Picking Daisy

When the lead singer of the mega-successful rock group For Granted is released from rehab, spending six months staying clean he hopes to rebound and get his life back on track but in a different manner than he is used to. In rehab, Robby Grant finally understood what his agent meant, in making more money than he could ever spend, he'd avoided his real needs - to be loved for who he was as a human being and he finally understood he also had a drive to make someone proud of him. How to go about that, however, was still a mystery. He was certain he'd never been told he'd done something right and there was a distinct need inside him to discover that place of peace. While he wasn't sure those songs were the ticket, music was his life, and it seemed the only place for him to start looking for peace.

Robby was in his early teens when he started down the path of alcoholism. He was defiant of all his parents stood for, especially his father who was never around. At eighteen, the family had all but given up on Robby, while his brother, Warren, accepted the responsibility of continually rescuing him from whatever scrape he'd gotten into. Warren took after their father, Martin, while Robby was much more like his mother, Jackie. Martin was a military man through and through. He lived for his job and his country and never seemed reachable to his children, or his wife, as it turned out. Robby hoped on day he could be called a man. Only now did he see he'd lived his whole life as a child. It was time to grow up. As his band For Granted, fired him as their lead singer/songwriter, Robby wasn't sure what was next for him, but as it turns out, life is about to take a twist in a far different direction when his Uncle Nick, lands himself in the hospital and Robby is asked to help him out until he is well.

Daisy Parker is trying to find her way through an accident that left her paralyzed to ever ride in a car again and bound in a wheelchair instead. She have given up on singing but still occasionally writes songs in her journal she keeps with her. There were few men who'd relish the idea of taking on a handicapped wife and those who did certainly were not going to show up a her front door. Now she spends her days with Nick whenever she needs something done around the property or house and despite all the encouragement of her well-meaning friends, to move forward, get out, she has resolved herself to the fate life has managed to give up and try and find a way to be happy again. She wasn't expecting that change to show up at her front door in the form of Robby Grant and she knows despite what she knows she should do, she realizes maybe he needs more help than she does.

I received Picking Daisy by Kimberly M. Miller compliments of Pelican Book Group and NetGalley. I absolutely LOVE this novel and love the chemistry between Daisy and Robby. While he may seem to be selfish in what he believes he deserves, Daisy isn't about to fall for all the things that have worked for him in the past. She believes that God wants her to help Robby out, and when he finds her journal filled with songs, he believes Daisy is the answer to his own prayers for a comeback. It's going to take a whole lot more than money to get Daisy to see a different future for her as well. I will hold off on the rest so you can enjoy this novel as much as I did. This one garners a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion.

For more information about Picking Daisy, Kimberly M. Miller or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Picking Daisy by Kimberly M. Miller

You can find Kimberly M. Miller on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Picking Daisy, please visit Pelican Book Group's website. 

Silverton: Claims on the Heart

When Kathleen Morris' father received a letter informing him that he had inherited a mercantile from his brother, they were both willing to quit their new life in St. Louis and make a new start in Colorado. Never one of them was afraid of the new challenges that might face them. Since they were successful in their own store in St. Louis, it allowed them to net quite a sum so they would have something to live on until they could see the condition of the mercantile and determine what would need to be done. They would also need to find a home suitable for them both and hopefully one that would allow Kathleen to entertain gentlemen suitors that might come around.

When they arrived in Colorado, it was a drastic change than what they were used to. Dirt and dust was everywhere and there appeared to be more brothels and saloons than reputable businesses, not that they didn't exist. They were lucky that there mercantile was the only one in town. They were greeted by Martin Long, owner of the stamp mill and a very wealthy man who seemed to fancy Kathleen. Not only was she beautiful but he knew she probably came from well-to-do upbringing. She would make the perfect wife and with all of Martin's wealth, she knew he would take good care of her and her father should things go south in town.

But Kathleen wasn't willing to take any risks with her heart and found a much more charming suitor who also couldn't pass up a new face in town. While buying a hat in the mercantile, Colin McAllister was charming, humble and always willing to help out anyone in need, including one of the soiled doves who happened to take a fall just outside the mercantile's front door. Colin warned her that she would be best suited if she didn't use Blair Street to find her way home or any other place in town. A respectable lady would find more than trouble on that end of town. Now she just had to convince herself and her father that Colin seemed to have found a place in her heart she wasn't expecting quite so soon and that money and position wasn't her reasons for marriage. She wanted to marry for love.

I received Silverton: Claims on the Heart by Karen Cogan compliments of White Rose Publishing, Pelican Book Group and NetGalley. This is a short but sweet novel on marrying for love or money, and how appearances are not always what they appear. She has to wrestle with her emotions in what is best for her or what would be best for her family. Even the friends she meets in Colorado seem to think that Martin would be the logical choice for her and while Colin's career as a simple miner would not be the best thing for her or her father. I love that even though this is a shorter novel, for me, under 2 hours to finish, it doesn't feel that way. I feel like I inhaled this one since it is that good and I didn't want to put it down. For that reason this one easily garners a 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion.

For more information about Silverton: Claims on the Heart, Karen Cogan or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Silverton: Claims on the Heart by Karen Cogan

You can find Karen Cogan on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Silverton: Claims on the Heart, please visit Pelican Book Group's website. 

Deadly Decision

"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divinations or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritualist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord..." Deuteronomy 18:10-12a

The Bible pretty much spells out that most of the stuff we are seeing in the world today whether on TV, movies or even played out in real life, has eternal consequences when we walk blindly about into them, allow them to permeate our thoughts and actions and often times, associate with someone who does, under the premise that that are wearing a "Christian" label. But like lambs to the slaughter we can all be misled.

"Let me tell you right off, I don't believe in ghosts. I never have and never will. Not good ones, anyway. But some things are  hard to explain. If you have ever considered getting involved in the occult, you need to hear my story. It may change your mind. ~ Bill Iver."

Deadly Decision by Regina Smeltzer is a novel dealing with the supernatural and what happens when one man's faith in what he sees and what he knows will be called into question. Both the believer and non believer struggle to overcome things they don't understand but seem to be happening where only Bill Iver can see them and no one else can explain. When Bill arrives to help his daughter Trina and her husband Ted out in renovating a dilapidated old home into a future bed and breakfast, he knew there was more to the home than what he could see. He just never imagined that upon visiting the homes attic, he would see two young boys, one of whom is wearing a chain around his neck and fastened to a beam in the attic. Believing these are real children, when he approaches them his hand passes right through them and they vanish. Not imagine trying to tell your daughter and her husband what you just witnessed.

Bill knows as a Christian, there are no such thing as ghosts only demons masquerading as ghosts, but then learns that one of the boys has been reported missing by the owner of the home. Has Bill just been given insight into the unseen world and has Jimmy crossed over to the other side and is now dead? Bill begins to wonder just how he can process what is happening in the house and of course, Trina and Ted are a bit apprehensive to Bill's visions of ghosts but then when strange things begin to happen inside the home, it might be possible there is more in the home than what one can see.

I received Deadly Decision by Regina Smeltzer compliments of Pelican Book Groups and Net Galley. This is definitely a suspense thriller and found myself wondering why I chose to read this the one night I was home alone. Yet it is so nice knowing that this genre is still available to educate and also entertain those of us that like a little bit of spookiness this time of the year without all the evil and gore that go along with it. I love how Regina orchestrated the story line and loved how she used situations that almost everyone might utilize to figure out what is going on in the home. To uncover what it is, you will have to pick this one up to read, but trust me, this one worked out brilliantly. Just the right amount of suspense to keep me engaged and wanting to know how it would all turn out. For me, this one rated a 4 out of 5 in my opinion.

For more information about Deadly Decision, Regina Smeltzer or where you can pick up a copy of this novel, please click on the links below:

Deadly Decision by Regina Smeltzer

You can find Regina Smeltzer on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can read more reviews on Deadly Decision, by visiting Pelican Book Group's website. 

When Hope Rises

When art teacher Shelby Coltman dreams of one day owning a store of her own to feature the things she transforms and re-purposes from trash to treasures, she knows that despite her wealthy upbringing, this will be the one thing she wants to do without her parent's money. In order for her to do that, however, will be to find a roommate to share her two bedroom apartment with so she can save enough for a down payment. Never did she dream that would come from her best friend Kennedi, who is looking to move out and begin a life of her own. It's truly a perfect fit for them both.

Tate Malone isn't at all happy when he learns that his younger sister, Kennedi is ready to spread her own wings and share an apartment with a friend. Even though they have lived together for the last nine years, Tate isn't quite ready to let go of the sister he tried so hard to find when their parents abandoned them. When he learns that Kennedi plans on sharing an apartment with Shelby, a coworker at the school, he thinks that they are too different to make that work. For one thing, Kennedi and Tate came from humble beginnings and Shelby has never known what its like to struggle for anything when it comes to her wishes and dreams.

Will a student with aspiring dreams by sharing a background similar to Tate's be able to bring the two together for a great purposes than what they both ever imagined. Perhaps God is the creator of both blessings of very different kinds as these three get involved beyond what any of them could have ever planned. Perhaps some sparks will fly between Tate and Shelby as they realize that they are so different after all!

I received When Hope Rises by Dora Hiers compliments of Pelican Book Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance 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 in this review are strictly my own. A great easy summer romance that is perfect for a beachside or lakeside vacation! This one easily rates at 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and just wish it were a bit longer to see the chemistry developed a bit more between the characters.

For more information about When Hope Rises, Dora Hiers or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

When Hope Rises by Dora Hiers

You can find Dora Hiers on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on When Hope Rises, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliances Book Tour Page. 

Devotion

In a marriage there are a lot of issues for a husband and wife to deal with. Having their faith in God is a great foundation to have. However with all the challenges the world has to offer, even our faith can be tested in ways we would never consider crossing the line for. We often think we are strong enough in our faith to handle anything the world would throw out there, confident we would pass the test with flying colors. But that is our weakness, thinking we can remain unscathed from temptations even in the strongest marriages who seem to be completely ground in their faith in God.

In the novel Devotion by Marianne Evans, a marriage between Kellen and Juliet Rossiter will be tested by fire. It was Kellen's job that drew Juliet to fall in love with him. As a music agent for Associated Talent, Kellen's goal in life is to get to the point where he can manage Christian artists. So it isn't unusual to find him in the latest hot spots and clubs trying to find the next top performer for his company. At times Juliet has accompanied him, but knowing after nine years how these meetings generally go, Juliet has developed her own interests working with the homeless at the local shelter as part of an outreach for her church.

Juliet and Kellen know that after nine years they wouldn't always spend their free time with one another, after all the time trying to have a family of their own, nothing seems to have for them. Tests after tests show that both of them are able to conceive but for whatever reasons it just hasn't happened despite all the questions from family at every event wondering just when they planned on having a child. No one really knew the struggle that they both faced when posed with that question. But when Kellen is asked to seek out the next big thing at a club called Iridescence, he wasn't planned for the detour his life would take when Juliet opted out this time. But it only takes an act of infidelity to result in a lifetime of forgiveness and their marriage will be tested in the worst way possible.

I received Devotion from Marianne Evans compliments of Pelican Book Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Aside from a complementary copy of the novel to review I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. The opinions contained here are my own. This is such a brilliant novel because of its transparency in dealing with the subject of infidelity in a marriage. It rates right up there with Karen Kingsbury, as it takes an indepth approach at the foundation that the Rossiters build their marriage on and just how subtle temptation can be. It doesn't start with something big, but those little nuances that happen when we think we can handle ourselves instead of listening to God. You can feel for each of them in this situation from the anger that Juliet feels to the heart-wrenching pain Kellen has to contend with when Juliet insists on moving out.

For me the biggest take away is one I shared with my husband. Is that temptations are subtle and there are so many opportunities for us to leave the situation but we don't. In marriage there will come times when we are all tested and undoubtedly mistakes will be made that will inflict pain into each other's heart. The point is not trying to get back what you had before, it's building on what you have moving forward. What an "A-ha!" moment that was. Too often we try to fix things wondering why we can't go back to before those hurts, and it results in frustration on both spouses wondering where they are going wrong. They aren't. As long as they are moving forward building on what they have, that is the success in moving past those situations and hopefully have the outcome that Kellen and Juliet Rossiter have. The best part is seeing it from a third parties eyes and realizing how quickly something like that happens when we least expect it. No one is immune. This one is not only a must read but a must keep on your bookshelf and thus the reason why I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Devotion, Marianne Evans, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Devotion by Marianne Evans

You can also find Marianne Evans on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

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

To strengthen your marriage, check out some tips and resources at imdevoted.com

Dark Biology

Ever wonder what would happen if you take one of the worst viruses that the CDC has ever worked with and create a biological terror that is unleashed not only on earth but also in space as well? Well you have the beginnings of the premise behind the latest Science Fiction Thriller by author Bonnie Duran, Dark Biology.

Hildi Hildebrant has been in constant competition with her twin brother, Chet both working for the CDC, the Center for Disease Control, and both in what is known as Level 4, where the most volatile of diseases and viruses are kept searching for possible vaccines like Ebola and H1N1, or also known as the Spanish Flu. While Hildi has been given a unique opportunity to venture on the latest shuttle leaving for the International Space Station to work on the effects of microgravity as to how it pertains to working on a vaccine against the flu, her brother Chet has been defying the rules in hopes of securing a Nobel Prize for a vaccine against Ebola. But when he is demoted to Level 3 for not complying with the specifics of his job and risking the agency, he takes the suggest leave of absence as well as a sample of what he believes is just a harmless Level 3 flu virus to right a few wrongs in his life.

Chet has a deep seated grudge against his father, Worth Hildebrant, an infamous Christian marriage speaker who violated his own ethics when he had several affairs and almost caused his own divorce. However with the grace of God, Worth is using his testimony alongside his wife to lead marriage seminars to help others strengthen their own marriages. Chet decides to unleash the flu at his father's upcoming marriage seminar in Denver and hopes his father will fall ill in the process as retribution for the wrong his has caused in Chet's life.

However when conference attendees begin to wind up in the ICU units of the local hospitals while Chet leaves for a week long European cruise, he suddenly looks at the vial sample he obtained and realized it was much, much worse than he could ever imagine. Now that same sample of virus has also find it's way onboard the International Space Station and with it runs the risk of infecting not only the inhabitants on Earth but also risking the lives of the members of the Space Station as well.

I received Dark Biology by Bonnie Duran compliments of Harborlight Books and Upon the Rock Publicity for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review and LOVED this one from the first moment I began reading it. Would LOVE to see this one make it to the big screen because it's truly filled with non stop action as Hildi runs into her own issues being launched into space with her former fiancee, Frank along as pilot while her future boyfriend mans the communications at Mission Control. I wanted to read this one right when I was asked and when it arrived, I literally inhaled it from start to finish in a couple of hours. Think of this as combining the movies Contagion with Apollo 13 and you have the idea behind the novel. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. A definite must read for Science Fiction fans!!!

For more information about Dark Biology, Bonnie Duran, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Dark Biology by Bonnie Duran 

You can also find Bonnie Duran on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels. #DarkBiology

Journey's Embrace - Review and Giveaway

Sage Michaelson has more problems than he knows what to do with. First of all, he's attempting to recover from having his spleen removed, and then there is the promise he made to his best friend Steve at his wedding, to watch over his sister, Delaney. As a Deputy U.S. Marshall, its Sage's job to notice the details about people and while he attempts to concentrate on that aspect of his job, his heart has its own priorities. He's trying to keep his feelings in check for Delaney.

Growing up with her in the orphanage has made her feel more like family than anything else, but these strong feelings he has for her now go much deeper than just a family bond. Even though he has grown up thinking of Delaney as a sister, now that the years apart have matured them both on completely different levels. However no matter how hard he tries to keep his feelings separated, he finds himself falling for her. Yet, how can he protect her if he can't protect his heart?

When he discovers that someone is out to harm Delaney, first breaking into her home and threatening her, almost kidnapping her at knife point at her brother's wedding, the threats on her life keep escalating. Now if he can only heal from his own physical injuries long enough to protect her and find the person(s) responsible there may be hope yet for them.

Delaney Hunt has had a childhood crush on Sage forever and now that he is back in Journey, restoring his parents home and possibly considering a permanent move here, Delaney wonders how she can keep her feelings in check. She feels that once he fulfills her brothers request to protect her, that Sage will move away again. She can't possibly let him know how she really feels and then wind up like her mother. She has made a vow to God that she will keep herself pure until the day she marries her husband. One that she is finding harder to keep with Sage being with her all the time. Does God have plans for them other than the ones she has been dreaming of?

In the latest novel, Journey's Embrace by Dora Hiers, we are immediately drawn into both a romance novel as well as a suspense story. Sage and Delaney have grown up together and feel more like family than anything else. But time has a way of changing people and for Sage and Delaney, they are no different. With enough time between them, they have both matured and now see one another through different eyes. Sage is still dealing with his past being the only survivor when his family was tragically killed in a car accident. Delaney has her own past to deal with. She is doing everything possible to not wind up like her mother who put drugs as her first priority and being a single mother. Not being able to deal with raising a child on her own, she gave her up for adoption and its where she first met Sage. Can they both work through their difficult pasts to find a real future together?

I received Journey's Embrace by Dora Hiers compliments of the author for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. I loved this story. I think it's one we can all relate to on some level. We all have things in our past we are not proud of and it's only through the grace of God that we can move forward into a new future, leaving those mistakes behind us. This is the third book in her Marshall's series with the first being Journey's End and then Journey's Edge. Even though this is part of a series, like me, you can read this one as a stand alone and still appreciate the story. Yet once you've read this one, you'll want to go back and capture the romance that began in Journey one step at a time! I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and it really appealed to the romance/suspense lover in me!

For more information about Journey's Embrace, Dora Hiers or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Journey's Embrace by Dora Hiers

You can follow Dora Hiers on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

Thanks to Dora's generosity, she is willing to offer a giveaway copy of Journey's Embrace to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. 
2. Become a follower of Dora Hiers on Facebook, by clicking here. 
3. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of her latest novel, Journey's Embrace along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. Remember to state whether you'd prefer a print copy or a PDF copy for your eReader if you're the lucky winner.
4. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

The winner will be notified by email when the giveaway ends on March 31st.

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: White Rose Publishing (March 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1611162106
• ISBN-13: 978-1611162103
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 8 inches