Archive | June, 2015

Review: Security Breach

15 Jun

Security Breach

Security Breach by Margaret Daley

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Security Breach is an exciting story full of twists, turns, and surprises! The action begins with an intruder at the White House and escalates to more sinister attacks. Officer Nicholas Cole and his canine partner, Max, must work to solve the case and protect White House tour director Selena Barrow. Who is behind the attacks and why are they being committed? Those questions and more kept me turning the pages of this action-packed story. I loved the imagery and details of the White House and Capitol Hill events, as well as the political and romantic elements of this story.

I really enjoyed Security Breach and look forward to reading the other books in this series. Security Breach is the fourth installment in the Capitol K-9 Unit continuity series, which begins with Protection Detail by Shirlee McCoy and will conclude with Proof of Innocence by Lenora Worth.

I received a complimentary copy of Security Breach from the author. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and share my honest opinion.

 

About the book:

When White House tour director Selena Barrow is attacked in her office, the Capitol K-9 Unit goes on high alert. Selena’s cousin is a person of interest in a congressman’s shooting, and Selena has been collecting evidence to exonerate her. Could this be the break they’re looking for? Officer Nicholas Cole and his dog, Max, step in to safeguard Selena—and to keep an eye on the evidence. As the attacks escalate, Selena finds it increasingly difficult to keep her distance from her handsome protector. But with an unknown enemy watching Selena’s every move, Nicholas will become her confidant…and her lifeline.

Margaret Daley
Margaret Daley is an award-winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. She has also won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. Margaret wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. 

To learn more about Margaret and her books, please visit her website, www.margaretdaley.com.

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Review: The Mapmaker’s Children

14 Jun

The Mapmaker's Children

The Mapmaker’s Children by Sarah McCoy

Sarah Brown, the vibrant, talented daughter of abolitionist John Brown, is dynamically changed when she stumbles onto her father’s work on the Underground Railroad shortly after being told the shocking news that she won’t ever bear children. Realizing that her artistic talents may be able to help save the lives of slaves fleeing north, she becomes one of the movement’s leading mapmakers, hiding maps within her paintings while bigotry and hatred steer the country toward a bloody civil war.

Interwoven with Sarah’s adventure is the present-day story of Eden, a modern woman desperate to conceive a child with her husband, who moves to an old house in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and discovers a porcelain head hidden in the root cellar—the remains of an Underground Railroad doll with an extraordinary past of secret messages, danger and deliverance. Sarah and Eden’s connection bridges the past and present, forcing each of them to define courage, family, love, and legacy in a new way.

 

My thoughts:

The Mapmaker’s Children is dramatic, intriguing, and full of emotion!  Sarah McCoy skillfully weaves fact and fiction together in this dual time-period narrative.  I love historical fiction, so I really enjoyed the history of Sarah Brown and her family and their work with the Underground Railroad.  While the historical story line was my favorite, I also enjoyed the contemporary story line and the threads that tied the past and present together.  I really enjoyed this compelling story and look forward to reading more from this talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging for Books and appreciate the opportunity to offer my honest opinion.

 

sarah mccoy

SARAH McCOY is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestseller The Baker’s Daughter, a 2012 Goodreads Choice Award Best Historical Fiction nominee. Her first novel is The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico.

Sarah’s work has been featured in Real Simple, The Millions, Your Health Monthly, Huffington Post and other publications. She has taught English writing at Old Dominion University and at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The daughter of an Army officer, her family was stationed in Germany during her childhood. She calls Virginia home but presently lives with her husband, an Army physician, and dog, Gilbert, in El Paso, Texas.

Her novella “The Branch of Hazel,” featured in the anthology Grand Central (Penguin), releases July 1, 2014. Her third novel The Mapmaker’s Children releases from Crown May 5, 2015.

To learn more about Sarah and her books, please visit her website. 

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Review: Hearts Made Whole | Prize Pack Giveaway and Facebook Party

13 Jun

Hearts Made Whole

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1eN4pC8

Hearts Made Whole is a captivating story!  The superb imagery and characterization pulled me into the pages and swept me away to 1865 Michigan.  I felt such compassion for the characters in this story!  Ryan Chambers, who we met in Book 1, Love Unexpected, is a haunted hero.  This war veteran has come to the Windmill Point Lighthouse to hide from his past and, instead, finds himself and his future.  Caroline Taylor, the heroine, assumes the care of her family and the lighthouse after her father’s death and does so with strength and tenacity.  In addition to the main characters, there are also several secondary characters who evoked strong emotions as I read.    

I loved the historical details, spiritual themes, gripping suspense, and tender romance found in Hearts Made Whole.  Jody Hedlund masterfully weaves these threads together, creating a most compelling story!    I highly recommend Hearts Made Whole, as well as the other stories in the Beacons of Hope series.  While each story stands alone, there is a special thread that runs through the series and is such a beautiful part of each story.  As thoughts of this story linger, I anxiously await the release of Book 3, Undaunted Hope.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me through Litfuse Publicity.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and share my honest opinion.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/jhedlund

 

Celebrate the release of Hearts Made Whole by entering to win an Afternoon at the Beach prize pack and RSVPing to Jody’s June 23rd author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

One second-place winner will receive:

One third-place winner will receive:

hearts made whole - prize colalge
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 23rd.Winner will be announced June 23rd at Jody’s Facebook party. RSVP here!
hearts made whole - enter banner

 

About the book:

Can she forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper—even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation—the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope…and possibly love?

 

Jody Hedlund picJody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling historical fiction author. She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Find Jody online: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Friday Freebies

12 Jun

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Chasing the SunWhen her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but also for the Texas ranch her father recently acquired. A marriage of convenience could ease her predicament… but is it the true desire of her heart?

Wounded soldier William Barnett returns home only to find out that his family’s ranch has been seized. Though angered at this turn of events, he’s surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.

Despite these circumstances, Hannah and William form an uneasy truce… and an undeniable attraction builds between them. In a land where loyalties are divided in a country ravaged by war, is there any hope that the first blush of love can survive?

 

Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Rules of MurderFrom the tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his stylish cheviot trousers, he’s the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.

With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he’s learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be–not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

 

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn’t terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they’ve ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she’s rescued by Luke Stone…so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won’t let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and since he can’t just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she’s going to have to go with him.

But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?

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The winner is …

11 Jun

Winner graphic

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Review: Once Upon a Summertime

10 Jun

Once Upon a Summertime

Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

When Anna Gordon follows her dream to New York City, she discovers something she never expected!

Melody Carlson’s vivid imagery brings to life the sights and sounds of this light-hearted story.  Anna is an engaging character, and I enjoyed her journey of self-discovery and her relationship with Sean O’Neil, a crush from her childhood.  The conclusion of the story felt a bit rushed, but I did appreciate its ambiance and romance.  Once Upon a Summertime is an enjoyable story and a fun summer read! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and appreciate the opportunity to share my honest opinion.

 

About the book:

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it’s a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises–not the least of which is Sean O’Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

 

Melody CarlsonMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than 6.5 million.  She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice.  She and her husband live in central Oregon.  Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com. 

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Review: Now and Forever

8 Jun

Now and Forever

Now and Forever by Mary Connealy

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

A grizzly bear, sheep, and wolves!  Oh my!  I can always count on Mary Connealy to humor me with her stories, and she certainly delivered the laughs in Now and Forever.  She also delivered drama, danger, and intrigue in this Wilde adventure. 

I loved Shannon Wilde and Matt Tucker!  Shannon is an independent woman who is determined to maintain her homestead and tend her sheep.  Matt is a mountain man content to hunt and trap and live off the land.  These two are entertaining characters and the fireworks between them are fun to behold!   

Now and Forever is another delightful story in the Wild at Heart series.  I love these feisty sisters and can’t wait to read Book 3, Fire and Ice! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

 

About the book:

Saddle up for romance and adventure with the Wilde sisters!

Shannon Wilde is the middle sister–and the one who loves animals. She’s established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine…until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!

Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon’s land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn’t count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad–and trying to hurt the woman he’s falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.

 

Mary Conneally

 

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy…with cowboys.
http://www.maryconnealy.com
She is a Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

 

 

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Review: As Waters Gone By | Summer of Fun $100 Giveaway

6 Jun

As Waters Gone By

As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti

 Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Gs5M3Q

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?

 

Thoughts:

As Waters Gone By is a captivating story!  Cynthia Ruchti drew me into the pages with her excellent characterization and beautiful imagery. 

There is something special about each of the quirky, misfit characters in this book.  Emmalyn, Boozie, and so many others warmed my heart.  As I read, I found myself turning each page with an eagerness to know and understand them and their journeys.  The charming setting of Madeline Island is another special character in this story.  I would love to visit M’s restored cottage and then venture down the road to The Wild Iris Inn and enjoy their delectable fare and warm hospitality. 

As Waters Gone By is a book to enjoy and savor!  I loved this memorable story of hope and healing and can’t wait to read more from Cynthia Ruchti! 

A complimentary copy of As Waters Gone By was provided to me through Litfuse Publicity. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and share my honest opinion.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/cruchti

 

Cynthia is celebrating the release of As Waters Gone By by giving away a summer of fun to one lucky reader!

as waters gone by - 400 

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A $100 cash card to put toward your trip to Madeline Island (discover the beauty of the setting of As Waters Gone By) or your summer vacation destination
  • A book-club set (10 copies of As Waters Gone By and a downloadable starter kit) so you can start your own summer book club

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 10th. The winner will be announced June 11th on Cynthia’s blog.

as waters go by-enterbanner 

Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia’s mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you’ll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200). That includes:

  • The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring
  • A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse
  • A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal
  • Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction

 

Cynthia Ruchti

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.

Find Cynthia online: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Friday Freebies

5 Jun

No Place for a Lady

No Place For A Lady by Maggie Brendan

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Nothing in her past had prepared her for a Colorado cattle drive–or Luke Weber.

Longing for a new start, Crystal Clark arrives amid the splendor of the high country in June 1892. After the death of her father, Crystal is relieved to be leaving the troubles of her Georgia life behind to visit her aunt’s cattle ranch. Despite being raised as a proper Southern belle, Crystal is determined to hold her own in this wild land–even if a certain handsome foreman named Luke doubts her abilities.

Just when she thinks she’s getting a handle on the constant male attention from the cowhands and the catty barbs from some of the local young women, tragedy strikes. And saving the ranch from a greedy neighboring landowner means taking charge of a cattle drive, ready or not. Can she rise to the challenge? Or will she head back to Georgia defeated?

 

Tara's Gold

Tara’s Gold by Lisa Harris

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Living up to the reputations of her aunt Rachel, who worked as a spy in the War Between the States, and parents who were instrumental in Boston’s Underground Railroad is a difficult task for Tara Young. So when she finds mention of an unsolved gold heist in her aunt’s journal, Tara decides her claim to fame will be finding the missing gold. Aaron Jefferson is a government agent seeking the same illusive goals-the cache of gold, but more importantly, a place of worth in his own illustrious family. When Tara and Aaron find their paths converging, however, each is determined to find the gold on their own. But their Heavenly Father has another plan. Will they ever learn that God Himself is to be desired more than fame or fine gold?

 

As Young as We Feel

As Young As We Feel by Melody Carlson

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Once upon a time in the little town on the Oregon coast, there were four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever. But that was 47 years and four lives ago. Now a class reunion has brought them all—the New York lawyer, the empty nester, the frustrated artist, and the aging starlet—together again in their old hometown, at a crossroads in their lives. They’re about to explore the invigorating reality that even the most eventful life has second acts…and there’s no statute of limitations on friendship.

 

Welcome to Last Chance

Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

She’s learned you can’t count on anyone–but she didn’t count on landing in Last Chance.

The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it’s her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life–especially since she’s on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

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2 Book GIVEAWAY | River of Danger + Color of Danger

4 Jun

River of Danger

River of Danger by Alexa Verde

Purchase a copy: Amazon

Dallas reporter River Montenegro returns to her hometown, Rios Azules, in south Texas to aid her father, a constantly recovering alcoholic. After the notorious Smiling Killer strikes close to her home — and her own neck, River grudgingly accepts help from her childhood friend and first love, who unknowingly crushed her heart.

When his formerly awkward school buddy is being stalked and attacked, local newspaper editor and town favorite Jacob Forrester decides to protect River. Falling for River, who blossomed into a confident, beautiful woman, Jacob is also eager to take their friendship to a different level. But River always made it clear she wouldn’t stick around.

Scarred and scared, River has fled to the big city lights once. But she’s stronger now. The homegrown killer better be prepared because not all Rivers run…

Novella River of Danger is a prequel to the Secrets of Rios Azules Series, followed by Book 1, Color of Danger. The series is set in Rios Azules, a small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep, and the richest family in town has a fine taste for food, jewelry, and murder.  Each book is a complete inspirational romantic suspense and can be read as a stand-alone. Each book in the series features one of five childhood friends – a group once nicknamed Danger Girls – finding love amid danger to her life, her heart, and her faith.

 

My thoughts:

Last year, I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Alexa Verde’s debut novel, Color of Danger.  This inspirational romantic suspense kept me guessing until the very end!  It also left me eager for more, so I was excited to learn that Alexa was releasing a prequel novella.

River of Danger is an exciting story and a wonderful introduction to the Secrets of Rios Azules Series!  Whether you’ve already enjoyed the first book, as I have, or have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Rios Azules, this novella is a recommended read.

I enjoyed getting to know River Montenegro and her childhood friends, the Danger Girls, and look forward to reading each of their stories in future books.  Alexa Verde skillfully weaves elements of drama, intrigue, and romance with an inspirational thread.  I really enjoyed River of Danger and can’t wait for more stories in this exciting series! 

My thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of River of Danger.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this novella and share my honest opinion.  

Giveaway- Alexa Verde

Alexa has graciously offered to give away an e-copy of River of Danger and an e-copy of Color of Danger to one lucky winner!  To enter, please leave a comment, along with your email address. 

This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 10 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
The winner will be drawn and announced on Thursday, June 11.

To earn additional entries, you may do the following:

◦Follow my blog, Buzzing About Books
◦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.


 About the Author:

Alexa Verde fell in love with writing at age eight when she penned her first poem. After publishing 200 short stories, poems, and articles in the five languages she speaks, Alexa has turned her creative passion to writing novels. Her May 2014 debut inspirational romantic suspense, COLOR OF DANGER, is the first in her Secrets of Rios Azules series—set in a fictional small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep and the richest family in town has a fine taste for food, jewelry, and murder.

Visit Alexa online: website, Facebook, Goodreads

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