#BookReview: One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

10 Dec

One Enchanted Christmas

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.

Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.

Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.

But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.

 

One Enchanted Christmas graphic

My thoughts:

Adorable! Bubbly! Charming! Delightful!

I’m pretty sure I could continue through the alphabet listing adjectives to describe this holiday novella. I loved it! All of the story elements, from the narration to the cover model crush to the trip Maple Valley, were such fun, and the romance was enchanting!

One Enchanted Christmas is the perfect read for the holiday season; it’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart!

 

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Melissa Tagg is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she’s also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she’s biased), watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next story. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings.

Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at http://www.melissatagg.com.

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#BlogTour: Cooking Up Christmas by Teresa Ives Lilly

8 Dec

Christmas Mail Order Angels Tour

As part of the Christmas Mail-Order Angels Tour hosted by Singing Librarian Books, I’m happy to welcome Teresa Ives Lilly to the blog today!  

Please share a little about yourself, Teresa.
I am in my fifties. I grew up in Buffalo New York…but got out of the snow as fast as possible. I now live in Texas, but I miss the changing seasons…and the snow Ha Ha.

When did you decide to pursue writing and eventually publication?
I homeschooled my children and once they were grown I began writing unit studies. However, I also began to pursue writing. I tried the traditional publishing at first, but met a nice woman on line who told me about self publishing and have followed that course since. (I was self publishing when it was not the THING to do)

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?
Favorite is coming up with the ideas, least favorite is writing everything between the beginning and the end.

Please tell us about your latest release, Cooking up Christmas.
Cooking up Christmas is one book I wrote with a group of ladies. I was very pleased to be chosen to be in the group but working on a story line started by someone else in the first book was hard to go with.

What inspired this story?
I just kept wondering what kind of job the character could have in the town and it came to mind.

What will you be working on next?
I’m currently writing Wild Prairie Rose with many of the ladies from this book group. However, we all write our own story as long as we bring in the state flower.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
www.teresalilly.wordpress.com

 

Cooking Up Christmas

Cooking Up Christmas by Teresa Ives Lilly

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1jKPqdL

When Henrietta agrees to become a mail order angel for Benjamin Capel, she moves to Angel Vale Wyoming eager to begin working in the town’s eatery. Although happy with her job and attracted to her husband-to-be, she discovers that Benjamin has several secrets. What does he do for a living, why does talking about money upset him so much and who actually owns the Angel Vale Eatery. Will these questions be answered so she can freely say I Do or does God have a different plan for her life in Angel Vale?

My thoughts:

Cooking Up Christmas is a delightful novella! I really enjoyed the chemistry between Henrietta and Benjamin and the development of their relationship through the story. Filled with humor and romance, Cooking Up Christmas is a heartwarming holiday tale!

I received a complimentary copy of this story in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Giveaway graphic- Christmas Mail-Order Angels Tour

I’m excited to share not one, but TWO giveaways!  

Giveaway #1 is just for this blog stop and includes an e-copy of Cooking Up Christmas.  Giveaway #2 is a tour-wide giveaway; the lucky winner will receive the entire Christmas Mail-Order Angels collection.  Click on the links below to enter BOTH giveaways!  

Giveaway #1 ~ An e-copy of Cooking Up Christmas

Giveaway #2 ~ The Christmas Mail-Order Angels Collection

 

Teresa Lilly

Teresa Ives Lilly has authored 16 novella/novels in Christian Romance. She tends to write historical but dabbles in contemporary as well. She also writes children’s chapter books and Unit Studies which are used in both private, public and homeschool. She lives in Texas with her husband and her grown children live near by. She currently owns and runs a Christian Library which offers over 2000 books to the public in the Christian genre only.

Connect with Teresa: website, Facebook

 

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#BookReview: A Thousand Shall Fall | Kindle Fire #Giveaway

7 Dec

A Thousand Shall Fall

A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1jbj37T

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off—only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

 

My thoughts:

“A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War”

A Thousand Shall Fall is a compelling tale! Andrea Boeshaar writes with historical accuracy and a Christian perspective as she shares the story of a young, spirited woman who finds herself in the hands of the enemy.

I love Civil War era novels and this one certainly captured my attention! The characterization is excellent, and I really enjoyed the relationships that develop as the story unfolds. Boeshaar’s extensive research and attention to detail bring life to the narrative, as she weaves a love story amidst the events that transpired in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Filled with drama, danger, and romance, I really enjoyed A Thousand Shall Fall and eagerly await the next installment in the Shenandoah Valley Saga!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

  Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/aboeshaar

 

The search for her runaway sister goes awry when Carrie finds herself arrested during the Civil War for impersonating an officer in Andrea Boeshaar’s A Thousand Shall Fall. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel who arrested her. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

400 - a thousand shall fall

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall
  • A Kindle Fire HD 6

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

a thousand shall fall-enterbanner

 

Andrea Boeshaar

Andrea Boeshaar is the cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and runs “The Writer’s ER,” a coaching service for writers. She is the author of thirty published works, including Threads of Faith, a finalist in the Inspirational Readers Choice Awards. Andrea is also the author of a popular devotional and regularly blogs on a number of sites.

Connect with Andrea: website, Twitter, Facebook

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#BookReview: The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck | $100 Cash Card #Giveaway

3 Dec

The Wedding Chapel

The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck

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

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ’49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

 

My thoughts:

There is so much goodness to be found in Rachel Hauck’s stories, and I believe The Wedding Chapel is one of her best yet! 

Told from multiple points of views, I was captivated by the intricacies of this story. I also reveled in the dual time frame and the superb imagery that brought each time period to life. There was a genuineness about the characters and their emotion-filled journeys that captured my heart, as did the wedding chapel and all it represented.

I loved this beautiful love story and longed to step into its pages and visit the enchanting chapel tucked in the Tennessee woods. I think it’s a place you’ll want to visit, too!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhauck

 

Join Rachel in celebrating the release of The Wedding Chapel by entering to win a copy and a $100 cash card—perfect for finishing up your Christmas gift shopping!

wedding chapel - 400

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of The Wedding Chapel
  • A $100 cash card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 17th. The winner will be announced December 18th on Rachel’s blog.

wedding chapel - enter banner

 

Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.

Connect with Rachel: website, Twitter, Facebook

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#BookReview: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

1 Dec

The Golden Braid

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

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

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower…

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

 

My thoughts:

The Golden Braid is a delightful retelling of Rapunzel!

I loved the adventure and romance of this enchanting tale! As I read, images danced across my mind as the story and its characters came to life on the pages. Although the premise is not new, Dickerson’s reimagining of Rapunzel’s story is fresh and vibrant and sure to please fans of fairy tales and medieval romance.

Melanie Dickerson is known and loved for her fairy tale retellings, and The Golden Braid is another splendid addition to the Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Blog Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdickerson

 

Melanie Dickerson

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Connect with Melanie: website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

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#BookReview: Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl

30 Nov

Rising Darkness

Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. After a rough childhood, her teenage poor choices harmed others, leaving her with no choice but to change her life. Her entry-level writing job at a newspaper puts her in the right place at the right time to overhear office gossip about a prisoner who has information on a decades-old unsolved crime. While the other reporters write off the tip as the ravings of an angry criminal, Sophie can’t ignore it because she knows the name of this prisoner from her old life.

Upon learning from the man that one of the other suspects is hiding out in the Missouri town of Sanctuary, she takes on a false identity to investigate and meets the young pastor of a local church–the very man she’d loved as a troubled teenager. As she gets closer to finding the suspect, will the truth of her own past come out before she discovers the identity of the criminal–or the very person she’s seeking puts a fatal stop to her investigation?

 

My thoughts:

Rising Darkness is the third and final book in the Finding Sanctuary series. While this novel stands alone, it does revisit characters from previous books. In fact, readers who have read Unbreakable, book two in the Road to Kingdom series, will especially enjoy reading Sophie Wittenbauer’s story.

When the pursuit of information concerning an unsolved crime leads Sophie to Sanctuary, Missouri, it also brings her face to face with someone from her past. Can Sophie keep her own identity concealed while trying to uncover the identity of a criminal?

Sophie and Jonathon are well-crafted characters, and their story is filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. Rising Darkness combines suspense and romance and is an enjoyable conclusion to the Finding Sanctuary series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Nancy Mehl

Nancy Mehl lives in Festus, Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored fifteen books and is currently at work on a new romantic suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

You can find out more about Nancy and her books by visiting her website.

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#BookReview: The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

28 Nov

The Christmas Joy Ride

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that’s exactly what she’s getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out in Christmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix–in the dead of winter, no less–the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off with Joy toward Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmas joyride–one that could derail the whole venture.

My thoughts:

The Christmas Joy Ride is pure delight! I always enjoy Melody Carlson’s Christmas stories, and this is one of my favorites!

When Joy Jorgenson makes plans to drive her RV along Route 66 to the retirement home in Phoenix, her neighbor Miranda packs a bag and climbs aboard for what becomes the ultimate Christmas joyride.

I loved Joy and Miranda’s holiday adventure and the meaningful message of their story! Humorous and heartwarming, Melody Carlson captures the spirit of Christmas in this touching tale.  The Christmas Joy Ride is a special story you don’t want to miss!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million. She is the author of the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington’s, and The Christmas Cat. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

26 Nov

Psalm 1004-5

Julie Klassen’s The Painter’s Daughter Coloring Contest

24 Nov
14385-PAINTERS DAUGHTER contest meme

Grab your colored pencils because Julie Klassen is hosting a coloring contest! Stop by the contest page to download and print The Painter’s Daughter coloring page and channel your inner artist. One master colorist will receive a signed copy of The Painter’s Daughter, two grown-up coloring books (Enchanting English Garden and Live Loved), and a set of 24 Prismacolor colored pencils.

Scan and email your entry to Amy Green with the subject line “The Painter’s Daughter Coloring Contest” to enter the first round of judging by December 8. Then stop by Julie’s Facebook page beginning December 10 to vote for your favorite (and tell your friends to vote, too)! The winner will be announced at Julie’s Facebook event on December 15 at 7 p.m. CST. Ready? Set. Color!

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#BookReview: Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts

23 Nov

 

Christmas on Candy Cane Lane Tour Banner

 

Christmas on Candy Cane Lane

Christmas on Candy Cane Lane
Author: Sheila Roberts
Publisher: Mira (Harlequin)
Pages: 400
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Romance

Everyone’s getting ready for Christmas in Icicle Falls, especially on Candy Cane Lane, where holiday decorating is taken very seriously. Tilda Morrison, town cop, is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in her first house…until she discovers that she’s expected to “keep up” with the neighbors, including Maddy Donaldson, the inspiration behind the whole extravaganza. But this year, someone’s destroying Maddie’s precious candy canes! Thank goodness for the cop in their neighborhood.

Tilda already has her hands full trying to sort out her love life and fix up her fixer-upper. Oh, and won’t it be fun to have the family over for Christmas dinner? Not really… Then there’s her neighbor, Ivy Bohn. As a newly single mom, Ivy can sum up the holiday in two words: Bah, humbug. But she’s determined to give her kids a perfect Christmas.

Despite family disasters, irritating ex-husbands and kitchen catastrophes, these three women are going to find out that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!

For More Information
• Christmas on Candy Cane Lane is available at Amazon.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

 

My thoughts:

“Funny how even the most imperfect Christmas can turn out perfectly.”  

Sheila Roberts welcomes readers back to Icicle Falls in this entertaining Christmas tale. Fans of the series are sure to enjoy Tilda’s story and the holiday happenings in her new neighborhood. However, if you have not read prior books in the Life in Icicle Falls series, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane easily stands on its own.

I love Christmas stories and this one was a fun read! Although holiday decorations abound on Candy Cane Lane, not all is happy and bright for Tilda Morrison, Maddy Donaldson, and Ivy Bohn. When these three women endure various calamities, they discover there is more to Christmas than keeping up with the neighbors. Sheila Roberts writes with humor and heart, and I enjoyed spending time in the charming community of Icicle Falls!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Sheila Roberts

Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in the Pacific Northwest. She’s happily married and has three children. She’s been writing since 1989, but she did lots of things before settling in to her writing career, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Her band days are over, but she still enjoys writing songs. Sheila’s books are best sellers and often appear as Reader’s Digest Condensed Books. Her novel “Angel Lane” was named one of Amazon’s top ten romances in 2009. Her novel “On Strike for Christmas” was a Lifetime Network movie and her novel “The Nine Lives of Christmas” is now a Hallmark movie, scheduled to air November 8th.

When she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences or hanging out with her girlfriends she can

For More Information
• Visit Sheila Roberts’ website.
• Connect with Sheila on Facebook and Twitter.
• Visit Sheila’s blog.

 

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