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Review + GIVEAWAY: Valley of Decision

20 Oct

ValleyofDecision

Valley of Decision by Lynne Gentry

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1VU6WsA

Every choice has a consequence in the explosive conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles as Lisbeth returns to third-century Carthage for a thrilling final adventure.

Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.

All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.

With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator.

Will Lisbeth arrive in time to save her daughter from the clutches of Rome? How can God possibly redeem such a slew of unwise decisions and deep regrets?

 

What an amazing adventure!

I can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye to these special characters that I’ve come to know and love! The only consolation I have is that this fantastic series has a special place on my keeper shelf, and I can revisit third-century Carthage again and again.

Valley of Decision is a sensational conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles! Once again, Lynne Gentry deftly weaves past and present together and brings to life the history, drama, and romance of this extraordinary story. Full of heart-wrenching emotion and poignant truths, this story of faith and family will leave you breathless!

I absolutely loved the Carthage Chronicles and can’t wait to experience this incredible author’s next adventure!

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

 

Giveaway- ValleyofDecision

I am giving away a print copy of Valley of Decision to one lucky reader!  To enter, please answer the following question in the comments section, and be sure to include your email address!  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends Saturday, October 24 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. The winner will be drawn and announced on Sunday, October 25. Good luck!! 

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you visit?  

To earn additional entries, you may do the following:

◦Follow this blog
◦Share this giveaway through social media

Be sure and leave a comment letting me know what you have done to earn additional entries.

 

Lynne Gentry

Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.

Find Lynne online: website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

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Review: Murder at the Courthouse

19 Oct

Murder at the Courthouse

Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart

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

After a few years as a police officer in Chicago, Michael Keane has no trouble relaxing into the far less stressful job of deputy sheriff in his small hometown. After all, nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky. Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. Everyone in town is a little uneasy. Still, no one is terribly worried–after all the man was a stranger–until one of their own is murdered right on Main Street.

As Michael works to solve the case it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs.

 

My thoughts:

Murder at the Courthouse is an entertaining whodunit! Ann Gabhart has a gift for capturing the essence of small town life, and she has certainly done so in this tantalizing tale. I was delighted by the colorful characters and the twists and turns of the story line. Although I had my suspicions about the culprit, Gabhart kept me guessing and didn’t confirm my thoughts until the very end. I’m excited about this talented author’s foray into the cozy mystery genre and look forward to continuing the Hidden Springs Mystery series!

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.

Learn more at http://www.annhgabhart.com.

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Review: Love Everlasting

15 Oct

Love Everlasting

Love Everlasting by Tracie Peterson

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Abrianna Cunningham has always viewed her longtime friend, Wade Ackerman, as a protective brother. Lately, however, she’s begun to see him differently and finds herself attracted romantically to him. But she’s confused and overwhelmed by these unfamiliar feelings.

Wade, on the other hand, has loved Abrianna for some time and has been waiting for her to realize they are more than just friends. When he asks her to marry him, she asks for time to adjust to their changed relationship.

And then there’s Priam Welby, who has been relentlessly pursuing Abrianna. Will his underhanded tactics succeed in luring Abrianna into marriage with him?

My thoughts:

Love Everlasting is an enjoyable tale of drama, intrigue, and romance! Tracie Peterson’s wonderful attention to detail always lends vibrancy to her stories, making them a pleasure to read.

After all Abrianna Cunningham and Wade Ackerman have been through together, I delighted in the culmination of their relationship. I have really enjoyed this series and will miss its well-crafted characters.

While the books in the Brides of Seattle series can stand alone, I encourage you to read them in order. In doing so, you will come to know the characters and understand their rich history that carries through each of the stories.

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

 

Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

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Review: Just Show Up | Tried and True Friendship Giveaway

14 Oct

Just Show Up

Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Guvl0N

Kara Tippetts’s story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.

It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara’s story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing “God with us” through fierce and beautiful friendship.

In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.

Just Show Up graphic

My thoughts:

“When we show up for one another, we invade each other in love and become witnesses to the truth that trials and sickness and pain are not the whole story. There’s more, so much more.”

Last year, I was privileged to read and review Kara Tippett’s book The Hardest Peace. It is a breathtaking book, and her words stirred my emotions and touched me in ways I never imagined. If you have not read The Hardest Peace, I urge you to do so!

After reading that book and following Kara’s story through her blog, I knew Just Show Up would be a must read. Co-authored with her good friend Jill Lynn Buteyn, this special book shares “the dance of walking through suffering together”.

Kara and Jill share, openly and honestly, their friendship and finding peace and grace in the midst of life’s hard. Walking with someone through suffering is a gift that can change lives. Just Show Up shares both sides of the journey, the giving and the receiving of this precious gift. Not only do Kara and Jill share the value of showing up for each other, they also share tangible ways we can show up for those around us who are struggling or suffering.

Heartfelt and hopeful, Just Show Up is a beautiful book! I encourage you to read it, savor it, and commit to just show up!

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

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

 

Celebrate the gift of friendship with a Tried & True Friendship giveaway—a prize for you and for a friend!

just show up-400 

One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 23rd. The winner will be announced October 26th on Jill’s blog.

Is one of your friends going through a tough time—maybe you need some encouragement? Stop by Kara and Jill’s author page, click on the reviews bar, and read through some bloggers’ stories of how their friends got them through suffering.

just show up-banner

Kara & Jill

The late Kara Tippetts was the author of “The Hardest Peace” and blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara’s story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Read Kara’s blog.

Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of “Falling for Texas,” an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.

Connect with Jill: website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

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Review: The Photograph

13 Oct

The Photograph

The Photograph by Beverly Lewis

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

Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva’s older brother plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Unless they marry within the year, the only apparent option is for two sisters to go to Indiana to live with an elderly great aunt. Eva hopes to be married, but she isn’t sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer’s wife. And she can’t see how her prospects would be any better in Indiana.

When younger sister Lily disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up at Eva’s market stand in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva’s world begins to tilt.

 

My thoughts:

I was delighted by this engaging story and its endearing characters! The Photograph is another example of Beverly Lewis’s wonderful storytelling ability.

When their brother announces his plans to take over the family farmhouse, Eva Esch and her sisters face an uncertain future. The family endures further crisis when sister Lily runs away, seeking a life outside the Plain community. As these dramatic events unfold, they bring intrigue and emotion into the story, which I really enjoyed.

If you’re looking for an Amish tale with a fresh story line and a subtle romance, The Photograph is the perfect choice!

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

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher’s Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado.

To find out more about Beverly and her books, please visit her website.

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Review: Luther and Katharina

10 Oct

Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund
A Novel of Love and Rebellion

Purchase a copy:
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She was a nun of noble birth. He, a heretic, a reformer…an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the 16th century, nun Katharina von Bora’s fate fell no further than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of Martin Luther.

His sweeping Catholic church reformation—condemning a cloistered life and promoting the goodness of marriage—awakened her desire for everything she’d been forbidden. Including Martin Luther himself.

Despite the fact that the attraction and tension between them is undeniable, Luther holds fast to his convictions and remains isolated, refusing to risk anyone’s life but his own. And Katharina longs for love, but is strong-willed. She clings proudly to her class distinction, pining for nobility over the heart of a reformer. They couldn’t be more different.

But as the world comes tumbling down around them, and with Luther’s threatened life a constant strain, these unlikely allies forge an unexpected bond of understanding, support and love.

Together, they will alter the religious landscape forever.

 

Luther and Katharina quote- Britney Adams

 

Luther and Katharina is a riveting story!

Knowing very little about Martin Luther and the Reformation, I was fascinated by the history of this story. Jody Hedlund masterfully weaves facts and fiction, giving breath and life to the people and persecution of the sixteenth century. I enjoyed learning about Doctor Luther and was equally intrigued by Katharina von Bora and the life she lived. These two people endured so much during this tumultuous time, and Hedlund vividly portrays the atrocities, as well as the goodness they, and others, experienced.

Luther and Katharina is a memorable story and a highly recommended read for fans of historical fiction!

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

 

Jody Hedlund bio 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.

Contact Jody:
I hang out on Facebook here: Author Jody Hedlund
I also love to chat on Twitter: @JodyHedlund
My home base is at my website: jodyhedlund.com
Follow me on Pinterest: pinterest.com/jodyhedlund
I get personal on Instagram: instagram.com/JodyHedlund/
Or you’re welcome to email me at: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com

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Review: Submerged by Elizabeth Goddard

8 Oct

Submerged by Elizabeth Goddard

Submerged by Elizabeth Goddard

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook

With Christmas just around the corner, Cobie MacBride wants closure in the case of her missing father. But when a visit to the last place he was seen leads to an attack by a masked assailant, Cobie knows she’s in over her head. Running for her life, she never expected to find safety with Adam Warren—the man she blames for her brother’s death. Seeking answers leads them to a treasure ship, buried secrets…and deadly danger. Christmas could find them starting a new future—if they can avoid getting trapped in the perils of the past.

 

My thoughts:

The excitement continues in Mountain Cove!

Once again, Elizabeth Goddard delivers an action-packed story filled with intrigue and suspense. From the very first page, Cobie MacBride finds herself in danger and running for her life, all the while seeking answers about her father’s mysterious disappearance. When a blast from Cobie’s past comes to her rescue, these two discover a treasure they never expected. I really enjoyed Cobie and Adam’s story and look forward to more Mountain Cove adventures!

Submerged is the fourth stand-alone book in the Mountain Cove series. Fans of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy this story, as well as its predecessors.

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

 

highresgoddard-HR-2-2-e1382722351811Elizabeth Goddard is an award-winning author of eighteen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—winner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she home schools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.

To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, visit her website at http://elizabethgoddard.com.

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Review: The Methuselah Project

6 Oct

The Methuselah Project

The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry

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

Nazi scientists started many experiments. One never ended.

Roger Greene is a war hero. Raised in an orphanage, the only birthright he knows is the feeling that he was born to fly. Flying against the Axis Powers in World War II is everything he always dreamed—until the day he’s shot down and lands in the hands of the enemy.

When Allied bombs destroy both his prison and the mad genius experimenting on POWs, Roger survives. Within hours, his wounds miraculously heal, thanks to those experiments. The Methuselah Project is a success—but this ace is still not free. Seventy years later, Roger hasn’t aged a day, but he has nearly gone insane. This isn’t Captain America—just a lousy existence only made passable by a newfound faith. The Bible provides the only reliable anchor for Roger’s sanity and his soul. When he finally escapes, there’s no angelic promise or personal prophecy of deliverance, just confusion. It’s 2015—and the world has become an unrecognizable place.

Katherine Mueller—crack shot, genius, and real Southern Belle—offers to help him find his way home. Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story? Can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he’s trying to flee?

 

My thoughts:

The Methuselah Project is an intriguing story! When Roger Greene’s plane is shot down over enemy territory, he is captured and held as a prisoner of war. However, Roger also becomes a Nazi science experiment, and his life is changed in ways he never could have imagined.

I love World War II fiction and enjoyed traveling back in time and meeting this special war hero. Barry’s attention to detail is tremendous and his knowledge of WWII history is evident in his storytelling. I am not usually a fan of sci-fi elements, but those contained in this story were well-written and very engaging. I really enjoyed the convergence of the story lines and reveled in its twists, turns, and surprises. Rick Barry has penned an imaginative tale, and I look forward to reading more!

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

Blog tour landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/rbarry

 

Rick Barry

Rick Barry is the author of Gunner’s Run, another World War II novel, Kiriath’s Quest, and over 200 articles and fiction stories. In addition to being a World War II buff, he is the director of church planting ministries at BIEM, a Christian ministry operating in Eastern Europe. He holds a degree in foreign languages, speaks Russian, and has visited Europe more than fifty times. Rick lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Connect with Rick online: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Review: Love’s Every Whisper

3 Oct

Love's Every Whisper

Love’s Every Whisper by Naomi Rawlings

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1QQ2R7k

Victoria Donnelly is, as always, a failure. With five years of failed courtships behind her and the calendar inching closer to another birthday, Victoria’s determined to redeem herself and snag a proposal from a wealthy childhood acquaintance, Gilbert Sinclair. But returning to Eagle Harbor stirs up long forgotten memories. And worse, old affection for her betrothed’s enemy.

Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen’s sons don’t marry shipping barons’ daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.

He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?

 

My thoughts:

I have been eager to revisit Eagle Harbor since the moment I finished reading Love’s Unfading Light!  You can read my thoughts about Book 1 here.   

In this second book of the series, Naomi Rawlings once again captivated me with her beautiful storytelling. The story’s details and descriptions are vivid, and I could hear the wind and the waves as storms raged along the Michigan coast.

I could also see the characters in my mind’s eye, and I loved Elijah’s passions for life-saving and Victoria’s determination to redeem herself. These characters and their growth, in strength and spirit, was such a pleasure to experience, as was the spiritual thread that is woven through the narrative.

Love’s Every Whisper is a compelling historical romance and a highly recommended read for fans of this genre. I loved this story and look forward to continuing the series in Book 3, Love’s Sure Dawn!

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

 

Naomi Rawlings

A mother of two young boys, Naomi Rawlings spends her days picking up, cleaning, playing and, of course, writing. Her husband pastors a small church in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, where her family shares its ten wooded acres with black bears, wolves, coyotes, deer and bald eagles. Naomi and her family live only three miles from Lake Superior, where the scenery is beautiful and they average 200 inches of snow per winter. Naomi writes bold, dramatic stories containing passionate words and powerful journeys.

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

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Review: The Mistress of Tall Acre

30 Sep

The Mistress of Tall Acre

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

Purchase a copy:
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The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general’s past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal–readers find it all in the rich pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz. Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both old and new.

 

My thoughts:

“Though sympathy tugged at her, Sophie’s imagination made fearsome leaps. The grieving widower. The destitute governess. A motherless child. It had all the makings of a scintillating novel.”

The Mistress of Tall Acre is captivating!  One of my favorite reads so far this year, this story and its characters stole my heart! 

Sophie Menzies and Seamus and Lily Cate Ogilvy are memorable characters who share a remarkable journey.  Their story is brimming with drama, suspense, and romance, and includes a plot twist that I never expected.  I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out how this story would unfold!

Laura Frantz’s writing is beautiful and her historical details transport readers to another time and place.  I loved The Mistress of Tall Acre and highly recommend this story to historical fiction fans! 

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

 

Laura FrantzAward-winning author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.  Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net.

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