the middle of the sibling wars.

Armed with her small dog Basil and hoping to surprise Cher, she flies to London in the middle of the night, only to find that the town of Tindledale is so small they close at 4pm with the exception of the local Pub which Cher and her husband Clive own. Which means Sybil must hike it two miles in the dark on a winter's night in the snow, unsure of where she is going. She soon finds herself adopted by the entire town, from the mysterious man she meets on the train, the Lawrence, the owner of not only the local B and B but also the hair salon and head of the theater department. Being an avid knitter, she finds solace with Hettie, the owner of Hettie's House of Haberdashery where they strike up more than just a friendship. Is it possible to find a fresh start miles from where one started?

I received The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review. The believability factor that this could happen to anyone is what makes this one work in my mind. I absolutely love Lawrence, who is a bit of a fairy god-father to Sybil as she completely comes undone when she learns the bottle of wine she has packed has saturated all her clothes, left her make up bag and sleeping pills at home, she is a bit of a mess. It is no wonder she finds a sense of peace, when she is befriended by those in the town she meets. This one does contain some profanity that might offend some readers, but over all makes for an exceptional fun comedy to pass away the winter nights. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This is the fourth book in the Tindledale Series.

For more information about The Great Christmas Knit-Off, Alexandra Brown or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown

You can find Alexandra Brown on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Great Christmas Knit-Off, please visit William Morrow's website. 

  

Sins of the Mothers

Sometimes we think that we know best, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Despite what her Texas Ranger father, Henry Buckmeyer had asked, Mary, his daughter waited until the entire family left for their trip to Europe, before she took her inheritance and hightailed it out west with the man she loved, Caleb Wheeler. Taking a 100 gold coins in some saddlebags and some paper currency, she believed it would be enough for a fresh start to a happy and wonderful life.

But as things always go, Mary was able to face insurmountable odds, when Caleb announces that his cousin Lanelle is joining them as well to watch over his stock of moonshine that he is hoping to sell for $1 a shot on the west coast among those who are searching for gold out in the hills of California. He has a vested interest along with his cousin John in opening a mercantile to sell everything a miner could need and make a killing. With Mary's knowledge and ability to barter, he knows he has exactly what he has planned in convincing her to marry him and head west.

But when they arrive, Mary doesn't realize that Lanelle and Caleb have a twisted love affair going on behind her back. When she realizes she is now pregnant with their first child, she is convinced it will be enough to settle down Caleb's wild ways, but unfortunately Lanelle also winds up pregnant but she is able to keep that a secret from Mary. Lanelle hopes that once Caleb learns she is pregnant, he will leave Mary behind and marry her instead. But she too soon realizes that she has been played by Caleb for his sole benefit alone and moves up into the hills where she marries Moses Jones, who offers to be a great husband and father to his baby and she realizes that love can come in all kinds of packages. It also provides her some distance between Mary and Caleb who are working on making a profit in the mercantile.

When Caleb winds up in the wrong place and the wrong time, Mary soon realizes how sagely her father and mother's advice was, to help her to avoid making the exact same mistakes they did. Now she realizes that just what the Bible says, that the sins of the fathers can visit the third and fourth generations of their children, Mary understands that is precisely what has happened to her and even though she wants more than anything to reconcile her relationship with her family, she knows she can never return home or face the humiliation her family must hold against her.

I received Sins of the Mothers by Caryl McAdoo compliments of Create Space Independent Publishing Platform for my honest review of this novel. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside for a free eBook copy and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. Oh how I love a great historical western and no one writes them as well as Caryl McAdoo does. I can't wait for the 5th novel in this series to be published before the end of this year. Sins of the Mothers is the 4th novel in the Texas Romance Series and in the heart of this book reviewer rates a wonderful 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are so many exceptional overlays of biblical stories that this one relates to that you can't help but enjoy it among all the excitement of the California gold rush!

For more information about Sins of the Mothers, Caryl McAdoo or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Sins of the Mothers by Caryl McAdoo

You can find Carol McAdoo on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon, please click here. 

A Simple Prayer

For some prodigal children who walk away from their family, the desire to return home can be overwhelming. They want to believe that simply going home will be all that is needed, but fear can hold them back. What if they aren't received well? What if they aren't wanted? And sometimes all those "What if's" can hold us back from the truth we need to seek by making an effort in the right direction.

For Aaron Ebersol, that came when he received word that his mother had suffered a stroke. He knew he should have returned much sooner after walking away from his family seventeen years ago. But after not receiving any response to all the letters he wrote, he believed his family had moved on without him. Why else would they not attempt to contact him after all this time? But he knows it's something he must do, since his mother could use the help and he has missed his family more than he cares to admit. Why is going home so hard to do?

In order to make the transition easier to manage, Aaron plans to stay at the Paradise Bed and Breakfast, where he runs into Linda Zook, a girl he knew in school. She was just as shy then as she is now, and he wonders what has been happening in town since he has left. Linda reminds him that she and his mother worked together at the Lancaster Grand Hotel before the stroke, and she never stopped praying for the day when Aaron might come home. She is able to share with Aaron some of the unknowns about the feelings of his mother before he makes that dreaded trip home to see if his fears are valid or simply something that has kept him away for too long, dwelling on all those what if's! But there is no time like the present.

I received A Simple Prayer compliments of Zondervan Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a wonderful story that reminds me quite a bit of an Amish prodigal son. I can imagine how difficult it would be for Aaron to return home and not have the entire family happy to see him. There is definitely bound to be some animosity between family members and I love that a friendship develops between Linda and Aaron as they both come to terms with the cards they have been dealt in life. It is a story of redemption and hope as well as unconditional love between parents and their children and the true power of forgiveness. This is the 4th book in the Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel Series and well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. There is even a discussion guide at the conclusion of this novel that makes it a perfect choice for book clubs.

For more information about A Simple Prayer, Amy Clipston or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews about A Simple Prayer, please visit Zondervan Publishing's website. 

A Heart's Betrayal

Life has finally settled on the frontier for our favorite characters Sarah and Rand. They are now anticipating their first child amid the rising conflicts with the Indians outside of Fort Laramie. Emmie Croftner has just discovered that the man she is recently grieving as her husband was not the man she thought. She discovers in days after his funeral that he was married to another woman and had a child. Since their marriage wouldn't be viewed as valid, the holdings she assumed would be hers are now being handed to his first wife and child.

With just 30 days left, she hopes she can locate her brothers Ben and Labe but isn't quite sure where they might be. She knows that Ben has always been a bit of a schemer and has tried in vain to marry Sarah. With nothing to her name, the only person she can think to stay with might be Sarah if she will look past her as being Ben's sister. Sarah is Emmie's only hope. Without her, she doesn't know what she will do if the town learns of her soiled reputation of not being legally married to the man who was going to be her future.

Leaving Walsh, Indiana behind, she isn't quite prepared for what she finds out west at Fort Laramie. This is her first encounter with Indians and with eligible young soldiers who are looking for someone to marry. But Emmie isn't looking for love any more. She is fortunate when Sarah is excited to see her and loves the idea of her staying with them to help her with preparations for the upcoming birth of their child. But little does Emmie know she is carrying a far worse secret than anyone could ever imagine.

I received A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is the 4th book in the Journey of the Heart Series, written by Colleen Coble during the time she spent grieving the death of her own brother and is one of the first series she ever wrote. It has been simply wonderful reviewing these as they are being released in small bite size pieces a month at time again. I absolutely love Emmie's story of hope and looking for a way to begin again. However that isn't going to be easy once readers discover Emmie's secret. That is just like life in reality, it doesn't come wrapped up in a pretty little package! For me, this one is my favorite so far and well deserved of 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

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

A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble

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

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


Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, but will her big secret drive them apart? Find out in book four, A Heart's Betrayal, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.

Melt into summer with a new giveaway from Colleen: four books (books one–four in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and a box of chocolates to pair with your new books!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Heart's Betrayal
• A box of Colleen's favorite chocolate truffles from DeBrand Fine Chocolates
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of A Heart's Danger

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced July 1st on Colleen's website.

Pound Foolish

There is a saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. I wonder why people believe that to be true. I guess sitting in your current situation, it is easy to look at how other people seem to be so much better off than you are. Their marriage is full of love and romance, their kids are so well behaved, they don't struggle with finances like you do, but what we often fail to realize is what those people had to endure to get to where they are now. We like the blessings, we don't like to work at it to get there. Isn't that true?

Dave and Neta Jackson have been sharing a series of novels called the Windy City Neighborhood and in their latest book, Pound Foolish is by far my favorite. I think that is so because there is something in this one that most people can relate to. The Windy City Neighborhood Series is about a group of people who live on Beecham Street in Chicago, a melting pot of families in all shapes and sizes and in each novel, we get to interact with them as those it is another episode in a television series to see what has been happening to them since we last met, and get a more in depth look at one family in particular.

In Pound Foolish, we get to meet the Singer family. A couple who have been married for quite some time, with two children, a boy and a girl. Greg Singer, is the proverbial breadwinner of the family whose job as an event coordinator for PowerSports, a company that deals with sport shows in hopes of gaining people who will come to these events to buy boats, ATVs, or Snowmobiles. Just when he believes he is literally at the top of his game, the economy takes a nose dive and some of the larger companies are deciding to pull their registrations from upcoming events. Greg just believes it will pass but soon learns his boss is closing the company and he is about to be laid off. His biggest dilemma is how to tell his wife Nicole.

To say that their marriage is challenging lately would be an understatement. Nicole home schools her two children and runs the entire household. Her husband on the other hand simply believes that is the way God designed it and over time has put more time into his working relationship than in the relationship with her and the kids. In fact she has been considering the attentions of one of their neighbors who says and does all the right things, the way Greg used to and she wonders if their marriage can manage through this latest storm. When Greg believes the messages from their prosperity preacher that he is simply lacking the faith to believe in the greater blessings of God, it will ultimately test more than his family and his friends to see that it isn't the right kind of faith to have. Will he lose it all in the process of trying too hard to hold on to what he believes is right for his family?

I received Pound Foolish by Dave and Neta Jackson compliments of Castle Rock Creative Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own. I think the reason I loved this one more than the previous three books is because we have all had issues with security, whether in our finances, our marriages or our jobs. I can see through the eyes of each of the Singers how desperate they are to "fix" things but believe they are right and the other person is wrong. How seeing the struggles they have to endure to hold on not to just their finances while Greg struggles to find work, but in trying to hold on to those relationships that are important in our lives, family and friends. Even the struggles they have to endure with what their church pastor is preaching makes us all a bit more diligent into not merely accepting the truth because it's being preached by a man in a pulpit. I loved the entire novel and can easily say it is a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in helping to teach us what is really important in our lives. There is a Reader's Discussion Guide and sneak peek at book 5, "Snowmageddon", at the conclusion.

For more information about Pound Foolish, Dave and Neta Jackson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Pound Foolish by Dave and Neta Jackson 

You can find Dave and Neta Jackson on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest novels.

To read more reviews on Pound Foolish, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.

Dreaming on Daisies

Sometimes it's great when novels can reach deep inside us and reach the pain we often have hiding inside our hearts. When Miralee Ferrell decided on a theme for her latest novel in the Love Blossoms in Oregon Series, she knew she what she wanted to convey in Dreaming on Daisies. From the outside, people can appear happy but on the inside is another story. For Leah Carlson, she was still dealing with the pain of her mother's death six years ago. When that happened it seemed it took the life of the man she once knew as her father and dumped him inside a bottle of whiskey he was so found of getting lost in at the saloon in Baker City.

For years bitterness continued to grow not only in finding ways to keep from hating the man her father was becoming, but at the way she had worked so hard to make the ranch a success and now it seemed like all their money was tied up in her father's drinking binges. No matter what great ideas she had to try and turn it around, her father believed that Leah didn't possess the common sense to understand ranching was a man's business and part of his pride.

Leah had also lost her older brother Tom, when he decided to walk away from ranching and never left word where he was going or why he even left. So all Leah had to figure out the broken places of her life was pieces of what she could understand. She must try to convince the bank to provide her with a small loan to help get them back on track otherwise the only thing remaining that she has held onto all this time will be losing the ranch she has loved since she was a child. That would be the one thing that would ultimately break Leah.

Steven Harding wished he had better news for Leah when she came to him to inquire about obtaining a loan to help get them through the winter, but since the deed didn't have her name on it and her father wasn't the one inquiring about a loan, the only thing he could offer her was he would keep on trying to convince the bank to give her a chance. But without her father's signature on the loan documents, Leah would have to find another way to save the family ranch. She just wasn't hoping to rely on Steven Harding to do it. But when a mining accident leaves Steven without a place to stay, he believes he has the solution to both of their problems. If Lean agrees to let him stay on the ranch, he will help with the manual labor her father seems no longer interested in doing. But is the ranch the only thing Leah could lose?

I received Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell compliments of David C. Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is a powerful novel that portrays the effects of what alcoholism can have on not only the person who is addicted but the family who is struggling with dealing with it. This novel conveys a story of a young woman who's been emotionally damaged by a father who turned to alcohol and abandoned her emotionally, and a mother who abandoned her physically. It's no wonder that Leah has trust issues dealing with anyone in her life. They can leave scars even on the strongest Christian that can linger for a lifetime. The author's hope in writing this novel is that some aspect of the story would minister to their heart and that Jesus can heal every broken and wounded heart that's brought to Him as she writes in the Author Note at the conclusion of this novel. There is also a Reader's Discussion Guide in the novel as well. Well worth a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and hit home in my western romance lover's heart!

For more information about Dreaming on Daisies, Miralee Ferrell, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell

You can find Miralee Ferrell on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Dreaming on Daisies, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

Becoming Bea

For Beatrice Zook it has always been about who will have the last W-O-R-D. To stay that her and Ben Rupp are competitive would be a sheer understatement. For as long as they were in school, the annual spelling bee determined who was the winner. At first it was all about studying definitions, spellings, and root meanings, but for as long as either of them could remember it was about so much more. Until the Amish district decided that there was too much pride in winning the spelling bees, and they were banned.

Last time Bea could remember, she was the final winner, but after all those competitions between her and Ben, it was tied. Since the Amish graduate at the 8th grade, that was where it ended. In a tie. Bea at one time had hoped for something more between her and Ben, but an argument between them ended things before they ever got started. And now, every time, they see one another, it's a contest of wits, words and emotions.

Bea believes her life is content keeping people at arms length and sees no reason to step outside her comfort zone to make friends, find a suitable husband or even venture outside her home. Between her books and taking care of her Mamm who survived surgery to remove a brain tumor, she believes her life is complete. Until her sister Molly arrives home from church and announces they are all planning a trip to Montana to visit her husband's family and to give the family a much needed vacation. That is the last thing Bea wants and the only way out of it, is to find a job before the start of the trip.

Lucky for her, Nan and Bob Miller have been looking for someone to help with the care of triplet preemies, as well as taking care of the house, cooking and anything else Bea can help with. Nan is still recovering from their birth and to say that taking care of three infants is more than a handful, would be an understatement. Not only that but Bob's business in cabinet making is taking on more business than he can handle and he's hired a few of the local boys to help out. One of them just happens to be Ben Rupp. But will Bea have the last word this T-I-M-E?

I received Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. I absolutely LOVED this novel. I'd read Courting Cate quite some time ago and was anxious to get back to Lancaster County to see how things were going. I love that Bea and Ben still have that competitive edge and I found myself relating quite a bit to Bea because all through high school, I was what some would call a loner. So to see her trying to find her way in the world, while her sister believes she has Bea's best interests in mind was something I could relate to. It's a great reminder of just how the Amish community works together to help one another out when they truly have a need and families are always looked after. This one easily rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my O-P-I-N-I-O-N! This is the fourth novel in the Courtships of Lancaster County Series.

For more information about Becoming Bea, Leslie Gould or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould

You can also find Leslie Gould on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To see more reviews on Becoming Bea, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

Leslie Gould is back with the latest book, Becoming Bea, in her Shakespeare-inspired series, The Courtships of Lancaster County. Don't miss the other books in the series, Courting Cate (retelling of The Taming of the Shrew), Adoring Addie (inspired by Romeo and Juliet), and Minding Molly (inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Leslie is celebrating the series with a Kindle giveaway and a Facebook party on November 11th.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• One copy each of the entire The Courtships of Lancaster County series: Courting Cate, Adoring Addie, Minding Molly, and Becoming Bea.

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 11/11. Winner will be announced at Leslie's 11/11 Becoming Bea Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Leslie and Amish fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!