Tag Archives: Contemporary fiction

#BookReview: True to You | $100 Cash Card + Prize Pack #Giveaway

16 May

A perfect balance of lighthearted humor and meaningful emotion, True to You is a most enjoyable read! I loved the characterization of the Bradford sisters and their unique family dynamic. Nora Bradford is a librarian and historian, and I found her bookish persona quite endearing. John Lawson, former Navy SEAL, is a chivalrous hero, and I delighted in the pairing of these polar opposites. Theirs is a clever and charming romance that leaves me eager to continue this exciting new series!

“She was bookish! She had no experience at holding eye contact with Navy SEALs. All the practice she’d put in with Mr. Darcy and Rochester and Adolphus didn’t seem to be holding her in good stead.”

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

 

Blog Tour Landing Page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/bwade

Celebrate the launch of Becky Wade’s new series by entering to win a fabulous prize pack and $100 cash card!

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A copy of True to You
  • A $100 Visa cash card
  • A prize pack hand-picked by Becky

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on May 30. The winner will be announced May 31 on the Litfuse blog.

 

About the book:

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he’s diagnosed with an inherited condition, he’s forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother.
The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John’s already dating someone and Nora’s not sure she’s ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they’re seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

 

About the author:

Becky Wade is a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market before putting her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves writing funny, modern, and inspirational contemporary romance! She’s the Carol Award, INSPY Award, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, and the Bradford Sisters Romance series.

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#BookReview: Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman

8 May

Looking Glass Lies is a poignant and powerful novel! Richly layered, Denman tackles weighty, mature issues and does so with a deft hand. The emotional depth of the story is vast, and thoughts of the characters and their journeys continue to linger in my mind. This is a book that provokes both thought and discussion, making it a great book club selection. Heart-wrenching, yet hopeful, Looking Glass Lies is not soon to be forgotten!

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

 

 

About the book:

For most of her adult life, Cecily Ross has compared herself to other women—and come up short. After a painful divorce from her emotionally abusive husband, Cecily returns to her hometown of Canyon, Texas, looking to heal.

But coming home isn’t what she expects. In a town as small as Canyon, her pain is difficult to escape—especially with her model-perfect ex–sister-in-law working at the town’s popular coffee-shop hangout. With help from her father, a support group, and an old friend who guides her to see her own strengths, Cecily may have a shot at overcoming her insecurities and learning to love again.

The true test comes when tragedy strikes, opening Cecily’s eyes to the harmfulness of her distorted views on beauty—and giving her the perfect opportunity to find peace at last.

About the author | Purchase links

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Spotlight + #Giveaway: Season of Joy by Alexa Verde

25 Apr

Season of Joy by Alexa Verde

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2optegL

Single dad Dylan McGregor wants to give his two sons the best life possible in the small town where he’d grown up. When his youngest son writes a letter to God asking for a Mom for Christmas, Dylan reluctantly starts dating again. His lifelong friend, Joy Avila, agrees to help him find the right woman. Then Dylan begins to see Joy in a new light and believes she’s the right woman for him and his family.

Overweight and teased in school, Joy never hoped her first crush, Dylan McGregor, would return her feelings. Confident and successful now, she’s found her passion in writing about international travels. The trip of a lifetime awaits her after the holidays. Instead, will she find her dreams right there in Rios Azules?

 

Thanks to the generosity of Alexa Verde, one lucky commenter will win a Kindle copy of Season of Joy.

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below letting us know what you enjoy about small town settings.  The giveaway ends Tuesday, May 2 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen and announced on Wednesday, May 3.

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

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

Whether as a reader or a resident, what do you enjoy about small town settings?

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#BookReview: Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon

22 Apr

Sandpiper Cove is full of charm! Irene Hannon has crafted a community that springs to life on the page, and I always delight in the time I spend in this seaside setting. Lexie Graham and Adam Stone are contrasting characters, yet they share more in common than they realize. I loved their story and the complexities of their relationship; theirs is my favorite Hope Harbor romance to date. As with each visit to this special place, I also enjoyed the endearing cast of secondary characters and the wisdom they dispensed. Hope and healing resonate through this heartwarming series, and I’m already anticipating its next installment!

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

 

About the book:

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities–including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn’t looking for love either–but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.

Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam’s help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different–and better–future planned for them than either could imagine.

Purchase a copy.

Visit the author’s website.

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#BookReview: False Security by Elizabeth Goddard

19 Apr

Elizabeth Goddard once again treats readers to a heart-racing, page-turning adventure! I loved the tangible tension and engaging emotion that could be felt as Olivia and Zach struggled to survive in the Oregon wilderness. I also enjoyed the history shared between the two and the feelings that were rekindled as death and danger loomed. False Security is an exciting story and a recommended read for fans of romantic suspense!

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

 

About the book:

Arriving at her secluded cabin to find her brother missing, Olivia Kendricks follows his trail into the woods until two shooters take aim at her. She only escapes when ex-detective Zachary Long, her brother’s friend and Olivia’s first love comes to her rescue. Now as they run for their lives in the snowbound wilderness, they must search for her brother while figuring out why someone wants them dead. And though Zach’s police force training may be what will save them, it’s also what once drove them apart when he gave Olivia up to chase his dream. In a freezing landscape as deadly as it is beautiful, they’ll have to let go of the past and face down powerful men willing to kill to keep secrets buried.

Purchase a copy | Visit the author’s website

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#BookReview: Life After by Katie Ganshert

18 Apr

Sure to resonate with readers, Life After is a poignant and powerful tale! With its ripped-from-the-headlines plot, this compelling story kept me engrossed as I read and beckoned each time I set the book aside. Katie Ganshert deftly brings her characters to life, and my heart ached for Autumn and the Elliotts. Their struggles and emotions were real and raw, and I loved the beauty and complexity of their journey!

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

 

About the book:

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.

A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief—by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.

Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

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#BookReview: The Memory of You by Catherine West

4 Apr

I loved this story! Catherine West masterfully weaves dynamic family drama and subtle romance to create a complex and captivating tale. Set against the backdrop of California wine country, the picturesque descriptions awed me with their beauty. Natalie and Tanner are both plagued by guilt and regret, and I was drawn into their tumultuous emotional and spiritual journeys. The Memory of You is a wonderful story of hope and healing and a highly recommended read!  

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

 

About the book:

Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie Mitchell shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. Natalie intends to close the gates, unless he can convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it.

Purchase a copy.

Visit the author’s website.

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#BookReview: Because You’re Mine by Colleen Coble

28 Feb

because-youre-mine

The vibrant imagery and haunting events of Because You’re Mine gripped me from the beginning, and the twists and turns of the plot kept me turning the pages until the very end. The setting and the gothic atmosphere of the story are absorbing and the unique cast of characters is quite engaging. While Because You’re Mine is a bit of a departure from Coble’s usual fare, I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric tale.

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

 

About the book:

Alanna has been plagued by tragedy. So it should come as no surprise that in the beauty that surrounds Charleston, all is not as it seems.

When her husband is killed by a car bomb while their band is on tour in Charleston, Alanna doesn’t know where to turn. Her father-in-law is threatening to take custody of the baby she carries, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she can’t lose the last piece of Liam she has left.

Their manager offers her a marriage of convenience to gain her U.S. citizenship and allow her to escape her father-in-law’s control. It seems like the perfect solution . . . but her doubts begin almost as soon as she arrives at Barry’s family home, a decaying mansion surrounded by swamp.

To make matters worse, Liam’s best friend survived the car bomb. She’s never really liked Jesse and now she can’t seem to get away from him. When he takes Liam’s place in their band, it’s almost more than she can bear.

But then things start happening. Things that could easily cost Alanna her life—or the life of her unborn child. Are they merely coincidences? Or is there something much more sinister at work?

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2mA2SU1

Visit the author: http://colleencoble.com/

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Spotlight + #Giveaway: Road to Danger Collection

27 Feb

road-to-danger

Road to Danger: Mystery/Suspense Collection

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/2mk8llS

Texas Fires by E.E. Kennedy
When schoolteacher Amanda’s engagement dreams are shattered, she tells herself she’s fine, though her summer job involves working for Jason’s father. So it’s a welcome delay when she’s called for jury duty on an arson case. A young woman, Harriet, has set fire to the house of a helpless elderly invalid. The defendant is found guilty, but Amanda can’t help asking “Why?” As she explores the evidence on her own, she continually encounters Jason, who may not be quite ready to let her go. Will Amanda ever learn the motive for this vicious crime? And will she survive a ruthless enemy and a devastating prairie fire in time to realize where real loves lies?

Identity Theft by Alana Terry
After a devastating accident stole her fiancé and robbed her of a normal life, Lacy does what she can to move on. It’s hard enough living in Glennallen, Alaska with its negative-fifty-degree winters and mosquito-ravaged summers. Things get even more complicated when she meets Kurtis, an Alaska state trooper, and his delightful four-year-old daughter who would love nothing more than to make Lacy her new mom.

A traumatized past makes it hard for Lacy to commit to this new relationship, especially since she can’t shake the nagging suspicion that her fiancé isn’t dead like the police reports claim. All she wants is closure, but as she seeks out real answers, she discovers how deadly the truth can actually be.

The Assumption of Guilt by Amanda Tru
Nobody stops to think what it would be like to be arrested. That just doesn’t happen to normal people, right?

When a major theft happens at a party she’s attending, Sophie James finds herself the prime suspect. Has she been framed or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Now Sophie must convince the police, along with her cop boyfriend, that she’s innocent. With no record, no motive, and no evidence, that shouldn’t be difficult. Then why does no one seem to believe her?

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

Maid for Murder: Deadly Business by Susette Williams
Bailey inherits her grandfather’s business, but cleaning up dead body parts wasn’t part of the job description. Bailey hopes to wipe out crime with the help of Nate, her computer hacker assistant, despite protests of their involvement in the case from Detective Max Wellington.

As the threads of deceit unravel, the murders begin to break out like a case of Bubonic Plague. Bailey uncovers deception, corruption and a few secrets that may forever change her life.

Bailey struggles to keep on the path she knows is right, fighting the temptation of the hunky Detective Max Wellington, who would like nothing more than to take her into protective custody, for more than just interfering in police business.

 

giveaway-road-to-danger

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Thanks to the generosity of Alexa Verde, one lucky commenter will win a Kindle copy of Road to Danger.

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below letting us know what you enjoy most about mystery/suspense stories. The giveaway ends Monday, March 6 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen and announced on Tuesday, March 7.

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

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

What do you enjoy most about mystery/suspense stories?

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#BookReview: Justice Delayed by Patricia Bradley

15 Feb

justice-delayed

Justice Delayed is a fast-paced suspense, with Andi Hollister and Memphis detectives frantically working to find a killer. As new case evidence surfaces, it’s a race against the clock to stay an execution and stay one step ahead of the danger that is lurking. From smuggled diamonds to murder, the intrigue builds nicely through the story, although the cast of characters becomes a bit cumbersome at times. I enjoyed this first book in Bradley’s Memphis Cold Case series and wonder what the unit will investigate next.

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

 

About the book:

It’s been eighteen years since TV crime reporter Andi Hollister’s sister was murdered. The confessed killer is behind bars, and the execution date is looming. But when a letter surfaces stating that the condemned killer didn’t actually do it, Detective Will Kincaide of the Memphis Cold Case Unit will stop at nothing to help Andi get to the bottom of it. After all, this case is personal: the person who confessed to the crime is Will’s cousin. They have less than a week to find the real killer before the wrong person is executed. But much can be accomplished in that week–including uncovering police corruption, running for your life, and falling in love.

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

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

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