Tag Archives: Romance

#BookReview: The Devoted | iPad Mini #Giveaway

27 Oct

the-devoted

The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher 

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

Bright, curious, and restless, Ruthie Stoltzfus loves her family but is stuck in a sea of indecision about her future: Should she stay Amish? Or should she leave? She’s done all she can to prepare to go–passed the GED, saved her money–but she can’t quite set her journey into motion.

Patrick Kelly is a young man on a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time, to Patrick, is of the essence. Every moment is to be cherished, especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.

Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back–“anything”–and Patrick Kelly is getting in his way.

 

My thoughts:

The Devoted is a wonderful story! In this third and final installment of The Bishop’s Family series, Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the quaint community of Stoney Ridge with Ruthie Stoltzfus contemplating her life and her love interests. Revisiting beloved characters, as well as introducing new ones, this heartwarming tale is rife with drama and emotion and brimming with words of wisdom.  One of my favorite quotes- “Every single spoke is needed to keep the buggy balanced.  Each one matters.”

Although The Devoted continues story lines that began in earlier books, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. However, fans of Amish fiction won’t want to miss a single story!

 

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Suzanne is celebrating the release of The Devoted with a special giveaway!

One winner will receive:

  • A copy of The Devoted
  • An iPad Mini 2 16GB

Enter today, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 2. The winner will be announced November 3 on Suzanne’s blog.  Enter to win by filling out the form when you click here, or click the graphic above to enter to win.

 

the-devoted

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

#BookReview: Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon

22 Oct

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Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2f49quo

After a disastrous Middle East mission ends his six-year Army Ranger career, Finn McGregor needs some downtime. A peaceful month in the woods sounds like the perfect way to decompress. But peace isn’t on the agenda once he crosses paths with publishing executive Dana Lewis, a neighbor who is nursing wounds of her own. Someone seems bent on disrupting her stay in the lakeside cabin she inherited from her grandfather. As Finn and Dana work together to discover who is behind the disquieting pranks, the incidents begin to take on a menacing tone. And when it becomes apparent Dana’s foe may have deadly intent, Finn finds himself back in the thick of the action–ready or not.

 

My thoughts:

In this third and final installment of the Men of Valor series, former Army Ranger Finn McGregor is a dashing hero who finds himself running to the rescue of his neighbor, Dana Lewis. The chemistry between the two becomes palpable as their relationship develops amid the drama and danger that is lurking in the woods around them. A delightful blend of intrigue and romance, I enjoyed Finn and Dana’s story and thought Tangled Webs to be a great conclusion to a great series!

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

Lena Goldfinch’s Triple Trick-or-Treat Cover Reveal + #Giveaway

21 Oct

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In celebration of Lena Goldfinch’s upcoming release, HAUNTING JOY: BOOK 2, she’s revealing three brand-new book covers! The two HAUNTING JOY books are light paranormal stories, and SONGSTONE is a fantasy romance. All three books are sweet—and slightly spine-tingling—young adult reads, perfect for cozy autumn nights!

 

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HAUNTING JOY: BOOK 1

Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Audible | Paperback

“A sweet and charming ghost story that completely won me over.”
-Lena Coakley, Witchlanders

Joy’s new dress has a secret—one with a little supernatural history, one that’s a little more than she expected.

It all starts one ordinary afternoon, when seventeen-year-old Joy tries on some thrift-store clothes. The little white dress fits perfectly. Trouble is, now it won’t leave her alone. Soon Joy is swept up in an extraordinary journey to help a ghost complete some unfinished business.

If only that didn’t involve Joy driving through dangerous intersections…
Or calling up her high-school crush, Nick…
Or getting stuck in a cemetery after dark.

Just how much is Joy willing to risk to uncover the truth?

 

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HAUNTING JOY: BOOK 2

Coming soon!

Joy’s story continues with another ghost, this time a boy who seems intent on disrupting her senior year…

 

songstone

SONGSTONE

Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Paperback

“An original fantasy world inhabited by superstitious tribal nations and intriguingly developed characters.”
-Serena Chase, USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog 

A dark, twisty tale of sorcery, tummy-tingling romance, and adventure, inspired by the folklore of New Zealand’s Māori people.

Kita can meld song into stone—a skill called “storytelling,” which is greatly honored in a world with no written word. But Kita is slave to a sorcerer who practices black magic using drops of her blood. She fears he’ll use her beautiful gift for a killing spell, so she conceals it. Yet each day, his magic tightens around her neck like a rope.

Then Pono, a young journeyman, arrives from the other side of the island. He’s come to fulfill a pact between their villages: to escort a storyteller back to his village. Finally, in Pono, Kita sees her one slim chance at freedom—and she’ll risk her life to take it.

 

GIVEAWAY!
No tricks with this giveaway—just a treat for three lucky winners! Each winner will get a copy of one of Lena’s featured books (winner’s choice): Haunting Joy: Book 1; Haunting Joy: Book 2; OR Songstone.

Note: Paperback copies are only available to winners who are US residents. Ebook versions are available to all winners.

Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

 

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Discover which hero from Lena’s YA books is your dream hero! Possible results include Nick from Haunting Joy, Pono from Songstone, Rundan from The Language of Souls, Jovanni from Aire, and Troy from Take a Picture.

TAKE THE QUIZ!

About the author:

LENA GOLDFINCH writes sweet historical western romance / inspirational romance and books for teens. She’s always been a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She enjoys life in a quiet, small town with her husband, two kids, and two very spoiled Black Labs.

Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Twitter | Website

#BookReviews: A Sister’s Wish + An Amish Family Christmas | Book Pack #Giveaway

20 Oct

Don’t miss books three (A Sister’s Wish) and four (An Amish Family Christmas) in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Charmed Amish Life series. In A Sister’s Wish, when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past. In An Amish Family Christmas, Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together . . . in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

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Enter to win a book pack (a copy of A Sister’s Wish and a copy of An Amish Family Christmas) from Shelley. Five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced November 7th on Shelley’s blog!

 

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A Sister’s Wish

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2e2XBTQ

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get . . . but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.

Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past . . . unless it pertains to Amelia.

He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.

But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love . . . but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.

My thoughts:

I have really enjoyed The Charmed Amish Life stories, and A Sister’s Wish is my favorite of the series! Shelley Shepard Gray is a wonderful storyteller who brings Charm, Ohio, and its residents to life with vivid details and descriptions and excellent characterization.

From the moment I began reading A Sister’s Wish, I was completely captivated by Amelia and Simon’s story! I loved the complexities of the Kinsinger and Hochstetler families and their dramatic and emotional journeys. Beautifully told, this poignant story is sure to tug at your heartstrings!

For those who have not read Books 1 and 2, A Sister’s Wish can be enjoyed independently. However, I encourage you to read the series in order for a greater understanding and appreciation of the characters and their stories.

 

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An Amish Family Christmas

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

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true . . .

Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually . . . perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together . . . in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

My thoughts:

An Amish Family Christmas is a wonderful culmination of a wonderful series! I have loved visiting the special community of Charm, Ohio and eagerly anticipated Levi Kinsinger’s story. When Levi returns to Charm, he meets a young woman, Julia, who needs his help. But with secrets to keep, will Julia let herself trust her neighbor and the help he offers?

I really enjoyed Levi and Julia’s dramatic story and their coming to terms with the pain and hardships of their pasts. I also delighted in revisiting the other members of the Kinsinger family as they gathered together in love and support of each other.

An Amish Family Christmas is the fourth and final book in The Charmed Amish Life series. If you enjoy Amish fiction and have not read this series, I encourage you to do so from beginning to end!

 

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.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

 

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I received a complimentary copy of A Sister’s Wish and An Amish Family Christmas. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about these books.

#BookReview: Small-Town Girl by Jessica Keller

27 Aug

Small-Town Girl

Small-Town Girl by Jessica Keller

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

Goose Harbor, Michigan, is the perfect place for Kendall Mayes to start over and open her date-planning business. When she encounters handsome loner Brice Daniels, who is struggling to keep the shipping business he runs going, she sees an opportunity. A weekly sunset cruise catering to couples and tourists will keep their dealings strictly business. Kendall has had enough of failed romances, and Brice is too burned by love to give it another chance. But despite their reservations, they soon let down their walls. Yet when Kendall’s silent business partner is revealed to be Brice’s longtime enemy, staying together might be next to impossible.

 

My thoughts:

Small-Town Girl is a tender romance! It is always a pleasure to visit Goose Harbor, Michigan, and its familiar faces, as well as meet new friends, too!

Kendall Mayes and Brice Daniels are endearing characters who carry a lot of emotional baggage from their pasts, and I enjoyed experiencing their journeys. I delighted in their choosing to open their hearts once again and loved the wonderful inspirational threads that were woven through their story. “The beauty of it all is that within the pain of relationships, we learn grace and forgiveness and love—which are some of the most prized attributes in the Bible.”

Jessica Keller captures the charm of small town life, and I look forward to visiting Goose Harbor again soon!

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

#BookReview: Fetching Sweetness | Prize Pack #Giveaway

11 Aug

Fetching Sweetness

Fetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2auLee3

It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author’s valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent.

But Agnes’s canine companion, Sweetness, decides to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize. Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true.

When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings—a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake. Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog . . . thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.

Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it’s a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

My thoughts:

Humorous and heartwarming, Fetching Sweetness introduces readers to a quirky mutt and the unlikely pair of humans he leashes. Mayhem ensues when this “one hundred pounds of lovable trouble” drags Stephanie and Rhett on a series of madcap misadventures. Along the way they encounter strays, experience surprises, and make several unexpected discoveries. While it is light-hearted and entertaining, their story is also threaded with a meaningful message. I enjoyed Fetching Sweetness and look forward to Dana Mentink’s next tail-wagging tale!

 

Celebrate the release of Fetching Sweetness with Dana by entering to win the Sweetness Unleashed Prize Pack!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

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Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 24. The winner will be announced August 25 on Dana’s blog.

fetching sweetness - enterbanner

 

Dana Mentink

Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third and fourth grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

 

Fetching Sweetness
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 Fetching Sweetness.

#BookReview: Missing by Lisa Harris

26 Jul

Missing

Missing by Lisa Harris

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/29ZYeZd

Nikki Boyd isn’t usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she’s ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant–and another dead body–Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business–including Nikki.

 

My thoughts:

Rich in characterization and content, Missing is an exciting romantic suspense! Although I have not read the first book in the Nikki Boyd Files, I had no trouble following the storyline. I loved the twists and turns of Nikki’s fast-paced pursuit of a missing woman, compromised pharmaceuticals, and a gang of killers. These threads, intricately woven through the narrative, kept me hurriedly turning the pages to discover what would happen next. I also delighted in Nikki and Tyler’s relationship and look forward to reading Vendetta to learn how their story began and Pursued (Spring 2017) to see where their journey leads.

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

#BookReview: The Loyal Heart | Facebook Chat Party

19 Jul

The Loyal Heart

The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2ae3eOX

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.

After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda’s home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip’s name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.

Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He’s mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.

He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn’t prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

Quote- The Loyal Heart

My thoughts:

The Loyal Heart is a compelling story! Shelley Shepard Gray sweeps readers away to the post-Civil War era, where Galveston provides a wonderful backdrop for this historical Texas tale. Robert Truax is a dashing hero and staunch protector of his fallen comrade’s wife, Miranda Markam. Their story, steeped in mystery and laced with romance, intrigued me from the first page until the last. I thoroughly enjoyed The Loyal Heart and am eager to continue the Lone Star Hero series!

 

The Loyal Heart Chat Party

Join Shelley on her Facbook page for a special chat party, TOMORROW, July 20th at 7:00 pm Eastern.

 

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

 

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

#BookReview: Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

29 Jun

Sea Rose Lane

Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28YgelT

Two people starting over . . . in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor–only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he’s constantly distracted by noise, chaos–and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who’s invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client’s son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn’t high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces for to help Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

 

My thoughts:

Irene Hannon brings the coastal Oregon community of Hope Harbor to life, and it’s always a pleasure to visit this special place! Eric Nash and BJ Stevens are complex characters, and I really enjoyed their chemistry and the development of their relationship. Their visits with Charley were among the highlights of the story, and I delighted in the wit and wisdom he dished up with his tacos. Themes of hope and healing resonate through this narrative creating a lovely story that warmed my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed Sea Rose Lane and look forward to continuing this enchanting series!

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

#BookReview: All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

25 Jun

All Summer Long

All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28T9eZv

She’s ready to take on a new challenge.
What she doesn’t expect is an old flame.

Tia D’Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What’s not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, posh wedding receptions–the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco–especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.

When Leo Parker himself turns out to be the yacht’s captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?

 

My thoughts:

All Summer Long is a fun, light-hearted romance! In the second Follow Your Heart novel, Melody Carlson invites readers on a journey to the Golden Gate City. Bringing San Francisco’s sights and sounds to life, I reveled in the lovely ambiance she created.

Tia D’Amico is charting a new course, when a blast from the past sails back into her life. Sweet and romantic, Tia and Leo’s story entertained me and made me smile. All Summer Long is a delightful tale, perfect for summer reading!

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