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#BookReview: A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

7 Jul

A Flight of Arrows

A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

Click here to purchase a copy or learn more about A Flight of Arrows.

October 1776–August 1777

It is said that what a man sows he will reap–and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he’ll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald’s adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William’s twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

 

My thoughts:

A Flight of Arrows is a story that completely consumes the reader! Told across two books, this sweeping saga continues the story that began in Book 1, The Wood’s Edge. Lori Benton is a master storyteller, immersing readers in the rich and well-told history of the time and bringing her characters to life on the page. Brimming with poignancy and emotion, A Flight of Arrows is a beautiful story that will linger in your mind long after the last page has been turned!

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

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#BookReview: The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron

30 Jun

The Ringmaster's Wife

The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28JxcaK

An ounce of courage. A split-second leap of faith. Together, they propel two young women to chase a new life—one that’s reimagined from what they might have become.

In turn-of-the-century America, a young girl dreams of a world that stretches beyond the confines of a quiet life on the family farm. With little more than her wit and a cigar box of treasures to call her own, Mable steps away from all she knows, seeking the limitless marvels of the Chicago World’s Fair. There, a chance encounter triggers her destiny—a life with a famed showman by the name of John Ringling.

A quarter of a century later, Lady Rosamund Easling of Yorkshire, England, boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her life is planned out for her. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties in the grandest ballrooms the country has to offer. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling.

When Rosamund’s path crosses with Mable’s and the Ringlings’ glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, instead choosing the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers’ circus.

 

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My thoughts:

The Ringmaster’s Wife is an absorbing tale! Masterfully intertwining dual story lines, Kristy Cambron paints a rich, vivid picture with her words. I was completely captivated by the fascinating history, both real and imagined, and each turn of the page drew me deeper into the big-top world.

I absolutely loved Mable and Rose and the culmination of their stories! These compelling characters stepped from the pages and into my heart, and they continue to plague my thoughts. Beautifully rendered, The Ringmaster’s Wife is a story not soon to be forgotten!

 

K Cambron

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal Reviews’ “Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction)” for February 2015.

Cambron is an art/design manager at TheGROVEstory.com storytelling ministry. She holds a degree in art history from Indiana University and has nearly 15 years of experience in instructional design and communications for a Fortune-100 company. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

 

The Ringmaster's Wife

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about The Ringmaster’s Wife.

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#BookReview: Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

29 Jun

Sea Rose Lane

Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28YgelT

Two people starting over . . . in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor–only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he’s constantly distracted by noise, chaos–and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who’s invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client’s son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn’t high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces for to help Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

 

My thoughts:

Irene Hannon brings the coastal Oregon community of Hope Harbor to life, and it’s always a pleasure to visit this special place! Eric Nash and BJ Stevens are complex characters, and I really enjoyed their chemistry and the development of their relationship. Their visits with Charley were among the highlights of the story, and I delighted in the wit and wisdom he dished up with his tacos. Themes of hope and healing resonate through this narrative creating a lovely story that warmed my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed Sea Rose Lane and look forward to continuing this enchanting series!

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

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#BookReview: All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

25 Jun

All Summer Long

All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28T9eZv

She’s ready to take on a new challenge.
What she doesn’t expect is an old flame.

Tia D’Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What’s not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, posh wedding receptions–the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco–especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.

When Leo Parker himself turns out to be the yacht’s captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?

 

My thoughts:

All Summer Long is a fun, light-hearted romance! In the second Follow Your Heart novel, Melody Carlson invites readers on a journey to the Golden Gate City. Bringing San Francisco’s sights and sounds to life, I reveled in the lovely ambiance she created.

Tia D’Amico is charting a new course, when a blast from the past sails back into her life. Sweet and romantic, Tia and Leo’s story entertained me and made me smile. All Summer Long is a delightful tale, perfect for summer reading!

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

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#BookReview + 3 Book #Giveaway: Smoke and Mirrors

23 Jun

Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/28QhYn7

Eight brand new, never before released contemporary romantic suspense novellas from today’s bestselling Christian authors in one anthology collection!

THE LONG VIEW by Connie Almony: J.T. MacGregor is ex-FBI and training with terrorists. When his former boss makes an unusual request, J.T. wonders about his motives and how he can use them to his advantage. Destiny Long is no stranger to her father’s covert world of catching terrorists, but who is he after now? When J.T., the man behind the one kiss she will never forget joins a fitness club owned by a suspected member of ISIS and he’s found praying head-first into a tasseled rug, she wonders what side of the war on terror is J.T. MacGregor really on.

TAKEN by Sally Bradley: Cam Winters has never talked about his past, about life before he became a Christian. Jordan Foster knows that Cam’s a strong, caring man–a man she can see herself with. But he refuses to ask her out for fear of what her brother, one of his closest friends, might say. So Jordan takes things into her own hands. When Cam admits to sharing her feelings, the two fall quickly in love–just as that past that Cam won’t ever talk about returns for Cam and those he loves. A group which now includes Jordan.

ON THE ROPES by Hallee Bridgeman: Doctor Ruth Burnette is placed in witness protection after witnessing a Russian mafia execution. Just a week before the trial, Victor Kovalev finds her. Memories of planning her wedding with Victor are wiped clean by the vision of his father executing three men. Does he want to help her survive to her testimony, or is he trying to stop it all together?

OUT OF CIRCULATION by Heather Day Gilbert: When Russian mobsters threaten small-town librarian Katie McClure, she is forced to accept an offer of protection from Manhattan bodyguard Ace Calhoun. As they race the clock to find a long-hidden bank stash, Katie discovers too late that Ace might be the wrong man to trust with her life…and her heart.

DANGEROUS ALTERNATIVE by Kelli Hughett: Summer in Southern California doesn’t get any hotter than this. When Levi Boulter agrees to work for the FBI behind the scenes in Hollywood, he never plans on becoming an operative working to thwart a plan to assassinate the President’s wife—or on keeping a deadly secret from Mahari, the love of his life. When Mahari is kidnapped, Levi makes the gamble of his life in order to save her. Will Levi’s secret divide them forever, or will they come together in time to stop an assassination?

IDENTITY THEFT by Alana Terry: After losing her fiancé in a devastating accident, Lacy meets Kurtis, an Alaska state trooper, and his delightful four-year-old daughter who would love nothing more than to make Lacy her new mom. Things could be perfect, except Lacy can’t shake the nagging suspicion that her fiancé isn’t dead like the police reports claim. All she wants is closure, but as she seeks out real answers, she discovers how deadly the truth can actually be.

OBSESSION by Rachel Trautmiller: A surge in crime has left two homeless women dead and Detective Amanda Nettles’ Alzheimer’s-riddled mother as the prime suspect. As his wife embarks on a dangerous game of hide-and-seek with a remorseless serial killer, FBI Agent Baker Jackson Robinson knows he can’t sit idly while the city of Charlotte destroys Amanda’s career a second time. Is her near decade-long obsession with protecting her hometown bigger than the needs of her family? Or are they one and the same?

SCENT OF DANGER by Alexa Verde: To find her missing sister, small-town cop Maya Hutchinson risks her life by posing as her glamorous twin. Under escalating attacks, Maya accepts protection from dashing senator’s son Connor McNamara. Cop turned PI, Connor McNamara has his own secret mission and is forced to choose between family loyalty and love. When the scent of danger draws near, will Connor and Maya survive long enough to forgive and accept each other?

 

My thoughts:

With a shared theme of hidden identity, these eight stories boast engaging characters and intriguing story lines. I was pleased to discover several authors I hadn’t read before and delighted to read more from those I had previously enjoyed. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others in the anthology, and Scent of Danger and Dangerous Alternative were my favorites.  Smoke and Mirrors is a great collection and a recommended read for fans of romantic suspense!

 

Giveaway- Smoke and Mirrors

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Alexa Verde has graciously offered to give away 2 e-copies of Smoke and Mirrors and an e-copy of one of her books, winner’s choice! 

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address. The giveaway ends Monday, June 27 at midnight CDT.  3 winners will be chosen and announced on Tuesday, June 28.

To earn additional entries:
Follow this blog and/or share the giveaway. Be sure to let me know what you’ve done to earn additional entries! This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Contest Rules:
◦No purchase is necessary.
◦Odds of winning are based on number of entries.

 

About the Author:

Alexa Verde fell in love with writing at age eight when she penned her first poem. After publishing 200 short stories, poems, and articles in the five languages she speaks, Alexa has turned her creative passion to writing novels. Her May 2014 debut inspirational romantic suspense, COLOR OF DANGER, is the first in her Secrets of Rios Azules series—set in a fictional small Texas town where rivers and emotions run deep and the richest family in town has a fine taste for food, jewelry, and murder.

Visit Alexa online: Website, Facebook, Goodreads

 

Smoke and Mirrors

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

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#BookReview: Jilted by Varina Denman | Sweet Summertime #Giveaway

22 Jun

Jilted

Jilted by Varina Denmna

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/237iWMF

Lynda Turner has struggled with depression since her husband abandoned her and their young daughter fifteen years ago.

Yet unexpected hope awakens when a local ex-convict shows interest. As long-hidden secrets resurface, Lynda must fight for her emotional stability and for a life where the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.

Jilted tells of a woman who has lost the joy of living, a man determined to draw her back toward happiness, and a town that must—once and for all—leave the past where it belongs. It is a gentle reminder that all things can work together for good.

 

My thoughts:

Once again, Varina Denman deftly tackles tough topics as she brings the residents of Trapp to life and shares Lynda Turner’s journey. Fans of this series are sure to delight in the opportunity to revisit this west Texas town and the characters they’ve come to know through the first two books, Jaded and Justified. Although Jilted can be read as a stand-alone story, reading the trilogy in order will offer a greater understanding of the characters and their stories.

I enjoyed delving deeper into Lynda’s story and appreciated the inspirational messages it offered. While the novel’s pacing is a bit slow, it does befit the nature of the narrative. Jilted is a well-written and satisfying conclusion to the Mended Hearts series!

 

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Celebrate the release of Varina’s Jilted by entering to win a $50 gift card.

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of Jilted to kick off a summer of reading
  • A $50 Kohl’s gift card to make your summertime sweet

The giveaway ends on July 1st. The winner will be announced July 5th on Varina’s website.

 

Varina Denman

Varina Denman is author of the Mended Hearts series and a native Texan. She spent her high school years in a rural town and now writes stories about the struggles women face in similar small town settings. She and her husband live near Fort Worth, where they enjoy spending time with their five mostly grown children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

 

Jilted

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own. Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about Jilted.

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#BookReview: Murder Comes by Mail by A.H. Gabhart

21 Jun

Murder Comes by Mail

Murder Comes by Mail by A.H. Gabhart

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn’t particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses–a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn’t last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs’ concerned citizens.

Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves–because the killer could be targeting one of them next.

 

My thoughts:

Murder Comes by Mail is sure to delight cozy mystery fans! Gabhart weaves an intriguing suspense while capturing the essence of small town living and bringing to life a cast of colorful characters.

Equal parts charming and chilling, this mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I loved Deputy Sheriff Keane and his determination to catch a killer and protect the people closest to him. With its twists, turns, and surprises, I thoroughly enjoyed Murder Comes by Mail and am eager to continue this entertaining series in Book 3, Murder Is No Accident!

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

 

Ann H. Gabhart

A. H. Gabhart is Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of many novels, including Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Love Comes Home, several popular Shaker novels such as The Outsider, The Believer, and The Innocent, and The Heart of Hollyhill series. Ann grew up in a small rural town in Kentucky much like Hidden Springs, but Ann is happy to report nobody was ever murdered on her hometown’s courthouse steps. Ann and her husband still live on a farm near that same little town in Kentucky.

To learn more about Ann and her books, please visit her website.

 

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#BookReview: More Than Rivals by Ken Abraham

20 Jun

More Than Rivals

More Than Rivals by Ken Abraham

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/28PaLSN

In 1970, one small southern town was a powder keg ready to erupt.
But it was also on the verge of something incredible.

Eddie Sherlin and Bill Ligon grew up on opposite sides of the tracks in Gallatin, Tennessee. They knew the barriers that divided them–some physical landmarks and some hidden in the heart–but those barriers melted away when the boys were on the basketball court. After years of playing wherever they could find a hoop, Eddie and Bill rose as leaders of their respective high school teams. And at the end of the 1970 season, all-white Gallatin High and all-black Union High faced each other in a once-in-a-lifetime championship game. What happened that night would challenge Eddie and Bill–and transform their town.

 

My thoughts:

“To me, it’s just basketball. The sport is the common denominator that brings us all together. Colored or white, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a game.”

More Than Rivals is a poignant story! Ken Abraham brings the time period to life as he shares the story of an unlikely pairing and a championship game that transformed a Tennessee community. I was immediately drawn into the lives of Eddie Sherlin and Bill Ligon, and I enjoyed their amazing journey.

Based on a true story, More Than Rivals is an informative glimpse of history, as well as a touching tale of friendship!

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

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#BookReview: No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

16 Jun

No Other Will Do No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

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

Men are optional. That’s the credo Emma Chandler’s suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women’s colony in Harper’s Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight–and she knows just the one.

Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma’s plea arrives, he bolts to Harper’s Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she’s not a girl any longer. She’s a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn’t deserve.

As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.

 

My thoughts:

I loved this delightful story! Boasting a unique story line, mystery and danger, and swoon-worthy romance, this Texas tale captivated me from beginning to end!

Karen Witemeyer brings Harper’s Station and its residents to life with her signature humor and charm.  Emma Chandler and her aunts are strong characters, presiding over the women’s colony they founded. When trouble comes calling, Emma reaches out to a man she knows she can trust, Malachi Shaw, and the story that unfolds is engaging and entertaining and one I highly recommend!

With memorable characters and a community you’ll want to visit again and again, No Other Will Do is one for the keeper shelf!

 

karen-witemeyer

Christy Award finalist and winner the ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes Christian historical romance for Bethany House, believing the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.  To learn more about Karen and her books, please visit her website.  

 

 

No Other Will Do

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

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#BookReview: Medical Judgment | E-Reader #Giveaway

14 Jun

Medical Judgment

Medical Judgment by Richard Mabry, M.D.

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

Dr. Sarah Gordon lost her husband and daughter. Now she’s about to lose her life.

After losing the two people she loved the most, Sarah Gordon doesn’t think life could get worse. But, after a fire in her garage is ruled an arson, she begins to realize someone is after her—and that person wants to see her dead. But first, they want to see her suffer.

Her late husband’s best friend, Kyle Andrews, and a recovering alcoholic detective, Bill Larson, are trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late, and they’re both trying to win her heart, too. Not only does Sarah feel torn between two men, she also feels as though she cannot trust anyone.

With creepy threats that become more and more sinister, Sarah finds herself in constant fear, but even the best home alarm technology won’t protect her. Who is doing this, and why are they after her?

 

My thoughts:

If you enjoy medical drama laced with suspense, Medical Judgment just might be what the doctor ordered!

Recovering from the tragic loss of her family, Dr. Sarah Gordon finds herself the target of harassment. As the threats escalate, she begins to suspect those around her and is unsure who to trust. I am a fan of medical dramas, and while the medical elements were not as prevalent as I hoped, they were present and engaging. The elements of intrigue and suspense were woven through the narrative and several characters came to mind as possible perpetrators. Although I would have liked more depth of story, Medical Judgment was enjoyable and kept me guessing until the end.

 

Join Richard in celebrating the release of Medical Judgment by entering to win an e-reader!

medical judgment - 400

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of Medical Judgment
  • A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on June 21st. The winner will be announced June 22nd on the Litfuse blog.

medical judgment - enterbanner

 

Dr. Mabry

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

Medical Judgment

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about Medical Judgment.

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