Archive | July, 2014

Sealed with a Kiss

29 Jul

thunderclap

The Inspy Kisses authors have released a new collection of never-before-seen love stories!

 

Featuring these novellas:

Mail-Order Sunshine Bride by Janet Tronstad 

When mail-order bride, Eleanor O’Reilly, arrives in the Montana Territory the only one on the railway platform to greet her is a dangerous-looking man who claims to be the sheriff. Where is her intended husband? Janet Tronstad delights readers with another of her popular mail-order bride stories.

Deadly Intent by Margaret Daley 

Texas Ranger Sarah Osborn is sent to investigate the kidnapping of a prize stallion from the Shamrock Ranch, owned by Ian O’Leary, an ex-FBI agent and Sarah’s high school sweetheart. Someone from Ian’s past has a grudge against him and intends to make him suffer. Can Sarah help Ian find who wants him dead?

Unshakeable Pursuit by Camy Tang 

A mysterious young woman warns Dr. Geoffrey Whelan and nurse Maylin Kinley that they are in mortal danger, and then two Asian hit men attack them at the children’s clinic where they work. Geoffrey and Maylin run for their lives, determined to figure out who is after them and why. When they discover the threat is connected to a young teenager whose life they saved, they must race to stop the person who wants them dead—before everyone they care about is caught in the crossfire.

With Love, Cowboy by Lacy Williams

When the love of his life is injured in combat, Ryan Michaels promises himself he won’t let any more time go by without declaring his love. Veteran Ashley Reynolds returns home a changed woman, but is she ready to see the truth about the cowboy she left behind?

 

Thoughts:

Sealed with a Kiss is a delightful anthology by a wonderfully talented group of inspirational authors!

From historical to contemporary, each novella was a pleasure to read! I adored Janet Tronstad’s mail-order bride story. Margaret Daley and Camy Tang kept me in suspense with lots of excitement and hold-your-breath moments. Lacy Williams warmed my heart with her endearing love story.

I loved Sealed with a Kiss and look forward to reading more from these great authors!

I received a complimentary copy of Sealed with a Kiss. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

Buy now:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iBooks

Love in the Wind

25 Jul

Love in the Wind

Love in the Wind by Elizabeth Goddard

Synopsis:

Sailing is Maddie Cramer’s escape.

Now she’s counting on it to bring her closer to the biological father she’s just met. But her chances of winning the regatta—and his approval—are in jeopardy unless she can find a new crewmate. Enter Grady Stone, a perfect fit for Maddie’s crew in more ways than one.

Maddie and Grady grow close as they spend time together on the water. But Maddie, wary of emotional entanglement, guards her heart closely. And Grady’s here only to help Maddie win the race, then he’s off to a new job. The day of the race will test their ability to sail together—and the trueness of their love.

Thoughts:

Love in the Wind is a delightful love story!  I loved the main characters, Maddie Cramer and Grady Stone.  They both had such strength, but their pasts left them vulnerable as well. Their emotional and romantic journey felt very natural and was a pleasure to read. I also enjoyed the beautiful setting and the sailing that was wonderfully detailed.  Love in the Wind is a great story and a perfect afternoon read! 

You can purchase your copy from Amazon, other online retailers, or your favorite bookstore.

Biography:

highresgoddard-HR-2-2-e1382722351811Elizabeth Goddard is an award-winning author of eighteen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—winner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she home schools her children and serves with her husband in ministry. 

To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, visit her website at http://elizabethgoddard.com.  While you’re there, be sure and sign up for her quarterly newsletter so you won’t miss any exciting news!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Captured by Love

23 Jul

Captured by Love

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund

Synopsis:

It is 1814 and the British have taken hold of Mackinac Island and its fort, forcing American residents to swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a voyageur–a fur trader who left his family home to find freedom and adventure. He’s been gone five years and when he returns, his family’s farm is at the mercy of the British invaders.

Torn between the life he’s grown used to and guilt over leaving his brother and mother, he’s drawn back into the loyalist fight against the British–and into a relationship with Angelique Mackenzie, a beautiful local girl who’s been befriended by the daughter of the British commander. As tensions mount and the threat of violence increases, both Angelique and Pierre must decide where their loyalties rest, how far they will go to find freedom, and how much they will risk to find love.

Thoughts:

Captured by Love is an excellent historical romance! I found myself immediately drawn to the beautiful cover, and as I began reading I was quickly captivated by the story.

Jody Hedlund paints a vivid picture with her words and brings this story, its characters, and the setting to life. Although it is a work of fiction, many of the events and characters are based on the actual history of Mackinac Island. This perfect blend of fact and fiction, coupled with an achingly tender romance, makes this a must read for fans of historical romance!

Captured by Love stirred my emotions and left me eager to read more from Jody Hedlund!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Wishes Granted!

18 Jul

Thank you all so much for celebrating with me!!  I had so much fun with this giveaway and loved seeing what was at the top of everyone’s wish list! 

 

Book gift

 

Three names were selected using Random.org and each winner will receive a copy of the book she wished for. 

Lauren- Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade

Brittany- A Moment in Time by Tracie Peterson

Elisa- The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

 

I love giveaways so much, I selected two more winners!

For being the early bird commenter, Stephanie will be receiving Landline by Rainbow Rowell.

For being the top commenter over the last year, Melanie B. will be receiving The Thief by Stephanie Landsem.

 

Congratulations and Happy Reading!

Celebrating 1 Year of Blogging!

15 Jul

1 Year Blogiversary

Today, I am excited to be celebrating 1 year of blogging!  I have enjoyed so many memorable experiences this past year and love the connections I have made with wonderful writers and readers.  I look forward to sharing many more books, deals, and giveaways!

To celebrate this special blogging occasion, I am granting book wishes!

We all have books on our wish list and I thought it would be fun to make a few of those wishes come true!  To enter, leave a comment below with the title of the book that is at the very top of your book wish list.  Be sure to include your email address!  Please select a book that is currently available or releasing this month. 

3 winners will have their book wish come true!

This giveaway ends Thursday, July 17 at midnight CST.  Three winners will be drawn and announced on Friday, July 18.

You may only comment with one book title.  However, additional entries may be earned by doing the following:

◦Let me know you follow my blog
◦Sign up to follow if you are not a follower
◦Share this giveaway through Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or email

Be sure and leave a comment letting me know what you have done to earn additional entries.

 Good luck and may your book wish come true!!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Friday Freebies

11 Jul

Click the images below to be taken to the Kindle store. 

Nook links are given at the bottom of the post.

Submerged

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.

Yancey, Alaska was a quiet town…until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation–and Yancey’s a small town. She’s returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer has settled in his town and doesn’t appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he’s not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

 

Into The Free

Just a girl. The only one strong enough to break the cycle.

In Depression-era Mississippi, Millie Reynolds longs to escape the madness that marks her world. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she struggles to find a place where she really belongs.

For answers, Millie turns to the Gypsies who caravan through town each spring. The travelers lead Millie to a key that unlocks generations of shocking family secrets. When tragedy strikes, the mysterious contents of the box give Millie the tools she needs to break her family’s longstanding cycle of madness and abuse.

Through it all, Millie experiences the thrill of first love while fighting to trust the God she believes has abandoned her. With the power of forgiveness, can Millie finally make her way into the free?

Nook books:

Submerged  and Into the Free

Give:Joy Sweepstakes

3 Jul

Topbanner- Give Joy

 

In bestselling author Lauraine Snelling’s new novel, Heaven Sent Rain, Dinah Taylor has an orderly life, and that is just how she likes it. A balanced bank account, a perfectly furnished luxury apartment, a satisfying career as a scientist and CEO of her own company, and an uncomplicated personal life. Then her well-ordered world is thrown into chaos when she finds a seven-year-old boy and his scruffy dog sitting alone outside her office building.

To celebrate the release of this heart-warming novel, FaithWords and author Lauraine Snelling are pleased to present the GIVE:JOY Sweepstakes.  This sweepstakes features three spectacular prizes, each closely connected to the story, but each prize also comes with a twist: you “Enter to Give”, rather than “Enter to Win”! 

This is your chance to do something beautiful and make a difference for a friend, family member, shelter, church, or charity.

HOW TO ENTER:

Go to http://www.laurainesnelling.com/html/giveaways.html and complete the entry box, anytime between July 1 and July 21.  

This giveaway starts July 1, 2014 and ends July 21, 2014 @ 11:59 pm (PST). Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Tuesday July 22, 2014, and announced at laurainesnelling.com.

 

GRAND PRIZE:

HELP & HOPE SUPPORT GIFT

grandprize1In Heaven Sent Rain, Dinah meets an extraordinary little boy named Jonah, and his dog, Mutt. Jonah faces a life of struggle, hunger, and poverty, but his courage in these challenges inspires Dinah to step outside her well-ordered world and do something wonderful for him. Through her choice, Dinah discovers joy is found not in getting more for herself, but in giving to make someone else’s life better. Our Grand Prize winner will have the same opportunity for joy, with their choice of :

• A $250 VISA gift card for a friend in need, or
• A $250 donation to the faith-based charity, church, or shelter of their choice

SECOND PRIZE:

BLESSINGS & BLOOMS SURPRISE BOUQUETS

secondprize1A mysterious thing happens to Dinah several times in the story: flowers! Beautiful encouragement bouquets—with no sender’s name—appear on her office desk during difficult times when she feels she can’t go on. In honor of Dinah’s secret flower sender (you’ll have to read the story to find out his or her identity) we’re offering our Second Prize winner the chance to become a secret flower sender themselves, and brighten the day of a sick friend, a new mom, a military spouse, a weary co-worker, or some other deserving person in their life, with:

• A 3-month gift subscription to ProFlowers Bouquet of the Month Club

THIRD PRIZE:

VALIANT VET ENCOURAGEMENT GIFT

thirdprize1Like Jonah’s dog, Mutt, the animals in our lives are priceless sources of help, comfort, and unconditional love. No one understands this better than our story’s hero, veterinarian Garret Miller. Throughout the book, “Dr. G” works tirelessly to save and heal people’s furry friends, including Mutt, and an injured service dog named Valiant.

 And Like Dr. G, many real-life veterinarians and animal shelter workers make all the difference in the lives of our animals, often giving services beyond what’s billed. Our Third Prize winner will have a chance to do something extra special for their favorite vet or animal shelter, with:

• A $100 veterinary/shelter donation to be used toward treatment of an animal whose owner cannot afford to pay for veterinary care, or
• A $100 Starbucks card sent to the veterinary/shelter staff as a special encouragement gift

 

Book Summary:

Heaven Sent RainDinah Taylor has an orderly life, and that is just how she likes it. A perfectly furnished luxury apartment, a satisfying career as a scientist and CEO of her own company, and an uncomplicated personal life. But all of that changes when she meets seven-year-old Jonah.

The boy shows up one day, a scruffy dog by his side, in front of her office building. Dinah knows nothing about kids and even less about animals, but after she buys him breakfast, he shows up the next day…and the next. She tries to learn more about him, to help him, but he’s remarkably skilled at evading her questions.

And then, late one night, he calls her in a panic–his dog has been badly injured. Dinah rushes them to a local animal clinic, where she meets Garret, a veterinarian with a thriving practice and a passion for drawing.

Though Jonah takes to Garret right away, for some reason neither understands, Dinah and Garret just don’t mesh. But for Jonah’s sake, their lives continue to collide, and slowly the relationship between these three strangers begins to change.

Book Info & Sample Chapter:  http://laurainesnelling.com/html/othernovels.html