Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones ~ Review

My Review: A mixture of Southern Charm, real-life tough problems and emotional struggles.

Grace and Zach are two very different people, both struggling in their marriages and everyday life, trying to keep up appearances.
But Scarlett Jo Newberry, the boisterous pastor's wife, knows just what Grace and Zach are missing, and serves as a guide to helping them break free of self imposed stereo-types.

It took a while for me to get used to how often the point-of-views changed, but after I did I settled into the pace of this sweet Southern read, that dealt with hard issues. We live in a day and age where everything has to "look perfect" no matter how emotionally or spiritually starved we are, everything has to look good. We can say that we don't care what they think, but saying it is much easier than actually believing it. And I think that describes the message this book promotes.

Scarlett Jo in her own way is one of the bravest fictional characters, and I loved how she helped Grace and Zach find their way. There was plenty of humor most of which came by way of Scarlett Jo and her wonderful family.

Overall, this was Southern fiction book that moved at a realistic pace, where you can see all the little things and how they added up. I liked how this book balanced the humor with tough emotional struggles and heartwarming elements.

I received this book from the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

 

Flight of the Earls by Michael K. Reynolds ~ Review

My Review:

When the potato famine of 1846 hits Ireland, Clare and her brother Seamus head for America, along the way they are joined by Pierce who becomes a good friend. And in America they struggle to find their way, and face the fruit of their past, while starting over. They face war and tragedy, but also encountering love and hope, as their faith is tested.

Flight of the Earls was an interesting book, that was slow to start, but was filled with well done historical research that was well woven into the story. I really felt like I learned some new things when I read this book.

At times I felt that the pace of the book moved too slowly and at others it felt it was a bit rushed, which left me a tad baffled. Clare was an admirable heroine, and this book read like a coming of age tale for her, because she had to go out into the world and learn how to survive, and rescue her brother from trouble. Clare was very kind-hearted and loyal, and she had a careful sensibility about her.

Overall, this was an interesting book, that at times I struggled through. It would probably be best described as a historical coming of age tale, with meticulously researched details.

I received this e-copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney ~ Litfuse Blog Tour & Review

Lucie's Review: A thought provoking, emotionally charged read, that shows how quickly everything can change, and even with our modern conveniences and gadgets, they aren't enough to give us the answers.

When Mitchell Brandon's wife of twenty years suddenly disappears, Mitchell is determined to do everything in his power to find her, and bring her home safe. Mitchell enlists the help of his next-door neighbor and his wife's best friend Shelley. But as things begin to look more and more hopeless, Shelley and Mitchell begin to have feelings for each other more than friendship...

A well written and thought provoking read that would make an excellent movie. I loved how it kept moving and for the subject matter it wasn't always dark or depressing, there were threads of hope. Ms. Raney is an expert, at this kind of book. I felt all of the pain and emotional heartbreak, yet there was hope, and so many questions to be answered that kept me glued to the pages.

I loved how well Ms. Raney portrayed the characters and their emotional states and struggles, and I think it demonstrated that in real life there is a lot of waiting. The endings, happy or otherwise rarely come quickly. This book also had such a strong message of truly trusting God and casting your cares on him, even when it seems pretty much impossible to do.

Overall, The Face of the Earth is a heart-wringing novel, that is subtle in some of the most brilliant ways, yet with such a strong beautiful message that can't help but shine through. I don't want to give away too much, but this book was amazing! I highly recommend this book!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}

   One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!

Follow the Heart by Kaye Dacus ~ CFBA Blog Tour and Review

Lucie's Review:

Kate and her brother Christopher are sent to England by their father in order to marry well, for money. Will they find love only to lose it? And what will happen when they make the ultimate decision whether to marry for love or money?

Slow to start, this book left me with a few questions that never quite got answered, but I absolutely adored the characters! Christopher and Kate navigate England with their uncle and cousins, learning about the culture and trying to find a good match.

Christopher was a great character, who in my mind was really smart, and made the best out of his situation, he didn't just sit around and wait to find a rich wife, he got out there and got a job.

Kate was a sweet characters, who at 27 and still unmarried had her insecurities, and vulnerabilities that were all very understandable, especially considering what she was going through!

Overall, this was a pretty good book, with great characters and setting, with a sort of unique storyline that was kind of Regency-feeling. I really liked how this book followed a brother and sister, and how there was a lot of great information about the Great Exhibition. A pleasant read, with great characters.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Follow the Heart B&H Books (May 1, 2013) by Kaye Dacus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing, Harvest House Publishers, and B&H Publishing. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is a full-time academic advisor and part-time college composition instructor for Bethel University.

Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and educator who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is an academic advisor and English Composition instructor for Bethel University.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, Follow the Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.

Kate and Christopher Dearing’s lives turn upside down when their father loses everything in a railroad land speculation. The siblings are shipped off to their mother’s brother in England with one edict: marry money.

At twenty-seven years old, Kate has the stigma of being passed over by eligible men many times—and that was before she had no dowry. Christopher would like nothing better than to make his own way in the world; and with a law degree and expertise in the burgeoning railroad industry, he was primed to do just that—in America.

Though their uncle tries to ensure Kate and Christopher find matrimonial prospects only among the highest echelon of British society, their attentions stray to a gardener and a governess.

While Christopher has options that would enable him to lay his affections where he chooses, he cannot let the burden of their family’s finances crush his sister. Trying to push her feelings for the handsome—but not wealthy— gardener aside, Kate’s prospects brighten when a wealthy viscount shows interest in her. But is marrying for the financial security of her family the right thing to do, when her heart is telling her she’s making a mistake?

Mandates . . . money . . . matrimony. Who will follow the heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of >Follow the Heart, go HERE

Three Hearts, One Town & A Challenge of the Heart by Sarah Jae Foster ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Cameron Engel is a young woman who struggles to find her way in Lincoln County, Kansas. Along the ways she finds herself with feeling for two very different men, and facing the consequences for her mistakes.

Three Hearts, One Town & A Challenge of the Heart are the first two in a series, and I decided to review them together, because I thought it would make more sense and it read like part of one novel.

I personally found these books hard to read because Cameron and Jake made choices that were hard to read about and I would warn some readers who are easily offended that there are scenes that while not going into too much detail, had very clear implications.

I liked how Cameron grew on her journey, she went through a lot and put herself through some things too. Andrew was just an all-around great character, who in many ways shone bright in a bleak town.

There was definitely a lot going on in this series and it showed how we are given free will and yes, we make bad choices, but it is never to late to accept God's gift of forgiveness.

I received these books from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!


 

Home Run by Travis Thrasher ~ Review & Giveaway

My Review: A moving tale of redemption.

Cory Brand is a MLB player, with an alcohol problem, and after a drunk driving incident that leaves his brother Clay pretty banged up, Cory is faced with going back to his hometown to coach a little league team, enroll in a twelve-step program, and face the reason he left so many years ago...

Being as this was a novelization of a motion picture, I wasn't entirely sure what this book would be like, but I'm happy to say that it surpassed all of my expectations. I loved the depth Mr Thrasher brought to Cory and how he delved into the reasons behind his troubles, and showed how truly hard it is to escape addiction, and you really can't do it alone.

One of  the things that I think is so genius about this book is that it is about Cory's journey from a false sense of security, to recognizing his sins. And I liked how the faith was dealt with naturally, like it wasn't a huge instant change but small changes that added up, and was a nature part of the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, Mr. Thrasher did a great job and the story is easy to read and I feel like you get the full impact of the story in a way that I'm not quite sure that film that produce. But it has made me curious to see the movie :) This was an excellent story that showed how the times when we think we can do it all by ourselves and have things under control, are sometimes when we need God the most. I can most certainly highly recommend this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Here's the trailer:

 

Watch the second video, to learn the message behind the movie :)

 

Now if you would like to win a copy of Home Run (the book) just use the rafflecopter below :)

US residents only please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Lawman's Second Chance by Ruth Logan Herne ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

After losing his wife to cancer Alex Steele is determined more than ever to protect his family. And when his daughter needs some help with a 4-H project, they find Lisa a cancer survivor who connects with his children and helps bring his family back together. But can Alex ever let himself love again?

The Lawman's Second Chance is a tale of love that conquers fear of the unknown. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other, the kids were cute, yet imperfect, which only made them more realistic and even cuter!

Alex and Lisa both had rational fears because of what they had both experienced in their pasts, and they had to have faith in God for their future and to take each day as a gift.

Overall, such a well told tale, with stellar characters, I absolutely loved this book! Definitely, will recommend this one :)

I actually bought this one and reviewed it just because I loved it so much. Thanks!
 

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson ~ CFBA Blog Tour

Astor's Review:

Jennifer is a tender addition to the O'Malley Legacy that serves as a prequel to The Negotiator.

Jennifer is different from the rest of the O'Malley books in that it is not an action/suspense novel, but more of a tender and heart-warming love story.

Jennifer and Tom are two doctors who become best of friends, and Tom, and as their relationship grows and progresses, naturally they fight the storms that come with their faith.

This story was just so well done it really captured both of the characters well, and it was the kind of book that I just wanted to curl up with and finish in one sitting. The trials they faced were heartbreaking and really brought a strong emotional depth to it.

Overall this might actually be one of my favorite O'Malley books ever. It's different, but that's one of the things that I like most about it. It's a tender love story about faith and trusting God for every single day. I highly recommend!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013) by Dee Henderson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. These days, most authors are out there energetically promoting their books in print and broadcast and via social media—wherever they can get attention. But Dee Henderson keeps a low profile. She avoids telephone interviews because of hearing problems, declined to provide a current photo, and will say only that she lives in Illinois.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce him to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn't expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, go to HERE.