Book: The Mark of the King

After being imprisoned and branded for the death of her client, twenty-five-year-old midwife Julianne Chevalier trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling 1720s French colony of Louisiana, where she hopes to be reunited with her brother, serving there as a soldier. To make the journey, though, women must be married, and Julianne is forced to wed a fellow convict.

When they arrive in New Orleans, there is no news of Benjamin, Julianne's brother, and searching for answers proves dangerous. What is behind the mystery, and does military officer Marc-Paul Girard know more than he is letting on?

With her dreams of a new life shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous, rugged land, despite never being able to escape the king's mark on her shoulder that brands her a criminal beyond redemption.

***

I'm not sure how to do this book justice without giving away half the plot!  It's a time period in history that I haven't read much about, well, outside of Regency England.  This book takes place during the first 4 years of the settling of New Orleans.  I've been to New Orleans once and the gulf coast.  I can't imagine what it would be like with no infrastructure, trying to survive with help from France months away by boat, if they ever send it.

Love, betrayal, treason, you'll find it all in this book and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.  Green does a good job of filling out the setting just enough to put me in it without going over the top and the characters were well thought out and in depth.  Some of the plot might be a little over the top, but sometimes truth is stranger than fiction so maybe things like this really did happen.  Either way, it was an intriguing read and I'm glad to have another snipped of history brought to life.

***

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Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning author of ten books to date, including Wedded to War, a Christy Award finalist in 2013; Widow of Gettysburg; Yankee in Atlanta; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. A former military wife herself, her passion for military families informs all of her writing as well as her numerous speaking opportunities. Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University with a BA in English and now lives with her husband and two children in Iowa.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Jilted

Lynda Turner has struggled with depression since her husband abandoned her and their young daughter fifteen years ago.

Yet unexpected hope awakens when a local ex-convict shows interest. As long-hidden secrets resurface, Lynda must fight for her emotional stability and for a life where the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.

Jilted tells of a woman who has lost the joy of living, a man determined to draw her back toward happiness, and a town that must---once and for all---leave the past where it belongs. It is a gentle reminder that all things can work together for good.

***

This book is the third in a series and I highly recommend reading them in order.  There is some more back story added in this one, but you really need to read the first two to understand it best.  See my review of book one and the summary of book two also on this blog.

Wow, Varina Denman is on my very short list of "authors I will always read".  I am so impressed by the quality of her story telling and the way she makes the characters true to life in all their struggles and triumphs.  

I'm really glad that all the pieces of this three part story were covered at the end.  That's not to say that it all had a happy ending, but at least you weren't left hanging!  

Lynda's story is told in the first book through her daughter's Ruthie's eyes, but you don't really get to know Lynda at all until this book.  I found it fascinating how my perspective changed while reading this story, even throughout the book.

We have a lot of giant windmills near us and I also have long been a big fan of Don Quixote so it was fun to see the part they played in this story.  The cover photo is superb choice for this book.

How to even summarize the story without giving any of it away... Lynda has a lot of choices to make.  Choices in how she reacts to life and things that have happened to her many years ago.  Choices in how she reacts to people currently in her life.  It makes you realize that while you can't control others and what they do or say, you do have a choice in what you do and how you react.  And in many ways that can affect them for good or bad and the cycle goes on.  

That is not to say that those choices are easy, far from it, but making good choices is so important.  Isn't that a life lesson we all want our kids to learn?  Maybe we still need it when we're older, just in different ways.

***

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Varina Denman is author of the Mended Hearts series and a native Texan. She spent her high school years in a rural town and now writes stories about the struggles women face in similar small town settings. She and her husband live near Fort Worth, where they enjoy spending time with their five mostly grown children.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Her One and Only

After ten years in the NFL, super star Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans.

But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?

Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt---none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she's determined to find Gray's stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.

Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they'll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives---and their hearts---to one another.

***

Hmmm, well, that last sentence above feels a bit misleading to me, the book wasn't nearly the edge of your seat thriller that the first one in this series was, yet I really wanted to know who the stalker was and what would happen!

This is the fourth and final book in the Porter Family series and we only briefly meet Dru in the other three books so it was really a new read to delve into her story.  I think this could be a stand alone book, but it was nice to have the history of the other novels as well, especially as this one adds what is almost a postscript to the first novel.  Funny because I accidentally read these out of order, 2, 3, 1, and then 4.

I have really liked this whole series and it was kind of fun to have just read book one and then book four and see Ms. Wade's storytelling skills just grow.  The plot twist felt much more realistic and the characters had a bit more human flaws, which made them that much more relatable.

Dru was your anti-feminine, feminist protagonist and seeing Gray through her eyes made him the stereotypical male sportsman.  But watching them learn to see past first impressions was a good reminder to see beyond a person's facade as well.

I'll be waiting for Becky's next books!

***

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Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and an INSPY Award.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Someone Like You

Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate.

A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father's less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort's general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can't ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

***

This is the first novel I've read by Victoria Bylin, although she has written I think 17 previously, and I am hooked!  In some ways this was not just a fluff read, the characters were so real and facing demons from their past, some that would continue to be part of their lives.  I appreciated the real struggles they went through in their relationship with each other and with God.

There was a bit of suspense to the novel, just the right amount.  And a mostly happy ending.  My only complaints were that the spiritual resolution for Zeke seemed a bit rushed.  And I had to laugh that within the first three chapters he had "propped his hip against the desk" no less than 4 times.  That or against the hood of a car.  I think this author likes to provide visuals for action, but that particular phrase just stood out to me and made me laugh.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book.  It kept me guessing for quite a while, but overall was a plausible story set in reality.

***

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Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers' Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.




I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

New Book Release Party with Becky Wade

 

A female bodyguard plus her star NFL client plus danger equals a great recipe for romance! Her One and Only, book four in Becky Wade's Porter Family novels, releases May 3. To celebrate, Becky is hosting an author chat party on her Facebook page on May 5 at 5 PM PDT/8 PM EDT. Join Becky for an evening of book chat with other bookworms and prizes.

Plus a portion of all pre-sales and sales the release week of Her One and Only will be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. For more details on how to purchase a copy, click here.

About the Book

After ten years in the NFL, super star Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans. But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?

Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt–none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she’s determined to find Gray’s stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.

Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives — and their hearts — to one another.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Book: The Hearts We Mend

Planning and Post-It notes are the epitome of Evie's life. But when she meets Jack, her life gets more than a little complicated.

Thirteen years ago, Evie's firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie's heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.

Tattooed, rough-around-the-edges Jack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie's life is stream-lined, Jack's approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack's world---a world that isn't as safe or predictable as the one she's worked so hard to create---he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.

Jack doesn't make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn't felt since Max passed away---or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn't anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.

***

This book is the second in a series, you can read my review of the first one from last year.  Some books can be stand alones even in a series, but I really don't recommend that with this one, you would be jumping in without a lot of the back story about Evie and most of the other main characters.

That being said... I thoroughly enjoy Kathryn's books.  Do you get first impressions of people that are hard to change, only to find out later, sometimes much later, that maybe you were way off?  I've had that happen to me a few times in my life and it makes me realize that I need to be more careful.  Everyone deserves a second chance, especially if maybe they were having an off day when you met them!

Evie is a character that seems prone to up front judgements, but her long tidy world is about to be changed with the arrival of Jack.  Added to the fact that her only son has just gotten married and moved out and Evie isn't quite sure what to do with herself, or God.

Seeing characters change so dramatically through the course of a story with this short timeline sometimes gives me pause, but maybe that's because I don't change quickly.  At any rate, it's a fun story that isn't all happy endings and butterflies, which I also appreciate.

And as a side note, the characters are much older than the cover models allow.

***

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Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother's typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books --- which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Irish Meadows

Faced with an uncertain future, sometimes all you have left is the courage to dream.

Brianna and Colleen O'Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he's put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry---as long as her father's choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone's plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O'Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father's machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

***

In some ways this is your typical romance novel, you know which girl is going to end up with who and the story is in the twists and turns until they get there.  In other ways this is not your typical romance because the characters have some very hard lessons to learn and it didn't turn out in the way I expected at all.

The biggest lesson was that every action has consequences, both for yourself, and for everyone around you.  It's hard to write much more than that without giving away much of the story, but the father, James' actions, were the most obvious.  He was so desperate to save his farm that he made choices that hurt everyone around him.

I really enjoyed this book, it's the first in a series and I hope to read the rest when they come out.  There are other siblings who's stories are waiting to be told.

***

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Susan Anne Mason's debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. A member of ACFW, as well, she lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children.


I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Picture Perfect Love

When image becomes everything, it's up to love to refocus the heart.

Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren't always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God's plan and His perfect timing.

Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton's heart still hasn't recovered.

It was me. His younger sister's three words turn Ashton's world upside down. He must ask Jenna's forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?

***

This is a novella, part of a series called A Year of Weddings, each written by a different author.  This is the only one I've read, but I don't think they connect to each other.  This book is also only available as an e-book or audio book.

As a photographer, but never a wedding photographer, this book looked fun.  I'm not as familiar with the novella format so this one moved really fast for me.  I like a little more flesh and depth to my characters.

The writing was light and fun, perhaps a bit too light for the subject matter.  When you've been left at the alter of the rehearsal for your wedding I think it might take more than a few weeks of forced interaction for you to be cordial with the one who did the leaving, even after 2 years have passed.  The premise of the story is forgiveness and second chances, which I agree with, but that doesn't mean putting yourself in a place to be hurt again.

The other thing that bothered me about this story was that I'm from Washington, from the area it feels like the author was describing, but the setting of the book really felt like it should have been in the south from the style of the wedding as well as the interactions of the characters.  I had a hard time imagining it near me.

This one was a lighter-than-it-should-have-been summer read that just didn't feel real enough to me.

***

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Melissa McClone has published more than thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America's RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Love Arrives in Pieces

For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn't trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn't get another job soon, she'll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he'll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town's old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness---and their unresolved feelings for each other-until Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice---to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.

***

This is the second book in a series and it sort of works as a stand alone.  I kept trying to remember what happened with Stella's sister from the previous book since it's been about a year since it came out, but I actually don't think Stella's story was discussed much in the previous book.  So you get the story in bits and pieces throughout this book and I think that's the way it's intended.  If you read them both close enough together it would probably be better, or just read this one alone and you will get the story by the end.

I like Betsy's books because they are fun, but not completely out of touch with reality.  They're funny because the premise of the story are ridiculous situations, like finding yourself working closely with a scorned girlfriend.

She does deal honestly with the situations though and how relationships are never easy, cut and dried, but messy.  Good relationships are worth working through!

***

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Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she's not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: A Friend In Me

Young women long for relational connection with women further ahead of them on the journey. Yet, without realizing it, many of us tend to distance ourselves from those in younger generations.

Can we really have close relationships with women who have different thoughts on church, different experiences with family, and different ways of talking about God? Where do we start?

In A Friend in Me, Pam Lau shows you how to be a safe place for the younger women in your life. She offers five patterns women need to internalize and practice for initiating relationships and talking about issues such as faith, forgiveness, sexuality, and vocation. Most significantly, she reminds you that there doesn't need to be a divide between generations of women. Together, we can have a global impact---and experience a deeper faith than we've ever known.

***

When I saw this book for review I thought I recognized the author's name.  Then I realized she was the wife of one of the administrators where I went to college.  It's fun to have at least a little connection to an author, especially of a non-fiction book, so you can imagine them in place when they talk about stories from their life.

I spent quite a few years, especially during those college years, searching for a mentor.  Not just older women who were friends, but one in particular that would be willing to invest time with me.  After several false starts I pretty much gave up.  Recently I joined MOPS and the Mentor Moms have been wonderful.  This is the kind of relationship A Friend in Me is trying to help cultivate.

The book is really written for women over 40, and seeing as how I have a few years yet, and my four small children, it feels a bit like it isn't for me.  Which is not to say there aren't plenty of things I could glean from it!  How do you relate to other women in a way that creates an open atmosphere?  How can women's relationships be a safe haven for each other rather than a feeling of judgement or always having to show perfection? 

It's in being humble, willing to be vulnerable, and saying "me too" when someone else shares something.  Or perhaps, being willing to be the first one to share.  Not always easy! 

I hope that this book can be a useful tool for women.  I would say it's a great resource for my Mentor Moms, but they are doing such a wonderful job already.  Perhaps they will keep it handy as a reference.

***

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Pam Lau is the author of Soul Strength and numerous articles for such publications as Christian Scholar's Review and Christianity Today. She has taught writing at George Fox University and speaks around the country at conferences and retreats. A graduate of Liberty University and Colorado State University, Lau lives near Portland, Oregon, with her husband and three daughters.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: As Waters Gone By

How can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls?

Emmalyn and Max Ross may have to endure the fight of their lives to mend the tattered fabric of their marriage. His actions ensured she could never be a mother and put him in prison, giving their relationship a court-mandated five-year time-out. On a self-imposed exile to beautiful but remote Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, Emmalyn has just a few months left to figure out if and how they can ever be a couple again.

Nudged along by the exuberant owner of the Wild Iris Inn and Café, a circle of misfit people in their small town, and a young girl who desperately needs someone to love her, Emmalyn restores an island cottage that could become a home and begins to restore her heart by learning what it means to love unconditionally. Yet even as hope begins to find a place within the cottage walls, Emmalyn still wonders if she's ready for Max's release. She may be able to rebuild a cottage, but can she rebuild a marriage?

***

I would classify As Waters Gone By as women's fiction and I loved it.  Well, maybe love is the wrong word since it's not exactly a happy book, but it certainly got under my skin.

What would you do with 5 years alone after a husband is sent to prison?  And one who told you to stop contacting him and move on with your life?

Most of the story Max is an absent character and we see Emmalyn, learning that her heart has been locked up inside with Max and her judgement about her life has been clouded by her pain.  How do you work through something like that?

I do enjoy stories that live in reality and this book certainly is grounded.  The prose was a bit descriptive at the beginning, but then as I settled into the book it fit with the story and now I would love to go visit Madeline Island!

This book deals with some tough topics, things that I don't necessarily think about every day, but that perhaps should be thought about more often.  Cynthia did so in a way that invites contemplation, not preaching.

I certainly hope there is a sequel to this book that focuses on one (or more) of the other characters in the story while giving a peek at how Emmalyn is doing!

***

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Cynthia Ruchti has more than three decades of radio broadcast experience with Heartbeat of the Home radio and currently serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Called to be Amish

Fewer than one hundred outsiders have joined the Old-Order Amish---and stayed---since 1950. Marlene C. Miller is one of them.

In this rare memoir, Marlene recounts her unhappy and abusive childhood, how she throws herself into cheerleading and marching band, and how she falls in love with Johnny, the gentle young Amish man who helps her lace her ice skates.

Against the wishes of both sets of parents, Marlene and Johnny get married and begin a family. Follow the author on this unusual journey to find out how God's love called her out of bitterness and depression and into the warm embrace of her new Amish community.

Accompany her as she dons an Amish dress and prayer covering and gets baptized. Learn how she endures the strain of ten children, a hundred-acre farm, and accidents and tragedy, and find out how she comes close to walking away from it all. Turning Amish has proven to be anything but plain and simple for this former majorette. But nearly fifty years later, Marlene is still living out God's call as an Old Order Amish woman.

***

I have so many thoughts about this book I'm not even sure where to start!  For one, I was kind of amazed that an Amish person would write a book, but then I discovered it was hand written and this publisher specializes in the stories of Amish people.

At first I was kind of put off because it felt like I was just sitting down for tea with someone and listening to them ramble about their life.  Eventually I realized it worked for this kind of a story.  Essentially it is a ramble, through someone else's life.

There's not a lot of suspense, but I think the intrigue is in getting a picture into a lifestyle that is pretty foreign to most of us.  Marlene doesn't ever really explain much of the "Why" they live this way, perhaps because she joined as an adult and even then didn't speak the language well enough to understand the classes they took before joining.  Which is not to say that her conversion was a sham at all, only that if you're wondering about the reasons why the Amish live the way they do you won't find it in this book.

I did find her personal story of her intersection with God that changed her life really authentic.  To go from being "English" as they call outsiders to being Amish would take something more than just a desire to experience something different.  This is why so few people join and truly stay for life.

There are things about the Amish that bug me, like not owning cars, yet hiring people to drive them around.  Or not using electricity, but having gas powered generators.  But I think the focus of this story was more on the relationships in her life and how living in the Amish world is truly living in community.  That's something we could use a lot more of in our lives today.

Overall, a pretty fascinating and easy read.  In the Q and A at the end the author talks about having seen some reality show about the Amish and being appalled at what a poor representation if was.  Can't be too surprised, it's Hollywood!  But it did remind me that during the summer of 2004 when I was in grad school there was a short run of a show called Amish in the City in which they had 4 or 5 Amish kids, before they'd decided if they were going to join the church, living with 4 or 5 "normal" American kids (probably all in their late teens and early 20's).  It was interesting as they were trying to get the Amish kids to have all kinds of new experiences.  I just remember coming away from it thinking how normal the Amish kids were though compared to the crazies they managed to have representing average Americans!

***

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Marlene C. Miller joined the Amish as an adult and has been a member of the Old Order Amish for almost 50 years. She and her husband of 48 years live on a farm in Ohio surrounded by their nine children, more than 40 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: A Love Like Ours

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

***

This is the third book in a series.  It's meant to be a standalone, but I think it would read better as part of the series.  I missed the first one, and read the second one and it just adds more depth to the stories.
That being said, you could read it alone for just the story... which I loved!

This is one of the styles of book I really enjoy.  Long enough to really get to know the characters (I still didn't want it to end), not too much suspense, characters that actually have depth, plots that aren't completely implausible!

Jake is struggling with PTSD.  Lyndie thinks she can help him heal if only he will open up to her.  They were childhood best friends, but they've brought some of that childhood dynamic with them when they meet again 20 years later.  Add in their own wounds in the meantime and you have a recipe for an explosive relationship where neither knows what's happening inside the other even if they think they do.

I found it interesting to think about the greater themes of knowing another person.  You can assume all you want, the reasons for why someone acts the way they do, but I bet oftentimes you would be wrong.  Everyone is unique and I think we have to be careful to treat them with care and not put our own experiences on them or limit them by how we think they should act based on what we know.

Get lost in Holly, Texas and find some clues to life!  Check out other reviews here.

***

Check out Becky's other books on her website, purchase a copy, and enter to win one below!

Becky Wade is a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market before putting her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves writing funny, modern, and inspirational contemporary romance! She's the Carol Award and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, Meant to Be Mine, and A Love Like Ours.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: To Win Her Favor

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.

An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He's come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he'd wagered, especially when Maggie Linden's father makes him an offer he shouldn't accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance---and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder---Maggie's father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail---Maggie must marry a man she's never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

***

This is at least the third if not the fourth novel I've read by Tamera Alexander.  One thing I can say, her characters never disappoint.  They go deep and just don't let go.  The very first one I read was some years ago and it stands out above so many I've read since then.  This To Win Her Favor will also be a standout.

One of the reasons I love her writing so much is because she does her research.  You feel the time period, the setting, and the characters are firmly placed in that setting.

This story is about a woman in the man's world of racing, yet it is also a story of the South just after the Civil War.  The war changed the rules about slaves, but it couldn't change people's hearts.  The parallel story of the black people in Maggie's life is just as fascinating and heartbreaking as Maggie's story.  Maggie has never left her settled life just outside of Nashville, she also has never truly left the comforts of her home to see the way the slaves lived, just yards from her door.

This is the second book in a series apparently, but you would never miss anything.  Previous characters only make cameo appearances and this book stands alone just fine.  I HIGHLY recommend it!

***

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Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impression and The Inheritance. Her richly-drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. Tamera and her husband recently returned to her Southern roots and now make their home in Nashville.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: The Dandelion Field

This handsome firefighter makes a living coming to the rescue, but Gin doesn't need a man to fight her battles.

After Raine's dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long, a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter's youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that's compromised when Raine reveals she's pregnant.

Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend's son, through life. With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job. Until he says four little words: "The baby is mine."

Knowing gossip of Raine's pregnancy will erupt sooner or later in the small town, Gin's reflex is to grab the suitcase and escape to a new city, a new life. But with each passing day, Gin's feet stay rooted in Banister Falls, and she falls a little more for this local firefighter who shows her not all men abandon women at the first sign of smoke.

As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover together that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations. And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.

***

Do you ever feel like life throws situations at you that are deja vu to something a friend or relative went through?  So you have a chance to learn from them and try to do better?  That's kind of the premise of this story.  Ginevieve and Raine are both trying to learn to do better than their mother's and along the way learn that truth and honesty can go a long way towards having a better relationship with each other.

I'm really enjoying more contemporary fiction right now and this on certainly fits the bill.  You can imagine this happening to someone you know.  Makes you think about perceptions and reactions to those around you as some characters in the book behave in less than stellar ways.

This was a great read for me this week.

***

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Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother's typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books --- which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Pound Foolish

This is Book Four in the Windy City Neighbors series.

Greg Singer coordinates consumer sports shows for powerboats, four wheelers, snowmobiles, and jet skis---macho toys for outdoor men like himself. But the job puts tremendous stress on his marriage with Nicole, who for the first time notices the handsome lawyer at the end of the block.

When the recession hits Greg's industry, he thinks the crisis is merely an opportunity for God to bless him with unmatched prosperity, a promise he hears preached each Sunday, and he steps out in bold faith . . . But is he being "pound foolish"?

The fourth in the Windy City Neighbors series, Pound Foolish explores the economic upheaval and uncertainties challenging every family. Intersecting with Penny Wise (book three), the Jacksons employ the innovating storytelling technique of "parallel novels." Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters' lives become intertwined and affect one another. Pound Foolish returns us to Beecham Street---a typical American neighborhood . . . where a growing friendship brings new meaning to prosperity.

***

As mentioned, this is the fourth book in the series so really should be read as such.

It took me a long time to get around to reading this one, partly because of the holidays, but partly because as Greg Singer was introduced in the last book I just didn't like him and wasn't sure I wanted to read his story.  In some ways that feeling persisted through most of this book.  He is consumed with himself and financial success to the exclusion of all the people around him that I couldn't really empathize with him, a major point for me to get into any novel.

That being said, this was probably my least favorite of the series, but it was in some ways redeemed and I did appreciate some of the themes and messages in the book.

***

Read other reviews or purchase your own copy here.

Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set. As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: I Have Seen God

Klaus-Dieter and Martina John---both brilliant, talented, and highly qualified doctors---turned their backs on lucrative careers to follow their dream to open a first-rate medical facility for the Indians of the Peruvian Andes, some of the world's poorest people. The Peruvian Andes natives suffer appallingly from the diseases of poverty and, although they make up approximately 40 percent of Peru's population, are ignored by the authorities.

Having studied at the universities of Harvard, Yale, and Johannesburg during his training as a surgeon, Dr. Klaus-Dieter John together with his wife, Dr. Martina John, a pediatrician, developed a concept for a modern hospital in the Peruvian Highlands.

Turning down other offers, including a professorship, they set themselves the task of raising the millions of dollars needed. God opened the hearts and consciences of individuals and companies to create not just a health center, but a fully equipped hospital. Their story and vision has captured attention around the world and today they have the backing of 180 corporations and 50,000 private supporters.

The hospital's name, Diospi Suyana, means "we trust in God" in Quechua, the native language of the people it serves. It is a testament to their experience that with God the impossible can happen. The incredible conviction and profound faith of the Johns will refresh your heart and stir your spirit.

***

I haven't quite finished this book, but only for lack of time, not interest!  Dr. John tells this story so matter of factly (and quite Germanly) that sometimes you have to stop for a minute and just think about what he's written and how amazing it is.  What most people would write for pages about he sums up in simple sentences, "Without God, this would have been impossible."

It's an awesome story of "coincidences" that worked together to bring relief to the native people of Peru, descendents of the Incas.  At times the story runs so fast you have trouble keeping up with the timeline, and it skips a bit here and there, but overall it's quite an easy read and you get the big picture of just how much was accomplished in a short period of time.  Especially considering the remoteness of this major project.

I highly recommend this!

***

Read other reviews and purchase your own copy here!

Klaus-Dieter John studied at the universities of Harvard, Yale, and Johannesburg during his training as a surgeon. He and his wife Dr. Martina John, a pediatrician, have dedicated their lives to the establishment of the hospital in Peru.

You can find more information at the Diospi Suyana website.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: Keepers of the Covenant

 Keepers of the Covenant, Book Two in the Restoration Chronicles

The Old Testament Comes to Thrilling Life in the Latest from Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king’s palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra’s brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude’s widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple–but the fight to keep God’s Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges…this one for the survival of God’s covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

***

As mentioned above this is the second in a series, but I think it could easily stand alone because it takes place 80 years after the first.

This is the story of Ezra, which I didn't realize essentially happens at the same time as the story of Esther.  Readers familiar with their Bible will recognize the events from the story of Esther, but it was fascinating to me to think about what it would have been like for the ordinary Jews during that time.  We all hear of Esther's bravery, but the common people were sentenced to death.  I'm sure their responses would have ranged from despair to fervent prayer to rejection of God as shown through the characters in this story.

I've read quite a few of Lynn Austin's books now and while they are very good, I have to be in a certain mood to read them because they are not usually a light read.  She does her research very well and other than one small thing at the beginning of this story (which I can't remember now) and the reference to their traveling in miles (which I know didn't exist back then, but also is a point of reference for current readers) the story really placed me in the time. 

Historical Biblical fiction can be tricky, but when done right, as I feel she does, it really helps me to place myself in the times.  They didn't know the future as we know how the story ends.  They had to live through it and it required more faith than I could possibly imagine right now.

Can't wait for the third one!

***

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Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.


I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: The Mason Jar

What if your old college roommate called, raving about a book someone sent her, calling it the most beautiful book she's ever read? "But," she said, "it's about you." The author is your college ex.

In The Mason Jar, Clayton Fincannon is a Tennessee farm boy raised at the feet of his grandfather. He and his grandfather leave letters for each other in a Mason jar on his grandfather's desk---letters of counsel and affirmation. When Clayton attends college in Southern California, he meets and falls in love with a dark debutante from Colorado. However, when an unmentioned past resurrects in her life and she leaves, Clayton is left with unanswered questions.

Clayton goes on to serve as a missionary in Africa, while he and his grandfather continue their tradition of writing letters. When Clayton returns home five years later to bury his grandfather, he searches for answers pertaining to the loss of the young woman he once loved. Little does Clayton know, the answers await him in the broken Mason jar.

A story about a girl who vanished, a former love who wrote a book about her, and a reunion they never imagined.

Written for the bruised and broken, The Mason Jar is an inspirational romance that brings hope to people who have experienced disappointment in life due to separation from loved ones. With a redemptive ending that encourages us to love again and written in the fresh, romantic tones of Nicholas Sparks, The Mason Jar interweaves the imagery of Thoreau with the adventures and climatic family struggles common to Dances with Wolves, A River Runs Through It, and Legends of the Fall.

***

I'm not even sure where to start with this story.  The premise was interesting, but the execution was awful.  Given that the book has been out for 3 years now there were some major proofreading errors throughout the book that are just inexcusable and jarred me out of the story completely.

The style is nice, and I see the connection to Thoreau with the descriptive language, but in all honesty it feels like it was written as a movie script (which it is to become next year).  The characters dive headlong into a relationship and then there is this unrequited love for 10 years.  Yet the story starts in the present and you go back through the telling to figure out why they are where they are today.  And then when it gets to the present the book is over just like that with no fleshing out of the ending or even an epilogue.  That's quite frustrating to me.

The other thing that really bothered me was it felt like the story was one long cliche.  Grandpa gives good advice in his letters, but it honestly felt very preachy (and not in a religious way) to the reader.  Most people I know do NOT talk like that, even in writing!

Overall I would have to say, give this one a pass.  Maybe see the movie next year depending on reviews, but yes, it was definitely modeled on a Nicholas Sparks style so you may have already seen it.

***

Find your own copy or read other reviews here.


James Russell Lingerfelt is the author of The Mason Jar and writes articles for The Huffington Post. James connects with readers at his blog, Love Story from the Male Perspective, and divides his time between Southern California and his family's ranch in Alabama.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Book: The Sea House

Scotland, 1860.

Reverend Alexander Ferguson, naive and newly-ordained, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time on the island will irrevocably change the course of his life, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets.

Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child's fragile legs are fused together --- a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? Ruth needs to solve the mystery of her new home --- but the answers to her questions may lie in her own past.

Based on a real nineteenth-century letter to The Times in which a Scottish clergyman claimed to have seen a mermaid, The Sea House is an epic, sweeping tale of loss and love, hope and redemption, and how we heal ourselves with the stories we tell.

***

This is not your typical Christian fiction that I normally review.  I might consider it nominally Christian, but mostly it's just a really good book!  I love reading stories that are set in places I'm not familiar with, especially when the author does such a good job of setting the scene.  The UK English is a little hard sometimes as there are words that I'm not familiar with, but in some ways it definitely adds to the feel of the story.  I didn't even realize until reading this one that most "regency romances" set in England don't use "proper" English at all.

The Sea House jumps easily between the history of Alexander (and his maid Moira) and the present as Ruth discovers it by reading his journals. The story unfolds from these three points of view and it's fascinating to see how their stories intertwine even over 100 years apart.

This is not to say that it's a happy read, but life isn't always happy and neither was it a depressing read.  It's just a captivating story.  I highly recommend it!  (minor language warning)

***

Purchase your own copy or read other reviews here.

Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. She is the author of The House of Hope: A Story of God's Love and Provision for the Abandoned Orphans of China and has written articles for The Times and the Independent. She has a Diploma in Creative Writing from Oxford OUDCE and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway College. She is married with three children. They live in Kingston on Thames but spend as much time as possible in the Hebrides.


I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.