Tag Archives: Bethany House Publishers

#BookReview: The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin

18 Sep

The Two of Us is a tender and touching tale! From family dynamics to Alzheimer’s care, Victoria Bylin deftly portrays her characters and their emotions. I delighted in Mia’s and Jake’s journey, as well as the secondary story between Sam and Lucy. Hope-filled and heartfelt, I thoroughly enjoyed The Two of Us!

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

 

About the book:

After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she’s focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who’s pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia’s plans.

Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He’s poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who’s asked him to be his best man at his wedding.

Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn’t expecting Jake. And Jake, who can’t help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he’ll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake’s courage and Mia’s caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . .

Learn more about the book and the author.

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

6 Feb

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

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

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

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

 

About the book:

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

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

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

Visit the authors: Peterson | Woodhouse

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#BookReview: Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

14 Nov

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Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2f3TLHZ

Mercy Brennan followed in her father’s footsteps in a law enforcement career, but she has no interest in any other connection to him. A U.S. Marshal in St. Louis, Missouri, she’s assigned to a joint task force with the St. Louis PD that puts her back into contact with her father and in the sights of St. Louis’s most powerful gang.

When the gang has reason to believe Mercy has possession of some highly sensitive and incriminating information, her boss assigns Mark St. Laurent–a Deputy U.S. Marshal and Mercy’s ex-boyfriend–to get her out of town until they can guarantee her safety.

Initially unaware of the danger she’s in and uncomfortable working with Mark, Mercy’s frustration escalates when she discovers the extent her boss and Mark have been keeping her in the dark. It isn’t until a freak ice storm hits, stranding them at a remote location and out of contact with the district office, that the full severity of their situation becomes clear. As the storm worsens, the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy closing in to put their lives at imminent risk. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive–if help is even coming at all?

 

My thoughts:

Nancy Mehl begins her Defenders of Justice series with a chilling tale of action and suspense! When U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan unknowingly accepts possession of incriminating information, she becomes the target of a very powerful gang. As danger escalates, the twists and turns through this story will keep you guessing, unable to discern the good guys from the bad. I enjoyed Fatal Frost and look forward to continuing this intriguing new series!

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

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#BookReview: Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

10 Nov

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Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

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

Geesje de Jonge crossed the ocean at age seventeen with her parents and a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands to settle in the Michigan wilderness. Fifty years later, in 1897, she’s asked to write a memoir of her early experiences as the town celebrates its anniversary. Reluctant at first, she soon uncovers memories and emotions hidden all these years, including the story of her one true love.

At the nearby Hotel Ottawa Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, twenty-three-year-old Anna Nicholson is trying to ease the pain of a broken engagement to a wealthy Chicago banker. But her time of introspection is disturbed after a violent storm aboard a steamship stirs up memories of a childhood nightmare. As more memories and dreams surface, Anna begins to question who she is and whether she wants to return to her wealthy life in Chicago. When she befriends a young seminary student who is working at the hotel for the summer, she finds herself asking him all the questions that have been troubling her.

Neither Geesje nor Anna, who are different in every possible way, can foresee the life-altering surprises awaiting them before the summer ends.

 

My thoughts:

Richly layered and steeped in history, Waves of Mercy captivated me from beginning to end! The characterization is excellent, and I quickly became immersed in the lives of Geesje and Anna. I loved the memories and emotions Geesje shared while writing about her life experiences; the immigration from the Netherlands to Michigan was fascinating. I was also delighted by Anna and her determination to discover more about her family and her faith. Geesje and Anna’s journeys are beautifully intertwined, and I would love to continue their stories. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially multi-generational stories, Waves of Mercy is a novel I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and 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: Sins of the Past

25 May

Sins of the Past

Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1XUEr2j

In Dee Henderson’s “Missing,” a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins.

Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with “Shadowed,” introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.

Lynette Eason’s “Blackout” delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found–but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?

 

My thoughts:

Sins of the Past is a great collection! These three beloved and bestselling authors have shared engaging stories “where the past will not stay buried” and “danger will never go away”.

“Missing”- Dee Henderson kept me guessing with this novella, puzzling more over the “why” than the “who”.

“Shadowed”- I loved Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, so I was delighted to learn more about the McKenna parents and their journey.

“Blackout”- Lynette Eason captivated me with this nail-biting suspense!

I am a fan of each of these authors, so enjoying them together in one book was a real treat! Each of their stories is uniquely told and boasts intrigue, adventure, and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed Sins of the Past and recommend this collection to fans of romantic suspense!

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: Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

24 May

Traces of Guilt

Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/25cw0BM

 

She’s turning up the heat on Carin County’s cold cases . . .

Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She’s very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.

Gabriel Thane grew up in Carin County and is now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he’s sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have. . . .

When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it’s to help launch a new task force focused on unsolved crimes across the state. She will work with the sheriff’s department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she studies old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths surprising connections. One way or another, she knows Gabriel Thane and his family will be key to the answers she seeks.

 

My thoughts:

Traces of Guilt is a well-crafted procedural! Dee Henderson populates this complex story with an extensive cast of characters and a myriad of details and descriptions. As multiple story lines converged, I puzzled through the cold case investigations alongside the characters and was surprised by several twists and turns. While Evie Blackwell’s crime-solving prowess is an integral part of the narrative, the Thane family was, for me, the heart of the story. I really enjoyed Traces of Guilt and am eager to read more Cold Case novels!

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 Midwife’s Dilemma by Delia Parr

12 Apr

The Midwife's Dilemma

The Midwife’s Dilemma by Delia Parr

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1VP5E5o

Midwife Martha Cade has decided. When he returns in February, she is going to marry Mayor Thomas Dillon. That is the only decision in life in which she feels confident these days. Everything else around her feels like it’s changing too fast, from her daughter’s obvious affection for the town’s young doctor to Martha realizing she’s ready to pass on her role as midwife to someone younger. Even her beloved town of Trinity is changing.

The 1830s Pennsylvania town, having mushroomed in size and population, is becoming an important agricultural and economic center for the region, and soon a canal will connect it even more to the outside world.

It is a season that will set the course for the rest of her life. Martha will need every ounce of confidence, courage, and faith she possesses to overcome the obstacles that will make her life far more challenging and difficult than she can dare to imagine.

 

My thoughts:

The Midwife’s Dilemma is a wonderful story! The third novel in the At Home in Trinity series, Delia Parr concludes the trilogy with a heartfelt and dramatic tale.

I love Martha Cade and her dedication to her family and friends and to her calling as a midwife. As this series concludes, Martha is faced with a myriad of personal and professional changes as she enters a new season in her life. Brimming with emotion and encouragement, I delighted in the culmination of Martha’s journey.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and will miss visiting the beloved town of Trinity and its residents. The Midwife’s Dilemma and its series predecessors are recommended reads for those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction.

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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COLD SHOT Sweepstakes

23 Feb
Enter the COLD SHOT Sweepstakes from Author Dani Pettrey

In COLD SHOT, the first book of author Dani Pettrey’s brand new Chesapeake Valor series, park ranger Griffin McCray and forensic anthropologist Finley Scott uncover buried remains near the Civil War battleground of Little Round Top. There’s only one problem: the bones aren’t Civil War-era.

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but when Finley discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper, the case connects them with FBI agent Declan Grey, and crime scene investigator Parker Mitchell, friends from a past Griffin’s tried to leave behind.

Soon the reunited friends realize they’ll need to confront the darkest days in their shared history if they–and those they care about–are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.

To celebrate the launch of this exciting new series, Dani and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to present the COLD SHOT SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.

HOW TO ENTER:

Go to: http://www.danipettrey.com/cold-shot-sweepstakes/ and complete the entry box, anytime between February 16 – March 7, 2016.

This giveaway starts February 16, 2016 and ends March 7, 2016 @ 11:59 pm (PST).  Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Tuesday, March 8, 2016, and announced at DaniPettrey.com.

 

GRAND PRIZE:

ROAD TRIP REUNION GETAWAY

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In COLD SHOT, Griffin reunites with friends after they’ve drifted apart over the years. Do you have a friend you want to reconnect with? Here’s your chance to hit the road with them for a friend getaway!

Our Grand Prize winner will receive: A $250 gift certificate to BedandBreakfast.com, good for reservations at lodges across the Continental US, plus a $50 Darden restaurants gift card, and a Chesapeake Bay tote bag, to pack your road trip essentials.

 

SECOND PRIZE:

FINLEY’S FAVORITES PACK

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Finley has a lifelong love of travel and exploration, something captured in her cozy home decor, right down to her steamer trunk coffee table. This prize gives you a chance to have a steamer trunk just like Finley’s, and a coffee table book from the Chesapeake Bay to go with it.

Our Second Prize winner will receive: A $150 value cedar wood steamer trunk and vivid Maryland coffee table photo book.

 

THIRD PRIZE:

TASTE OF MARYLAND KIT

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COLD SHOT is sure to leave you with a craving for the mouth-watering snacks Griffin, Finley, and the rest of the crew enjoy in the story. If you wish you could sample Chesapeake’s one-of-a-kind local fare too, this prize is for you.

Our Third Prize winner will receive: The beautifully lithographed, $50 value Taste of Maryland Tin, including the Chesapeake Bay Cookbook and famed local treats such as Old Bay Seasoning, Maple Syrup, Maryland crab soup mix, specialty dip, and Goetze’s Caramel Creams.

 

Enter the COLD SHOT Sweepstakes from Author Dani Pettrey!

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