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Review: Miracle in a Dry Season
10 Nov
Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas
It’s 1954 and Perla Long’s arrival in the small town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.
Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor…until he meets Perla. She’s everything he’s sought in a woman, but he can’t get past the sense that she’s hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla’s unique way with food brings both gratitude and condemnation, placing the pair in the middle of a maelstrom of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.
Thoughts:
Sarah Loudin Thomas brings the history and people of Appalachia to life in her debut novel! Set in 1954, Miracle in a Dry Season is a heartfelt tale of small town life. I found the unique storyline to be unexpected and enchanting, with a colorful cast of characters. I enjoyed visiting Wise, West Virginia, and look forward to reading the next book in the Appalachian Blessings series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club Network. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Free download- An Apple For Christmas
7 NovI am excited to share that An Apple for Christmas, the fourth novella in the Christmas Traditions Series, is FREE on Amazon from November 7-9! Download this delightful novella today!
Ruby Nelson trades her job in the laboratory for teaching in a small girls’ school in Vermont. Twin sisters challenge her position—and their father captivates her imagination. Will the orchard grower graft Ruby onto his heart?
E-book Sale- Driftwood Tides
6 Nov
He made himself an island until something unexpected washed ashore.
When Holton lost his wife, Adele, in a freak accident, he shut himself off from the world, living a life of seclusion, making driftwood sculptures and drowning his pain in gin. Until twenty-three-year-old Libby knocks on his door, asking for a job and claiming to be a friend of his late wife. When he discovers Libby is actually his late wife’s illegitimate daughter, given up for adoption without his knowledge, his life is turned upside down as he struggles to accept that the wife he’d given saint status to was not the woman he thought he knew.
Together Holton and Libby form an unlikely bond as the two struggle to learn the identity of Libby’s father and the truth about Adele, themselves, and each other.
Purchase links:
The winner is…
3 Nov
The winner of a copy of A Doctor’s Heart is:
Kelly Youngblood
Congratulations, Kelly!
Thank you all for visiting and participating in the giveaway!
Review: Wildwood Creek
3 Nov
Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate
With love and loss tangled together, how was she to know where her life would lead?
Allie Kirkland has always heard the call of her father’s unfinished destiny. When she’s offered a production assistant’s job on a docudrama filming in the hills near Moses Lake, Texas, the dream of following in her director-father’s footsteps suddenly seems within reach. The reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step into the film industry. A summer on set in the wilderness is a small price to pay for a dream.
But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delavan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the region’s folk songs. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned. When filming begins, strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, and everyone in Wildwood–including Blake Fulton, Allie’s handsome neighbor on the film set–seems to be hiding secrets. Allie doesn’t know whom she can trust. If she can’t find the answers in time, history may repeat itself…with the most unthinkable results.
Thoughts:
Lisa Wingate has woven an intriguing tale in Wildwood Creek! This story is uniquely told through dual storylines, one historical and one contemporary. Wonderful characterization, coupled with captivating suspense, will keep you turning the pages, eager to discover the answers to the mysteries that surround Wildwood.
Wildwood Creek is an incredible journey through past and present!
Lisa Wingate is a former journalist, inspirational speaker, and the author of twenty mainstream fiction novels, including the national bestseller, Tending Roses, now in its nineteenth printing. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her novels are known for taking on gritty subjects while offering redemptive and uplifting themes. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.
To learn more about Lisa Wingate, please visit www.LisaWingate.com.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
Review: Handcarved Christmas
29 Oct
Handcarved Christmas by Cynthia Hickey
Laura Worth answers an advertisement for a bride and leaves Missouri to meet her groom in Montana. When she gets there, she realizes her husband-to-be, Ben Cooper, has no knowledge of having sent for her. She is devastated, even more so when she breaks a precious heirloom. Ben’s heart goes out to the beautiful woman and he marries her in answer to his mother’s dying wish. As Christmas approaches, the two wonder whether their marriage will hold the love and intimacy God intended it to have. Will Ben win the heart of his unexpected gift?
Thoughts:
Handcarved Christmas is a beautiful story, brimming with love! Cynthia Hickey deftly expresses the emotions of her characters when an unexpected gift becomes a great blessing. Touching and tender, this enchanting tale stirred my emotions and stole my heart! I loved Handcarved Christmas and highly recommend this novella!
Purchase your copy of Handcarved Christmas from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Multi-published and Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013, 2014, 2015 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents, and has sold more than 260,000 copies of her works. She is active on FB, twitter, and Goodreads. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”. Visit her website at http://www.cynthiahickey.com
GIVEAWAY!
On Monday, I shared an interview with Cynthia Hickey. She has graciously offered a copy of A Doctor’s Heart to one lucky US reader, so be sure and leave a comment on the interview post to be entered!
Winners!
27 Oct
The winner of a Kindle copy of An Apple for Christmas is:
D K Stevens
The winner of a copy of The Hardest Peace is:
Judy B
Congratulations to the winners! Thank you all for visiting and participating in the giveaways!
Interview: Cynthia Hickey + GIVEAWAY
27 Oct
Multi-published and Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013, 2014, 2015 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents, and has sold more than 260,000 copies of her works. She is active on FB, twitter, and Goodreads. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”. Visit her website at http://www.cynthiahickey.com
Welcome to Buzzing About Books, Cynthia!
When did you decide to pursue writing and eventually publication?
I started writing seriously in 2007 and got my first book contract. I haven’t stopped since and now have over 30 books in either ebook or print form
What is your writing process like? Do you write daily? Are you a plotter or a pantster?
I am a pantser, with a very small outline. I write Monday thru Friday from 8 to 2, and sometimes on Saturday if I have a deadline approaching. This is my job, which I love, and I treat it as such.
What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?
My favorite is finishing a new book. I would have to say marketing is my least favorite
What is one of the most interesting things you’ve discovered in your research?
My Harvey Girl series through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line was very interesting in the fact that these ladies of old played such a big part in taming the west. Many of these women who worked the restaurants along the Santa Fe Railroad married at the end of their six-month contract and moved west.
Please tell us about your latest release, Handcarved Christmas.
Laura Worth answers an advertisement for a bride and leaves Missouri to meet her groom in Montana. When she gets there, she realizes her husband-to-be, Ben Cooper, has no knowledge of having sent for her. She is devastated, even more so when she breaks a precious heirloom. Ben’s heart goes out to the beautiful woman and he marries her in answer to his mother’s dying wish. As Christmas approaches, the two wonder whether their marriage will hold the love and intimacy God intended it to have. Will Ben win the heart of his unexpected gift?
Who or what inspired this special story?
I thought it would be a lot of fun to have two people who knew nothing about each other, form a loving marriage from a surprise Christmas gift.
In Handcarved Christmas, an unexpected gift becomes a great blessing. Have you experienced such a gift in your life?
Not really, but wouldn’t it be fun?
The heroine, Laura Worth, treasures a precious heirloom. Do you treasure any special heirlooms?
I have a large volume of Little Women with handpainted pictures within the pages. I treasured this book as a child and it holds a prominent place on my bookshelf.
What special traditions or celebrations do you and your family enjoy during the holiday season?
We hang a stocking for Jesus. Before we can dig into our stockings or open presents, we must give Jesus something only we can give Him.
Is there anything else you would like to share? What will you be working on next?
I am working on a new series for Harlequin Heartsong presents dealing with natural disasters in America’s history and how love finds you despite adversity.
Thank you so much, Cynthia! Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
GIVEAWAY!
Cynthia has graciously offered to give away one copy of A Doctor’s Heart! Leave a comment, including your email address, to be entered to win. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends Saturday, Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
To earn additional entries, you may do the following:
◦ Let me know you follow this blog
◦ Sign up to follow this blog if you are not a follower
◦ Share this giveaway through Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or email
Be sure and leave a comment letting me know what you have done to earn additional entries.
Seasons of Grace Sweepstakes
24 Oct
In bestselling author Lauraine Snelling’s new novel, To Everything A Season, the tight-knit town of Blessing, North Dakota faces change and challenge at every turn.
In the middle of the maelstrom is young Trygve Knutson. He’s devoted to his family and his community, but he sometimes dreams of other horizons–especially since meeting Miriam Hastings.
Miriam is in Blessing with one goal: to complete her training as a nurse, and get back to Chicago to support her siblings and her ailing mother. But the town of Blessing has a way of drawing in the most reluctant visitor, and soon Miriam’s attachment to Trygve and his family has her questioning her entire future.
To celebrate the release of this heart-warming novel, Bethany House and author Lauraine Snelling are pleased to present the SEASONS OF GRACE Sweepstakes.
This sweepstakes features three special prizes, each closely connected to the book: One prize to sweep you back into history, one prize to enable you to give to someone else, and one prize to help you celebrate a little of the story’s romance, in your own home.
HOW TO ENTER:
Go to http://www.laurainesnelling.com/html/giveaways.html and complete the entry box, between October 14 and November 3.
This giveaway starts October 14, 2014 and ends November 3, 2014 @ 11:59 pm (PST). Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Tuesday November 4, 2014, and announced at laurainesnelling.com.
GRAND PRIZE:
RED RIVER RAILWAY ADVENTURE
In To Everything A Season, new visitors, old friends, and important supplies are transported to town on these rails, and the arrival platform is a place of warm greetings and new beginnings.
Our Grand Prize winner will have the chance to experience some of the same warmth and excitement with an authentic taste of the golden age of railroad travel:
A $200 value Scenic Steam Train Ride for Two (Location and dates available nationwide and will be specific to the winner’s state).
SECOND PRIZE:
DINNER DELIVERY FROM INGEBORG
In the story, the inventive Ingeborg Bjorklund is well-known for her cooking, bread baking, and cheese making, and now she’s pondering another new idea to help her hometown: a delivery service!
Like the hard-working people in Blessing, many of our friends and family members carry heavy workloads and health burdens, and could use a helping hand and a comforting meal.
While we may not be able to deliver Ingeborg’s cooking, our Second Prize winner will win the next best thing, to be used for themselves, or as a gift to brighten the day of a friend facing chemo, a military spouse, a lonely senior citizen, or other worthy recipient:
$175 meal delivery gift card for MagicKitchen.com – Provide a full Thanksgiving meal for 6, or an extended selection of meals for 1 or 2. Gluten free, low sodium, and dialysis-friendly meals available.
THIRD PRIZE:
STEAL AWAY DATE NIGHT PACK
The peaceful farming community of Blessing faces an unexpected threat when robbers target banks and businesses in towns nearby. As the town comes together to find a solution to the thieving problem, Ingeborg notices another kind of stealing going on: the new nurse in town, Miriam Hastings, has completely stolen the heart of her nephew, Trygve.
Soon Trygve and the dark-haired nurse with the sad eyes are regulars at the Blessing Soda Shop, sharing thoughts and dreams over Rebecca Valders’ famous fizzy concoctions.
Our Third Prize winner can share their own thoughts and dreams, and enjoy a taste of Blessing’s Soda Shop at home, with the Steal Away Date Night Pack.
This $100 value package includes: The UnGame Couples Edition, the Soda Stream Fountain Jet Home Soda Starter Kit, and the Homemade Soda Recipe Book.
Book Summary:
Trygve Knutson is devoted to his family and his community. With his job on the construction crew, he is helping to build a future for the North Dakota town of Blessing. Though he loves his home, he sometimes dreams of other horizons–especially since meeting Miriam Hastings.
Miriam is in Blessing to get practical training to become an accredited nurse. She’s been promised a position in the Chicago women’s hospital that will enable her to support her siblings and her ailing mother. Although eager to return to her family, Miriam is surprised to find how much she enjoys the small town of Blessing. And her growing attachment to Trygve soon has her questioning a future she always considered set in stone.
When a family emergency calls Miriam home sooner than planned, will she find a way to return? If not, will it mean losing Trygve–and her chance at love–for good?
Book Info & Sample Chapter:
http://www.laurainesnelling.com/html/songofblessing.html
Buzzing About Books 