Hunting Shadows

He wasn't supposed to have brought either the weapon or the ammunition back. But he had, because the rifle has become a part of him. And no one searched his kit. Thank God he had.

The man deserved to die. But not this way. Not sacrificing himself. There had to be a better way. Look at it from a different perspective. God had brought this man to him once. He would do it again. All he had to do was wait. However long it took. His patience would pay off. He was ready. And Hutchinson would come to him for the killing.

Once again Scotland Yard has been asked to follow up on not only one murder case but two. When all leads come to a dead end, Inspector Ian Rutledge is called to find answers where there appear to be none. Both victims have strong social connections and both have been shot. The mystery is how they are linked and who has a rifle since all of them were supposed to have been turned in at the close of World War I. But apparently someone didn't and now is taking the time and diligence necessary to make sure that they are not caught and no clues are left behind. Is it possible that killer was a soldier or is it simply being made to look as if it is?

The other victim, Mr. Herbert Swift, a popular Tory candidate was also killed by a single shot while commencing with a public speech down the High Street, ending at the market cross. The only witness can only claim that she saw a monster in ironmonger's dormer window. What's more, the constable and afterward that Inspector Warren from Ely tried but they couldn't shake her account. Is it possible that hobgoblins are present in Fen country? Will Inspector Rutledge be able to find answers before the killer strikes again? Seems like Scotland Yard is Hunting Shadows!

I received Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd 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 are strictly my own. Once again Charles Todd takes readers back to London to 1920, where Ian Rutledge is called upon to solve a case with very little to go on. I've been a huge fan of his Ian Rutledge Series and this one did not disappoint. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and the attention to detail that Charles Todd utilizes in his series makes the reader truly feel like they are part of the action. It is always fun to see if I can solve the crimes before Inspector Rutledge does and I love the historical setting he places his mysteries in. This novel is due for release in January 2014. For more information about Hunting Shadows, Charles Todd or where you can preorder a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd

You can find Charles Todd on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Hunting Shadows, visit William Morrow's website. 

The Pursuit of Mary Bennet

If you are a Jane Austen fan of Pride and Prejudice, you will love this novel. If you haven't seen Pride and Prejudice, watch it and then deeply immerse yourself in the richness this novel offers when it picks up where the original leaves off. It had been quite awhile since I had read or even watched the movie and in order to reacquaint myself in the characters of the Bennet girls I spent some time watching the movie. Since this novel takes a look at life from Mary Bennet's point of view I had to remember who she was. Since she isn't addressed much I wondered why Pamela Mingle chose this particular Bennet girl to write a sequel on, but trust me when I tell you, she needs to be applauded for her efforts. Jane Austen would be proud!

Mary Bennet was the middle of five Bennet girls and one that most of her sisters and often times parents ignored. She wasn't pretty or even possessed any real talent a man looking for a suitable wife would find worth turning his head for. In fact, in Pride and Prejudice, Mary is chastened by her father for her lack of musical talent at playing the pianoforte or even singing. Now after spending time working at music, she possess a fine talent in those areas, but lacking the self esteem or even being bold enough as her sisters, she prefers to read alone or take walks, much like the wall flower she sees herself as.

Even her parents know that Mary will undoubtedly be an old spinster lacking in finding a suitable husband and her best outcome in life will be the governess for her older married sisters Jane or Elizabeth. But deep down inside Mary wants more but isn't sure how to find it. She is constantly reprimanded whenever she offers an opinion in any situation because she lacks the experience in such areas that her opinion isn't considered from love to marriage or even raising children. When her younger sister Lydia returns home while expecting a child from her husband Mr. Wickham, it throws the Bennet household into more scandal. In fact it turns out that Lydia isn't sure the child she is carrying is even her husbands and she has left him.

Mary is taken to her sister Jane's while the family decides how to best handle Lydia's latest predicament and to avoid having the rest of the daughter's tainted in the process. As only one of two sisters now left unmarried, Mary finds herself drawn to Mr. Henry Walsh. He seems genuinely interested in her as well but when Kitty, Mary's youngest sister deems that Henry is off limits, will Mary once again fade into the shadow or will she fight for what she wants in life?

I received The Pursuit of Mary Bennet by Pamela Mingle compliments of William Morrow, division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. However, this one was so worth taking the time to spend with Mary Bennet. I think out of all the Bennet daughters, I myself, relate to her more than the rest of the girls. Pamela Mingle did such a flawless job, I felt Jane Austen herself had written this one. I can easily give this one a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars and was so thrilled to be able to review this one. This is such a treat and to spend time savoring each page was well worth curling up with on a rainy cold evening. A MUST HAVE for any fan of Pride and Prejudice!

For more information about The Pursuit of Mary Bennet, Pamela Mingle, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Pursuit of Mary Bennet by Pamela Mingle

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

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (November 26, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062274244
• ISBN-13: 978-0062274243
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches

Aloha Rose

I couldn't imagine not knowing anything at all about my family. That is just what Laney Carrigan is dealing with after learning that her entire family roots are tied quite literally up in a quilt she was wrapped up in the day she was given to her birth mother. That is the only clue linking her to knowing more about who she is and where she comes from. The beautiful pink and white red rose snowflake appliqued on the quilt will point her to a family that has been waiting for decades to know more about her. This search takes her to the Big Island of Hawaii after discovering a response to a picture she posted on the internet searching for answers. But all isn't quite as welcoming on the island as Laney had hoped.

Upon arriving at the airport she is immediately met with apprehension by Kai Barnes, a man who has been trying to figure out just who Laney Carrigan really is. Seems like all the usual ways of discovering some clues about who someone is are coming up with a solid brick wall. Kai truly believes that Laney is just someone who is looking for money by coming to Hawaii. He doesn't believe that she has any place within his Ohana and will set out to prove to his family just what she is really hiding, if he can only find it.

Lisa Carter is the latest author to take her turn at the Quilts of Love Series, with her novel Aloha Rose. Perfect warm tropical waters and the smell of plumeria fill the readers senses as you begin this mystery into who Laney Carrigan really is and what her link is to family she finds on Hawaii. This is simply perfect to immerse yourself in right in the middle of winter to give yourself a bit of a virtual tropical vacation. My only downside to this novel was the difficulty at the beginning where I felt the author tried to introduce too many characters for the reader to take in. I would have liked to have seen a slower progression to allow the reader to understand where Laney was coming from as well as all the family she is introduced right off the bat upon arriving on the Big Island. With that being said, I give this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is a discussion guide included that makes this a great novel to introduce to book clubs and a sneak peek into the upcoming addition to the Quilts of Love Series, Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell.

I received Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is the 12th book in the Quilts of Love Series. For more information about Aloha Rose, Lisa Carter or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

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

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

• Series: Quilts of Love (Book 12)
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (November 19, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426752733
• ISBN-13: 978-1426752735
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches

This Dark Road to Mercy

Sometimes the cruelest lesson in life is the dark road to mercy we have to walk. When life doesn't had us the expectant pleasures one only hopes childhood offers. For some, childhood is just a place to be for the present moment because it offers very little else. Such is the outlook for Easter and Ruby, respectively 12 and 6-years-old who have been dealt a bad hand. Their mother commits suicide through a drug overdose, but not before she can raise her children to learn that their father abandoned them long ago. He literally signed away his rights claiming them as his children. Now forced to exist within a foster care system, their father, Wade an ex-minor league baseball player now decides this is the time to make amends with his children. Only because of the time spent living a life of wondering just where they fit in, they have become jaded to any attempts at reconciliation at this point believing foster care is better than a life with their biological dad.

No matter how hard Wade tries, it will take more that any amount of time he has to gain the trust and respect back of his daughters. So he kidnaps them instead of trying to work through their differences. He has suddenly come into a great deal of money and believes if given the time, he can have his family back. But what he doesn't understand is that there is a cost to everything in life. A cost at being a dad, a cost at being a finding a way to start over. When he unearths 250,000 dollars while working on a construction project in the basement of a client, he believes he has seed money to do just that. Now if he can only convince his daughters of his intentions.

Like all great stories, this one does involve a dark sinister villain and of course the money isn't an unexpected windfall like Wade had hoped. Once again there is a cost involved and this one may in fact place all of their lives in jeopardy when Wade learns the money he "found" belongs to a major crime boss who has now placed a hit on Wade's life. Little does Wade know that the man hired to kill him is one he has crossed darker paths with in his earlier life. Will this story win up with a happy ending? You'll have to pick this one up to truly find out. The journey is always darkest before the dawn.

I received This Dark Road to Mercy from author Wiley Cash compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publisher for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed here are my own. This book is slated for release in January of 2014, but if you like stories with a dark past that many of us often carry with us looking for not only redemption but a second chance, then this one will answer that call. I'd rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about This Dark Road to Mercy, Wiley Cash or where to preorder a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash

You can also find Wiley Cash on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels. 

To read more reviews on This Dark Road to Mercy visit William Morrow online.

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (January 28, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062088254
• ISBN-13: 978-0062088253
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches

The First Christmas Night - Giveaway

We all know the famous story of the Night Before Christmas, and that's why I am thrilled to let you know about another book, I believe will soon be a Christmas Classic as well. The First Christmas Night is a beautifully detailed illustrated children's book read along the same lines as The Night Before Christmas sharing that beloved Christmas story about the night of our Savior's birth.

"Twas the very first Christmas, 

when all through the town

not a creature was stirring - 

there was not a sound. 

The moon, shining bright

in the heavens so high, 

gave the luster of midday 

to the Bethlehem sky."

Written by Keith Christopher and illustrated by Christine Kornacki, I know this will be one book you want to make sure has a treasured place in your home during the Christmas season. Taking the story from Luke's gospel this version is geared for your child to welcome the true reason for the Christmas season. It's simple and straight to the point but what my favorite part of the book is the illustrations. I just know your child will love looking at the pictures and can imagine that during each time this book is read the memories that will be made will last forever. Over time, soon your child will be able to quote the Biblical side of that wondrous night so many years ago. The story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the night of the glorious birth of Jesus Christ.

This book is written for children ages 4-8 and the rhyming language can help them develop verbal language skills and learn to read. There are 32 pages that I know your child will love looking at again and again. I received a copy of The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher compliments of Ideal Books and FlyBy Promotions for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.  I give this one a 5 out of 5 heavenly stars!!!

Now for the best part....

Thanks to the generous folks at FlyBy Promotions and Ideal Books, they are offering a hardcover giveaway copy to a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines to enter:

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

2. "Like" Ideals Books Facebook page.

3. Must be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes. 

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner of this giveaway by email so make sure to include it with your comment below when it ends on November 30th. 

For more information about The First Christmas Night, Keith Christopher or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click below:

The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher

You can find more outstanding books on Ideals Books Facebook page. 

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Ideals Children's Books, an imprint of Ideals Publications (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824956532
• ISBN-13: 978-0824956530
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches

Stones for Bread

"Alexandre Dumas, père, wrote of bakers:

In Paris today millions of pounds of bread are sold daily, made during the previous night by those strange, half-naked beings one glimpses through cellar windows, whose wild-seeming cries floating out of those depths always makes a painful impression. In the morning, one sees these pale men, still white with flour, carrying a loaf under one arm, going off to rest and gather new strength to renew their had and useful labor when night comes again. I have always highly esteemed the brave and humble workers who labor all night to produce those soft but crusty loaves that look more like cake than bread...

It is bread that keeps them alive. Give us this day our daily bread, they pray, and they praise the Almighty for it.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

So, I pack the bread in bags, like I will for any paying customer. I don't send burnt loaves or stale loaves, or any kitchen experiment I don't believe is quality enough to sell. I will not give to the least of these anything I will not offer to my Lord, should he walk into Wild Rise one afternoon and ask for a little something to eat.

The secrets of baking have, until relatively recently, always been passed from mother to daughter. I was young, eight perhaps, when my own mother tied her apron around my waist and told me it was time for me to show her how much of what she taught me I remembered. It was time for me to make my first loaf without help or instruction. No recipes. Just my senses. And I did. It was a square loaf of wheat bread. A little too dense. A little too brown. But we ate it at supper that night, my father, my mother, and I, with butter and salt, rewarmed in the oven. And my mother said to me, "You're now the keeper of bread." It was my right of passage."

In the novel Stones for Bread, author Christa Parrish takes the readers into much more than a contemporary story about the art of making bread. She touches those warm places within our hearts that sense more to bread than just what we eat. It becomes part of who we are and provides nourishment to both the heart and soul of those we make it for. It is a piece of ourselves.

The story is based around the life of Liesl McNamara, owner and baker at Wild Rise, a bake house in Vermont. Her's is a story of the generations of bread bakers beginning with her grandmother and mother til finally resting within herself. The story winds its way into Liesl's tragic childhood and culminates with her being entered in a reality show called Baked Off by one of her employees. Woven in between are the mouth-watering recipes of 11 Artisan Bread that you will find takes time to make just perfect but well worth the effort. This is simply a story to be experienced and enjoyed from cover to cover and trust me, you'll never look at a loaf of bread the same again. I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

I received Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish 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 expressed in this review are strictly my own. For more information about Stones for Bread, Christa Parrish or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish

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

To read more reviews on Stones for Bread from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 5, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401689019
• ISBN-13: 978-1401689018
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 1 inches 

Christa Parrish is celebrating her fourth novel, Stones for Bread, with a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway.

Easy steps to enter:

1. Follow Christa Parrish and TNZ Fiction on Pinterest.

2. Then Pin the Stones for Bread book cover (below), the contest graphic (above), or both, and link to this post (using this URL: #StonesforBread KitchenAid Mixer Contest #ChristaParrish http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/stones-for-bread-by-christa-parrish).

3. Then fill out THIS SHORT FORM to let us know. (There are also some additional ways to earn extra entries, as well as an option for non-Pinterest users. It's true—people like that do exist!)

Questions? Email info @ litfusegroup dot com.

Winner will be announced on 12/9 on Christa's Facebook Page.

A Marriage in Middlebury

To a live a life of regrets isn't living a life at all. For Charlotte Rose Hill, she has found that being the owner and operator of Rose Hill Tea Cottage has allowed her to pour her heart and soul into serving others. Not only in the specialty blends of tea she makes for each of her customers but also in providing them with an outlet to share the warmth and love of friendship just by listening to whatever is on their hearts. Nothing soothes a soul like a warm cup of tea and open heart willing to help. Now if only someone can do the same for Charlotte.

The last thing she expected to walk in her door was the man who she had given the key to her heart many years ago, but the man who when he proposed to her, she had said no. Not because she didn't love him but because of family secrets his father had threatened to expose if her answer was anything but no. Now that Sam Wilder has returned she wonders if there is a second chance at love for them. But when he introduces his fiancèe Audrey, her hopes are dashed once again. She can only wish that Sam and Audrey leave once they have settled his father's estate.

Yet it seems that God has other plans in mind, when Audrey suggests that Charlotte cater their wedding reception and have agreed to host a garden wedding on the Wilder's property. How can Charlotte possibly keep her feelings on the back burner when it seems at every turn she is once more asked to be a part of Sam and Audrey's wedding plans. How can she say no to them when she has made appearances to everyone in town that she has moved on. If only she can find a way to begin dating again. Perhaps if she gave someone else a chance she might find the happiness that keeps eluding her at every time she turns around.

I received A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman compliments of Abingdon Press 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. I absolutely LOVE this heart warming story. I can picture the quaint Rose Hill Tea Cottage where the town's residents gather for more than just a cup of tea. It's a place where people can find comfort in the out pouring of their hearts and souls and Charlotte is the perfect person to help them in any way she can. This one hands down wins a 5 out of 5 stars in my book and is one to be enjoyed over some butter cookies, a cup of your favorite blend of hot tea and a cozy place to cuddle up for a great novel. I can't wait to see if Anita expands this into a whole series, since the people you come to love and know in the book have their own stories to share.

For more information about A Marriage in Middlebury, Anita Higman or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman

You can find Anita Higman on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Marriage in Middlebury from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (November 5, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426733879
• ISBN-13: 978-1426733871
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

Anita Higman is celebrating the release of her latest book, A Marriage in Middlebury, with a double Kindle Fire giveaway (one for you & one to give away!) and a "Tea for Two" Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire for you AND a friend
• A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman (one to keep and one to give away!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 12th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea for Two" Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th. Invite your friends and connect with Anita for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Anita's next book!

So grab your copy of A Marriage in Middlebury and join Anita on the evening of December 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 12/12!