The Chesapeake Bride Giveaway and Review

I love great series of books that don't stop at the traditional 3 book trilogy that most do. It's like you get so involved in these characters, the small town of St. Dennis and the many people who live, work and fall in love there, all have their own stories created in their own novels. If you have never picked up any of the now eleven novels in the series, and love romances that are built on that small town feel along a beautiful and enchanting seaside community, you will want to pick up all of the books in the Chesapeake Diary series from Mariah Stewart.

In the Chesapeake Bride, the eleventh in the series, Cass Logan is an architect with a big vision of restoring the small community of Cannonball Island that has spent the last 200 plus years raising families, burying their loved ones and in most cases left behind as the ocean claimed more and more of the smaller islands. Now in disrepair and barely standing Cass' father, owner of Deiter Construction has purchased all 22 lots with the idea of building a new community. But with Cass' imagination and information she has gleaned from the oldest of residents who lived and loved those who made the island a home, she wants to restore as much of the original home as possible using the reclaimed materials and keep the original look and feel of the homes that were once built there.

With each encounter of a new person she meets from St. Dennis, her ideas and creativity are manifesting them in ways that has her winning the support of the surrounding town and even potential buyers before the homes have even broke ground. The only thing that she is certain about is that she isn't about to fall for local boy Owen Parker, whom she perceives as a player and heart breaker. When she runs into a potential huge delay in her project, a sunken vessel at the mouth of the river which would mean not being able to build docks for the homes she had originally designed, she has to rely on Owen whose been hired to salvage and determine the nature of the vessel and hopefully open the way up to continued work on the island home renovations. Not only that her father has placed the entire project in her hands and at this stage it seems like all hope might just sink!

I received The Chesapeake Bride by Mariah Stewart compliments of Simon and Schuster Publishers. I have read every single one of this books in the series and really LOVE this one as probably my most favorite. You have a single attractive adrenaline travel junkie, Owen Parker, who is not about to be rejected by any woman, including Cass Logan. Yet the more time they spend together, not doing the traditional date stuff, the more they begin to learn about the true person hiding behind the shell most see on the outside only. But like all good things, it can't just end with a happily ever after ending you'd expect. Nope this one has more debris than what is laying on the ocean floor that seem determined to keep our favorite characters separated. You'll find out how it all ends by picking up this novel, but I must warn you, be prepared for another potential sequel where things might wrap up there instead. Am I giving you a premonition or simply trying to create a desire to pick this one up? Only time will tell. I'd give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Chesapeake Bride, Mariah Stewart or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Chesapeake Bride by Mariah Stewart

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

To read more reviews on The Chesapeake Bride, please visit Simon and Schuster Publisher's website. 

Thanks to the generosity of Simon and Schuster's Publisher, they are offering a copy of Driftwood Point, the 10th book in the series to one lucky follower of my blog. Here's all you need to do to enter to win.

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart or "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart. 

2. Be a resident of the US or have a US mailing address. No P.O. Boxes please!

3. Leave a comment either below on this blog post or on the Facebook page tell me why you'd love to win a copy of Driftwood Point. Please include your email address below along with your comment. You can use the words (at) or (dot) instead of the symbols. Facebook users, just leave me a comment and if you are chosen as the lucky winner, I will Private Message you for the information required. Blog Followers: No email address, means I have no way of reaching you to let you know if you are the lucky winner.

The giveaway will end on September 21st, so please be sure to enter as many times as you want. For an extra entry, share on your social media pages and I will give you an entry for each link you post and share on either Facebook or this blog post.

I Hope You Dance

I can't only imagine how hard it must be to find yourself dealing with the grief of losing your husband, but then learning that you are left penniless and with a mountain of debt you didn't even know existed. With no where to go, Ruth Henderson decides to pack up her stuff and leave her old life behind and move back in with her parents in Southwell, Nottinghamshire along with her 14-year old daughter Maggie, whose way of dealing with what she is going through is coloring her hair wild colors. It doesn't make her all that popular in school and soon she finds herself being teased. Her only outlet is to resort to violence which leads to repetitive phone calls from the principal to have Ruth attempt to curtain her daughter's wild side.

Ruth knows in order to move forward she has to find a way to pay off the debt without her parents help, even though they offer to write a check to cover all her debts. She wills herself to take a job working for a classmate, who subsequently had an interest in the boy she fell in love with at school and soon retribution occurs when Vanessa, the clothing store owner, takes out her frustrations on Ruth as a way of her coming to beg for a job. Ruth finds solace in her mother's well intentions to get out of the house and make some friends and finds herself meeting with a great group of women once a month, who share their own frustrations in life at the moment over some great food, and plenty of prayers.

Ruth's only regret is the love she left behind even after she married her husband, and that is of her best friend and neighbor David Carrington, who is a TV personality on his own wildlife safari show and comes to town fairly regularly. With trying to find a way to keep her own head above water and keep her feelings for David locked away in the past, you know it is only matter of time before they too come to the surface to be dealt with. It is a story of hope, love, forgiveness and redemption that come with a life well lived.

I received I Hope You Dance by Beth Moran compliments of Kregel Publications. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my own honest and personal opinions. This is the second book I have read from Beth Moran and once again love the escape back to old England to immerse myself in the small town life and English literature that accompanies her books. The characters are well developed and ones that seem truly genuine that you can care about what is going on in their lives. Not only do you find yourself rooting for Ruth and David but the many secondary characters we are introduced to like David's housekeeper Ana Luisa and his father, but also between Maggie and Seth who have more in common than they think. For me, this one deserved a full 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about I Hope You Dance, Beth Moran, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

I Hope You Dance by Beth Moran 

You can find Beth Moran on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

To read more reviews on I Hope You Dance, please visit Kregel Publications website. 

The Wedding Chapel

"I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not harm you," says the Lord, "plans for a hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

In Rachel Hauck's latest novel, The Wedding Chapel, this scripture is extremely important for the characters in this novel. Each of them are interconnected by a series of events from the pasts and secrets that were kept out of spite and jealous but ultimately would be used for good. Jimmy Westbrook, or "Coach" as he is known by his students is one hard working man. He is a man of integrity and faith believing in the commitment he made one night just before he shipped off to the war. To love the only woman there would ever be for him, a girl he first fell in love with just by seeing her picture as she was slated to arrive to live with her cousin Clem, Jimmie's best friend, along with her sister Peg. They left behind a war that claimed the life of their parents and were looking to start over again someplace where war didn't seem so real.

Taylor Branson, an up and coming photographer, living in New York along with her newly married husband Jack are struggling to find their way forward in their new life together as husband and wife. Their whirlwind romance coupled feelings from their childhood living in Hearts Bend, Tennessee and fate brought them together on the streets of New York for a second chance. They both believed it could work, but also figured if it didn't there would be no real loss if they simply chose to walk away. But now that they are back at work, they are spending less and less time together and fail to communicate their true feelings to one another and instead let actions dictate their words. Taylor and Jack begin to wonder to themselves if they have made a big mistake in getting married. They are both trapped by feelings from their past that neither of them want to confront.

Yet when a photo shoot takes Taylor back to Heart's Bend to photograph an old wedding chapel on the land owned by Jimmie Westbrook, Taylor is brought full circle into a life she never dreamed would be possible. Besides taking the photos for work, she can't help but feel pulled by the feelings that this wedding chapel carries a life and spirit of its own and one she can't help but feel pulled into. But God has a bigger plan in mind as he brings the past, present and future together and those involved that desperately need the healing power of forgiveness and acceptance to become all that He imagined they could be. It's never too late for a second chance at life and at love.

I received The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity 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've been a huge fan of Rachel's novels since picking up my first and now I simply need to see her name on the cover for me to pick it up. I've never been disappointed. I love the story between Jimmie and Colette the best, to see someone work so hard to show someone how much he truly loves them and holds on to his faith that one day God will restore to him what believes is truly meant to be. I found myself walking around the dusty walls of the old wedding chapel as Rachel describes it and feeling a sense of holiness and promise there and was thrilled at how it all came to a conclusion. For me this one was worthy of all 5 out of 5 stars as the book toggles between present day and the past to convey the stories of the characters lives. A Discussion Guide is included at the conclusion of this book that is perfect for book clubs.

For more information about The Wedding Chapel, Rachel Hauck or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Wedding Chapel 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 The Wedding Chapel, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Is sixty years too long to wait for love? Two stories of romance, one in 1949 and one in the modern day, meet in Rachel Hauck's The Wedding Chapel. When Taylor Branson takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time. When Taylor’s journey intersects with Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook's, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

Join Rachel in celebrating the release of The Wedding Chapel by entering to win a copy and a $100 cash card—perfect for finishing up your Christmas gift shopping!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The Wedding Chapel
• A $100 cash card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 31st. The winner will be announced January 4th on Rachel's blog.

The Wedding Chapel

"I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not harm you," says the Lord, "plans for a hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

In Rachel Hauck's latest novel, The Wedding Chapel, this scripture is extremely important for the characters in this novel. Each of them are interconnected by a series of events from the pasts and secrets that were kept out of spite and jealous but ultimately would be used for good. Jimmy Westbrook, or "Coach" as he is known by his students is one hard working man. He is a man of integrity and faith believing in the commitment he made one night just before he shipped off to the war. To love the only woman there would ever be for him, a girl he first fell in love with just by seeing her picture as she was slated to arrive to live with her cousin Clem, Jimmie's best friend, along with her sister Peg. They left behind a war that claimed the life of their parents and were looking to start over again someplace where war didn't seem so real.

Taylor Branson, an up and coming photographer, living in New York along with her newly married husband Jack are struggling to find their way forward in their new life together as husband and wife. Their whirlwind romance coupled feelings from their childhood living in Hearts Bend, Tennessee and fate brought them together on the streets of New York for a second chance. They both believed it could work, but also figured if it didn't there would be no real loss if they simply chose to walk away. But now that they are back at work, they are spending less and less time together and fail to communicate their true feelings to one another and instead let actions dictate their words. Taylor and Jack begin to wonder to themselves if they have made a big mistake in getting married. They are both trapped by feelings from their past that neither of them want to confront.

Yet when a photo shoot takes Taylor back to Heart's Bend to photograph an old wedding chapel on the land owned by Jimmie Westbrook, Taylor is brought full circle into a life she never dreamed would be possible. Besides taking the photos for work, she can't help but feel pulled by the feelings that this wedding chapel carries a life and spirit of its own and one she can't help but feel pulled into. But God has a bigger plan in mind as he brings the past, present and future together and those involved that desperately need the healing power of forgiveness and acceptance to become all that He imagined they could be. It's never too late for a second chance at life and at love.

I received The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck compliments of Thomas Nelson 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. I've been a huge fan of Rachel's novels since picking up my first and now I simply need to see her name on the cover for me to pick it up. I've never been disappointed. I love the story between Jimmie and Colette the best, to see someone work so hard to show someone how much he truly loves them and holds on to his faith that one day God will restore to him what believes is truly meant to be. I found myself walking around the dusty walls of the old wedding chapel as Rachel describes it and feeling a sense of holiness and promise there and was thrilled at how it all came to a conclusion. For me this one was worthy of all 5 out of 5 stars as the book toggles between present day and the past to convey the stories of the characters lives. A Discussion Guide is included at the conclusion of this book that is perfect for book clubs.

For more information about The Wedding Chapel, Rachel Hauck or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Wedding Chapel 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 The Wedding Chapel, please visit Thomas Nelson's website. 

Painting the Moon

If you are looking for a charming series, set in the idyllic countryside of Cotswold's, filled to the brim with delightful and charming characters, you can't help but love, then look no further than Tracy Borum's Chilton Crosse series. In Painting the Moon, the first novel in the series, we are introduced to the small town of Chilton Crosse, buried in a quaint English village. Noelle Cooke has made the journey to the town after hearing of her late aunt Joy's death. She has 3 days leave from her employer in San Diego to settle the affairs and get back to work.

Among those details are not only getting her Aunt's cottage ready for sale, but sorting through the years of belongings to decide which must stay and what she can donate or ship home. What she doesn't expect to find is a locked door upstairs and no apparent key. Thinking she will tackle that one later, she heads to the gallery her Aunt also owned and finds that it is bordering on bankruptcy unless she can raise enough money to salvage it. It's been quite some time since Noelle has been back and is looking forward to connecting with her childhood friend Jill while she is in town. She just never expected Jill to invite her former crush Adam Spencer who is working nearby on a renovation project in the town nearby.

However she tries to fight her emotions, she knows that Adam is the one man she wishes she could have fallen for many many years ago. Even though for Noelle, the relationships she has attempted to have, have all fallen flat. As the time draws to a close, Noelle realizes that 3 days isn't enough time to settle what she needs to accomplish in England, however when her boss gives her an ultimatum, she immediately considers the implications of staying. Would it be possible to find a job if she stayed? Would there be a future with Adam? Did her Aunt Joy have more in store for her than just what her eyes can see? Only time will tell!

I received Painting the Moon by Traci Borum compliments of Red Adept Publishing 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. This is such a heartwarming series and I can't wait to pick up the next one, Finding the Rainbow! The characters you meet in this village are as real as the pages in the books from Mac MacDonald, the local handyman with a strong Scottish accent that always dispenses wisdom along with a sharing a cup of tea to the 90 year old gentlemen outside the bakery passing out samples of his daughters blueberry scones. You might just want to brew a pot of tea, pick up some biscuits or scones and settle down for a evening by the fire for this one. Well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

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

Painting the Moon by Traci Borum 

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

If Only In My Dreams

Sometimes our best laid plans can often times come up too short. To say that Quinn Hollister and Caleb McKenzie were high school sweethearts would be an understatement. Sometimes you just know you are meant to be with someone despite how others around you may think they know what is best. So it came as quite a surprise when both Quinn and Caleb announced that they wanted to get married just after high school. It was the answer of Quinn's parents that cause them off guard. They felt she was simply too young and immature to understand the complexities of what she was getting into and they felt that she would give up on college simply to be Caleb's new wife. They asked her to wait two years at least before making that decision.

But Caleb and Quinn had other plans. They knew what true love knows deep down inside, that they were truly meant to be. Caleb wanted everything perfect for Quinn, to be able to keep her close to her family, to support her dreams and be able to provide for her as a husband should. He had it all laid out perfectly and they agreed to meet together at the cabin without anyone knowing and simply elope before anyone could change their minds. However, heartbreak, tears and more came from that plan and soon they went their own separate ways, knowing that someone in their heart, they were never quite complete again.

Christmas has come again to Montana and with it the expectations for the family to gather around and be together. Quinn just didn't expect that Caleb would also be returning home to spend the holiday with his sister Valerie at the McKenzie cabin now that it has been renovated, along with his twin boys. Will a ghost from Christmas past, find a way to unite the two hearts once again and give them the possibility of having their dreams come true?

I received If Only In My Dreams by Mariah Stewart compliments of Pocket Star, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of the book, in exchange for my honest review. At just under 98 pages, this is the perfect short story that feels like so much more. I only wish it was longer because I have been a huge fan of Mariah Stewarts novels. What a true classic story of love that endures, never dies and always hopes and for that reason I give this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about If Only In My Dreams, Mariah Stewart or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

If Only In My Dreams by Mariah Stewart

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

For more reviews on If Only In My Dreams, please visit Simon and Schuster's website. 

The Splendor of Ordinary Days

I have learned a lot of these past years about some genre's of novels I thoroughly enjoy, they are the ones like you will find in Jeff High's Watervalley Series. It conveys the creation of a small town where quite literally everyone knows not only your name, but it is hard to keep secrets in a town like Watervalley, Tennessee. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to review, The Splendor of Ordinary Days, the third novel in this series. Along the way with each novel, you get an deeper look at some of the town's residents and in this case it is with Dr. Luke Bradford, the town's doctor who has slowly fallen in love with Christine Chambers, a schoolteacher. The best part of their relationship is the determination to discuss how they feel in regards to trying to keep things pure until they become married and I believe that is why this works so well. It is honest, heart-felt and you feel that the characters you meet in this novel are more than just fictional characters, these are real people.

When you pick this one up, Dr. Bradford still has not popped the question to Christine, partially because he wants things just perfect and he wants to make sure that the timing is right for both of them, not merely pressure from the residents in town to marry the poor girl. I love that they simply spend their nights sitting on the porch underneath the skies and talk about the things both in their past and hopes for the future. It seems to be the missing component in today's relationships, taking the time to truly getting to know one another before rushing into things. Part of what I truly love about this novel in particular is the characters of Luther Whitmore and Leland Carter. Both very different but have a sense of something more to them that draws you in wanting to know more about their story.

Luther is the owner of the town's newspaper and isn't afraid to take his personal opinions on anything pertaining to the town and publish them. In fact, he is one of the town's most grumpiest elderly men and also owns Moon Lake, but has erected a fence around the whole thing and no one is allowed in. In fact, Luther is so unfriendly, the signs posted on his front porch are enough to keep almost everyone away including any door to door sales like Girl Scouts. But Dr. Bradford begins to uncover clues from their brief conversations that he wonders if there is truly more to Luther than simply the willingness to be all alone. Perhaps somewhere deep in that hard heart was once a man who loved deeply but lost everything he truly cared about through a series of circumstances. Will Dr. Bradford be able to figure it out? Only time will tell and that is what makes this novel so worth reading.

I received The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High compliments of New American Library and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review and the opinions contained here are my own personal ones. I love the coming together of the community in regards to how they honor their veterans, not only those who died while serving in the various wars but also those who are alive and continue to pay the ultimate price with what they have to deal with on a daily basis. It seems that is what is missing in most towns in this country is the love of our military and also the ability to come together as communities when the need arises. Perhaps that is why I love small town novels like this one, because it gives readers an idea of how wonderful life can be when we all work together, and thus the need to rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I can't wait to go back and read the first two novels in the series to learn more about the amazing people who live in Watervalley!

For more information about The Splendor of Ordinary Days, Jeff High or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High

You can find Jeff High on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Splendor of Ordinary Days, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.

When several military veterans’ emotional wounds trigger anger and unrest in Watervalley, Dr. Luke Bradford learns some important lessons in service, courage, love, and sacrifice in The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High. As Luke struggles to understand Vietnam War veteran Luther’s past, and restore harmony in Watervalley, an unforeseen crisis shatters a relationship he values dearly.

Join Jeff in celebrating the release of The Splendor of Ordinary Days with a Kindle Fire HD 6 giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Signed copies of all three Watervalley books
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 27th. The winner will be announced October 28th on Jeff's blog.

Refuge of the Heart - Giveaway and Review

Looking for an exceptional romance novel with a Christmas theme that is a bit extraordinary? I would suggest you pick up Refuge of the Heart by Ruth Logan Herne. This is a heartwarming story of a Chechnian refugee that has escaped her war torn country and is seeking to find a fresh start for herself and her sister Anna here in America thanks to the goodwill of a local church as her sponsor. Even though it is difficult, Magdelena Serida knows that in time, she will earn her doctor's degree and find a new life in a better neighborhood and will be able to afford better clothes than they have now. She knows that most people wouldn't understand her past and how difficult it was to watch her entire family taken by Russian militants while the women were sold into slavery. That is the life Lena has left behind and one she hopes she can leave in the past.

Yet God is about to intervene in their lives in a most profound way all thanks to a flat tire, a snow covered night and an encounter with Mitch Sanderson, the district attorney. Mitch had hoped that the woman and child he had seen walking in the cold and snow were not the same people who would soon see the flat tire on the run down car, but they were. As a caring and compassionate man, he knew that he could not drive home without seeing to their safety and getting their flat tire changed. But God didn't want it to be simply that easy for any of them, and when the spare tire turned out to be bad as well, Anna, Lena and Mitch would have to spend time together waiting out the purchase of new tires while they grabbed a bite to eat. It is through Lena's eyes that Mitch sees life in a truly remarkable way as the Christmas season approaches. One full of gratitude and appreciation instead of expectation and it is just the change he needs in his own life after losing his wife and unborn son in a car accident. Perhaps perspective is a better choice in what he needs.

I received Refuge of The Heart by Ruth Logan Herne compliments of Franciscan Media for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of the book,  for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such an incredible feel good story of love, forgiveness, redemption and gratitude and thus the reason for it being an exceptional choice for those looking for more than simply another Christmas romance. It's a perfect reminder of what many of us in the United States never consider as we watch many war refugees fleeing from their country without knowing all the why's of what has happened to them, yet we judge them based on what we hear instead. For me this one, easily garners a 5 out of 5 in my opinion and one that will be added to my permanent library to be read each time at Christmas.

For more information about Refuge of the Heart, Ruth Logan Herne or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Refuge of the Heart by Ruth Logan Herne

You can find Ruth Logan Herne on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Refuge of the Heart, please visit Franciscan Media's website. 

For more tour dates on Refuge of the Heart and to visit other reviewer's, please click on the links below:

• Refuge of the Heart Blog Tour:
• 10/12/2015- Spiritual Woman
• 10/13/2015-  Reviews from the Heart
• 10/14/2015- Singing Librarian Books + Franciscan Mom
• 10/15/2015- The Engrafted Word + Christian Chick's Thoughts
• 10/16/2015- Reading is my SuperPower + Reconciled To You

Now for the best part, thanks to the generosity of Franciscan Media, they are offering a giveaway copy of Refuge of The Heart to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter:

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

2. Be a resident of the US or have a US mailing address. No P.O. Boxes please.

3. Leave me a comment below, telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. Without an email address I have no way of notifying you if you're the lucky winner.

The giveaway will end on Oct 23 and I will notify the winner by email at that time.

Firefly Summer

Fall is here and thus the perfect time to spend reminiscing about summer, romance and of course some fireflies and cowboys! Kathleen Y'Barbo's latest novel Firefly Summer is exactly what you need for sitting by the fire, on a cold crisp morning and curling up with an unforgettable romance that will leave you sighing by the time you get to the final page.

Sessa Chambers lives in the very small but quaint town of Sugar Pines, Texas where anything that happens is well known by anyone in town. She is the sole owner of Chambers Restorations, that works with the restoration of antique carousel horses. She hopes that someday soon she might just land the biggest contract of her life, working with the Smithsonian Museum. But her life soon takes an unexpected turn when a woman named Skye, shows up and tells her that her granddaughter, Pansie needs a home. She can't take care of her and doesn't want to leave her in a foster care home and hopes that Sessa will care for her til she can make things right in her own life. Her son Ross, wayward and a bit of a prodigal right now doesn't seem aware that he even has a daughter and she hopes he might one day return home to care for her.

Sessa agrees even though she isn't prepared to care for a young baby, but knows that if God has made this arrangement he will see her through to the end. What she doesn't expect is to learn that her son, Ross is murdered in an apparent robbery attempt on a doctor. That doctor had no other choice but to defend himself and that meant taking a life he vowed he would never do. After serving time in prison for a year, Dr. Trey Brown is released but even though he had been found innocent, he knows he may never practice medicine again. He must find a way to make amends to the mother of the boy he killed even though it was in self defense. What he doesn't plan on is falling in love with her along the way.

I received Firefly Summer from Kathleen Y'Barbo compliments of Hometown Romance and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review, aside from a free copy of the book, and the opinions found her are my own personal honest ones. I've always wanted to capture fireflies in a jar, much like the memories Sessa shares of her doing that with Ross and soon finds a legacy in doing that not only with Skye but also Pansie and Trey as well. Sometimes God is like that. He will take bittersweet moments and cast them into new light and bring about such goodness from them like He does in the characters of this story that find that their common thread the unites them and brings them into a new future. I only wish some pie recipes might be tucked inside the covers of this book as it would make for a wonderful addition. I would give this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and have always have a cowboy romance tucked inside this book lovers heart.

For more information about Firefly Summer, Kathleen Y'Barbo or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Firefly Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo

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

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

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Looking for a romance that is about to catch you by storm? You might just want to grab hold of Beth K. Vogt's newest novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. This is the first novel in the Wedding Destination series and I can tell you, you are in for a bumpy ride that is worth it from beginning to end. Take Vanessa Hollister, a paramedic who is trying to figure out how to ensure marriage number two doesn't end up like her marriage right out of high school. Being a military brat, she was used to moving quite a bit and Logan enabled her to shake those "being the new kid" feelings in high school. She also just happened to fall in love. But often times, immaturity between the two develop as they struggle to adapt to married life with different expectations of what they both needed. Two years later they were divorced and now with her upcoming nuptials, Vanessa doesn't want a repeat. She wants to stand up for what she wants in this wedding and subsequent marriage.

Her current love of her life, ER doctor, Ted Topliff, who believes in making things as efficient as possible. I mean why not look for wedding destinations that coincide with medical conferences to help complete your medical education requirement at the same time. Not to mention the location he's pretty hooked on just happens to be the very same place, that Vanessa and Logan got married, Destin, Florida. What girl just wouldn't be thrilled with that request? Oh did I mention, Ted suggests that Vanessa use the week of vacation she has to leave a week early and make all the wedding preparations just perfect for when he arrives? Sounds like a true winner in my mind.

Luckily for the two of them, God has another plan. When a hurricane hits the area, it brings not only a great storm, but a storm chaser, as Logan returns once more and at this time, Ted isn't around. Now that time has had a chance to change and mature them, is there still time for a second chance at love? Maybe God's got a bigger plan in mind beside a hurricane to blow some new chances into their lives. Too bad they both arrive at the same storm shelter as well. Like I said, you're in for a very bumpy ride but so worth it at the very end..

I received Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Howard Books for my honest review of this novel. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. Fans of Sweet Home Alabama will absolutely love this one as we have a similar situation brewing on the gulf coast of Florida. What we see by the conclusion of this novel is that sometimes the plans we believe are perfect in our life, are quite different from the plans God has. Trust me, you'll want to go with what God has in mind every time. His plans are always perfect in His timing if we are willing to simply willing to let go of our ideas and accept His plans. Most of the time, it would work much easier if we simply got out of the way first. This is going to be one series I am going to want to finish all the way to the end. 5 stars all the way. There is also a discussion guide and some interesting author questions included at the end.

For more information about Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Beth K. Vogt or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt

You can find Beth K. Vogt on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Crazy Little Thing Called Love, please visit Litfuse Publicity' book tour page. 

Two Hearts

When two people say I do, it's meant to last forever. That is precisely what Jaxon Tagget has had on his mind when he proposed to Annie, his high school sweetheart. Knowing the true intentions of his heart, he bypassed the expensive ring and opted for something made from his heart and from the heart of the land his lived on in Montana. Finding gold in a mine on his father's ranch, he decided the show Annie just how much he loved her and designed a ring specifically unique, one of a kind and one that would always let her know that he places her needs above his own. It was a token of more than their affection for one another.

Annie's mother, a product of divorce and her own failed marriage resolves to convince Annie, that Jax isn't worth it and only has his mind on one thing, the same thing as all men. She knows how wealthy the Tagget family is and the size of their cattle ranch, so when Annie shows her mother the ring Jax presented, she feels she is completely justified by her opinion of Jax's worth. If a man can afford anything, why did he settle for something homemade instead of buying her what she was worth. But like all well-meaning mothers, she believes if she bides her time, Annie will eventually gain enough money from the family. To her mother's displeasure, she accepts Jax's proposal and they marry despite all her objections.

Now Jax is well on his way to putting his mining degree to work as he is hired on by a Bolivian company that will require them to step away from their plans in Montana and move to South America, where Jax assures Annie, he plans to make good on attempts to start their newly married life and support her as any well-meaning husband should. But as we all know, real life isn't like fairy tales and soon trouble finds Jax much like the modern tale retelling of Joseph from the Bible who has to make some hard decisions about his newest employer and it might just be one that costs him everything in the end.

I received Two Hearts by James Eric Richey compliments of Jer Books and iRead Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions contained here are strictly my own. This novel truly is an exceptional one in which you literally have a little bit of every genre thrown in, from romance, suspense, murder, and yes, a little bit of  fairy tale for good measure, but it works because the love between Jax and Annie isn't all tied up in a pretty bow. It is tested by fire, as they go through seeming difficult situations that test their relationship at every crossroads. I absolutely LOVED this one! The writing was engaging for the reader from the very beginning in a novel this size, so you simply don't want to put it down until you see how it will all turn out. Not all authors can master that level of intensity but I think James Richey did it well and with flair and style. I would definitely want to read more of his novels and thus a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Two Hearts, James Eric Richey or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Two Hearts by James Eric Richey

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To read more reviews on Two Hearts, please visit iRead Book Tour page. 

Chance at Loving You

When you take three very talented best-selling authors like Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert and Susan May Warren and have them collaborate on three contemporary short romance stories and place them in one exception book, you have Chance at Loving You! This is such a beautiful collection of exceptional and heart-warming romance stories that offer the hope of redemption, the possibility of second chances and always following your heart despite the pain of the past. All of these stories do just that. This is a perfect book to pick up when you want a romance collection that will leaving you loving the stories and trying the recipes that concludes each one. Guaranteed to fill your heart and your stomach with love and culinary flavors!

Terri Blackstock takes the lead with For the Love of Money. Both Julie Sheffield, a waitress and Blake Adcock, an entrepreneur learn how difficult it can be to follow your dreams. Despite how much you might want them, God might have other ideas in mind when Blake loses everything but knows he can't stiff Julie and instead offers her an IOU along with half of a lottery ticket. Will they both win big or will money just cause more problems than either of them could possibly understand?

Candace Calvert whips up quite the delicious romance in The Recipe. Aimee Curran is about to see the reality of her dream of being a culinary winner of a vegan cooking contest when she realizes that the recipes of her mother's she had been relying on to help her win the contest, may have more to offer than the food she is trying to create and that might in fact save more than just the life of the seniors she works with. Is God cooking up something more than just food?

Finally Susan May Warren takes us for a spin with Hook, Line and Sinker which showcases Abigail Cushman and the man, Ross Springer she has always loved but never told him. Now they are faced off with a fishing challenge between their two ministry groups to see who can land the biggest catch over a three day trip. Will the odds be in her favor or does God have a bigger fish for her to catch in the process?

I received Chance of Loving You by Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert and Susan May Warren compliments of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book for my review and the opinions are strictly my own. I simply can't wait to try each of the recipes that accompany these stories that will definitely stay with you long after you finish this romance collection. These are some of my favorite books because you truly get a taste of each of these best-selling authors all tucked into one sweet romance book. In this reader's heart, it definitely has earned a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Chance of Loving You, Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert or Susan May Warren, please click on the links below:

Chance of Loving You by Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert and Susan May Warren

You can find Terri Blackstock on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

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Love's True Second Chance

I am sure you can remember your first love. Perhaps it was in high school, college or even earlier than that. One thing is for certain, we never forget our first love. Jeff Dawson shares a unique personal memoir with us in Love's True Second Chances, where he tells the story of his first love, Debbie. In all romance stories, we know that two people will fall madly in love and get married to hopefully live happily ever after, but this is not the case in this one.

Jeff opens the book with a poignant poem that outlines the lives of Jeff and Debbie throughout the years culminating in the following chapter where he watches her life slowly slip away to the effects of cancer. Not exactly the way fairy tales open, but this is no fairy tale. This is the true life love story of the two who met in high school and found the one perfect love. Through a series of events they eventually break up as Jeff heads off to college with a broken heart.. It will be thirty years later before the two reconnect again and they wonder if they love they felt in high school is still there after all this time. One thing is definitely true in life, that true love never dies.

I received Love's True Second Chance compliments of Jeff Dawson for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation other than a complimentary copy of the book. It is a sad story, because the reader ultimately knows where it ends, but what a great and lasting legacy Jeff leaves to his children and Debbie's of the love the two of them shared from it's humble beginnings. It is always the questions children will ask later in life of their parents, who was their first love, how did they meet, what happened to that person, and in this book, Jeff shares his side of the love story, because death claimed Debbie before she could share hers. Truly an unforgettable story of true love that found a second chance and one I would rate a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Love's True Second Chance, Jeff Dawson or where you can get a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Love's True Second Chance by Jeff Dawson

You can find Jeff Dawson on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

How To Catch A Prince

"I pledge to you my love and fidelity, my honor and trust, to cherish you until death part us.

The heiress and the prince. They were meant to be. In love. Forever. They were going to make it, defeat the odds of wealth and power pulling a modern couple apart." (pg. 51).

I don't know of one woman who hasn't dreamed of some day even if it's only in her dreams of capturing the attention of a handsome prince. I guess we get that notion from all those fairy tales our parents read to us as a child, but best selling author Rachel Hauck has managed to captivate on that notion in a way that garners those fantasy dreams once again as an adult in her Royal Wedding Series of novels.

I mean who hasn't watched Princess Diana marry Prince Charles or even lately the marriage of Kate and William and hasn't in the back of her mind longed for that same dream. In her latest novel How to Catch a Prince, the third novel in the series, American heiress Corina Del Rey had managed to do just that, win the heart of Prince Stephen of Brighton. While they knew the implications of such a secret love and how it might impact their futures, love still prevailed and their wedding took place in secret just before Stephen was slated for deployment to Afghanistan.

When he returned however the secrets persisted and he told Corina that their wedding was a mistake. One that could very well cost him the future throne. It seemed there was more there than what he was willing to tell Corina so they parted and went their separate ways for the next five and a half years. When Stephen is confronted with a marriage certificate he believed was destroyed, he is told he is still legally married by his brother Nathaniel. He has to find Corina and manage to convince he to sign annulment papers to legally end the marriage they both believed was over. But Corina isn't about to give up that easily especially when she knows that Stephen can provide the answers to her brother Carlos' death when he served with Stephen during his deployment, something the government wants to keep covered up. Is all fair in love and war? You're about to find out!

I received How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck compliments of Zondervan 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. This is the fairy tale series for women who love the idea that a happily ever after does in fact exist in real life. I have read this entire series from beginning to end and my hope is that it doesn't end with this novel. These have been too good to be true and one that I will be reading again and again. They are a permanent addition to my book collection and personal library. A Reader's Discussion Guide is included at the conclusion of this novel that is perfect for book clubs that would love to host this novel. In my opinion, this one is another home run and well deserving of all 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about How to Catch a Prince, Rachel Hauck or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

How to Catch a Prince 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 How to Catch a Prince, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page.

An American heiress and a crown prince seem destined to be together. Will the devastation of war keep them apart forever? Find out in Rachel Hauck's new book, How to Catch a Prince. True love has a destiny all its own. With a little heavenly help, Prince Stephen and Corina embark on a journey of truth. But when the secrets are revealed, can they overcome, move forward, and find love again?

Enter to win a "royal" prize pack! 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A royal-themed Brighton charm bracelet
• 2 tickets to see the new Cinderella movie
• The Royal Wedding series (Once Upon a Prince, Princess Ever After, and How to Catch a Prince)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced March 24th on Rachel's blog.


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The Dandelion Field

Oh how Max hated dandelions. He believed that they ruined the look of the yard. He battled those dandelions constantly. His young son Cody, however saw the dandelions as an endless supply just steps from his front door to gather into bouquets perfect for his mom, Evie. It was no wonder that Cody would be upset when he can home from preschool to find his field of dandelions had been mowed down. When Max went to pick Cody up the next day, he didn't come inside right away. Instead Max and Cody were in the yard, blowing dandelion seeds everywhere. Max said that they were planting a dandelion field.

Why would a man who constantly waged war against dandelions plant them on purpose?

Max replied, "You do whatever you have to do so they know you love them."

This would be the lasting memory that Evie Bennett would reflect on whenever she twisted the gold band she still wore after all these years, like a combination lock to those precious times she would remember the love Max so unconditionally gave them both before dying as a firefighter. It was also the reason Evie didn't want her son, Cody now on the verge of graduating to make that his career.

Thankfully though she had Dan Moretti, her friend and Max's friend from childhood to help become like a mentor and father figure to Cody all these years. He was on the verge of unlimited possibilities for his future when they are both rocked by the news that Cody is going to be a father. Something any of them didn't see coming, especially with Cody's faith being as strong as they could have hoped.

But life is like that, instead of it working out as you have planned, perhaps God has other things in mind. But that is not what Ginevieve Lightly believes when her daughter Raine drops the news in her lap. She was hoping her illness was the result of an eating disorder not morning sickness. She didn't even realize that Raine was dating or seeing anyone. She had hoped that the one year she promised Raine they would stay in Banister Falls, Wisconsin as the result of her car breaking down, would give them time for a fresh start, just not the start either of them were looking to find. All Gin can think of is her own past experiences and how just when you need men the most is when they are no where to be found. What would they do now?

I received The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This is such a moving novel because the characters have to deal with a difficult situation and keep the relationships of both Cody and Raine from falling apart. They offer a look at what supportive parents and friend do when facing with insurmountable issues of an unexpected pregnancy from the perspectives of believers and non believers alike. The emotions are well thought out and expressed like you would find in a situation like this, but the side of relying on your faith is what gets you through. I think the theme of this novel is the simple statement of what Max exemplified to his son Cody, "You do whatever you have to do so they know you love them." I loved this novel and give it 5 out 5 stars in my opinion. There is a reader's discussion guide at the conclusion that is perfect for book clubs!

For more information about The Dandelion Field, Kathryn Springer or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer

You can find Kathryn Springer on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Dandelion Field, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page. 


Get ready for Valentine's Day with a new story of romance and falling in love in Kathryn Springer's The Dandelion Field. The handsome firefighter makes a living “coming to the rescue,” but Gin is used to fighting her own battles. Can a woman who doesn't believe in happy endings take a chance on a new beginning? 

Celebrate a second chance at love and family with Kathryn by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Dandelion Field

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 15th. Winner will be announced February 16th on the Litfuse blog.

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Heaven Help Heidi

Sometimes as a book reader/reviewer you come across a novel that is written so well, it doesn't feel like you're reading a story, it feels like you're a part of it. Sally John is one such writer. This is a first for me reading any of her books and now I know, I have quite a few to add to my to-be-read pile from her. In Heaven Help Heidi, we see life not only through the eyes of the main character Heidi Hathaway, but from the secondary characters as well that intersect her life in profound ways.

Heidi was living an ordinary life until the accident changed everything. Once strong willed, athletic, determined and successful, completely independent from anyone, she would now how to re-evaluate her life. This was a divine calling in her life, one she won't see played out in greater detail until more time passes, but now she will have to give up some of her independence and learn to rely on the family she has as well as the people God so graciously brings into her life. Knowing she can't live in her high rise condo any longer while she is recovering from a car accident that should have claimed her life, she meets Piper Keyes who takes her to Casa de Vida where a small 1927 cottage is available completely furnished just waiting for her. It's perfect and there seems to be an unexplained peace coming from just being inside the 12 foot high walls that keeps this sanctuary a secret from the outside world.

It is here that everything will change for Heidi. She will learn what is means to have friends that will go above and beyond for you. She'll experience that the childhood friends she once had are changing now that Heidi is living at Casa de Vida. The business she helped create is about to undergo a transformation that will change everyone who is part of it. Like a carefully orchestrated complex piece of music, by the time you get to the end of the novel, you can see how God masterfully created great things to come from the trials everyone had to face. It will show you that while you may not see what is going on, just knowing God is in control of it all is something worth being a part of. I love the relationships Heidi develops not only with Piper, but with her childhood friend Adam, her twin brother Hudson, and the motherly wise angel Olivia who dispenses love as freely as she does prayer to those who need it the most.

I received Heaven Help Heidi by Sally John compliments of Harvest House Publishers 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 such a beautiful novel that illustrates the importance of faith, family and friends in our life and makes me wish I lived at Casa de Vida. This is such a wonderful and heartwarming novel about adversity, second chances and making the most of what you have in life and for that I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. This is second novel in the Family of the Heart Series and includes a Reader Discussion Guide at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about Heaven Help Heidi, Sally John or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Heaven Help Heidi by Sally John

You can find Sally John on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Heaven Help Heidi, please visit Harvest House Publisher's website. 

Love Without End

For me, there has always been a flair for romance and the love of horses for as long as I can remember. Just looking at the cover of a novel that pairs a young woman and a man wearing a cowboy hat is enough to make me sigh! Couple that with a great premise of two people who have experienced loss in their marriages that make them both not sure if they are ready to get back in the saddle for romance or love anytime soon.

Robin Hatcher takes her readers back to a much loved setting she wrote about in A Promise Kept where she vowed to help Chet Leonard find a second chance at love again. She begins her latest series of novels with Love Without End. It's a timeless story of second chances and how much more full our lives are when we are given a second chance at happiness and love when we least expect it.

Chet Leonard has been trying to come to terms with why his wife left him and his three sons after the death of their oldest son, Rick. She simply up and left, subsequently divorcing him after leaving the ranch. Not sure it was because life with Chet would be forever a reminder of Rick, but it definitely left Chet believing that love had all but forgotten him and headed for the sunset instead. Now he was struggling with how to keep the ranch profitable after a lifetime of being in his family for generations. He would surely hate to lose it all now. Thankfully just having Anna moving back into the guesthouse after losing her husband would help give them hope again. Even though she wasn't family by blood, the Leonard's legacy was kept alive but the day Anna showed up on their land back in the early 1940's.

Kimberly Welch could hardly believe that life had taken the turn it had. A dead end is more likely where she found herself. Her husband death at 40 from a sudden and unexpected heart attack would have thrown anyone for a loop. But it was what he hadn't shared with her in their marriage that made trust an issue. Leaving them with more debt than they could manage, she lost first her husband, then her house and car and finally everything she owned except for her fifteen-year-old daughter Tara, and it looked like she was slowly losing her every day that went by. Thankfully her friend Janet, stepped in and offered them a place to stay so they wouldn't have to live on the street and along with that, a gift of a horse, for Tara to enable her to find her way back to life again. They only needed to convince Chet Leonard to help them break the horse in for Tara after being neglected by its previous owner. But is love without end or simply a detour in two broken lives and hearts? Only time will tell in this amazing novel!

I received Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher compliments of Thomas Nelson 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. This is such a remarkable story because it unites more than two hearts, but two families and two generations. Robin utilizes the combination of past and present lives of the Leonard family to convey the depth of the love of ranching but also for the love of family. You get a sense of betrayal for both Kimberly and Chet when they look at their past marriages and realize where the flaws resulted that cause both to fall apart so early on. The novel also conveys that often times God uses the difficulties and trials in our own lives to bring us to new beginnings and new hope. I loved this novel and read it immediately the day it arrived. Being a horse lover as a child, stories like this one fed my book lover's heart and gained a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is even a sneak peek at the next novel in the series Whenever You Come Around as well as a Reader's Discussion Guide at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about Love Without End, Robin Lee Hatcher or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher

You can find Robin Lee Hatcher on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Love Without End, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Fire up the romance this holiday with Robin Lee Hatcher's latest offering in the King's Meadow Romance series, Love Without End. For two single parents with bruised hearts, it’ll take more than a little courage to get back on the horse when it comes to love.

Celebrate love rising from the ashes of tragedy with Robin by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Love Without End and the rest of the King's Meadow Romance series from Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 14th. Winner will be announced December 15th on Robin's blog.

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Christmas at Tiffany's

For days, my blogging readers have fallen for the clues I have left behind thinking I have traveled to New York, Paris, Venice and London, but in reality I have simply been sharing some of the incredible insights I have gotten from Karen Swan's latest novel Christmas at Tiffany's. I found myself looking up interesting tidbits as I came across them to get a real feel for the places Cassie Fraiser finds herself traveling to. From the sparkling water drinking fountains in Paris, to the famous Kiss statue from Rodin, to the whispering gallery in St. Paul's cathedral, there is such romance to be found in the oddest of places in these iconic cities.

Cassie Fraiser got the shock of her life on her tenth anniversary to Gil. She found out that the life she had been living with him was a complete lie. He was sleeping with her best friend Wiz and fathered a son, Rory, three years before their 10-year anniversary party. Not quite sure what to do or where to go, Cassie has been officially adopted by her boarding school friends who each have vowed to take her for four months in the cities where they live. They will provide a roof over her head and a job for her while she figures out just where she needs to go after her failed marriage.

In each of these amazing locations, Cassie has willingly agreed to give herself up 100% to each of them, allowing them to pamper, spoil and torture her with their own select advice on moving forward in her life. She arrives on the morning after her disastrous anniversary party in New York with her best friend Kelly, who is as addicted to fitness as she is working all hours as a PR for the fashion industry at Harper Communications. She vows to do much more than get Cassie into shape and convinces her that the fast paced urban city of New York is just what she needs to keep her on her toes. She even makes her a Senior PR assistant at her company, but when she realizes she is in way over her heads, Kelly might be the one to take the fall.

She spends the next 8 months traveling to Paris, Venice and subsequently London all while taking on a treasure hunt/bucket list from her childhood friend Henry who is a bit of an adventurer who has traveled quite literally the world over and back and knows just the perfect places for her to see and people to connect with all while growing whatever seeds he sends her to grow. She struggles to figure out just who the real Cassie is, despite all the make overs her friends provide and the many jobs she gets to try on for size. After ten years, she needs to find out just who she is and who she wants to be, and she might be in for more surprises that she expects.

I received Christmas at Tiffany's by Karen Swan compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions in this review are strictly my own personal opinions. I originally thought this was going to be a Christmas romance, based solely on the title and was thrilled to take a virtual vacation right alongside Cassie. I love the idea Henry had for giving her something to do while she was in each of these amazingly romantic cities, besides your normal tourist activity stuff and I can't wait to start my own. This is such a great novel that showcases how one woman and her best friends help her get over one of the most difficult chapters in her life, dealing with the loss not only of the man she thought she knew over 10 years, but her hopes and dreams for a future with children. At well over 580 pages, this one was worth taking my time to enjoy over a couple of days. I give this one a 4 out 5 stars based on my own rating scale. It does contain some profanity and adult content, that some readers might find offensive, that prevented me from rating it a full 5 out of 5! I absolutely loved the adventure, the lists from Henry and the language of flowers you find scattered throughout this novel!

For more information about Christmas at Tiffany's, Karen Swan or where you can preorder a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Christmas at Tiffany's by Karen Swan

You can find Karen Swan on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Christmas at Tiffany's, please visit William Morrow's website. 

Butternut Summer: A Novel

Summer is a time for more than simply a change of seasons. It's a time for reflection, a time of rest and of course a time for romance. In the latest novel from the Butternut Lake Trilogy by Mary McNear, we once again found ourselves in the small town of Butternut Lake, Minnesota. A small town where everyone knows everyone and most have grown up here and decided to keep their roots.

Daisy Keegan is home from college and working as a waitress in the diner her mother owns and manages, Pearls. Famous for blueberry pancakes, great conversation and the feel of warmth among the locals who visit here, Daisy is hoping to reunite her broken family of 18 years. Without her mother's knowledge during the last year, Daisy has reestablished the relationship with her father Jack who left them both. While the process has been slow, it has been mending each time they visit and Daisy is hoping that an unscheduled lunch date with her parents is just the thing to get them talking at least. But she isn't thinking of her mother when she is making these plans and how she might feel having her ex-husband not only meeting her for lunch but moving back to Butternut Lake. She only remembers the Jack that walked out on them after drinking, gambling and cheating on her, 18 years ago. She has finally moved on with her life, without Jack.

But Jack has more on his mind than simply trying to restore his family. It's time to convince Caroline why he really left in the first place. That despite what she thinks of him, he has changed. He still is the man who fell in love with her 18 years ago and wants nothing more than a second chance, but knows he truly has his work cut out for him. Daisy and Caroline are both struggling in their own ways, with Daisy coming to terms with what she hopes life is going to offer now that she is done with college in a small town like Butternut Lake. Caroline has her own secrets in struggling to figure out how she can continue to make the loan payments on the Diner when the economy is so bad. If she doesn't think of something soon, the bank will foreclose on the business leaving her without a job or a home.

I received Butternut Summer: A Novel from Mary McNear compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I couldn't wait to pick this series up again after reading the first novel, Up At Butternut Lake. For me, one of my favorite summer memories of a child was spending time at our family's lakeside cabin and enjoying a time of love and relaxation. In this novel we see the flaws of all the characters in this novel. Jack is trying to chance after a life of destruction with alcohol and women and is trying to start over again with Caroline. He realizes he has a way to go to show her that he has changed even though he has managed to convince their daughter to give him a second chance. Daisy is struggling with her own identity now that she has graduated college and is trying to find a life to begin without knowing what comes next. Caroline is trying to find a way to get out from under the financial crisis she is hiding from everyone and simply hopes something will come up soon that will answer her problems.

This book does contain some sexual content and thus may not be suitable for young adults so caution is advised. I guess for me the best part of this novel is that things are not easily solved for any of the main characters. The novel doesn't race to the end to give you the resolution you're hoping for and I love that Daisy is willing to think things through in regards to her relationship with former bad boy Will Hughes instead of merely jumping at the opportunity of romance even though she places herself at times in dangerous places with Will, knowing his reputation. For me, Jack is my favorite character, because he isn't about the quick fix but about showing both Caroline and Daisy that he has change from his former life and that he isn't the same man who left them 18 years ago. That takes guts to come back and deal with the implications of the wrong choices you made in the past. Perhaps it gives us hope for second chances and for forgiveness with those we call family. I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.

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