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#BookReview: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

24 Feb

the-wedding-dress

The Wedding Dress is an enchanting tale! Rachel Hauck skillfully weaves together the stories of four brides bound by one wedding dress. I delighted in the tender romance and reveled in the history woven within the threads of a vintage gown. Beautifully told, each woman’s journey adds exquisite depth and richness to this stirring story of timeless love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift . . . and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress…or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte discovers a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new-shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed.”

Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history-and its new bride-begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte’s heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the timeless beauty of finding true love.

Visit the author: http://www.rachelhauck.com/

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Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2kVmXb5

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#BookReview: The Newcomer by Suzanne Woods Fisher

20 Feb

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The Newcomer is the second installment in the Amish Beginnings series. Although I have not read Book 1, Anna’s Crossing, I was able to follow the story line and enjoy this book as a stand-alone story. As Anna Konig and the other Amish settlers enter the New World, unexpected happenings abound. I enjoyed the wealth of history woven through their story, as well as the threads of mystery and romance. Anna and Bairn share a dramatic journey, one I look forward to following as this series continues.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

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About the book:

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In 1737, Anna Konig and her fellow church members stagger off a small wooden ship after ten weeks at sea, eager to start a new life in the vibrant but raw Pennsylvania frontier. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It’s a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn’s shipboard romance to blossom.

But this perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World–isolated, rigid with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father–his enthusiasm evaporates. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?

When Henrik Newman joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is torn. He seems to be everything Bairn is not–bold, devoted, and delighted to vie for her heart. And the most dramatic difference? He is here; Bairn is not.

Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

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

Visit the author: http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/

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#BookReview: Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley

15 Feb

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Justice Delayed is a fast-paced suspense, with Andi Hollister and Memphis detectives frantically working to find a killer. As new case evidence surfaces, it’s a race against the clock to stay an execution and stay one step ahead of the danger that is lurking. From smuggled diamonds to murder, the intrigue builds nicely through the story, although the cast of characters becomes a bit cumbersome at times. I enjoyed this first book in Bradley’s Memphis Cold Case series and wonder what the unit will investigate next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

It’s been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister’s sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn’t actually do it, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the person who confessed to the crime is Will’s cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in that week–including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love.

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

Visit the author: http://www.ptbradley.com/

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#BookReview: Begin Again by Crystal Walton | Release Week #Giveaway

11 Feb

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Begin Again is a charming tale! Crystal Walton brings her characters to life, deftly contrasting Ti’s free spirit and Drew’s rigid demeanor. The sparks fly between these two, and it is a pleasure to watch their relationship evolve. I loved the quaint setting and delighted in the romance that is interwoven with hope and healing. Ti and Drew share an emotional journey that is sure to warm your heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Visit Crystal’s blog and enter her release week giveaway!
Hurry, the giveaway ends Feb. 17!

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About the book:

A single call is all it takes to drive artist Ti Russo into what she does best. Run. But hey, lying low in a beach town for a while isn’t so bad. Thanks to the distraction of playing consultant to a guy she’s determined to crack, she can almost forget about the past stalking her back home. But she never counted on the real danger being a picket-fenced life she has no business falling for.

Focus and self-preservation have gotten single dad Drew Anderson through the last nine years. With the threat of his shop’s foreclosure jeopardizing his daughter’s health care, the last thing he needs is a distracting hippie chick swooping in to shake up what he’s fought to protect. Including himself. The bank’s deadline adds enough pressure without re-risking feelings better left buried.

But as sparks flare and secrets escalate, the race against time propels Ti and Drew into a choice neither’s ready to make: Find the faith to surrender their past or forfeit their only chance to begin again.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2kn0oeY

Visit the author: http://crystal-walton.com/

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#BookReview: Control Girl | Prize Pack #Giveaway

9 Feb

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Shannon Popkin candidly shares her own struggles with control and what she has discovered from studying seven Control Girls of the Bible. From Eve to Miriam, each of the woman and their stories offer examples and lessons to learn from. Designed to work for individual and group study, this book contains Bible passages, personal stories, and meditations. I enjoyed the biblical aspects of each lesson, as well as the thought-provoking reflections and applications that were included. Control Girl is a great study guide and resource, offering practical advice and instruction for learning to lean on God.

“We have a natural posture of holding on to control rather than releasing it to God. In order to reverse our natural bent, we have to cultivate a new demeanor toward God: surrender.”

 

Learn how to give up control to God and become a Jesus girl! Enter to win a prize pack that will help you give up your Control Girl tendencies.

One grand prize winner will receive:

 

About the book:

Tension, anger, fear, anxiety-it all begins with a heart that craves control.

Little fights with your husband and kids. Unhappiness when things don’t match your version of perfect. When your perspective of how life should go replaces God’s, you doom your quest for security, peace, and joy before it even starts.

Thankfully, there is a better way.

Join Shannon as she shares what she has discovered about her own control struggles and
about God from studying seven Control Girls in the Bible. Whether it was Eve’s desire to know instead of trust, Sarah’s inability to wait for God to move, or Rebekah’s controlling hand on her family’s future, each of these women’s stories contain warnings and lessons for us today.

Learn how you too can lay down this burden of trying to control everything and find rest in surrendering to the One who truly is in control.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Visit the author.

Read what other bloggers are saying about Control Girl.



Enter today by clicking the icon below!  The giveaway ends on February 21, and the winner will be announced February 22 on Shannon’s blog.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray

8 Feb

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This lone star hero’s love story captivated me from beginning to end! Laurel Tracey and Thomas Baker are strong characters and the challenges they faced kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

The occasional flashbacks to 1865 Johnson’s Island provide readers with background information about Thomas, and I really enjoyed these glimpses into his past. The friendship between Thomas and his band of brothers is inspiring, as is their fierce loyalty. While Thomas is an uncommon protector for Laurel, he proves to be an exceptional hero.

An engaging blend of mystery and romance, I loved An Uncommon Protector and can’t wait to continue this wonderful series!

 

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About the book:

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.

But when cattle start dying and the squatters damage a barn, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero who’s survived a terrible past. He needs more than just his freedom, he needs her love and care too.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2kJN4kp

Visit the author: http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com/

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: The Dog Who Was There by Ron Marasco

7 Feb

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The Dog Who Was There is a poignant and touching tale! Cleverly crafted, Ron Marasco delivers a message of unconditional love and loyalty in a most creative way. Told from a pup’s point of view, I enjoyed experiencing first century Jerusalem through Barley’s eyes. His heart-wrenching story took me on an unexpected journey that stirred my emotions and warmed my heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

He was homeless, hungry, and struggling to survive in first century Jerusalem. Most surprisingly, he was a dog. But through Barley’s eyes, the story of a teacher from Galilee comes alive in a way we’ve never experienced before.

Barley’s story begins in the home of a compassionate woodcarver and his wife who find Barley as an abandoned, nearly-drowned pup. Tales of a special teacher from Galilee are reaching their tiny village, but when life suddenly changes again for Barley, he carries the lessons of forgiveness and love out of the woodcarver’s home and through the dangerous roads of Roman-occupied Judea.

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, Barley meets a homeless man and petty criminal named Samid. Together, Barley and his unlikely new master experience fresh struggles and new revelations. Soon Barley is swept up into the current of history, culminating in an unforgettable encounter with the truest master of all as he bears witness to the greatest story ever told.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Read what other bloggers are saying about The Dog Who Was There.

 

About the author:

Ron Marasco is a professor in the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. His first book, “Notes to an Actor,” was named by the American Library Association an Outstanding Book of 2008. His second book, “About Grief,” has been translated into multiple languages, and he is currently completing a book on Shakespeare’s sonnets. He has acted extensively on TV-from “Lost” to “West Wing” to “Entourage” to originating the role of Mr. Casper on “Freaks and Geeks”-and appeared opposite screen legend Kirk Douglas in the movie “Illusion,” for which he also wrote the screenplay. Most recently, he has played the recurring role of Judge Grove on “Major Crimes.” He has a BA from Fordham at Lincoln Center and an MA and Ph. D. from UCLA.

Find out more about Ron.

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#BookReview: In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

6 Feb

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In the Shadow of Denali is a compelling tale! Intertwining fact and fiction, Peterson and Woodhouse treat readers to a fascinating look at the Alaska Territory. Brimming with historical details and vibrant imagery, this beautiful setting comes to life on the page, and I loved spending time there. 

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father are wonderful characters, and I delighted in the relationships that developed between them and John’s apprentice, Allan Brennan. As Allan searches for answers regarding his father’s death, intrigue continues to build as danger lurks.

Combining history, mystery, and romance, I thoroughly enjoyed In the Shadow of Denali and look forward to continuing the Heart of Alaska series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father, John, work at the new and prestigious Curry Hotel outside Mt. McKinley. While John will be expedition and wilderness exploration guide for the wealthy tourists, Cassidy has signed on as a cook’s assistant. Both are busy as the hotel prepares to welcome the president of the United States on his way to drive in the golden spike to officially complete the railroad.

Allan Brennan travels to the Curry Hotel to be an apprentice of a seasoned Alaska mountain guide. Ever since his father’s death climbing Mt. McKinley, he’s worked to earn enough money to make the trek to the Alaska territory himself. His father’s partner blames their guide for the death of his father, but Allan wants to find the truth for himself. He finds an unlikely ally in Cassidy, and as the two begin to look into the mystery, they suddenly find that things are much less clear, and much more dangerous, than either could ever imagine.

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

Visit the authors: Peterson | Woodhouse

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#BookReview: Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

1 Feb

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Rescue Me is a pulse-pounding adventure! Susan May Warren is one of my favorite contemporary authors, and I revel in each story she pens. Deputy Sam Brooks is a dashing hero, always the rescuer and never the rescued. However, all that changes during a dramatic venture in Glacier National Park.

From family relationships to romances, I delighted in the intertwining of multiple story lines. The vulnerability of the characters and their emotional and spiritual journeys shine against the beautiful backdrop of the rugged Montana wilderness. I thoroughly enjoyed Rescue Me and eagerly await the next installment in the Montana Rescue series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

When Deputy Sam Brooks commits to something, nothing can sway him–not just on the job as liaison between the Mercy Falls sheriff’s department and PEAK Rescue, but in his private life. He’s the one who stuck around to take care of his mother after his father’s accidental death. And he’s the one–perhaps the only one–who believes Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. Safe, practical, and organized, she’s nothing like her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow, however, has been in love with Sam Brooks for as long as she can remember. But she wants her sister to have a happy ending. Besides, Willow has other things to focus on–namely, nabbing the job as youth pastor for her small-town church. Best thing for her to do is to purge Sam from her heart.

Neither can predict the events that will bring them together in a fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded, injured, and with the winter weather closing in, Sam and Willow will have to work together to save a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2kpF1IY

Visit the author: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

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#BookReview: Love’s Eternal Breath by Naomi Rawlings

31 Jan

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With each Eagle Harbor story I read, I fall a little more in love with this remote coastal town. Another wonderful addition to the series, Love’s Eternal Breath is possibly my favorite yet! 

Naomi Rawlings paints beautiful pictures with her words and transports readers to the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior. Seth Harrington and Lindy Marsden are complex characters brought together through unexpected circumstances. There is hurt and heartache in their journey, yet love and hope abound. I loved this touching and tender tale and eagerly await my next visit to Eagle Harbor!

 

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About the book:

Lindy Marsden once dreamed of having a husband, a house, some children, and maybe even a sewing machine. But since she grew ill five years ago, those dreams have become too much to hope for. Now she just wants to provide for herself and help the abandoned children she found living in the woods until their father returns… and avoid doctors for the rest of her life. Their medicine never leads to any good, and she has the scars to prove it.

Seth Harrington loves being a doctor, but treating patients in the small town of Eagle Harbor is nothing like working at a prestigious Boston hospital, especially with the other doctor in town trying to steal Seth’s patients. When he’s called to treat a reluctant woman, Seth finds Lindy Marsden’s fiery dislike for him rather insulting. He has the ability to help her, but she wants nothing to do with him. Until she shows up on his doorstep one night…

When the plight of a young abandoned boy brings Seth and Lindy irrevocably together, Seth finds himself in the most difficult situation of his career. His expertise can help him heal the sick, but will his love be enough to soothe Lindy’s wounded soul?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2kjSm5J

Visit the author: https://naomirawlings.com/

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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