Archive | Books RSS feed for this section

Review + GIVEAWAY: The Butterfly and the Violin

14 Apr

The Butterfly and the Violin

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping 

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl–a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover–the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul–who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting’s subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

Thoughts:

“A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz–and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.”

I absolutely loved The Butterfly and the Violin!  It captivated me from the very first page and I was unable to put it down until the last page had been turned.  Kristy Cambron has woven two beautiful stories, one present day and one historical, together to create a literary masterpiece. 

Beautifully written with excellent characterization and vivid, historical details, The Butterfly and the Violin is a poignant story that stirred my emotions.  Its characters and spiritual messages won’t soon be forgotten!  I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, especially World War II era fiction!

Tomorrow, I will be sharing my thoughts about A Sparrow in Terezin, the sequel to this spectacular novel.  I loved A Sparrow in Terezin and highly recommend it as well.  However, The Butterfly and the Violin remains my favorite of the two stories.

 

Giveaway- The Butterfly and the Violin

 I loved this book so much that I want to gift a Kindle copy to one lucky reader!  To enter, please leave a comment below and be sure to include your email address.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 21 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.  The winner will be drawn and announced on Wednesday, April 22.

Do you enjoy World War II era stories?
If so, what are some of your favorites?

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

The winner is …

14 Apr

Raising the Stakes Cover

Deanne Patterson

Congratulations, Deanne!  You’ve won a copy of Raising the Stakes!

Thank you all for visiting and entering this giveaway!

Tags: , ,

Review: One Perfect Year

13 Apr

One Perfect Year

One Perfect Year by Melinda Curtis

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

How can Shelby Hawkley forgive Gage Jamero for bailing on her when she needed him most? He and her husband, Nick, were the best part of her life. Now her former best friend is back, shaking up the widowed wine harvester’s world. The safest bet is to protect herself. Except Gage is awakening feelings that are decidedly unfriend-like.

Shelby is the woman Gage has secretly loved since high school. Starting over together could be the best dream he’s ever had. If only he can find the courage to say what he should have said all those years ago.

My thoughts:

Melinda Curtis brings Harmony Valley and its residents to life in One Perfect Year. I loved the charming characters, both main and secondary, and the entertaining storyline! The relationship between Shelby and Gage is full of chemistry and was such fun to read. Witty and romantic, this wonderful story warmed my heart and left me smiling. I loved visiting Harmony Valley and look forward to returning again soon!

 

Melinda Curtis

Although Melinda has lived in Georgia and Texas, she’s a California girl at heart. Her earliest memories are of life on an isolated 50-acre sheep ranch in rural Sonoma County, California. Picture rolling hills covered in brown grass, a eucalyptus forest, a long gravel driveway lined with plump sheep and no sidewalks. It was a big deal to drive into town on a one-lane road in a ramshackle, bubble-fendered pickup for an ice cream.

Flash forward to this century. Melinda lives in California’s hot central valley with her husband – her basketball playing college sweetheart. With three kids the couple has done the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing.

Melinda writes sweet to medium heat contemporary romances as Melinda Curtis and red hot reads as Mel Curtis. She loves writing romances about women who don’t realize how strong they are until a hero comes along to show them, while capturing the wry humorous power struggle of falling in love – because, really, who lets the man have the last word?

Author Links:
Website | Facebook

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

Tags: , , , , ,

Do your children love horses? Enter to win a $150 Horse Lovers Prize Pack

11 Apr

Do your children love horses?

Film a short video telling why and you could win a $150 Horse Lovers Prize Pack!
Click here for contest details, rules, and entry form.

HorseForKateGiveawayImage
SILVER PRIZE
The Silver Prize is the Breyer Show Jumping Classics Toy Horse with Accessories, Breyer Classics Chelsea Show Jumper, and a copy of Miralee Ferrell’s new book A Horse for Kate. Two winners will be picked randomly, so anyone who submits a video has a chance to win!

GOLD PRIZE
The Gold Prize is a Horse Lovers Prize Pack (a $150 value!) of Breyer Horses products plus two copies of Miralee Ferrell’s new book A Horse for Kate. See image of the prize pack above. During the voting period (April 27–May 3), votes will be collected to determine the Gold Prize winner—the video with the most votes wins.

 

A Horse for Kate by Miralee Ferrell

A Horse for Kate

A horse of her own would be awesome. But Kate figures that might be a long way away, especially since she had to give up riding lessons and move to her late grandfather’s farm. Besides, it would be a lot more fun to have a best friend to ride with. When Kate discovers a barn on their new farm that’s perfect for a horse, and a dusty bridle too, she starts to think that her dream might come true. Then she meets Tori at school, who is totally the best. So when they discover a thoroughbred that appears to be all alone, could it be the answer to her prayers? Maybe. If she can convince her dad … and figure out what’s going on with that horse.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million | Christianbook.com | DeeperShopping | Parable | Family Christian Stores

Learn more about the entire book series on Miralee Ferrell’s website.

Miralee Ferrell is the author of eleven popular novels, including the bestselling Blowing on Dandelions. She and her husband live on eleven acres along the Columbia River Gorge in Washington state, where she loves horseback riding on the wooded trails near her home. She also enjoys playing with her dogs, Lacey and Sophie.

Tags: , , , , ,

Friday Freebies

10 Apr

Everything's Coming Up Rosy

Everything’s Coming Up Rosy: A novella
by Anita Higman

Amazon

When Rosy McBride is left at the altar on her wedding day, she’s devastated. She heads back to her hometown of Galveston, thinking she’s going to collapse from sorrow. But her family has another plan: set her up with an old friend, Larson. As he reveals his feelings, Rosy pulls back, but he is determined to help her find her way again—in love, in life, and in all that matters most.

 

Three Little Words

Three Little Words: A novella
by Melissa Tagg

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper’s popular “He Says/She Says” column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he’s been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn’t know where her career will lead her next, but she’s starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting…except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they’ll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

My thoughts:

Three Little Words is simply delightful and a wonderful introduction to the Walker family! I loved Seth Walker and Ava Kingsley. They are adorable characters and I really enjoyed their great chemistry and witty banter. I was reluctant for this e-only novella to end, and am eager to return to Maple Valley as the Walker Family Series continues!

 

Deadly Neighbors

Deadly Neighbors by Cynthia Hickey

Amazon

When Marsha Calloway’s daughter is accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Marsha is determined to find the real culprit. She enlists the help of her Cadillac driving mama, the man who ditched Marsha at her high-school graduation but kept her heart, and a bumbling police officer. Folks around River Valley are having things disappear while they are sleeping with their eyes open. Seems everyone has a dream and not enough funds. Someone is determined to kill for that dream. Will River Valley’s cast of colorful characters live to see another day? Can Marsha find out who the thief is before she becomes one of the sleep walkers?

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Begin Again Giveaway

9 Apr

Bethany House Publishers is celebrating the release of two amazing books, From the Start and Together with You!  Click the image below to enter to win one of two fantastic prize packages being given away! 

Begin Again Giveaway

Tags: , , , , , ,

Review: From the Start

9 Apr

From the Start

From the Start by Melissa Tagg

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

 

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn’t kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays…until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend’s hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he’s lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he’s never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it’s like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn’t part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that’s ever happened to them?

 

My thoughts:

I adored this book! A few of the things I especially loved were the charming setting of Maple Valley, the endearing characters, the witty dialogue, and the inspirational thread. Melissa Tagg writes with such heart and her stories sparkle with her signature humor and wit! The Walker family is destined to be one of my favorite fictional families, right up there with Susan May Warren’s Christiansen family.

From the Start is a heartfelt romance and the beginning of what is sure to be an award-winning series. It certainly won my heart and left me begging for the next book in the Walker Family series!

A complimentary copy of From the Start was provided to me by the publisher. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.

 

mtagg-pic1Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, 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.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Review: Tried and True

8 Apr

Tried & True

Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister–and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk–they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”–but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

Thoughts:

I loved this fun story!  Mary Connealy is a master of humor and western romance!  From the spunky characters to the drama, danger, and romance, Tried & True is pure delight.  I devoured this book and am eager to get my hands on the next one! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club Network.  All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received. 

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.
    

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The winner is…

8 Apr

DebbieCostello_SwordOfForgiveness_800px

 craftybooksheeps

Congratulations!  You’ve won a copy of Sword of Forgiveness!

Thank you all for visiting and participating in this giveaway! 

Tags: , ,

Review: Enough Already + Getaway Giveaway

7 Apr

Enough Already

Enough Already by Barbara Roose

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Eqr5Tw

Recognize your own outer and inner beauty as defined by God, not the media or others.

Most women know that God loves them, but might he love them more if they finally lost that last ten pounds, or got their hair to lay right, or finally found a pair of jeans that looked good and let them breathe? Well, maybe God doesn’t care about jeans, but women do, and all the talk about inner beauty hasn’t kept all of us from staring into a mirror and taking an inventory that never quite measures up. Enough Already will:

-Elevate the soul-freeing, spiritual truth that God is the Creator of beauty and that women are called to appreciate and care for themselves as his own.

-Enable women to accept God-given beauty so that when they look in the mirror they see his handiwork, not their flaws.

-Equip women to win the ugly struggle with beauty once and for all.

 

My thoughts:

“Enough Already addresses the origins of our ugly struggle with beauty as well as how to equip ourselves to win the battle.”

In this book, Barbara Roose encourages women to recognize and embrace their God-given beauty.  Each of its twenty chapters contains a wealth of information and encouragement.  The author shares her personal beauty stories and struggles, as well as those from other women she has surveyed.  Scriptures and biblical teachings are also shared and each chapter concludes with questions for group discussion and personal reflection.

Barbara Roose writes with openness and honesty as she offers advice on how to win your “ugly struggle with beauty.”  I enjoyed her message and appreciate the opportunity to read and review Enough Already.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  

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

 

Learn how to recognize your own outer and inner beauty as defined by God, not the media or others, in Barbara Roose‘s new book, Enough Already. What would it take for you to believe you are enough already? Most women know God loves them, but might he love them more if they finally lost that last ten pounds, or got their hair to lay right, or finally found a pair of jeans that looked good and let them breathe? Well, maybe God doesn’t care about jeans, but women do, and all the talk about inner beauty hasn’t kept all of us from staring into a mirror and taking an inventory that never quite measures up.

Barbara is celebrating the release with a giveaway! One reader will receive a cash card and writing supplies for her own inner-beauty weekend getaway!

enough-400 
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A $75 cash card for your own inner-beauty weekend getaway
  • A notepad/pencil set for your inner-beauty quiet time
  • A copy of Enough Already

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 12th. Winner will be announced April 13th on Barbara’s blog.

enough-enterbanner

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

 

Barb Roose

Barbara Roose is an African-American, wife, mother, and pastor with a passion for creatively communicating God’s truths in a manner that is relevant and easy for people to apply to their lives. In February 2002, she joined the staff at Cedar Creek Church in Perrysburg, Ohio. Currently, she is the Directional Leader and Pastor of Spiritual Formation. For the past eight years, she has had the privilege to serve as periodic teaching pastor to 10,000 (average) weekly attendees. Since 2010, she has spoken at various women’s conferences in the U.S. and Honduras. In October 2012, she was a guest speaker for best-selling author and former Women of Faith speaker, Nicole Johnson’s Seasons Weekend Experience. Barbara and her husband, Matt, have been married 21 years and live in Toledo, Ohio.

Find Barbara online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Tags: , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →