Tag Archives: Historical Fiction

Review + Sale: Love’s Unfading Light

26 Mar

Love's Unfading Light

Love’s Unfading Light by Naomi Rawlings

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1HB8vJa

Lake Superior, 1880
Tressa Danell is finished with men—from the wastrel who left her a widow, to the smelly trapper who keeps proposing, to the banker who wants to repossess her bakery. Every hour is spent working to pay off her late husband’s debt and keep a roof over her son’s head, though it’s doubtful she can do both for very long. But one thing’s certain—she’ll never be beholden to a man again.

Tired of living in a small town that blames him for actions his father committed ten years ago, Mac Oakton is scheduled to leave Eagle Harbor. So why does the pretty widow at the bakery keep tugging at his heart? He can’t get involved in her predicament when he’ll only be around for two more weeks.

But when Tressa’s burdens overwhelm her, they both face a decision. Can Mac set his own plans aside to help? And can Tressa accept his support if that means giving up her independence … and being obligated to a man again?

My thoughts:

Love’s Unfading Light is a captivating tale of history and romance! Naomi Rawlings paints a vivid picture of life in Eagle Harbor, Michigan, bringing the story and its characters to life. My heart ached for Tressa Danell and her struggles, as it did for Mac Oakton and the scrutiny he faced. I loved these special characters and their emotional and spiritual journeys!

Love’s Unfading Light is a compelling story and a highly recommended read for fans of historical romance. I can’t wait for the next book in the Eagle Harbor series!

A complimentary copy of Love’s Unfading Light was provided to me by the author. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and offer my honest opinion.

 

Now through Saturday, the e-book is on sale for $1.99!

Love's Unfading Light sale

 

Naomi RawlingsA 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: A Harvest of Hope

25 Mar

A Harvest of Hope

A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling

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

Miriam Hastings has her future plans in place…
But Trygve Knutson is intent on changing them.

Just a few short weeks into her year-long training at the Blessing Hospital, Miriam Hastings is called home to Chicago, where her mother is gravely ill. With siblings to care for, Miriam pleads to be allowed to finish her training in Chicago. Her nursing supervisor grants her a brief reprieve but extracts a promise that Miriam will return to Blessing and fulfill her one-year commitment.

While in Chicago, Miriam has tried to get Trygve Knutson and Blessing out of her mind, but his letters make that impossible. Trygve is busy building a house, hoping he can convince Miriam to return to North Dakota and marry him. Torn between Trygve’s love and her family’s needs, she doesn’t know what to do.

When Miriam finally returns to Blessing, she buries herself in her work. But no matter how hard she tries to put it off, she has some life-changing decisions to make about her future, her family… and the man who is never far from her thoughts.

What will it take to convince her to stay?

 

My thoughts:

A Harvest of Hope is a much-anticipated continuation of the Song of Blessing series!  I highly recommend reading book one, To Everything a Season, before reading A Harvest of Hope.  Several important events occur in the first book and set the stage for this second story. 

Lauraine Snelling does a wonderful job of bringing the characters and community to life, and I was eager to return to this quaint community in North Dakota.  I really enjoyed the historical details, as well as the complexity of the characters and their stories.  The drama continues, as does the romance between Miriam and Trygve, creating an emotional narrative.  Blessing is a lovely place to visit and I look forward to continuing this compelling series!   

Please note: This series is a continuation of Lauraine’s earlier stories of the Bjorkland family and the community of Blessing.  If you are a long-time fan, you will certainly welcome the opportunity to revisit these special characters and this unique community.  For those who are not familiar with these stories, you may find the large, diverse cast of characters to be a bit overwhelming at first.  A Bjorkland family tree has been included in the beginning of the book for reference. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my honest opinion.

  

Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of over seventy books, with sales of more than 2 million copies.  She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writers’ conferences across the country.

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Basset named Winston.  They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.

To learn more about Lauraine, please visit her website.


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Review: A Heart’s Disguise + Kindle Giveaway

21 Mar

A Heart's Disguise

A Heart’s Disguise by Colleen Coble

 Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1b01Z1h 

 

The Civil War has destroyed Sarah Montgomery’s marriage before it’s even begun.

After Sarah receives word that her fiancé, Rand Campbell, has been killed fighting for the Union, her brothers and ailing father persuade her to pledge herself to Ben Croftner—despite her strong misgivings. But when Sarah finds out that Rand is in fact alive—and that Ben Croftner knew it—she indignantly breaks off the engagement and goes in search of Rand.

But Ben Croftner does not take rejection lightly—and a single woman with a sick father makes an easy target. When Sarah is abducted by her treacherous fiancé, Rand finally comes to her aid . . . only to reveal that he has been posted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and intends to take her there as his wife.

But could Sarah leave her dying father’s side for the love of her life? And what plans are forming in the jealous heart of Ben Croftner?

 

My thoughts:

A Heart’s Disguise is a great beginning of what is sure to be a wonderful, historical journey!

This story begins Colleen Coble’s first novel serialization. The Journey of the Heart series includes six books that will be released monthly from March through August. These stories were originally published in two books, Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise.

I enjoyed Colleen’s beautifully descriptive writing and easily visualized the sights and sounds of Wabash, Indiana in 1865. The characters in this story are well-written and well-developed, and I am already invested in their emotional journeys. Drama, deception, and danger kept me engaged and the questions that linger left me anxious for more. I can’t wait to continue this adventure in next month’s release, A Heart’s Obsession!

A complimentary copy of A Heart’s Disguise was provided to me through Litfuse Publicity. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.

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


 
In the midst of end-of-war celebrations, Sarah discovers her betrothed was keeping a devastating secret in Colleen Coble’s A Heart’s Disguise. Will Sarah leave her dying father’s side for the only man she’s ever loved? And what plans are forming in the jealous heart of Ben Croftner?

Celebrate book one in Colleen’s A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

heartsdisguise-400
 One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire
  • A copy of A Heart’s Disguise
  • A copy of A Heart’s Obsession (blog tour coming in April)
  • A copy of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge (blog tour coming in April)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen’s website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge! RSVP here!

heartsdisguise-enterbanner

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

 

Colleen CobleColleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble’s addictive brand of romantic suspense.

 

Find Colleen online: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Cover Reveal + GIVEAWAY: The Lumberjacks’ Ball

17 Mar

I’m excited to reveal the cover of
Carrie Fancett Pagels’ upcoming release,
The Lumberjacks’ Ball!

Lumberjacks_ Ball cover

The Lumberjacks’ Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A decade after surviving a brutal attack, a mercantile owner’s daughter seeks to begin her life anew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A gifted craftsman wishes to leave his lumberjack life and seeks employment at her new store. When his presence dredges up memories she wishes to suppress, the new proprietress must learn to face her past. Can affection grow between the cabinetmaker and the proprietress of St. Ignace’s newest business? When complications arise will they overcome adversity in time for The Lumberjack’s Ball?

Available April 2015!

 

Carrie brick headshot pm

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an award-winning, and Amazon bestselling author, of Christian historical romance. She served as a psychologist for twenty-five years. Carrie lives in the Tidewater Virginia area with her family. When not writing, researching, blogging and enjoying tea, Carrie beads and reads—not necessarily in that order!

 

 

 Winner’s Choice Giveaway!

Carrie's Cover Collage

Carrie has graciously offered to give away one of her books, winner’s choice, to a lucky Buzzing About Books reader.  Available titles and their formats are listed below. 

 To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment.
Be sure to include your email address!

Carrie Fancett Pagels’ books include: The Fruitcake Challenge, The Lumberjack’s Ball, Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, God’s Provision in Tough Times, upcoming release Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (ebook or paperback), A Cup of Christmas Cheer from Guidepost Books (hardcover only), or Family Fiction Anthology of The Story 2014, which includes her award-winning short story “The Quilt Contest” (paperback only).

Paperback copies available to US residents only.  International winners will receive an ebook (if available).  Winners will be chosen at random one week from today’s posting.

 

Blog Hop

Visit these participating blogs for your chance to win!!

Perspectives by Nancee 

Stuff & Nonsense 

Buzzing About Books 

Lane Hill House 

The Sword and Spirit

Overcoming with God

Colonial Quills

 

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Friday Freebie + Review

13 Mar

The Sentinels of Andersonville

The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot

FREE through 3/14:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Near the end of the Civil War, inhumane conditions at Andersonville Prison caused the deaths of 13,000 Union soldiers in only one year. In this gripping and affecting novel, three young Confederates and an entire town come face-to-face with the prison’s atrocities and will learn the cost of compassion, when withheld and when given.

Sentry Dance Pickett has watched, helpless, for months as conditions in the camp worsen by the day. He knows any mercy will be seen as treason. Southern belle Violet Stiles cannot believe the good folk of Americus would knowingly condone such barbarism, despite the losses they’ve suffered. When her goodwill campaign stirs up accusations of Union sympathies and endangers her family, however, she realizes she must tread carefully. Confederate corporal Emery Jones didn’t expect to find camaraderie with the Union prisoner he escorted to Andersonville. But the soldier’s wit and integrity strike a chord in Emery. How could this man be an enemy? Emery vows that their unlikely friendship will survive the war—little knowing what that promise will cost him.

As these three young Rebels cross paths, Emery leads Dance and Violet to a daring act that could hang them for treason. Wrestling with God’s harsh truth, they must decide, once and for all, Who is my neighbor?

 

My thoughts:

Tracy Groot shares the stark reality of life and death in Andersonville Prison during the Civil War. Brimming with historical details, this story and its characters lingered in my mind long after the last page had been turned. Well-researched and beautifully written, The Sentinels of Andersonville is a poignant novel and a recommended read for fans of historical fiction. I loved this novel and look forward to reading more from Tracy Groot!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club Network. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

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FREE e-Book + Series Sale

3 Mar

Blowing on Dandelions

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell

FREE today and tomorrow!
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blowing on Dandelions is the first book in Miralee Ferrell’s Love Blossoms in Oregon series.  The other books in the series are also on sale right now.  All four e-books can be purchased for under $10.00.  It’s the perfect time to enjoy this wonderful series!

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$0.99 Sale- At Every Turn

28 Feb

At Every Turn sale

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Review: Gabriel’s Atonement

24 Feb

Gabriel's Atonement

Gabriel’s Atonement by Vickie McDonough

All Gabe Coulter ever wanted was to live a comfortable life as a successful gambler, but a confrontation with a disgruntled cowboy who’d just lost to Gabe leads to a family man dying in his arms. Even though it was self-defense, the only way Gabe knows to get rid of his guilt is to return the money he won to the man’s wife. Lara Talbot sees Gabe as a derelict like her husband and wants nothing to do with him. But as she struggles to provide for her family and makes plans to claim property in the upcoming Oklahoma land rush, she wonders if God might have sent the meddling gambler to help.

Thoughts:

What a wonderful story! With excellent characterization and a compelling plot, Vickie McDonough brings this captivating story to life! I love reading historical fiction and found the details of the Oklahoma land rush especially interesting. Full of action, adventure, and romance, this book is a must read! I loved Gabriel’s Atonement and can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Joline’s Redemption!

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | DeeperShopping

 

Vickie McDonoughBest-selling author Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She lives out her childhood dream by penning romances set in the Old West. Vickie is an award-winning author of more than 30 books and novellas. Her books have won the Booksellers Best Award, OWFI Best Fiction Book Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, Texas Gold, and the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a finalist in ACFW’s BOTY/Carol Awards contest eight times and also the Holt Medallion Contest.

Vickie and her husband live in Oklahoma. They have been married thirty-nine years and have four grown sons and a feisty eight-year-old granddaughter. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, traveling, and collecting antiques and doing stained glass projects. To learn more about Vickie’s books, visit her website: http://www.vickiemcdonough.com.

 

My thanks to the author and publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

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Review: Masterpiece Marriage

11 Feb

Masterpiece Marriage

Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn

After a flood damages the looms at Zenus Dane’s Philadelphia textile mill and the bank demands loan payment, Zenus turns to his aunt for help repurposing his textiles. Trouble is . . . his aunt has already been hired by the lovely yet secretive Englishwoman Mary Varrs. Eager to acquire his aunt’s quilt patterns, Zenus attends the summer Quilting Bee, a social event his aunt has uniquely designed with the secret purpose of finding Zenus a wife. However Zenus only has eyes for Mary, but Mary has no such desire for him. Though his aunt is determined to design a masterpiece marriage, both Zenus and Mary will have to overcome their stubborn ways. Can he realize that love requires stepping out of his routine? And will she recognize that following her heart doesn’t mean sacrificing her ambition?

 

Thoughts:

“Being intentional,” he said, “is a quality more people should possess.”

Gina Welborn has penned a wonderful addition to the Quilts of Love series! Masterpiece Marriage is a beautiful story!

I loved the richness and depth of the historical setting and story details. The tapestry of this story includes so many lovely threads. The characters are complex and charming and the relationship between Englishwoman Mary Varrs and textile mill owner Zenus Dane is delightful. I also enjoyed Zenus’s Aunt Priscilla and her determination to design a masterpiece marriage.

Engaging, humorous, and romantic, Masterpiece Marriage is a pleasure to read! I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Gina Welborn!

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook

 

Gina Welborn

Gina Welborn wrote public service announcements for a news radio station until she fell in love with writing romances. She’s the author of three Barbour novellas, including the 2014 Selah finalist “Mercy Mild” in ECPA-bestselling Mistletoe Memories, with more novellas to be released over the next two years. 2014 ushers in the release of her novels: The Heiress’s Courtship, The Marshal’s Pursuit, and Masterpiece Marriage. A moderately obsessive fan of Community, Once Upon a Time, and Chopped, Gina lives in Oklahoma with her pastor husband, their five Okie-Hokie children, a box-lab, two rabbits, four guinea pigs, and a fancy Russian dwarf hamster named Tom Bob Deucalion.

To learn more about Gina and her books, please visit http://www.ginawelborn.com/.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

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$0.99 Sale: Love Finds You by Miralee Ferrell

22 Jan

On sale now through January 31 for only $0.99!

LFY- Sundance, WY

Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming by Miralee Ferrell

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Angel Ramirez is tired of living a lie. But can she live like a lady? On the run from a dangerous outlaw, Angel works her way across several states disguised as a boy and working as a varmint tracker and horse wrangler. After taking a job on a Wyoming ranch owned by a bachelor and his widowed sister, she finally reveals her true identity and must fight to prove her worth as a ranch hand while somehow discovering her role as woman. Hiring a woman doesn’t sit well with Travis Morgan, and the dark-haired beauty is causing a ruckus among his cowboys. Just as Angel decides she’ll never be able to please her boss, an unexpected surprise arrives from across the ocean and makes trouble on the ranch. Will Angel leave with the person who’s come so far to claim her?

 

LFY- Last Chance, CA

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

It’s 1877 and Alexia Travers is alone in the world. Her father has died unexpectedly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Marrying one of the towns all-too-willing bachelors would offer an easy solution, but Alex has no interest in marriage. Instead, she dons men’s trousers and rides the range, determined to make the ranch a success on her own. But despite Alex’s best efforts, everything seems to go wrong: ranch hands quit, horses are stolen, and her fathers gold goes missing. Alex is at her wits end when wrangler Justin Phillips arrives in Last Chance with his young son, looking for a job. But there seems to be more to Justin’s story than he’s willing to share. Will Alex ever be able to trust him? More importantly, will the independent woman finally learn to depend on God?

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