Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore ~ review

Astor's Review:

Brinna Caruso was kidnapped as a child and left for dead in the middle of the desert, now she and her rescue dog, Hero are the number one team on the force to be called in kidnapping cases.
Detective Jack O'Reilly is ready to go back to job after the death of his wife in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, now he is bent on revenge and bringing his wife's killer to justice.
Together Brinna and Jack make a fearsome team, but will the scars from their past prevent them from moving on and looking to a brighter future?

An action filled book, the first of a brand new series by Janice Cantore. Critical  Pursuit  is very different from the other Christian Suspense books on the market, mainly because it isn't a romance. It is all about the story, and the characters who are still coming to terms with their pasts.

Jack and Brinna, though at first they seem very different, are more similar that they know, both of them struggle to understand how a loving God let such horrible atrocities happen to them.

This book was full of action and adventure, but also had a surprising emotional and spiritual depth to it that I wasn't quite expecting, but was pleasantly surprised. The chapters were short, but made the book fast paced and nearly impossible to put down!

Overall, a very good beginning to what is sure to be a fantastic series. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

A Bride for Noah by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Noah writes a letter to his aunt and uncle as a joke, telling them to send a wagon load of women west, his aunt is naturally mortified, but his uncle takes him seriously. His first recruit is Evie, their former housemaid.
Evie is shocked by the idea, but when she realizes that she doesn't love her fiancé and that he doesn't love her in return, she decides to take a chance on a fresh start.
When Evie and the other women arrive, Noah is dumbfounded, he never expected his uncle to take him seriously, and now the lumber camp is swarming with women!

I was fascinated by the fact that this novel is the fictitious account of a real life event, and there was a lot of history incorporated into the story. The setting is realistic and truly gives a sense of what it must have been like to have been among the first settlers in a new area.

My favorite historical character was Chief Seattle, the authors did a great job of portraying his as a wise, at times humorous, man of faith.

This books has a full cast of characters many of whom are at differing stages of their relationships. It was fun getting to know them all. Noah's Uncle Miles was a huge part of the story and was something of a big dreamer and schemer.

Overall, this was an interesting read based on historical facts and events, I loved how the people of Seattle had a vision for their town to be a place free of liquor and other vices. Thought the pace was a bit slow at times I appreciated the research that went into it, to tell this tale of the birth of Seattle.

Disclosure Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Rebecca's Christmas Gift by Emma Miller ~ Review

Lucie's Review:
When Rebecca arrives for her first day of working for the bishop she is shocked to find the house a mess, because the bishop's young daughter had decided to make pancakes for breakfast all by herself.
Caleb is even more surprised to see Rebecca, because he didn't even know she was coming to help out. Ever since his wife died, Caleb has struggled to bear the burden of being the district's bishop as well as raising his young daughter.

The characters were well developed and I think that Amelia really flourished the most over the course of the book. I especially appreciated Rebecca's wisdom and understanding in dealing with Amelia. Many of her ideas came from her childhood memories of her parents.
The dialogue between Caleb and Rebecca helped their working relationship transition into friendship.

This story really reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, because Rebecca was a lovely person inside and out, while Caleb was scarred on the outside and let that get in the way of how he related to people.

The Amish setting was very realistic and if you have read any of the other stories in this series you will remember some of the side characters. This is a book sure to please lovers of Amish fiction!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith, illustrated by Breezy Brookshire ~ Review & Giveaway!!!!!!!!

My Review:

Audrey Bunny is the heartwarming tale of a little girl and her beloved bunny, that shows God's great love for us despite our imperfections.

This was a sweet read, with beautiful illustrations that complemented the story perfectly. This would be a wonderful book to read with your children or younger siblings, I loved how such a simple story conveyed such a wonderful truth.

Definitely a keeper :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

About Audrey Bunny

From best-selling women’s author Angie Smith (I Will Carry You, Mended) comes this sweet children’s book about a stuffed animal named Audrey Bunny who fears her imperfections make her unworthy of a little girl’s love. She'll learn the truth soon enough, and young readers will learn that everyone is special and wonderfully made by God.

Publisher: B&H Publishing

Hardcover with jacket:  32 pages 

Release Date: October 1, 2013

$14.99

Let author Angie Smith tell you more about this book:  http://youtu.be/hB6YFDowXxs

Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith (lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah), best-selling author of Mended, I Will Carry You, and What Women Fear, and one of the most popular speakers and blog writers in the country. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and lives with her husband and daughters in Nashville, TN.

 

Stay Connected: 

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http://youtu.be/hB6YFDowXxs

https://www.facebook.com/bhpublishing

https://twitter.com/bhpub

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Now I am excited to say that we have a hardcover copy of Audrey Bunny to give away! US Residents only please :)

 

 

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Burning Sky by Lori Benton ~ Riveting Debut!!!

Lucie's Review:
This book grabbed me from the very first page, and didn't let go until the very last page was turned down, with its wide spectrum of characters, each with their own story and secret. I was riveted to the page, and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next, yet at the same time I didn't want it to end.

Willa was a strong practical heroine, that you can help but immediately admire. She had been through so much already, that I was hard to see her go through much more, and all I wanted was for her to have the happiest ending imaginable. Willa had such an inner strength about her, she did what she had to do, even if it meant risking it all.

Willa is a young woman who walks in two worlds, even though she was taken captive against her will by the Indians so many years ago,  her people still treat her with rudeness and suspicion. The one ray of light was Willa's friend Anni who is a loyal friend who supports Willa even when she doesn't understand her choices.

Willa finds Neil MacGregor hurt and unconscious in the woods, so she takes him to her parent's place only to find it abandoned. Neil has his own past to hide, but he has a great sense of humor and strong faith.

Joseph Tames-His-Horse has loved Willa ever since the Indians took her and named her Burning Sky, but she was adopted into his clan so that he could never be more than a brother to her, but even so he follows her to her parents house in hopes of convincing her to come back to the People. Joseph is a strong man, with a sincere faith in Christ, who seeks to do God's will even when it is at war with his own.

Richard Waring wanted to marry Willa, before she was taken, and after she was stolen he searched high and low for months. But he also has his eye on her parent's land. Willa's parents are mysteriously missing, and it is assumed by everyone that they were Tories and the state is going to auction off the land, unless Willa can prove other wise.

There were so many fantastic characters. 2 of my favorites are Matthew and Maggie, who are young "half-breed" children who Willa takes in.

This book has it all, it all drama, intrigue, great dialogue, and compelling characters, with a fresh plot that had me glued to the pages. One of my favorite thing was how well the author seamlessly added Indian and Scottish words without losing the meaning of what they were saying or explaining everything. This is a tale of hope, healing, and second chances. This book is definitely going into my list of top ten reads this year, I highly recommend it!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

You can read an excerpt and check out the book here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307731470

Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendon ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

From the very beginning it would seem that Anna and Edward are anything but Perfectly Matched.

On their wedding day, directly after the ceremony, Edward gives Anna a list of her duties. Anna is a young woman not even eighteen, she has no idea what it means to be a wife. She never learned to cook or care for a house, but she is willing to learn and works hard to improve her skills.
Edward expects his life to run like clockwork, and he has a hard time understanding her impulsive nature, but to his credit he also has a list for himself of how he can show kindness to his new bride.
Is it possible that they could be a perfect match?

This book was filled with well researched historic places and settings, though I was a bit curious as to why Edward would have felt that he needed to order a bride considering that there didn't seem to be an extreme lack of women around. But I admired how both of them had a high view marriage and were determined to stick with their commitment.

At first their relationship is more physical than anything else, but as they get to know each their relationship grew and they found a true marriage. I loved how welcoming Edward's family was to Anna, and  how the animals that Anna took in filled out the story and brought humor to the story.

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Finally a Bride by Renee Ryan ~ Review

Lucie's Review: Another great Charity House book!

Molly and Garrett have been friends since they were children, and they grew their friendship became something more, but Garrett broke it off when he went off to school.
When Garrett shows up in Denver, Molly doesn't know how to speak to him again after to so long apart, but a certain Mrs. Singletary has a plan to bring them back together. Molly and Garrett are determined to foil her plans, but that means working together and pretending to be a couple. Will their pretending become the real thing?

Both of the main characters were very likable, it didn't take long for me to get to know them and I loved how their interactions really made strides toward forwarding their relationship. Their past together really added to the tension of them trying to figure out what they were in the present.

I jumped right into this book from the very beginning, and the pace kept me turning the pages as fast as I could, this ended up being one of my favorites in the series.

Overall, this was a terrific read, with a realistic setting and touches of humor. And I loved Mrs. Singletary, she was very wise, and a terrific mentor to Molly. I enjoyed every minute of this book.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Royal Inheritance by Kate Emerson ~ Review

My Review:

Audrey Malte's father is tailor to King Henry VIII, when Audrey is invited to court rumors begin to fly because of her red hair, but she finds true friendship in the eyes of a young man named Jack. As speculation grows that Audrey may be the king's daughter, Audrey struggles to hold close the ones dear to her.

Kate Emerson has woven a rich Tudor novel, that though part of a series stands well on it's own, in fact I didn't know it was a series until I finished it. The story was well written and swift moving, I don't know why but I always find myself drawn to the Tudors and tale set during this dangerous time of conspiracy and intrigue, and this book was just what I needed.

This book was filled with characters both real and fictional, with a good balance between fictitious  and real. Audrey was a wonderful heroine, who was loyal to the ones she loved. I also liked the character of her father, because he truly loved her and had her best interests in mind.

Overall this was a riveting tale, that would be great for fans of Sandra Byrd's Tudor novels. I loved the first person storytelling and how it bounced from the "present" to the past as Audrey told her story to her decedents. An excellently entertaining novel!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears ~ CFBA Tour and Review

Lucie's Review: A Mail Order Bride Story with a twist!

Everett Cline has tried to find a wife before, even tried a mail order bride more than once--three times to be exact-- and Everett has begun to accept the fact that maybe he isn't cut out for marriage. But a well meaning neighbor decides to go behind his back and orders another bride for Everett, maybe the 4th time's the charm?

Julia and Everett were like two ships passing in the night, two strangers living in the same home. This book dealt with the challenges faced by mail order couples, and showed a different, harder side of the story.

Julia, throughout the book, is constantly running from her past, and trying to lay the demons of the men in her past and present to rest. And in so many ways this book is the story of Julia and her struggles to embrace a future, through a journey of faith.

It was hard for Everett and Julia to reach out to each other, until Jesus became a part of their relationship. This book was slow paced at some points, but it did keep me reading because I wanted to see how everything would play out in the end.

Overall, this was a very different kind of Mail Order Bride story than what I expected, I liked how it was different, because it showed how God worked in both their hearts throughout the course of the book, especially Julia's. In this story especially, I think it is more than fitting to say that God brought them together. Both Everett and Julia were people who liked to keep to themselves and solve their our problems, and they had to learn to reach to each other. A unique tale, of letting go of past hurts and embracing a future.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Bride for Keeps Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013) by Melissa Jagears

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I am a stay at home mother on a tiny little farm with a fixer-upper house. As much as I love writing and reading about homesteaders, I am so glad I’m a homesteader during an era with modern grocery stores to take up for my slack. I am an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher by trade, and I still work occasionally in that field along with being my church’s financial secretary and writing novels.

My husband and I have been married since 2001 and have a daughter and two little boys. My husband shares my fascination with traditional living except for being more hands on. He loves blacksmithing, knife smithing, traditional archery, hunting, etc. Generally whatever a mountain man does, he does it or has or wants to attempt it. He comes in handy for research! And of course, the rest of the family gets involved. I have my own blackpowder rifle, named Calvin, that my husband made for me. And I’m pretty sure my daughter is probably one of very few her age who can instruct adults how to shoot a longbow properly. The boy digs random holes in my yard to make “cement” with dirt and water making our yard a tripping hazard. The baby does what babies do.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers!

Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.

Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.

Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride for Keeps, go HERE.

Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes ~ Cover Reveal + Giveaway

Old hurts, new betrayals, and a love that survives them all...Summer 1885

A startling revelation sends Elizabeth Lawson escaping into a stormy night - and tosses her into the arms of a young mountain man with secrets of his own. When he offers to take her to the Nevada mining town where her long-lost brother lives, she accepts. Suspicions and uncertainties are pushed aside as she struggles to forge a future for herself by meeting her past.

David has been hiding from his painful memories for years. The solitude and wildness of the Rocky Mountains are challenge and comfort enough for him - until Elizabeth's arrival. Fueled by anger and a sense of obligation, he strives to take control of his new situation...only to find control slipping from his grasp with each new emotion Elizabeth evokes in him.

When their journey leads them on unexpected paths, can two lonely hearts find the strength to remember the good amid the heartbreak?


The Book’s Blog
You can find all the latest news about Forget Me Not, along with book extras, at the Forget Me
Not blog.


About the Author
Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word
- from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in
Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at
a time and pursuing her passion via freelance editing and self-publishing. You can connect with
Amber on her blog, Seasons of Humility.



About the Cover Designer
Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very
spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose
of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.



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