Archive | Books RSS feed for this section

Friday Freebies

23 Sep

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

bridge-of-faith-by-cathy-west

Bridge of Faith by Catherine West 

Kindle

Julia Connelly is finally free from twelve long years in an abusive relationship. Now able to live the life she’s longed for, Julia takes her two children back home to Vermont, hoping for peace and healing. The last person she expects to see is the man she eloped with at eighteen—who then abandoned her two months into their marriage, with little explanation.

When an assignment in the Middle East ends in tragedy, popular news correspondent, Reid Wallace, returns to his hometown seeking answers and peace of mind.

Confronting his past was not in the plan.

Now he’s asking different questions. Like why the only woman he’s ever really loved still mesmerizes him. Why the haunted expression she wears reaches right into his soul.

And why her twelve year-old son looks just like him.

They say you can’t go home again. Sometimes you don’t have a choice.

 

brentwoods-ward

Brentwood’s Ward by Michelle Griep

Kindle | Nook 

Place an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.

 

The Keeper

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Kindle |Nook

Life on Windmill Farm hasn’t been the same since Julia Lapp’s father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn’t stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding–again–she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul’s sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.

Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.

Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

 

the-bride-backfire

The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake

Kindle 

Come on down for a real family feud in this witty romance, the second novel in Kelly Eileen Hake’s Prairie Promises series. In the Nebraskan Territory of 1857, the longstanding feud between their two families makes Opal Speck desperate to save the life of the Grogan who once pulled her from a burning building. Will her big white lie-that Adam is the father of her unborn child-land in enemy territory for the rest of her life?  Find out how Adam and Opal deal with the repercussions of their shotgun wedding in The Bride Backfire! 

 

a-bride-opens-shop

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California by Keli Gwyn

Kindle

An ever-resourceful widow, Elenora Watkins arrives in El Dorado ready to go into partnership with Miles Rutledge. When he refuses, Elenora becomes the competition across the street. Is this town big enough for the two of them? Miles can’t help but stick his well-polished boot in his mouth whenever he comes face-to-face with Elenora. Can he find a way to win her heart while destroying her business? Miles’s mother, Maude, is bent on Elenora becoming her new daughter-in-law while Elenora’s daughter, Tildy, thinks Miles would make a perfect papa. How far will these meddlers go to unite this enterprising pair?

#BookReview: Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman

23 Sep

Deep Shadows

Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/20VtGvH

All It Takes Is One Night
to Plunge the World into Darkness

Life in Abney, Texas, is predictable and safe—until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology.

Shelby Sparks, novelist and single mom, had one goal: to provide for her diabetic son. In the wake of this global disaster, her mission hasn’t changed. Only now, medication is a priceless commodity and the future resembles an apocalyptic nightmare.

Max Berkman and Shelby were once sweethearts, but he lost his chance at claiming her love years ago. When the abrupt loss of power ushers him into a leadership role, he rises to the occasion. But his highest priority—to keep Shelby and her son safe—could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

As the brilliant northern lights give way to deep shadows, Max and Shelby’s faith will be tested like never before. Only one rule remains: Find a way to survive.

 

My thoughts:

With its plausible plot and superb characterization, Deep Shadows grabbed me and didn’t let go!  Vannetta Chapman has penned a riveting tale that will open your eyes and cause you to view the world around you very differently.  The characters and setting are vividly drawn, and I felt right at home in Abney, TX.  Deep Shadows is an extraordinary, thought-provoking story that left me begging for the next book in the Remnant series!

 

vc author photo, DS

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. 

Connect with Vannetta:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

Deep Shadows

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

Friday Freebies

16 Sep

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com
a-brides-portrait-of-dodge-city-ks

A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas by Erica Vetsch

Kindle

Hoping to leave the shadows of her shady yesteryears behind, Adeline Reid is focusing on her photography career. But when her ex-boyfriend’s compatriot in crime shows up in Dodge City her entire past is threatened by exposure. Can Addie keep her secrets while helping to catch a killer? Deputy Miles Carr’s investigation into a shopkeeper’s murder leads him to Addie’s door. Will his attraction to this female photographer keep him from catching the true culprit? Or will Addie lead him off course in more ways than one?

 

if-you-believed-in-love

If You Believed in Love by Staci Stallings

Kindle

Jonathon Danforth has checked out of life. Stinging from an unimaginable loss, he has withdrawn from life, wanting only to live out his existence with as little interference as possible. However, when his sister talks him into auditing an English Literature class at the local community college, he reluctantly accepts the invitation to abandon his lonely apartment. Intent upon making an appearance for his sister’s sake and then disappearing for his own, Jonathon sulks into class. But when he meets Elizabeth Forester, the professor, Jonathon learns there is more to life and to love than he ever could have imagined.

 

hearts-awakening

Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr

Kindle | Nook

With no means to support herself, Ellie Kilmer agrees to work as a housekeeper for the young widower who lives on Dillon Island, hopeful she can obtain a proper reference. But Jackson Smith quickly realizes that Ellie’s presence may solve his own problems–both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage.

When a marriage of convenience is offered, Ellie is initially humiliated. Though she is past the age most women marry, she has more pride than to agree to his outlandish suggestion. Yet what options does she have? To marry would mean a home and stability. So despite the rumors circling Jackson and his first wife, Ellie accepts this unlikely proposal…

#BookReview: The Lady and the Lionheart | Big Top #Giveaway

14 Sep

the-lady-and-the-lionheart

The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1UO0dos

Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia.

Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.

As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

 

My thoughts:

The Lady and the Lionheart is a story to be savored! Joanne Bischof is a magnificent storyteller, and her words never fail to leave an indelible mark on my heart. Such is the case with this tender and touching tale; each and every word engages the senses and stirs the emotions. I loved slipping behind the curtain and experiencing the sights and sounds of the Big Top world. Completely smitten by Charlie and Ella, my heart ached for these special characters and their extraordinary journey. Beautifully poignant, The Lady and the Lionheart is not to be missed!

 

GIVEAWAY!

big-top-giveaway

To celebrate the release of The Lady and the Lionheart, Joanne is giving away a box of Big Top goodies, perfect for a storybook day at the circus!  Click here to fill out the entry form.  Drawing is open through September 22, 2016.

 

the-lady-and-the-lionheart

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

Newton and Polly Pre-Order Offer + Sweepstakes

13 Sep

newton-and-polly

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found…

Now remembered as the author of the world’s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father—until the night he hears Polly Catlett’s enchanting voice, caroling. He’s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.

An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John’s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?

Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe.

 

PRE-ORDER OFFER!

newton-and-polly-pre-order-offer

Pre-order a copy of Newton & Polly before September 20, 2016 and receive a printable “Amazing Grace” pdf!  

 

SWEEPSTAKES!

newton-and-polly

Enter to win a copy of Newton & Polly!  

#BookReview: A Rancher of Convenience | Facebook Release Party

12 Sep

a-rancher-of-convenience

A Rancher of Convenience by Regina Scott

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2c5xa1u

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can’t believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch’s mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage…

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett’s death, Hank resolves to do right by the man’s wife and child. So it’s natural for him to step in as Nancy’s newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

 

My thoughts:

Regina Scott is a splendid storyteller, and I loved her fresh twist on this marriage of convenience story! A Rancher of Convenience takes readers to Texas in the late 1800s, and I enjoyed the bits of history of my home state. I also delighted in the wonderful characterization and the development of Nancy and Hank’s sweet story. Humorous and heartwarming, A Rancher of Convenience charmed me from beginning to end!

Although this is the third book in the Lone Star Cowboy League continuity series, A Rancher of Convenience is a story that can easily stand alone.

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

 

YOU’RE INVITED!

september-release-party

Join Danica Favorite, Gabrielle Meyer, Regina Scott, and Winnie Griggs TOMORROW, September 13, as they celebrate their September releases! Chat with the authors, learn more about their books, and win some fabulous prizes!

RSVP here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1087442108013856/

Friday Freebies

9 Sep

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

from-this-moment-on

From This Moment On by Debra Clopton

Kindle | Nook

Hurt by her failed marriage and dashed dreams, Cali Sinclair returns home to Windswept Bay with her heart wary and closed to the dreams of true love she so desperately wanted. Determined to never again risk her heart, she throws herself into running the family’s small boutique resort on the Florida coast, a place so full of romance that it’s a reminder every day of what she’ll never have. But when renowned artist Grant Ellington shows up to paint a mural on the wall of the resort, she’s swept away by her response to the artist. Suddenly, every time he looks at her, Cali finds it harder than she ever thought possible to keep her heart protected.

Grant Ellington loves his ranch, his horses, and his life as a sought-after artist. But after walking away from a plane crash that killed his best friend and the young pilot, he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt as he heads to Windswept Bay. Painting a sea life mural at the resort started out as a favor to his neighbor, but one meeting with the beautiful Cali and he feels alive again—and determined to spend time on the moonlit beaches with her in his arms…

But, like him, Cali has her own emotional scars—can they learn to trust the love that sparks between them and move forward from this moment on?

 

fools-rush-in

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Kindle | Nook

Bella Rossi may be nearing thirty, but her life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding planning business, Bella is determined not to let them down. She quickly books a “Boot Scoot’n” wedding that would make any Texan proud. There’s only one catch – she’s a country music numbskull because her family only listens to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Where will she find a DJ on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his Keith Urban?

When a misunderstanding leads her to the DJ (and man) of her dreams, things start falling into place. But with a family like hers, nothing is guaranteed. Can the perfect Texan wedding survive a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and a massive delivery of 80 cowboy boots? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?

 

petticoat-detective

Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley

Kindle | Nook

Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. She’s finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother’s name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder—and one very personal reason to hope that she’s wrong about him.

Join the My Sister’s Prayer Facebook party!

6 Sep
sister's prayer - fb event 

From the Christy Award-winning team of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould, My Sister’s Prayer tells an epic tale of two women compelled to protect their sisters, confront their fears, and navigate the muddy waters of betrayal to find true love.

Join Leslie, Mindy, and other readers on Facebook on September 27th for an author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)! Leslie and Mindy will be chatting about My Sister’s Prayer, answering your questions about the book, and of course, giving away prizes too!

Get your copy of My Sister’s Prayer so you’re ready for a fun book discussion. You can order your copy and find out more about the book here.

We hope you can join the fun. Bring your friends who love to read!

We’ll see you on September 27 for Leslie and Mindy’s Facebook party. RSVP here.

#BookReview: Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

3 Sep

Fraying at the Edge

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2bYrh0D

The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she’s immersed in the Englischer world, getting to know her mother and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana’s worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living Englisch, can steady the tilting ground between Ariana’s two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?

At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life—no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can’t leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and a deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn’t belong in either family.

 

My thoughts:

Fraying at the Edge is a compelling story! Cindy Woodsmall skillfully intertwines the Amish life with the Englisch as Ariana’s and Skylar’s world unravels. “New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they pray for the wisdom and strength they’ll need to follow God’s threads into unexpected futures?”

This second book in the Amish of Summer Grove series continues the story that began in Book 1, Ties That Bind. While these books can stand alone, I recommend reading them in order for a greater understanding of the characters and their stories. I have really enjoyed the emotional and spiritual journeys that are shared in this unique series and look forward to its next installment!

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

Friday Freebies

2 Sep

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

A Perfect Ambition

A Perfect Ambition by Dr. Kevin Leman & Jeff Nesbit

Kindle | Nook 

As the firstborn son of an old and powerful family, William Jennings Worthington VI knows what it’s like to be under pressure. Groomed from birth with the relentless message that he was destined for greatness, Will has always pushed himself to succeed–nearly as much as his never-satisfied financial tycoon father pushes him. Becoming CEO of the world’s largest and most adventuresome oil company seems the next logical step on the success ladder. But when circumstances turn, Will finds himself staring down a road that leads to Capitol Hill. Can he trade the board room for the Senate floor? Or will family secrets keep him from his destiny?

 

A Glimmer of Hope

A Glimmer of Hope by Julie Lessman

Kindle | Nook

From the moment Jack O’Bryen kissed the sixteen-year-old tomboy next door, he knew he would love her forever. Lacey Carmichael was everything he’d ever wanted—intelligent, warm, and brimming with life, the perfect complement to his serious and sensible self. A girlfriend who not only shared his faith, but he hoped his future as well, the perfect mate for a would-be pastor.

Eighteen-year-old Lacey Carmichael has dreamed of marrying Jack O’Bryen since she was twelve years old, the boy next door who always picked up the pieces after her father shattered her heart. But when her cousin leads her astray while Jack’s away at school and her father’s rejection soars to new heights, Lacey finds herself at odds with the boy that she loves, not only jeopardizing their relationship, but Jack’s faith and heart as well.

 

Daughters of the Heart

Daughters of the Heart by Caryl McAdoo

Kindle

God’s perfect plan is sometimes so hard to determine.

Gwendolyn, Cecelia, and the youngest, Bonnie, make a pact never to break their father’s heart like their big sister did. Then their determination is sorely tried when suitors show up, and he gets so pigheaded with his rules.

Will Henry survive his daughters coming of age? Will they endure and keep their promises to each other?

From one man asking to court her—who Daddy sends packing—Gwen goes to three! How can she ever decide? Cecelia knows exactly who she wants, but she’s still a year away from Daddy’s acceptable courting age. What if her beau doesn’t know or won’t wait? And Bonnie hates being the baby and wants to be grown-up more than just about anything…except her man. She is for sure and for certain in love.

In his life, Henry Buckmeyer has never been so beside himself. His little girls are so young, just babies, too young. He hates the whole idea of men coming to take them away and is inclined to shoot every one of them, but praise God for a level-headed, loving wife and step-mother! She helps keep him sane amidst the female chaos.

 

Dangerous Passage

Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris

Kindle | Nook

When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common–a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. But it doesn’t take long for them to realize that there is much more to the case than meets the eye. As they venture deep into a sinister world of human trafficking, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities–and their hearts.