Tag Archives: 5 Book Giveaway

#BookReview: Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren + 5 Book #Giveaway

1 Mar

I enjoyed the uniqueness of this story and its setting, as well as the historical tidbits I gleaned as I read. Keturah and her sisters are compelling characters who set sail from England to take control of their late father’s sugar plantation. Upon arriving on the island of Nevis, the harsh realities of life assault them, and there is much to learn and overcome. I admired the dogged determination Keturah and her sisters showed in their endeavors and look forward to continuing the journeys of The Sugar Baron’s Daughters.

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

 

Click the image below to enter to win a copy of Keturah. Five winners will be chosen and announced March 13 on the Litfuse blog!


About the book:

Although it flies against all the conventions, they’re determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined-and that’s just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world.

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

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#BookReview: The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray | 5 Book #Giveaway

13 Nov

I love returning to the Amish community of Hart County and especially enjoyed doing so at Christmas! It is a pleasure to revisit past characters, as well as meet new ones, as Gray brings another compelling story to life. When accidents occur and danger threatens, Susanna Schwartz and Neil Vance are drawn together in unexpected ways. A great blend of suspense and romance, I thoroughly enjoyed The Gift and look forward to continuing this intriguing series!

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

 

Enter to win a copy of The Gift. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 22nd on the Litfuse blog!

 

About the book:

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.

Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.

Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt . . . or worse.

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#BookReview: His Guilt by Shelley Shepard Gray | 5 Book #Giveaway

6 Jul

Not your typical Amish fiction, His Guilt is sure to keep readers guessing! Shelley Shepard Gray is a wonderful storyteller, and she creates an ominous ambiance in this second Amish of Hart County story. Mark Fisher is an intriguing character, and I was eager to discover how his relationship with Waneta Cain would unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed their dramatic story and am eager to continue this compelling series!

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

 

Enter to win a copy of His Guilt. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced July 25th on the Litfuse blog!

 

About the book:

Mark Fisher has returned home to Hart County, determined to put the past behind him. Two years ago, after being wrongly accused of assault, he left the Amish community, though never forgot his home. When the one person who had helped him through his rough times asks for help, Mark returns. But it is pretty Waneta Cain who makes him want to stay…
Neeta is one of the few people in Hart County who doesn’t believe Mark is guilty of hurting anyone. However, his worldliness and tough exterior do make her uneasy. As she begins to see the real man behind all the gossip and prejudice, she wonders if he is the man for her.

Just when Mark starts to believe a new life is possible, a close friend of Neeta’s is attacked. Once again, everyone in the community seems to believe he is guilty. But what hurts most is Neeta’s sudden wariness around him. When another woman is hurt, a woman who is close to both Neeta and himself, Mark fears he knows the real culprit. And time is running out. Will Mark be able to find him before Neeta becomes his next victim?

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#BookReview: Her Secret by Shelley Shepard Gray | 5 Book #Giveaway

15 Mar

Her Secret is a tale that will keep you turning the pages! Shelley Shepard Gray is an engaging storyteller, and the atmosphere of this story and the emotions of its characters are palpable. Each member of the Hilty family has been affected by the events that drove them to make a fresh start, and their reactions vary as secrets are revealed and danger threatens. A great blend of compelling suspense and charming romance, I thoroughly enjoyed Her Secret and look forward to revisiting The Amish of Hart County!

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

About the book:

After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she’s getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky…if only she wasn’t too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone-even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she’ll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.

For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called “The Recluse” confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he’s misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God’s gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye.

Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.

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Enter to win a copy of Her Secret!  Five winners will be chosen and announced April 3rd on the Litfuse blog!   Click the image below to enter to win.

 

About the author:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Visit the author’s website.

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#BookReview + #Giveaway: The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green

26 Jan

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As I opened the striking cover if this book, I was pulled into the story and lost in its depths. With beautiful, sweeping strokes, Jocelyn Green paints a vivid picture of a lesser known period of history. Julianne Chevalier is a strong character with a resolve to overcome, and her journey held me captive and continues to linger in my mind. Rife with tumult and treachery, The Mark of the King is a riveting tale of redemption, one historical fiction fans won’t want to miss!

 

Click the graphic below to enter to win a copy of The Mark of the King.  Five winners will be announced February 7th on Jocelyn’s blog!

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About the book:

After being imprisoned and branded for the death of her client, twenty-five-year-old midwife Julianne Chevalier trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling 1720s French colony of Louisiana, where she hopes to be reunited with her brother, serving there as a soldier. To make the journey, though, women must be married, and Julianne is forced to wed a fellow convict.

When they arrive in New Orleans, there is no news of Benjamin, Julianne’s brother, and searching for answers proves dangerous. What is behind the mystery, and does military officer Marc-Paul Girard know more than he is letting on?

With her dreams of a new life shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous, rugged land, despite never being able to escape the king’s mark on her shoulder that brands her a criminal beyond redemption.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2iKM4uj

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

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own. Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about The Mark of the King.

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#BookReview: A Daughter’s Dream | 5 Book #Giveaway

1 Jun

A Daughter's Dream- Cover

A Daughter’s Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/20vVAye

Rebecca Kinsinger has always dreamed of being a teacher. But when she’s given the opportunity she’s been waiting for at Charm Amish School, she’s dismayed to discover that teaching is hard work—work she’s afraid she’s not very good at.

That is, until Lilly Yoder joins the class. A thirteen-year old who’s just lost her parents, Lilly is in need of someone like Rebecca. For the first time since starting her new job, Rebecca feels a sense of purpose. But when she meets Lilly’s uncle, Jacob, his good looks and sweet, easy-going temperament are hard to ignore. How can she even entertain romantic thoughts of Jacob when his niece is her student?

Suddenly becoming Lily’s sole caregiver, Jacob Yoder never thought he’d be a single parent—or a farmer. Having been living in Florida as a carpenter, Jacob feels more at home wielding a hammer than a backhoe. The only bright spot in his life is Rebecca Kinsinger. As Lily and Rebecca develop a bond, Jacob’s fondness for the pretty teacher grows, too.

But when a fateful accident brings them together, Rebecca and Jacob must choose between duty and desire. Will they follow the path before them? Or set out to find true happiness…and true love?

 

A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

My thoughts:

A Daughter’s Dream is a wonderful story! Shelley Shepard Gray welcomes readers back to Charm, Ohio, in the second book of her Charmed Amish Life series. For those who have not enjoyed Book 1, A Son’s Vow, this novel easily stands alone. However, I encourage you to read both books for a greater understanding and enjoyment of the characters and their stories.

One of my favorite things about Shelley Shepard Gray’s storytelling is her excellent characterization. From people to pets, she crafts endearing characters I enjoy spending time with. I loved Rebecca and Jacob and their emotional, heartfelt journey to happiness. Engaging and entertaining, this sweet story is sure to please fans of Amish fiction. I loved A Daughter’s Dream and look forward to revisiting Charm and its residents as this delightful series continues!

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

 

Enter to win a copy of A Daughter’s Dream—five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced June 8 on Shelley’s blog!

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Shelley Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

 

Connect with Shelley:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

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#BookReview: Through the Shadows | 5 Book #Giveaway

31 May

Through the Shadows

Through the Shadows by Karen Barnett

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

As San Francisco rises from the ashes, an age-old battle looms between corruption and the promise of new beginnings.

The devastating earthquake is just two years past, but the city of San Francisco is still trying to recover. Destruction of this magnitude is not so easy to overcome—and neither are the past regrets shadowing Elizabeth King’s hopeful future.

Hoping to right her wrongs, Elizabeth dedicates herself to helping girls rescued from slavery in Chinatown brothels, even if it means putting her own life at risk to sneak through the gloomy alleys and rooftops where dangers lurk.

Putting her life on the line for a worthy cause is admirable. But opening her heart is even more terrifying. So when Elizabeth meets attorney, Charles McKinley—a man who dreams of reforming San Francisco’s crooked politics—Elizabeth begins to doubt: Can she maintain her pretense and hide her past? Or will her secret jeopardize both their futures?

 

My thoughts:

“Chains bind the body, but music sets the heart free.”

Through the Shadows is a captivating story! Karen Barnett is a master storyteller, bringing her stories to life with excellent characterization, vivid imagery, and rich historical details. She deftly expresses the feelings and emotions of her characters, and I loved experiencing Elizabeth and Charles’s journeys. I was also thrilled to revisit beloved characters from the two previous books in the Golden Gate Chronicles.

Dramatic and emotional, Through the Shadows completely engaged me from beginning to end! I loved this story and reveled in the beauty of the spiritual messages woven through its pages. Once again, Karen Barnett has penned an exceptional story that is not to be missed!

 

Click the image below to enter to win a copy of Through the Shadows—five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced June 7 on Karen’s blog!

Through the Shadows Giveaway

 

Karen Barnett

Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing novels, she loves speaking at women’s events, libraries, and book clubs.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

 

 

Through the Shadows

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 Through the Shadows. 

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#BookReview: Someone Like You | 5 Book #Giveaway

23 May

Someone Like You

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1TPfW3k

A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father’s less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort’s general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

 

My thoughts:

Someone Like You is a heartwarming story! Zeke and Julia are former college sweethearts who unexpectedly cross paths again. Although these two have a history, will they be able to enjoy a future together?

With likable characters, real-life drama, and sweet romance, Someone Like You is a story of second chances. I delighted in Zeke and Julia’s journey and loved the charm of Caliente Springs. It was a pleasure to visit this picturesque resort and get to know the people (and animals) that live and work there. I must say, Ladybug is an entertaining character who just might deserve a story all her own. 😉

Victoria Bylin infuses humor and heart into her novels, and I look forward to reading more!

 

Click the image below to enter to win a copy of Someone Like You—five winners will be chosen!  The winners will be announced June 1 on the Litfuse blog!

Someone Like You Giveaway

 

Victoria Bylin

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.

 

Someone Like You
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 Someone Like You.

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#BookReview: The Inheritance | 5 Book Giveaway

5 May

The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

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

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale’s Reef into turmoil.

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch’s heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David’s grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island’s land. And while Hardy doesn’t enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate’s assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

 

My thoughts:

The Inheritance is the beginning of a family saga set among the Shetland Islands. Michael Phillips brings together past and present as an inheritance and a way of life fall into jeopardy.

While I enjoyed the setting, the narrative was heavy and seemed to make very little progression. The story volleys back and forth between two seemingly unrelated story lines that do not converge until the book’s conclusion. A myriad of characters and details effectively set the stage for what I anticipate will become a more engaging story line as the series continues. Although my interest in the story waned, The Inheritance does leaves me contemplating the future of Whale’s Reef and its residents.

 

Enter to win a copy of The Inheritance—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced May 12 on the Litfuse blog!

The Inheritance giveaway

 

Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today’s reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald’s original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.

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The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

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 Inheritance.

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#BookReview: Playing the Part | 5 Book #Giveaway

29 Mar

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Playing the Part by Jen Turano

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RQM4QD

Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan’s interest turns threatening. Lucetta’s widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta’s life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson’s estate to hide out.

Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there’s much more to him than society knows.

Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail’s matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can’t ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it’ll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

 

My thoughts:

A castle, moat, and cannon! Oh my! Playing the Part is witty and wonderful and so much fun! Jen Turano’s imaginative stories are pure delight and never fail to elicit smiles and laughter. From the gothic goings-on to the animal antics, I reveled in the humor and hijinks of this entertaining tale. Lucetta Plum and Bram Haverstein share a unique story; theirs is a charming romance mixed with a large dollop of mystery. Readers who have enjoyed this series from the beginning are sure to be pleased with its final act. I most certainly hold Playing the Part in high esteem and can’t wait for Turano’s next madcap adventure!

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

 

Enter to win a copy of Playing the Part—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter the giveaway.  The winners will be announced April 7 on the Litfuse blog!

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Jen TuranoAbout the author:

Jen Turano, author of the Ladies of Distinction series and the A Class of Their Own series, is a graduate of the University of Akron. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.

 Connect with Jen:
Website | Facebook

 

 

PlayingThePart_mck.indd
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 Playing the Part.

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