Book Giveaway: Then There Was You by Kara Isaac

Introducing Then There Was You

Kara Isaac is my favourite Kiwi Christian author … although Kiwi Christian authors is a very short list. So perhaps it’s better to say that she’s one of my favourite authors of contemporary Christian romance, and one of the reasons I love her work is because of the Kiwi angle. But I’m also biased because I edited Then There Was You, which means I got to read it before most people. Bonus!

Then There Was You is her third novel, following Close to You, and Can’t Help Falling. It has some minor characters in common with the previous books, but it’s a standalone novel. It starts in the States, moves to Sydney, and also has some scenes set in New Zealand (yay!).

Then There Was You releases next week. The ebook is currently on special for $3.99 (which will increase after release), and there is also a paperback. I’ve already ordered my copy!

And I''m giving away two copies - one paperback and one Kindle copy. Both giveaways close at midnight on 26 June 2017 (New Zealand time).

Click here to win a paperback copy (New Zealand postal addresses only)

Click here to win a Kindle copy (you must be able to receive a gift from Amazon.com).

I’ll announce the winners two weeks from today, at www.iolagoulton.com.

If you can’t wait that long, you can click here to pre-order Then There Was You from Amazon.

To find out more about Kara Isaac, click here to visit her website.

Cynthia Ruchti's 'A Fragile Hope' Giveaway and Review

When your life's work revolves around repairing other people's marriages, what happens when your own marriage begins to fall apart? Find out what happens to Josiah Chamberlain in Cynthia Ruchti's new book, A Fragile Hope.

Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what's left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?

Celebrate the release of A Fragile Hope by entering to win Cynthia's Sign of Hope Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Fragile Hope
• A metal wall scripture hanging

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on May 3. The winner will be announced May 4 on the Litfuse blog.

My Review

One of my ‘rules’ for reading and reviewing is that I have to like the main character—it’s hard to like a book (especially a romance) if you can’t stand the hero.

A Fragile Hope is the exception to that rule.

Josiah Chamberlain is one of the most self-absorbed men you could ever hope to meet. He’s a Christian relationship counsellor who has given up counselling in favour of writing best-selling self-help books while his wife dabbles in some little hobby ‘business’, selling home-made greeting cards. But he’s forced to re-evaluate his life when Karin is involved in a fatal car accident, and ends up in ICU, unconscious. And she’s apparently pregnant … after they’ve been told Josiah can’t have children. This is the slightly frustrating cause of the Big Misundertanding, something that could have been sorted out early in the novel. But Josiah is the man who always has the right answer so it never occurs to him that he hasn’t.

I didn’t like Josiah, but I kept reading out of some kind of macabre fascination. Would Mr Intelligent get a clue? And when?

The other reason I kept reading was because of the writing. There were so much great writing, so many great lines. I appreciated the way the Christian themes were woven in, strong but not overwhelming or out of place. Overall, recommended for the outstanding writing, thought-provoking Christian themes, and a great character-driven story. Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. You can read more about Cynthia Ruchti at her website. Cynthia Ruchti's 'A Fragile Hope' Giveaway

Friday Fifteen and Giveaway: Janet Bly

It's time for another Friday Fifteen! Today I'd like to welcome Janet Chester Bly, Janet is the widow of author Stephen Bly, and she's here today to introduce her new novel, Dawn ... and to tell us about her fifteen favourite authors. Welcome, Janet!

Fifteen Authors Who Influenced my Life and Writing by Janet Chester Bly

1. George MacDonald

Historical 19th century Scottish romances, edited and made available for contemporary readers by Michael Phillips

This was my introduction to Christian fiction. Great stories.

2. Louisa May Alcott

Little Women and character Jo’s writing journey and advice given, “Write what you know.”

3. Eugenia Price

Strangers in Savannah, a Civil War epic, longest novel I ever read that kept my interest throughout until Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

4. Frank Peretti 

This Present Darkness, 1989 groundbreaking early Christian fiction bestseller that brought hope of dusting off and re-writing manuscripts hidden in drawers for lack of publisher interest

5. Edgar Lee Masters 

Spoon River Anthology, fascinating story style through a collection of post-mortem autobiographical epitaphs of former citizens of the fictional Spoon River town.

6. Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God, introduced to me in a black heritage college literature class

7. Catherine Marshall

Nonfiction, inspirational, and fiction works including Christy and Beyond Ourselves – the story of her writing journey as a widow inspired me early on.

Christy and Julie are two of my favourite Christian novels.

8. Anne Perry

English historical detective fiction, best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series

(She used to live in New Zealand, where she's better known for inspiring Heavenly Creatures, one of Peter Jackson's early movies)

9. Mary Higgins Clark

Her use of three names, including maiden name, and her suspense novels

10. Sue Grafton

The clever development of her A-Z titled series

11. Brandilyn Collins

Author of memorable, contemporary fiction standalones and well developed, unpredictable Seatbelt Suspense® novels

Aren't they great?

12. Randy Alcorn

Intriguing novels with concurrent scenes in heaven

13. Karen Kingsbury

Fast writer of family and relational stories with emotional impact

14. Kristin Heitzmann

Excellent contemporary romantic suspense

15. Stephen Bly

My late husband, award-winning western author who was my partner in writing and editing, research and publishing.

Introducing Down Squash Blossom Road

WHAT SECRET LIES DOWN SQUASH BLOSSOM ROAD?

Cowgirl Reba Cahill’s schedule is full. Save the family ranch. Free her mom from a mental institute. Solve a murder and kidnapping. Evade a stalker. Can she also squeeze in romance?

Reba Cahill focused on the duties of the ranch, along with her widowed grandmother. But a crippled Champ Runcie returns to Road’s End in a wheelchair and seeks revenge for the accident that put him there. He blames Reba's horse. Meanwhile, a letter from her estranged mom forces her and Grandma Pearl back on the road: I can leave now. Come get me. Love, Mom

When they arrive in Reno, her mother issues a demand and refuses to return to Idaho. They head west instead. In California, Reba’s friend Ginny’s marriage is on the rocks. The family business is threatened. And squabbles turn deadly.

Reba digs deep to find the courage to forge a relationship with her mom and escape a crazed man’s obsession. She also hopes for a future with a horse trainer who offers her a new horse to replace the one she lost in the accident. But why does he have a photo of a pretty woman on his wall? 

~~~~
Leave a comment to be entered in drawing to receive copy of Down Squash Blossom Road, Book 2, Trails of Reba Cahill, Janet Chester Bly’s newest release.

Giveaway ends midnight Central Time on 3 February. Winner will be contacted on 6 February.
~~~~

About Janet Bly

Janet Chester Bly is the widow of Christy Award winning western author Stephen Bly. Together—his, hers, theirs--they published 120 fiction and nonfiction books for adults and kids. Janet and their three sons finished Stephen’s last novel, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot, a Selah Award Finalist. Down Squash Blossom Road is Book 2 in the Reba Cahill contemporary western mystery series. Book 1 is Wind in the Wires. Find out more at www.BlyBooks.com

Connect with Janet Chester Bly on these Social Media links:

'Like' Bly Books on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlyBooks
Bly Books Blog: http://www.blybooks.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetchesterbly
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janetcbly/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269265.Janet_Chester_Bly
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blybooks/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janetchesterbly
Google+: http://bit.ly/2iXYwaQ
Check out other favorite authors at On the Western Trail blog: www.blybooks.blogspot.com

Book Launch and Giveaway: A Love to Come Home To by Alicia G Ruggieri

Today I'm delighted to welcome author Alicia G Ruggieri back to Iola's Christian Reads. Alicia joined us last year to share her fifteen favourite authors (click here to read the post), and today I'm welcoming her back to share the news of her latest new release.

Alicia G. Ruggieri writes grace-filled, Christ-centered fiction, including the A Time of Grace Trilogy. She’s a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she studied Communications and History, and her adventures include children’s theatre direction, restaurant management, and small business ownership. Alicia and her husband live in coastal New England, where she may be found drinking far too much coffee and penning stories with her emotionally-disturbed second-hand pug by her side.

About A Love to Come Home To

Book Three in the A Time of Grace series

Hardened Ben Picoletti thought he’d turned his back on Depression-era Rhode Island years ago. Nothing remains there for him, except for haunting memories of an abusive childhood. Yet when a criminal accusation shatters his ambitions, Ben has nowhere to flee but back to his stepfather’s home.
There, he finds that redemption yet waits for him… but the sacrifice required to attain it may exceed the limits of his family’s hearts.

Meanwhile, his musical sister Grace continues her studies in New York. She longs to hear a word of affection from her high-school beau… yet only Paulie’s silence greets her. Grace must decide whether she wants to live in the past or move into an unknown future with unexpected love.
Lyrical and sensitive to the aching heart, A Love to Come Home To affirms that God delights in being a stronghold in times of trouble; that He renews His mercy every morning; and that He will work every bitter thing together for the good of His children.

Click here to buy A Love to Come Home To on Amazon

Click here to download a free Kindle copy of The Fragrance of Geraniums

(the first in the series)

Click here to buy book two, All Our Empty Places, on Amazon

You can find out more about Alicia at:

Website: http://www.aliciagruggieri.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AliciaGRuggieri

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliciaRuggieri

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AliciaGRuggieri

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/aliciagruggieri

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliciagruggieri

And you can enter the giveaway below! (US residents only - sorry!)

Review and Giveaway: Medical Judgment by Richard Mabry

Just what the doctor ordered: heart-thumping suspense and intrigue, courtesy of Richard Mabry’s new medical drama, Medical Judgment. Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?

Join Richard in celebrating the release of Medical Judgment by entering to win an e-reader!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Medical Judgment
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on June 21st. The winner will be announced June 22nd on the Litfuse blog.

My Review - Quality Medical Thriller

Medical Judgement is a standalone medical thriller, but the focus is definitely on the thriller side rather than the medical (which is good news for all those who turn away from the gory parts on TV shows like House).

Dr Sarah Gordon has recently lost her husband and daughter in a car accident, and is having trouble getting past the grief. She's woken one night by smoke in the house--someone has lit a pile of oily rags in her garage. It's more annoying than dangerous, but it's the start of a chain of events: someone is after her.

As with all good thrillers, we get an early insight into the mind of the perpetrator so we know what he's planning while Sarah--his intended victim--doesn't. What we don't know is his identity, which means the tension ramps up every time a new male character is introduced and we ask if this is the whacko. Sarah is an excellent character, weak at first but who gradually grows stronger as she decides she's going to get past her grief and not let this guy win.

There are some excellent supporting characters as well: Bill Larson, the recovering alchoholic detective with a broken marriage. Kyle Andrews, a friend of Sarah's husband who seems to want to get a little too close to Sarah. Steve Farber, Sarah's pastor and another recovering alcoholic.

And the plot made sense (thankfully. The last Richard Mabry novel I read left me feeling confused as to the identity and motive of the perpetrator), and I enjoyed the subtle Christian themes woven into the story.

Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. You can read the start of Medical Judgment below.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway

I'm delighted to participate in the cover reveal for Dawn Crandall's new novel, the fourth in The Everstone Chronicles:

Ta-da!

I can't wait to read it! If you haven't read The Everstone Chronicles, here is your chance:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you'd like to find out more about Dawn, you can connect with her online:

www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com
www.apassionforpages.blogspot.com
Twitter (@dawnwritesfirst)

You can also read my reviews of the first three books in The Everstone Chronicles:
The Hesitant Heiress
The Bound Heart
The Captive Maiden

Litfuse Tour + Reading Challenge - An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

There's no getting out of Christmas now, despite Katie rejecting Micah's marriage proposal. Cozy up this holiday season with Cynthia Ruchti's new novella, An Endless Christmas. The Binder family celebrates every Christmas as if it were their last. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it’s Christmas.

Celebrate the holidays with Cynthia and An Endless Christmas by entering her $100 Target gift card giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of An Endless Christmas
• A $100 gift card to Target

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. The winner will be announced December 1st on Cynthia's blog.

My Review

I enjoy reading Cynthia Ruchti’s online devotions, so was looking forward to reading this novel. While it had the same excellent writing and spiritual insight her devotions had, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. To start with, I felt like I’d been dumped in the middle of something as Katie Vale doesn’t accept her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, made in front of his entire extended family on the first day of their week-long Christmas celebration (we then backtracked, which made me wonder why we didn’t start with the backtrack and move forward).

There was also Katie’s personal insecurities which led her to turn down Micah’s proposal, and her unwillingness to talk about them:

“It frustrates me when I read a novel about a conflict between people that goes on and on when all they need to do is sit down and talk to each other for a few minutes. And listen to each other.”

I agree. This bugs me as well. So why did it take until the halfway point in An Endless Christmas for Katie and Micah to have this conversation? The other thing that bugged me was the Binder family: there were so many of them it became difficult to keep them straight, and they were too perfect. Yes, I know they weren’t actually perfect, but even their imperfections seemed perfect, which meant it didn’t ring true for me.

However, there were things we can all learn from the Binders, even if they are a little too perfect. The importance of family. The importance of God in our lives. The importance of finding joy where we are, of finding delight, of being satisfied with what we have.

Thanks to Worthy Books, Litfuse Publicity and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This book counts towards my 2015 Reading Challenge as a book set during Christmas.

Giveaway: All Our Empty Place by Alicia G Ruggieri

THE BOOK:

All Our Empty Places - Book Two in the “A Time of Grace” trilogy – by Alicia G. Ruggieri

BACK COVER BLURB:

In 1935, when the bank calls in her mortgage, Sarah Picoletti – now a penniless widow – finds herself and her children on the brink of homelessness. Sick at heart, she plans to beg her brother in New Jersey to take her family in.

Then Doctor Samuel Giorgi knocks on her door. Godly and well-off, Sam seems to have put the careless ways of his youth behind him, and he also appears to have one desire: to make Sarah his wife, two decades after he broke their engagement.

However, nothing prepares Sarah for the storm that breaks once she makes her decision. Everywhere she turns, the errors of her former choices confront her, insisting on her inferiority and the irreparable brokenness of her past. Sarah begins to wonder if Christ really can bring true redemption or if He is limited by her frailty.

Meanwhile, her daughter Grace faces new challenges in her own life. When her relationship with Paulie changes unexpectedly, Grace realizes that she must make a decision with the potential to alter both of their futures.
Compassionate and intensely poignant, All Our Empty Places paints the portrait of a mother and daughter with broken pasts, who dare to step into a future overflowing with the grace of the Cross.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alicia G. Ruggieri writes Christ-centered fiction that speaks of redemption. She received her B.A. in Communications and History from Rhode Island College and lives with her husband and their emotionally-disturbed pug on the New England coast.

To learn more about Alicia and what she likes to read, visit our Friday Fifteen feature!

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AliciaGRuggieri
Blog: http://www.abrighterdestiny.blogspot.com
Twitter: @aliciaruggieri
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AliciaGRuggieri
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliciagruggieri

PURCHASE LINKS:

All Our Empty Places (A Time of Grace, Book 2) – http://amzn.com/B014JVJYCK
The Fragrance of Geraniums (A Time of Grace, Book 1) – ON SALE for $0.99 through October 31, 2015 – http://amzn.com/B00P4PB7W6

THE GIVEAWAY:

One winner will receive – a signed softcover of All Our Empty Places; a mug with 2 Corinthians 12:9 inscribed on it; Caramel Apple Biscotti; and Harvest Spice Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate mix. (Open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.)

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Review and Giveaway: Second Chance Ranch by Liz Isaacson

Today I have a spotlight for a new book, SECOND CHANCE RANCH by Liz Isaacson. It's a Western inspirational romance, and it hit shelves on Tuesday, September 15.

About Second Chance Ranch: After his deployment, injured and discharged Major Squire Ackerman returns to Three Rivers Ranch, anxious to prove himself capable of running the cattle operation so his parents can retire. Things would be easier if the ranch wasn’t missing 1.6 million dollars, which forces Squire to hire Kelly, the girl who rejected his high school prom invitation, as his accountant.

She’s back in town with her four-year-old son, living in her parent’s basement until she can get her life back together. With fresh ink on her divorce papers and open gashes on her heart, she’s not ready for much beyond her new job on the ranch.

Squire wants to forgive Kelly for ignoring him a decade ago. He’d like to provide the stable life she needs, but with old wounds opening and a ranch on the brink of financial collapse, it will take patience and faith to make their second chance possible.

For fans of inspirational western romance authors Kimberly Krey, Becky Wade, and Denise Hunter.

Add on Goodreads | Buy on Amazon

About Liz Isaacson: Liz Isaacson writes inspirational romance, usually in a Western setting because of her love of horses and cowboys. In her real life, she is Elana Johnson, hybrid author of several YA and adult romance novels. She is a teacher of technology and she wants to travel the world.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

My Review

Kelly Armstrong has returned with her son to her tiny home town following her divorce. She applies for a job at Three Rivers Ranch, working for Squire Ackerman, the younger brother of her best friend in high school. She needs the job, so she can afford to move out of her parent’s basement. Squire doesn’t want to work with the girl who rejected him many years ago, but there’s a problem in the ranch accounts and he needs Kelly’s help to find it …

I liked both main characters—important in a romance. Squire was the all-American hero, an Army major who has now retired following an injury. Yes, he’s probably too good to be true, but this is a romance novel. We don’t hold that against him. Kelly is an equally good character—strong, intelligent, hard-working, reliable and caring. Her main fault is that she appears to have no faults. No matter: there is still plenty of conflict and tension, both from the missing money and the growing feelings between Kelly and Squire.

The one thing which bothered me about Second Chance Ranch was the timing. Four months ago Kelly discovered her husband was having an affair. Now she’s been divorced one month and is living back in her home town … and this is a romance novel, so she’s about to find her Happy Ever After. Really? Four months ago she was in love with husband number one, and now she’s ready to move on? No going through the stages of grief for the death of a marriage? No trust issues? Or are my views tarnished from living in New Zealand, where it takes at least two years to get a divorce, to ensure couples have adequate time to attempt to reconcile?

Aside from that, I really enjoyed the characters and the story. The writing was excellent (marred only by a couple of proofreading errors and overuse of “he thought” and “she thought). In fact, some of the writing was outstanding, like the description of dinner delivered by Squire: “chicken noodle soup with a side of male goodness”. Funny!

Recommended for those who enjoy fun-filled contemporary Christian romance by authors like Becky Wade, Andrea Grigg and Rose Dee.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review. While this is her first contemporary romance, she has previously published YA fantasy as Elena Johnson.

Giveaway: Keely Brooke Keith

Regular readers will remember I've reviewed all three books in Keely Brooke Keith's debut Uncharted trilogy over the last year. You can read my reviews here, here and here, and Keely also shared her favourite authors in a Friday Fifteen post.

Lots of readers (including me!) wondered at the backstory to Uncharted: what motivated the Founders to leave 1860's America, and how did they find the Land?

The answers are coming ...

Cross River Media Group announced today the signing of a book deal with Keely Brooke Keith, author of the ground-breaking Uncharted series.

In her highly anticipated fourth book, Aboard Providence, Keith explores the history of her first series Uncharted. It follows the story of the founders as they leave everything they know to form a new colony. After an arduous voyage, Providence runs aground on an uncharted land in the South Atlantic Ocean. While the rest of the settlers celebrate finding the land they wanted, Jonah Ashton leaves the settlement to explore, expecting to find civilization nearby. He discovers a startling truth that will change his plans, but can it change his heart?

“I most enjoyed fleshing out the mystery of how the founders arrived in the Land and what it was like for them,” Keith says. “Not only from the perspective of the characters who wanted that adventure, but also those who didn't.” “We are excited to have Keely join the CrossRiver family of authors,” says Tamara Clymer, founder and President of CrossRiver Media Group. “She is a talented writer with a history of intriguing and entertaining stories that ignite a woman’s relationship with God.”

Aboard Providence is scheduled for release in 2016.

And there's a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you can't see the Rafflecopter form, click here to enter.

About Keely Brooke Keith

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely Brooke Keith was a tree-climbing, baseball-loving ‘80s kid. She grew up in a family who frequently relocated. By graduation, Keely lived in eight states and attended fourteen schools. Keely is a bass guitarist and plays on worship teams and for Christian artists.

When she isn’t writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys having coffee with friends, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Keely resides on a hilltop south of Nashville with her husband, Marty, and their daughter. You can visit her online at:
KeelyBrookeKeith.com
Twitter.com/Keely_Keith
Facebook.com/keelybrooke.keith.

About CrossRiver Media Group

CrossRiver Media Group is a Christian publishing company based in western Kansas.Founded in 2010, CrossRiver publishes books and other materials which help Christians in their daily walk with the Lord. It has grown to cover several genres - non-fiction, fiction, children, Bible study and Christian living and includes winners of the CSPA Book of the Year, SELAH Award, and Grace Awards.

Review: A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble

Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, but will her big secret drive them apart? Find out in book four, A Heart's Betrayal, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.

Melt into summer with a new giveaway from Colleen: four books (books one–four in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and a box of chocolates to pair with your new books!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Heart's Betrayal
• A box of Colleen's favorite chocolate truffles from DeBrand Fine Chocolates
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of A Heart's Danger

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced July 1st on Colleen's website.

Spoilers in the Book Description. Again.

Well done, Thomas Nelson (and Litfuse Publicity). Yet again you’ve done Colleen Coble the huge disservice of giving away the key plot twist in the book description. I understand that writing these advertising blurbs is hard, but let me give you a hint: the objective is to hook the reader into buying and reading the book, not give them a plot synopsis. Here's the Amazon Book Description:

Emmie finds shelter in the arms of a soldier, but her secret could drive them apart.

When Emmie Croftner answered the door to her late husband’s home, she discovered an awful truth: her deceased husband was a bigamist. And what’s more, the home she thought she inherited never belonged to her at all.

Suddenly displaced, powerless, and ashamed, Emmie can’t stay in Wabash, Indiana. She makes a hopeful start for Fort Laramie, Wyoming, to find her friend Sarah Montgomery and a new beginning. But when she arrives, she discovers she’s pregnant—and without a husband. The new start she’d hoped for slips from her fingers.

But then she meets Isaac Liddle, a handsome soldier with a kind heart. When he begins to court her, Emmie wonders whether she could ever really be his—and whether she dares to tell him she is carrying another man’s baby.

No, Emmie doesn't find shelter in the arms of a soldier, at least not in this novella. She's not also worried about any secret which cold drive them apart—she doesn’t discover she’s pregnant until the final chapter of this novella. Despite the book description, she meets Isaac when she arrives in Indiana, weeks before she discovers she's pregnant.

The writing is good, the characters are interesting, and I have to say I’m interested in the story of Emmie Munroe/Croftner. This is partly because I’m interested in her dilemma as the pregnant non-wife of a bigamist, and I want to know why she is so different from her rotten brother, Ben, who persecuted Sarah and Rand in the first three novellas in this collection. But I should have listened to my own advice (in my review to the first novella, A Heart’s Disguise) not to read the book descriptions. Because I’m now afraid I already know everything important that happens in these three novellas, which takes away any possibility of suspense (which Coble is known for) or even surprise.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Review and Giveaway: A Heart's Obsession by Colleen Coble

Can a woman held captive by her family make it back to the one man she knows she can trust? Find out in book two, A Heart's Obsession, of Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart series. When Sarah Montgomery’s father succumbs to his long illness, Sarah is faced with a life-altering choice: submit to her brother’s will and marry the deceptive Ben Croftner . . . or escape through the dangerous American West to reclaim the heart of her beloved Rand Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

Celebrate book two 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!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge (blog tour coming in mid-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!

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!

My Review

Lieutenant Rand Campbell left his intended in Wabash, Indiana when he was posted to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, because she wouldn’t leave her family. The prospect of a forced marriage to liar Ben Croftner gives Sarah Montgomery the push she needs to leave her family and find Rand—and marry him. But when she arrives at Fort Laramie, she finds things aren’t as she expected …

I didn't enjoy the first novella in this collection because the publisher’s description gave away all the key plot points. They didn’t make quite the same mistake with this second book, but the description still covers the first two-thirds of the story (although this time I made sure I didn’t actually read the book description, just in case).

I’m still not sold on the series. Rand is almost the perfect man, except for one error of judgement about the true character of the pretty Miss Jessica DuBois. Sarah was too wishy-washy for my tastes in the first book (A Heart’s Disguise), but seems to have grown a spine on the trip to Wyoming. She also has a respect for the local Indian population that seems a little uncharacteristic for a sheltered woman of her time.

The minor characters were, if anything, worse. We didn’t get the opportunity to get to know either Ben Croftner or Jessica DuBois in any detail, which meant they came across as clichés. The plot moved along too quickly, in that the characters (Rand, in particular) had dramatic changes in their feelings without any logic or explanation. The other problem was the end: it was very abrupt, as though it was just cut off. Perhaps it was—after all, there are another four novellas in the series after this one.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This book counts towards my 2015 Reading Challenge as a book with a love triangle.

Book Giveaway: Mortal Insight by ED James

Suspense Sisters Reviews ad Rhiza Press are giving away a copy of Mortal Insight by Australian author EB James (better known to some as Meredith Resce).

Click here to pop over to Suspense Sisters and enter.

Click here to read my review.

Rachel Hauck Fires Up the Romance with “A Brush with Love” Kindle Giveaway!

"Fire" up the romance in the new year with Rachel Hauck's newest book, A Brush with Love, by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway! And be sure to catch a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-released How to Catch a Prince!

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway only runs for a week, 12/30 – 1/5. Winner will be announced January 6th on Rachel's blog.


{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

Review and Giveaway: The Promise by Beth Wiseman

In a daring new novel, Beth Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by actual events, this is the book Beth has been working toward for a long time.

Curious? Click here to read the reviews, and be sure to enter Beth's Kindle HDX giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Promise by Beth Wiseman

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 9th. Winner will be announced November 10th here.

My Review

When seventeen-year-old Mallory wasn’t allowed to donate the kidney that would have saved her cousin’s life, she made a promise to herself that one day she would do it. She would save a life. Twelve years later, she has another opportunity, but her parents aren’t going to like this one either, because it involves a trip to Pakistan and a sick teen. And her long-term boyfriend, Tate, isn’t happy either.

I quickly discovered Mallory is my least-favourite kind of fictional heroine: noble, academically bright but naïve, with little understanding of life outside her first-world bubble. She shows herself to be easily led--in the wrong direction--as she makes a vital decision based on some basic internet research, and has no idea what she’s letting herself in for. I hoped I’d be wrong about the way the story would progress, but I wasn’t (although it could have been worse. It usually is, based on the stories I used to read in the London newspapers when I lived there).

However, I really liked Tate. There was a nobility and intelligence about him that Mallory lacked, but he still had two major faults, one being Mallory. My dislike of her aside, Tate is a committed Catholic who attends Mass and believes Jesus is the only way to God. Mallory has no personal faith, and has never read the Bible, yet is happy to start reading the Quran—so why is Tate in a relationship with her? The second fault is that he cries. A lot. I guess that as a music teacher she’s supposed to be the sensitive new age (?) guy, the metrosexual who is in touch with his feelings. Maybe. But it came across as girly (note: this isn’t intended to be a sexist comment. I get equally annoyed by fictional women who cry all the time).

I can imagine a lot of people are going to rave about this novel. It’s based on real-life events the author was personally involved in—but I didn't find that out to the end. Maybe I'd have been able to feel more sympathy for Mallory if I'd known.

The writing is solid (not spectacular, but solid), it’s touching on subjects and issues not usually seen in Christian fiction, and it certainly inspired emotion in my as I read. The first half of the book was a real struggle as I kept hoping Mallory would come to her senses (and knowing she wouldn’t). The second half was a lot better, with a lot more action and suspense, but overall, I found the novel a frustrating read.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. To find out more, visit Beth Wiseman's page at Litfuse Publicity, or her website.

Book Launch and Giveaway: Pride by Rosie Somers

Release Date: September 9, 2014

Book Links:

Add it on Goodreads: Click here

Anaiah Press: Click here
Amazon:Click here
iTunes: Click here
Smashwords: Click here

PRIDE by Rosie Somers

Surge, Anaiah Press

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Gabriella Pierce is used to taking care of herself, but she’s about to become responsible for a whole lot more. When she gets a visit from three men claiming to be defenders of fantastical rings imbued with the powers of THE CARDINAL SINS, her life is changed irrevocably.

Gabby is the steward of PRIDE

To make matters worse, she’s falling hard for fellow steward, Grant Barnett, and he hates her guts. Now Gabby has to learn to protect Pride without letting her feelings for Grant get in the way.

Author Bio:

Rosie Somers is a YA author who lives in Florida, soaking up the year round sunshine. She can often be found in her favourite spot on her favourite beach, nose-deep in a good book.

Website: http://www.RosieSomers.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProsyRosie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProsyRosie

Enter the Giveaway!

 

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Review and Giveaway: Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

The first book in Deborah Raney's new Chicory Inn series, Home to Chicory Lane, introduces us to Audrey Whitman, a mother who has launched all her children into life and now looks forward to fulfilling some of her own dreams during her empty-nest years. However, not all of her children are ready to stay out of the nest quite yet.

Deborah is celebrating the release of her new series with a $200 B&B Weekend Getaway and a Facebook author chat party.

 One winner will receive:

• A B&B Weekend Getaway (via a $200 Visa cash card)
• Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 9th. Winner will be announced at the Home to Chicory Lane Author Chat Party on 9/9. Deborah will be hosting a heartfelt book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the Chicory Inn series!

So grab your copy of Home to Chicory Lane and join Deborah on the evening of September 9th 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 9th!

My Review

Romance fiction is a huge genre, and takes the reader through those early stages of a relationship and usually ends with an engagement or a wedding and the promise of happy-ever-after. But we all know that’s not the end. That’s only the beginning, and there’s more to marriage than roses and candlelit dinners. There’s life, and it’s not always happy. Home to Chicory Lane explores this from different perspectives, and it’s good to see fictional characters exploring real issues without it becoming angsty.

Audrey and Grant Whitman have spent the last year renovating their family home to turn it into a B&B, and it’s opening weekend. Landyn, the recently-married youngest of their five children, turns up on the doorstep needing a place to stay—she’s left her husband, Cory, because he made a major decision without consulting her—because he was sure God told him to do it.

My initial feelings towards Landyn were frustration. Yes, I could see what Cory had done wasn’t good, but immediately running home to Mommy and Daddy didn’t show Landyn in a good light. She came across as selfish and whiney (never attractive qualities), but this was the basis for her personal growth, both as an individual, as a Christian, and as part of a marriage. While I didn’t like her at first, I did by the end, and I could see how the youngest of five could be that way. Home to Chicory Lane did a good job of showing how she learned that there is more to a good marriage than, well, you know.

Cory was a good character. He never thought he was good enough, because of his family upbringing, so he had that to deal with, along with a flighty wife. His background meant he felt inferior to the Whitman family, and this came across in the way he interacted with Audrey and especially Grant. Meanwhile, Audrey and Grant had their own issues, with the financial stretch of starting a new business and Landyn’s unexpected arrival.

Home to Chicory Lane was a little confusing in the beginning, with Audrey, Grant, five children, spouses and grandchildren. But it soon settled into the main story: Landyn and Cory, and Audrey and Grant. It’s definitely a book written for the Christian market, as there is a central spiritual issue around Cory’s desire to be obedient to God despite Landyn’s uncertainty and frustration. There are a lot of lessons in here for newlyweds, and perhaps those with more established marriages. I'll be looking forward to future books in the series.

Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free

 ebook for review. You can find out more about Deborah Raney at her website. 

Review: When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Yum!

When I Fall in Love is the third book in Susan May Warren’s Christiansen series, following Take a Chance on Me (2014 Christy Award winner) and It Had to Be You. When I Fall in Love is about daughter Grace, who wants to be a chef. It’s set partially in Deep Haven, so there are some mentions of characters from the Deep Haven series. But it’s also partly set in beautiful Hawaii, where Grace participates in a cooking contest with hunky hockey player Max Sharpe. Hawaii and food. What’s not to love?

Despite the title, When I Fall in Love wasn’t the standard lightweight romance (Susan May Warren novels never are). There are family complications in the relationship between Max and Grace, one of whom is Owen, Grace’s younger brother, who used to play on the same pro hockey team as Max. The other complication is Max, who has decided never to marry because of his family history. There’s also a subplot featuring Raina Beaumont (Liza’s niece, from Happily Ever After), and this looks as though it’s setting up the next novel in the series.

I’ve read a few foodie novels over the last few months, including A Table by the Window, While Love Stirs, and Stones for Bread. They’ve all been excellent, as is When I Fall in Love. Is there some kind of subliminal message there? I even highlighted her sauce recipe: brown sugar, molasses, honey (that’s three kinds of sugar. It sounds good already), Worcestershire sauce, mustard, liquid smoke, salt and pepper. Yum. It’s not exactly barbecue season here in New Zealand, but I’ll have to try this sometime.

However, it’s not the food that most impresses me about Susan May Warren’s writing. It’s the way she manages to seamlessly integrate solid Christian principles into her novels without ever sounding preachy. In When I Fall in Love, it’s Grace who has the spiritual lesson to learn, a lesson about abiding in Jesus and not just following Him. It’s a lesson we can all benefit from. Recommended.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity for providing a free ebook for review. You can find out more about Susan May Warren at her website. Susan May Warren has a giveaway to celebrate the release of When I Fall in Love. To enter, either click on the giveaway button to the right, or visit yesterday's giveaway post.

Giveaway: When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren's newest book in the Christiansen Family Collection, When I Fall In Love,  has won over readers' and critics' hearts alike. With critical reviews like, ". . . an exquisite romance. Profoundly touching on the topic of facing fears, this book is a true gem," and more than 60 five-star reviews at Amazon, When I Fall in Love is sure to please.

Susan has teamed up with some amazing food bloggers for a fun food challenge and a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway!

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A KitchenAid Mixer
• The first three books in the Christiansen Family Collection.
• Melissa Ringstaff’s Kitchen Planner
• Jackie Brown's Freezer Inventory sheet

Grab your aprons and wire whisks and buzz on over to the When I Fall in Love website to learn more and enter the Hawaiian Chef Showdown! Susan is challenging you to make a Hawaiian-inspired dish using coconut, mango, or one of the other ingredients mentioned in the book. You’ll get extra points for creating your own recipe—plus she might share it on the When I Fall in Love site! Or if you're not up for an adventure in the kitchen just click one of the icons below for easy entry.

Hurry, the giveaway ends on August 10th. All winners will be announced August 13th at Susan's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Susan's blog on the 13th to see if you won!

(My review will post tomorrow!)

SEAGRASS PIER | Pre-order @ColleenCoble’s NEW book for just $4.99. Enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Don’t miss Colleen Coble‘s latest release in the Hope Beach series, Seagrass Pier. The book releases July 1st, and Colleen's publisher is offering the ebook at a special pre-order price of just $4.99 between now and 6/30 everywhere ebooks are sold.

PLUS . . . between 6/9 – 6/30 Colleen will be hosting a Kindle giveaway.

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• Seagrass Pier and the rest of the Hope Beach series by Colleen Coble

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced on Colleen's blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Colleen's blog on July 1st to see if you won!

(My review will post tomorrow).