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#BookReview: Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

23 Mar

Annabel Lee

Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden.
The secret’s name is Annabel Lee.

She doesn’t know why her enigmatic uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He’s left her with a few German words, a barely controlled guard dog, and a single command: “Don’t open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me.”

Miles away in Atlanta, private investigator Trudi Coffey is visited by a mysterious older man calling himself Dr. Smith. He’s been trailing a man for a decade–a man she met through her ex-partner Samuel Hill–and the trail has led him to her office. The last thing Trudi wants to do is to contact Samuel. But it will take both of them to unravel this mystery–before it’s too late.

 

My thoughts:

Annabel Lee is a thrilling and chilling story! From the very beginning, I was enthralled and eagerly turned the pages to find out what would happen next. This gripping suspense boasts unique and memorable characters, a fast-paced story line, and twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.  Annabel Lee was my first Mike Nappa novel, but it certainly won’t be my last. I can’t wait to continue the Coffey and Hill 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: A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

22 Mar

A Treasure Concealed

A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

Emily Carver wants a home where she can put down roots instead of following her gold-hungry father from one mining camp to another. She also longs for tenderness and love, both of which are missing in her life. Yet when she realizes she’s losing her heart to the intriguing new man in camp, she fiercely fights her feelings, afraid that love will only result in disappointment and heartache.

Caeden Thibault, a young geologist, comes to Montana to catalog minerals indigenous to the state. He’s a serious and guarded young man trying to escape the pain of his past. He has avoided all romantic entanglements, fearing he might become like his abusive father. But something about Emily Carver has caught his attention, something he never expected. . . .

Will these two broken souls allow God to bring healing and hope to their hurting hearts?

 

My thoughts:

I always revel in the history and romance of Tracie Peterson’s stories and A Treasure Concealed was no exception! This heartwarming tale transported me to Montana’s mining country and the rugged wilderness found there in the 1890s.

Emily Carver is a young woman who longs for a different life, but love and dedication keep her close to her family. Caeden Thibault is a geologist who comes to work in Montana and discovers something far greater than he ever expected. I really enjoyed getting to know these two wounded characters; theirs is an inspiring story of love and loss, hope and healing.

I enjoyed this first book in the Sapphire Brides series and look forward to reading the stories that follow!

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 Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

21 Mar

The Red Door Inn

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Marie Carrington is broke, desperate, and hoping to find sanctuary on Prince Edward Island while decorating a renovated bed-and-breakfast. Seth Sloane moved three thousand miles to help restore his uncle’s Victorian B and B–and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart. He wasn’t expecting to have to babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her.

The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just two months will take everything they’ve got–and they have to find a way to work together. In the process, they may find something infinitely sweeter than they ever imagined on this island of dreams.

 

My thoughts:

The Red Door Inn is a lovely story! Liz Johnson brings to life the sights and sounds of Prince Edward Island in a heartwarming tale of hope and healing. From the characters and their stories to the setting and its charm, I delighted in the story that unfolds at the Red Door Inn. I really enjoyed Marie’s and Seth’s journey and rooted for these two wounded characters to find happiness.

The Red Door Inn is “a place where the wounded come to heal, the broken find forgiveness, and the lonely find a family.” I enjoyed visiting this special place and look forward to continuing the Prince Edward Island Dreams 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: The Hearts We Mend by Kathryn Springer | Banister Falls #Giveaway

17 Mar

The Hearts We Mend

The Hearts We Mend by Kathryn Springer

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/21Zw8Tk

Thirteen years ago, Evie’s firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie’s heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.

Tattooed, rough-around-the-edges Jack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie’s life is stream-lined, Jack’s approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe or predictable as the one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.

Jack doesn’t make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn’t felt since Max passed away—or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.

 

My thoughts:

 Heartfelt and hopeful, The Hearts We Mend is an inspiring tale! Captivated by the characters in Book 1, The Dandelion Field, I was eager to continue their stories in this second Banister Falls novel.

Evie Bennett is a woman who thrives on plans and post-it notes. When Jack Vale walks into Evie’s life, he changes it in ways she never expected. I loved the relationships shared in this novel and rooted for each of the characters and their happily ever after.

Populated with genuine characters and real-life challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed The Hearts We Mend. Kathryn Springer brings this small town and its residents to life, and I loved experiencing their stories. While the novels in this series can stand alone, I believe they are better enjoyed in order.

 

Celebrate the release of The Hearts We Mend with Kathryn and enter to win two of her books by signing up for her newsletter on her website (left sidebar). The winner will be announced March 23 via Kathryn’s newsletter.

The Hearts We Mend giveaway

 

Kathryn Springer

Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books — which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Website | Facebook

 

The Hearts We Mend

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 Hearts We Mend. 

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#BookReview: A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund

14 Mar

A Daring Sacrifice

A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund

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

In a reverse twist on the Robin Hood story, a young medieval maiden stands up for the rights of the mistreated, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. All the while, she fights against her cruel uncle who has taken over the land that is rightfully hers. Forced to live in the woods and hide with the poor people she’s grown to love, she works to save and protect them, but she never anticipates falling in love with the wealthy knight who represents all she’s come to despise.

 

My thoughts:

A Daring Sacrifice is an enchanting tale of adventure and romance! Jody Hedlund is a gifted storyteller and her reimagining of Robin Hood is sure to please fans of medieval romance!

I loved this fresh twist on an age old story! Robin Hood is one of my favorite folk legends and I delighted in seeing a young maiden take on the role of the cloaked bandit. Juliana Wessex is brave and strong and committed to providing food and shelter for the poor. When an act of robbing leads to recognition by Lord Collin Goodrich, Juliana’s journey takes a surprising turn. What ensues is an exciting adventure teeming with drama, danger, and romance.

A Daring Sacrifice is a charming story with an unexpected ending that left me breathless! I can hardly wait to find out what happens next!

 

Jody Hedlund pic

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves history and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

Connect with Jody:
Website | Facebook | Twitter |Pinterest | Instagram

 

A Daring Sacrifice- Cover

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: A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

10 Mar

A Home of Her Own

A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

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

Becky Martin knows that she can’t stay at James O’Brien’s apple farm forever, but she wishes she could. After her brother framed her for arson, she flees Chicago, traveling cross-country to California and finding work caring for James’s ailing mother. Beneath the apple blossoms, it’s almost as if she has a real family…but her secret won’t stay buried forever.

James, scarred from an explosion, didn’t expect to connect to the pretty young traveler. Could she really love someone damaged like him? He knows she’s hiding something. If only she’d trust him. Can she let go of her past and believe in the possibility of a future amid the apple trees?

 

My thoughts:

There are so many things to love about this book! Keli Gwyn weaves together historical details, picturesque descriptions, and heartfelt emotion to create a beautiful and romantic tale. I loved James and Becky and reveled in the tenderness of their story. I highly recommend A Home of Her Own and can’t wait to read more from this wonderful author!

While browsing Pinterest, I pinned a few images that brought to mind A Home of Her Own.

 

keligwyn-bb2-small

Award-winning author Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains.

When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, other Gold Rush-era towns and historical museums. She loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style cyber home at http://www.keligwyn.com, where you’ll find her contact information.

 

A Home of Her Own

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: And It Was Beautiful by Kara Tippetts

8 Mar

and it was beautiful

And It Was Beautiful by Kara Tippetts

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

How do you live out extravagant love in the everyday moments? How do you celebrate grace when your life turns out differently than the one you dreamed?

Kara Tippetts discovered how to find joy in the small moments of life. She learned how to hold tight to hope even while battling intense physical and emotional pain. And she lived out the truth that God can redeem any story.

In her final book, Kara offers gentle reflections on living and dying well. She invites us to cultivate soft hearts even when we face great disappointment. Her ideas for living are hard-won, wrestled with in the crucible of family, illness, and faith. And her constant reminder is that whether we are in the midst of dark days or mundane moments Jesus is always there, life is surprisingly beautiful, and God is forever good.

 

Quote- And It Was Beautiful

My thoughts:

It’s hard to find words to describe the love and grace Kara Tippetts shared. After reading her first book, The Hardest Peace, I followed Kara’s journey of living and dying with cancer. Her words made me laugh, they made me cry, and they left a deep and lasting impression.

And It Was Beautiful is Kara Tippetts’ final book and a compilation of her writings and blog posts.  “The entries are arranged according to “acts” like the acts in a play. The acts do not represent a strict chronology, but they do follow the arc of her story. This approach may seem very basic, but Kara would have approved heartily. She liked the simple and the mundane, believing that it was in the ordinary that she saw the beautiful.”

The title, And It Was Beautiful, is a perfect summation of this reflective memoir. Kara Tippetts’ story is filled with heartbreaking and breathtaking beauty! 

 

Kara Tippetts

Kara Tippetts was the author of The Hardest Peace and the co-author of Just Show Up. She blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, has been parenting their four children and leading the church the couple founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

 

 

and it was beautiful

Click here to read what other Litfuse reviewers are saying about And It Was Beautiful.  My thanks to Litfuse Publicity for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: The Tabasco Cookbook

7 Mar

The Tabasco Cookbook

The Tabasco Cookbook by Paul McIlhenny and Barbara Hunter

Click here to purchase a copy or learn more about The Tabasco Cookbook.

Whether you ask for it by name at restaurants or are one of the legions of people who travel with your own bottle, you know there’s no substitute for giving eggs, oysters, and Bloody Marys a kick.

But Tabasco Pepper Sauce is a versatile ingredient for other foods, too. This revised and updated edition of The Tabasco Cookbook includes 20 new recipes for enjoying southern-style classics and American down-home favorites. From perfect fried chicken to a pan of peppery gingerbread, here are 80 recipes and color photography to test your fiery food limits—and keep you coming back for more.

 

My thoughts:

This revised and updated edition of The Tabasco Cookbook is filled with 80 recipes that include “America’s favorite pepper sauce”. Whether adding flavor or heat, from breakfast to dessert, this collection features a variety of ways to tantalize your taste buds!

In addition to the delicious recipes, I enjoyed the beautiful photographs, cooking tips, and Tabasco tidbits that are found throughout the book. When choosing new dishes to try, I really appreciated the recipe rating system. Each recipe includes a tiny Tabasco Sauce bottle numbering from one to four, which indicates the spiciness of the dish. Another delightful aspect of this cookbook is the Tabasco history that is shared in the first few pages. It made me appreciate this distinctive pepper sauce even more!

Fans of Tabasco Sauce are sure to enjoy this great collection of recipes, as will those looking to spice up their dishes!

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

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#BookReview: On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot

29 Feb

On Lone Star Trail

On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot

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

If there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. Unsure about the next phase in her life, she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort for some R&R when a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash right in front of her.

When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He has spent the past year wandering the country on his motorcycle, trying not to think about the future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.

As these broken people collide, they find that a bright future is still ahead–it just might not be the one they imagined for themselves.

 

My thoughts:

Once again, Amanda Cabot entertains and encourages readers with an enjoyable visit to the Texas Hill Country! Gillian Hodge and TJ Benjamin are both seeking a new direction when their paths cross quite unexpectedly. “Can this woman without a future and this man running from his past find romance in the present?”

On Lone Star Trail is an engaging story! Gillian and TJ are wounded characters, and theirs is a realistic story riddled with drama, emotion, and romance. I have enjoyed the Texas Crossroads series and will miss visiting Dupree, Texas, and the Rainbow’s End Resort!

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

 

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, Christmas Roses, At Bluebonnet Lake, and In Firefly Valley. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.

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#BookReview: A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan

27 Feb

A Sweet Misfortune

A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan

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

Rachel Matthews isn’t one to rely on others to take care of her. Homeless and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money to buy back the family ranch–even if she’s forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel’s brother, who is away mining for gold, sends a friend to rescue her.

Cattle baron John McIntyre is focused on acquiring as much land as possible in Montana and has little time to deal with a dance hall gal. Rachel isn’t sure she can take one more day in John’s home–especially once she discovers that he’s the one who holds ransom the key to her family’s future.

 

My thoughts:

A Sweet Misfortune is a charming story! John and Rachel made my smile, and I thoroughly enjoyed their story!

One of my favorite things about this novel is the wonderful characterization. Primary and secondary characters alike are well-crafted, and they endear themselves to the reader throughout the narrative. The story line comes alive with humor, drama, and romance, making this heartwarming historical a pleasure to read!

Maggie Brendan continues to delight fans with her Virtues and Vices of the Old West series, and I look forward to the next adventure!

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

 

Maggie Brendan is the CBA bestselling author of the Heart of the West series and the Blue Willow Brides series, as well as The Trouble with Patience. Her books have received the Book Buyers Best Award from the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America and the Laurel Wreath Award. She lives in Georgia.

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