Sunday, December 18, 2016

Fatal Frost

Fatal Frost
Nancy Mehl
28561664
 Although Mercy is law enforcement like her father, she wants nothing to do with him. But when she's put into a gang force unit, she comes back in contact with her dad. Right before his death he supposedly gave her something. But Mercy has no idea what he might have given her. Now the gangs are after her and she must join forces with a US Marshal to find out why the gang thinks she has this information. Small problem, this US Marshall is also her ex-boyfriend.

This was one of those books that the reader is thrust into the action from the very beginning and swept into the story. There is non-stop drama and action. The romance between the two main characters was sweet. The faith aspects were strong and woven throughout the story. Those were the positives. And if I was only judging the book on the way it drew me in and had me rushing through the book, I would give it a 5 stars. But the cons were a bit too in my face. I really had the sense that the author was pushing her own opinions and agenda with this book. There was a part in the beginning of the book that mirrored an actual event that was probably prominent in the news while the author was writing the story. It was very clear what side the author was on, based on the outcome of the episode. This felt incredibly in my face. Also the "good" guys were so "perfect" that I couldn't relate to them at all. It was as if they were the writer's ideal version of what a Christian should be. So while the story drew me in and captured my attention, these things brought the overall experience down for me. I've read this author's books before and loved them. So I think it was just this book. If you like action and adventure with clean romance that have very strong spiritual notes and a conservative view than you will fall in love with this story.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Barbara Britton



http://clashofthetitles.com

It's common knowledge that authors find their muse in many different places, but one author found her muse while teaching Sunday school.

Author Barbara M. Britton recently was featured on the Books of the Month TV program. Today we host the episode, now available online, on demand, courtesy of Preach the Word Worldwide TV Network. Learn how teaching Sunday school to children helped to spur Barbara's story ideas for her now-popular Biblical fiction series "Tribes of Israel."




(if you can't see the video, click here to visit the Preach the Word Worldwide Network TV station page.


Purchase Providence: Hannah's Journey today
Pre-order Building Benjamin: Naomi's Journey


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barbara+m+britton+tribes+of+israel

Monday, December 12, 2016

Restoring Christmas

Restoring Christmas
Cynthia Ruchti
29434894
Alexis finally has a shot at making her design company a working business. All she has to do is meet the videographer and set a time to go see the home belonging to a woman named Elsie. Once Alexis turns in the completed video with the finished home she has a chance to win a spot on a tv program and get her business name out to potential clients. But the day doesn't begin well when the videographer sends his son instead. And it certainly isn't a good thing that the homeowner was tricked into having her home on the show and isn't happy about any of the changes Alexis wants to make. Alexis must learn to adapt, listen, and love in the spirit of Christmas if she stands a chance at the tv show and also a shot at love.

This was a wonderful book. The story line is original, the descriptions pull you into the book, the characters are well defined and are authentic. I loved all of the characters. The author did such a great job of making them likable while still having flaws. The characters took a journey of the heart and each one of them became different people because of the experience. The author was able to pull me into their story and have me feel their emotions and experience their journey with them. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys feel good stories with some heartfelt issues thrown in. I'm glad I had the chance to read this book.

I received a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Kara Isaacs

Congratulations to Kara Isaacs, with 
Can't Help Falling

29430781 

Buy on Amazon
Buy on Barnes and Noble


A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque Oxford, England.

Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous. But deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C.S. Lewis—to try and make amends for the damage she has caused.

Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.

When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets, an aristocratic estate, and an antique shop with curious a wardrobe bring the world of Narnia to life in Kara Isaac’s inspiring and romantic story about second chances.

What Voters Had to Say:

These authors are all a blessing! Please keep writing...You encourage us all!

The cover alone makes me want to read the book, which sounds like a wonderful read. :)

Loved Can't Help Falling. More please! :)

Keep writing, Kara! Love your books!

Kara Isaac, I have just discovered your books and love them. Keep it up! 

I loved Kara Isaac's first book, Close to You, so am really looking forward to reading Can't Help Falling. I enjoy her style of writing. I recommended Close to You to my book club, so hopefully we'll be reading and discussing it sometime in 2017.

I have read, and enjoyed, Can't Help Falling. As far as the covers, I have to vote for this one because what little you see of the guy's face, it looks like my son!!

I won Kara Isaac's Can't Help Falling on a Facebook giveaway and was wonderfully surprised at how much I loved this book! The cover is amazing and it really catches the eye!

Kara has a zany unique writing style that combines substance with heartfelt laughter

I'm not familiar with some of these authors but really like some of them!  Keep up the good work!

Kara Isaac, you have such a gift bringing comedy, romance, and meaning to your stories. I love them!!

Wish I could have picked two books here, because Can't Help Falling caught me just by the description. I'll be looking for this one!


About the Author:

Kara Isaac
Kara Isaac lives in Wellington, New Zealand. When she's not working her day job as a public servant, chasing around a ninja preschooler and his feisty toddler sister, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. Her debut romantic comedy, Close To You, released April 2016. Her sophomore novel, Can't Help Falling, releases in October 2016 and is an RT Reviews Top Pick. She loves to connect with readers on GoodReads, Twitter, Facebook and through her website.







Saturday, December 10, 2016

Scripture Doodle

Scripture Doodle
28956803

29362683
Immersing yourself into scripture can be rewarding and fulfilling. But often we get caught up in the stress of life and find the task of starting a Bible study time consuming and daunting. The author has taken a unique approach to immersing the reader into scripture. Each book is a six-week devotional that includes adult coloring, doodle pages, space for tons of notes, creative prompts, and scripture. There is a brief page on how to use the book, but the author encourages creative expression and art. 

I'm a huge fan of adult coloring books and jump around when it comes to how I use my devotion time. So I was really excited to try these out. It was completely different from anything I've done before, but it was great. I liked the prompts and used them to jump off into what I was studying. These would be a great way to add some variety to your devotions, would make an excellent gift for the creative person on your list, or would be something to take when traveling so you can have a few moments to get away.

I received a copy of these books from Litfuse Publicity. All opinions expressed are my own.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Santiago's Convenient Fiance

Santiago's Convenient Fiancee
Hot Latin Doctors #2
Annie O'Neil
30900045
Saoirse arrived in the US with plans to join her fiance. But when her fiance left her, she decided to use her medical expertise to become a paramedic and try to stay. But it's now months before her visa expires and Saoirse has fallen in love with her new country. To stay she needs to find someone to marry - fast. Her friend pushes her towards her new partner, a man named Santiago Valentino. He reminds her of two of the doctors at one of the local hospitals. Santiago has some issues in his past, but is definitely willing to help out Saoirse find ways that she can stay.

This had an interesting slant on the whole "marry for a green card" plot line. I liked the past that both of them had, the unusual names for the main character, and the best friend. Based on the series title, I expected more bedroom scenes and less dialogue, but was pleasantly surprised. While this is book two in the series, it didn't read like it and could definitely be read as a stand alone. Overall, this was a sweet romantic book to read on a cold winter day.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Classified Christmas Mission

Classified Christmas Mission
Wrangler's Corner #4
Lynette Eason
30073042
 Amber, a CIA agent, is on the run from a murder. She has Sam, the special needs child of her friend. The problem is that Sam knows something and his father will kill to get Sam back. Sam runs to the only place she knows she'll be safe - home. But as she's navigating a snow storm just miles from home, she's run off the road by someone who is shooting at her. And when Deputy Lance arrives at the scene of the accident, Amber convinces him to help her evade the killer until she can figure out what it is he's after. She has no idea she's going to accidentally involve her entire family.

This was a fast paced book full of suspense and drama. The addition of a special needs child was well done and I thought the author did a great job of addressing the subject of autism and the special needs and concerns that a child with this might encounter. The book had a little bit of romance, but was mostly about the murderer and Amber taking his child. This book is in a series. While it would have been nice to know the story behind a few of the other characters, I didn't feel like I needed to read them to fully enjoy this story. Overall, I really liked this book and how the author put everything together. Readers of suspense, clean romance, or Christian fiction will definitely enjoy this book.

I received this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Getaway with God

Getaway with God
The Every Woman's Guide to Personal Retreat
Letitia Suk
33117976
Our lives are lived on the run, mountains of things to do, miles long lists to accomplish. But each of us need some time alone to regroup and refresh our souls. The author has been taking private retreats for almost forty years and offers her insights into how to make it happen and also make it more meaningful. Each chapter has step-by-step instructions, thoughts from other women on personal retreats, ideas for each type of person, and stories from the author and her friend's personal experiences. 

The book reads like a chat with a friend, and while informational in style, is a easy and enjoyable book to read. I was impressed with the wealth of information she was able to share in a short space without making me feel overwhelmed or bored. She shared different types of retreats, ideas on how to dig deeper into the Bible, goal setting, and the importance of a Sabbath rest. The author was able to take a concept that could sound overwhelming to set up and made it doable. She really impressed upon the reader the importance and then addressed any concerns or roadblocks that might come up. It was well written and something I think every woman should take the time to read.

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse. All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Pony Express Christmas Bride

Pony Express Christmas Bride
Saddles and Spurs Series
Rhonda Gibson
31435920
Josephine is desperate to escape a horrible marriage proposal. So when she arrives as a mail order bride in a small town out west, she's horrified to discover that her intended wasn't the one who wrote the letter and has no idea that he has a bride on the way. She is afraid that if she doesn't get married immediately her future will be a lifetime of misery. Thomas is going to murder his brother. But first he must rescue the poor young woman who landed on his door step. The only logical explanation is a marriage of convenience.

This was such a sweet story. But it also had some really humorous elements. The author did a great job of tying in the other books in the series while still having this book be great as a stand-alone. The secondary characters really added to the story. The author did a great job of high lighting faith, family, and the importance of love. I've read the first books in the series and was glad to get my hands on this one. It definitely didn't disappoint.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Playboy on Her Christmas List

Playboy on Her Christmas List
The London Primary Hospital #1
Carol Marinelli
31127529
Holly, a nurse at Primary Hospital, has had her eye on Dr. Daniel Chandler for quite some time. So when the chance to spend the night with him arises, she jumps at the chance. But when she realizes that her feelings extend beyond one night, she rigs the Secret Santa to see if her returns her feelings. Daniel has every intention of leaving after his temporary stint at the hospital is finished. But something, or someone keeps him coming back.

I couldn't really connect with this book or the characters. I normally love the Medical Romance books, but this one didn't do anything for me. The characters both felt weak and juvenile. The story line was a little short for anything to develop. I think people who enjoy a romance with a quick "fall in love" story or who enjoy anything with medical in it, will enjoy this. It's a quick read with a lot of bedroom scenes and talking between the characters. I did like the addition of the elderly homeless man that was thrown in towards the end. That added a nice element for me.
 
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.