Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter

BOOK SUMMARY:

Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she's back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she's hiding secrets from her family, and she's strangely attracted to the man who's always called her "squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

MY THOUGHTS:

As part of the Chapel Springs Romance series, this book is a wonderful addition. I love how Jade's reaction to her situation and the way she deals with it shows real emotion. This would not be an easy thing to live with and I was grateful it wasn't a "quick fix" but allowed the reader full exposure to her life and thoughts. 

Daniel's character was a lot of fun. He was such a part of the family, it was hard for Jade to see him in a different light. The reader is drawn into the relationship from the beginning and allowed access to both sides along the way. It was a fun reminder that God has a plan and it might be something we can't wrap our minds around until just the right moment.

Denise Hunter writes with such emotion and depth that you feel a part of the family as you read this book.

I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the next book!

Disclosure: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review.

It Had to be You by Susan May Warren

BOOK SUMMARY:

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have loved every book of Susan May Warren's that I have loved. This book was no different. This is Book 2 of the Christiansen Family Series. I love how the author draws you in to the characters lives and you become part of the story.  Each character had a well thought out story and the interaction between them was real and down to earth. I loved watching Eden as she grew from being an over-protective sister to the realization that she deserved her own live also.

Watching her learn to trust Jace was so real. It can be hard to put away the past and hope for a better future, but we see a relationship of truth and forgiveness that everyone can relate to in some way.

The addition of the mystery of John Doe, and Jace's relationship with Sam and his daughter Maddy, only make the book more genuine in the way the characters dealt with tragedy and the unknown. While learning to rely on their faith, they progress through stages easily understood by others.

This is a book where you will love the journey just as much as the ending.  You don't want to miss this story! You will find the addition of a prequel and more included. There are some great discussion questions which would be great for a book club.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Sky without Stars by Linda S. Clare

Book Summary:

Frankie Chasing Bear is caught between cultures. She wants to raise her son Harold to revere his Lakota heritage, but she knows he will need to learn the white man’s ways to succeed. After the untimely death of her husband, Frankie joins the U.S. Government’s Relocation Program and moves to Arizona. There she begins sewing a Lakota Star pattern quilt for Harold with tribal wisdom sung, sewn, and prayed into it.

A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars, but neither the quilt—nor her new life—comes easily to Frankie. Nick Vandergriff, for instance, is the last man Frankie wants to trust. He’s half-Lakota but Christian, and Frankie can see no good coming from that faith after her own parents were forced to convert at an Indian school. Can Nick convince Frankie that white men and Christians aren’t all bad? And will Frankie learn that love is the most important ingredient—for her son’s quilt and life itself?

MY THOUGHTS:

A Sky without Stars is part of the Quilts of Love series. I enjoyed following the story of Frankie and learning about her heritage. Trying to stay connected in a world where it isn't as easily accepted can be difficult. I thought the author did an amazing job of sharing a deep insight into the life of Frankie and her son Harold. It read as very realistic. I felt along with her as the story developed.
The relationship between Frankie and Nick was honest and mature. There were so many aspects of the story where they appeared as just a real couple dealing with life together. In my opinion, this allowed me to really connect with the characters.
This is a book worth reading! I look forward to reading more books within this series.

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

  

BOOK SUMMARY:

Elizabeth is at a crossroad. She’s been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can’t decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it’s also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula’s friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country story that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?

MY THOUGHTS:

This is Book 1 in the Amish Roads Series.  I encourage everyone to read it now! It is such a refreshing and heartwarming story of love, forgiveness and family. I love how Elizabeth's character grows in  her personal journey and how she comes to term with her choices and ability to move forward. Her character is very easy to relate to because everyone has choices they have to work through and be able to feel confident in them. 

Watching the relationship between Elizabeth and Paula grow despite their obvious differences was a testimony of how God can bring people in our lives at just the right moment. Paula helps Elizabeth start her new life, and is an encouragement to her.

Struggles come to the relationship with Saul and Elizabeth, but by working together and trusting each other we find an amazing story develop.

You can find the book for yourself on amazon.com. 

Learn more about the author here http://barbaracameron.com/

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Summary:

In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam?

Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something’s missing: a family of her own.

Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she’s always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she’s pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she’s thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he’s only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend.

If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she’ll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?

My Thoughts:

This is Book 1 in the new Return to Sugarcreek series. I am already looking forward to Book 2. What I loved most about this book was the truths it told, and followed a story everyone can relate to in some way. 

What would you do if the person you loved wanted you to help them find love with someone else? Although not everyone will experience this, I'm sure most people can relate to "the one that got away".  It was encouraging to see how Miriam handled herself in this situation and watch how she put others ahead of herself. Now, I'm not sure I could have done what she did, but I admired the Christ like way she treated others. 

The relationships between Miriam and Junior and Mary Kathryn were shown in a deep and creative way. I felt drawn in to the story and became a part of it myself. The characters were brought to life in unique and creative ways which allow the reader to really relate to each one.

You can find this book for yourself at amazon.com. 

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others

Smitten Book Club

Book Summary:

The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.

Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends’ romantic exploits.

When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guide proves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.

What’s more, a handwritten inscription indicates that the arcane book might hold the only extant clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her house. How could they not go treasure hunting?

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. I loved watching the relationships grow between the friends and see how they stood by each other through life struggles. I think it's great to have all 4 stories in the same book. We are able to move right in to the next story without pause. Each story while different, follows the same overall story of the treasure they hope to find.

The idea of passing the book around and learning of a treasure while also helping them in their love lives was interesting and useful for the reader also. There were some great pearls of wisdom shown in the book, but not only that, we were brought on the journey of what those bits of wisdom really look like in life.

Each story was well written and I was fully engaged in what was going on, and found myself wanting to help the couples along :)

I loved the little "extras" included in the back of the book. What fun! I highly encourage you to give this book a read. 

Don't forget to check the sidebar of my blog for a Kindle fire giveaway going along with this book!

Disclosure: I received a free print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.  My reviews are always my own opinions and may differ from others.

A Marriage in Middlebury

Book Summary (from AMAZON)

Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. She did, and
then became engaged to another man, who later died before they were married. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get
involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?

My Thoughts:

What I enjoyed about this book were the characters and the way there was a history involved. It's like getting a second chance to make a different choice. I'm sure everyone has been in a situation they wish they could get a do-over for. I was excited to see where Charlotte and Sam's relationship would go. Nothing was easy and there were many obstacles to overcome, but the dynamics throughout the storyline were great and made me want to keep reading. I couldn't wait to find out if they would end up together or if life had just moved on too much to go back. 
the relationship between Sam and his Father is not a unique relationship, but had a fresh approach to it and drew me in. I recommend this book and look forward to many other of Anita Higman's books!


Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller Blog Tour and giveaway!

Romance writer Maddie Taylor is fed up with New York City. She is getting nowhere with her latest manuscript and does not believe true love exists outside of her imagination. When a friend, Jonah Spartman, dies and wills her half of his Arkansas cattle ranch, she sees the chance for a new beginning. Jonah has also left behind two orphaned great-grandsons desperate for affection and an accounting book in the red.

The other half of the failing ranch belongs to Gideon Spartman, Jonah’s grandson, who believes all capacity for love was torn from him during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Rugged and sexy, Gideon is the enthralling physical manifestation of the hero in Maddie’s current manuscript. He is far from happy to be sharing an inheritance that is rightfully his. As she senses the need behind Gideon’s rough and unwelcoming exterior, Maddie acknowledges her own yearning for love and family.

Jonah’s will requires Maddie to stay on the ranch for three months. When that time is up, will she return to her comfortable but emotionally barren existence or embrace the challenges of her new life, which include cattle rustlers and drug dealers? Maddie’s choice proves to be far from simple.


This book is great! I enjoyed the idea of it being a writer who learns to deal with life and finds herself so fixed on her books, she forgets to have an outside life. It will get you hooked on the idea of the story, and the storyline keeps you interested.

The book was not exactly what I expected, but led me on a journey which was unexpected which is a nice thing! I enjoyed the ride the book took.

I encourage you to find this book and read it for yourself. You will find yourself connecting to the characters and rooting for them throughout the book.

Here is your chance to win a $25 gift card for amazon or pay pal. 
Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find out more about the author and Maddie's Choice at these places:

oyce Zeller's Web Site:
http://joycezeller.com/
Joyce Zeller's Blog:
http://joycezeller.blogspot.com/
Joyce Zeller's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/joyce.zeller

Joyce Zeller's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jzeller9847

Joyce Zeller's Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6060540.Joyce_Zeller

Maddie's Choice Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18369023-maddie-s-choice

Book Tour Site: http://maddieschoice.blogspot.com/


You can find a copy for yourself at any of these locations:

Kindle buy link ($4.95):
http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Zeller/e/B005N0BVCS/

Nook buy link ($4.95):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/joyce-zeller

Smashwords buy link ($4.95):
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=joyce+zeller

Amazon paperback buy link ($14.95):http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603819592?tag=tributebooks-20
Barnes and Noble paperback buy link ($14.95):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/joyce-zeller

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in order to do my review. My reviews are always honest and my own opinions.

To Know You by Shannon Ethridge **with a great giveaway!

Book Description courtesy of amazon.com

JuliaWhittaker’s rocky past yielded two daughters, both given up for adoption asinfants. Now she must find them to try to save her son.

Julia and Matt Whittaker’s son hasbeaten the odds for thirteen years only to have the odds—and his liver—crashprecipitously. The only hope for his survival is a “living liver” transplant,but the transplant list is long and Dillon’s time is short. His two olderhalf-sisters, born eighteen months apart to two different fathers, offer hisonly hope for survival.

But can Julia ask a youngwoman—someone she surrendered to strangers long ago and has never spokenwith—to make such a sacrifice to save a brother she’s never known? Can shemuster the courage to journey back into a shame-filled season of her life, faceher choices and their consequences, and find any hope of healing?

And what if she discovers in her owndaughters’ lives that a history of foolish choices threatens to repeat itself? Juliaknows she’s probably embarking on a fool’s errand—searching for the daughtersshe abandoned only now that she needs something from them. But love compelsJulia to take this journey. Can grace and forgiveness compel her daughters tojoin her?

In To Know You, ShannonEthridge and Kathryn Mackel explore how the past creates the present . . . andhow even the most shattered lives can be redeemed.

My Thoughts: 

I loved this story. As we follow the characters on the journey of love, forgiveness and ultimately sacrifice, we learn so much that can be applied to our lives. The depth of the storyline and the way the author takes us back in time to the beginning of the story is incredible. It is well written and will keep your attention the entire time. I felt completely a part of the story. I kept wondering who, if anyone, would be a match for Dillon. I kept changing my mind on what I thought would happen and was pleasantly surprised at the end. 

It was interesting to see how Julia related to her daughters in different ways and through different struggles. It portrayed a natural and realistic journey into their relationships.

We find out how importatnt life is, and how life-altering forgiveness and sacrifice are. There is no way you can read this book adn not be affected in some way.

This is a book for the must read list! I will be recommending it to everyone I know. The reading group discussion questions at the end are great, and would be fun conversation starters for a book club. 

You can find out more about the author at http://www.shannonethridge.com 

Shannon Ethridge is celebrating the release of  To Know You (co-written by Kathryn Mackel), by giving away a $100 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs and a personal coaching session, as well as throwing a Facebook Author Chat Party!

One winner will receive:

• A $100 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs
• To Know You by Shannon Ethridge

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "To Know You" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 19th. Connect with Shannon and friends for an encouraging evening of fun chat, book club discussion, giveaways, and a chance to win a PERSONAL COACHING SESSION WITH SHANNON!

So grab your copy of To Know You and join Shannon on the evening of November 19th 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 by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER or Pinterest and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on 11/19!

Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Stranded is Book 3 in the Alaskan Courage series. I had not previously read either Book 1 or 2, so I wondered if I would be missing key details or would feel I was coming in at the middle of situations. While I'm sure starting at the series beginning is the most common choice, and normally how I like to do things, I don't however feel like it affected my enjoyment of this book or the ability to understand what was going on. I will however definitely be going back and reading the other books!

In this adventure, we find Darcy on board a cruise ship as an adventure journalist but in fact she is really on board with a undercover reporting job to help her friend Abby with a case. Although Darcy left the undercover life 3 years prior, she would do anything to help Abby. Darcy uses her knowledge and cover job to gain access to areas and questioning that she otherwise couldn't do.


When Abby goes missing, things begin to become dangerous quickly.  Nobody seems to be able to give any information, and nobody seems at all concerned. When Darcy realizes her adventure will have her working closely with an old friend, Gabe, she is determined to stay professional and not let on her real feelings.

Gabe knows her true story. He has never been encouraging about Darcy doing undercover work because of the time she gave to it, and the danger she allowed herself to get in the middle of.
Will they now be able to work together to find out the truth of what happened to Abby? They need to for the sake of the situation. The people they learn are involved and the seriousness of the disappearances will lead them into the unknown. Will the danger of the situation draw Gabe to the eternal love of Christ which Darcy desperately desires for him?

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I had a hard time putting it down. I love books which take you on a suspenseful journey without the risk of actually being afraid to go to sleep:)
The storyline was thought-provoking, and very well written. The characters were described so well they were easy to picture as real people. They each had a deep history which made them relatable.
The mystery surrounding Abby's disappearance was not expected and very exciting. There was also a great message surrounding the effects of her situation. The ending was thrilling and kept you wondering what really occurred, and who was really involved, right till the very end.
I highly recommend this amazing story of adventure, love and sacrifice. You can find it for yourself  at amazon.com   I'd love to know what you think!

Disclosure: I received a free print copy of the book from Bethany house in exchange for an honest review.

Above and Beyond by Sandra Brown

Kyla's husband Richard was killed in a terrorist attack while overseas. As Kyla is trying to catch a breath and move on with her young son, she finds herself drawn to a man she doesn't realize she knows.

Trevor was a soldier alongside Richard. By a stroke of coincidence, Richard ends up dying in the bunk where Trevor normally would have been. To aid his recovery, Trevor finds himself reading, and re-reading the love letters to Richard from Kyla. When he finds himself in love with her, he devises a plan to meet her.

While they are getting to know each other, Trevor is holding back a huge secret that could ruin everything. There is something Kyla doesn't yet know and Trevor hopes will never know.

Through a series of events, we follow them through struggles, love,  trust issues and finally the truth. Can they survive what secrets lie in the past or will it keep them from a lasting love?


MY THOUGHTS:

This story will keep you engaged from beginning to end. It is full of creative plot lines which pull you into the story. There is great depth to the story which allows us to visualize realistic people and situations. When reading this book I found myself with many different emotions from disliking Trevor for keeping the secret, to wanting Kyla to forgive him, to laughing alongside the actions of a toddler.
You will not be disappointed with Above and Beyond. Again Sandra Brown has brought us a hit!
I have lost count of how many times I have read this book over the years. Certain books just fit in a way that brings you back time and again. This is that book!
You can find the book for yourself here at www.amazon.com

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I had the book in my personal collection. My reviews are always honest and my opinions are my own.

Disconnected by Bethany Daniel

I was excited to have the chance to read a copy of Disconnected. This is the "guys" side to the story of
Reconnected.   In Disconnected, we find the story from Liam's point of view.
What is interesting is that while the story is similar, it still has a different or opposing side to it. While we were able to connect to Katy is Reconnected, we find ourselves learning more about Liam's feelings in this story.

When Liam is approached by Hollywood, his new wife Katy decides the party life is not for her. She takes off one night during another party where she feels Liam is ignoring her. As we learn in this book, his love for her is not at all on the back burner. He loves her, he's just adjusting to dealing with this new life along with realizing what it takes to be a husband.
After four long years, they meet again and discover their love again and learn to follow the adventures life throws at them.

As we see Liam determined not to lose his wife again, we all can find some way of relating to the feelings brought about. Although I occasionally felt like I was reading the same book, I enjoyed the fact that we find more depth in the characters in this book. We begin to really fall in love with the characters and can imagine the places they will go and look forward to following them along on the journey.

I feel the author has some great stories and look forward to more in the future!
You can find my full review also of Reconnected on my blog.

Disclosure: I received an ebook copy of Disconnected in order to do this review. No other compensation was given. My reviews are always honest and my own opinion.

Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

Amy has decided to return to Hope Beach to investigate the death of her brother Ben. Although reports have his death listed as a surfing accident, Amy is sure there is more to it. She is determined to find out the truth.  When she meets Curtis, she finds that he also has lost a loved one. He lost his sister in an accident and is now raising his niece for her.
Curtis agrees to help Amy in her investigation which leads them into dangerous territory. What they find is not at all what they could have imagined. Finding themselves on opposite sides of the situation causes them to really look into their new found relationship. Can they manage to work together, and  trust each other enough to survive the truth that they find?


MY THOUGHTS:

My first thought is WOW! This book was better than I could have imagined. Rosemary Cottage is book 2 in the Hope Beach series. I already had read book 1 so I had a little knowledge of the area and some characters I hoped would be woven into the story somehow.
This book is full of wonderfully created characters. There is great depth into the characters pasts and lives creating people we can view as relatable and come to love.
The mystery surrounding the deaths of Amy and Curtis's loved ones is of course the center of the story. All I can say is you won't be disappointed. I was surprised by the twists and turns within the search for the truth. I was drawn in to the story and didn't want to stop reading!
There were some great characters who were not the main focus but whom I would love to see if future books. These are ones I found myself wondering what their futures would be and how the truths found would affect all the characters later on.
Although I recommend reading the books in order, it's not necessary to understand what is going on. You will however get a better sense overall of Hope Beach by seeing it from the beginning.


You can find the book for yourself at amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a print copy of this book from www.booksneeze.com in exchange for a review of the book. I was not required to give a positive review. My reviews are always honest and my opinions my own.

A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island by Cara C. Putman

This is part two of  the Waterfront weddings book.  I have enjoyed being able to bring you both stories! I felt that providing the stories into separate reviews would give a unique and special look at both of them. 

In this story, Alanna is returning home to Mackinac Island after being away for 11 years. She fled after a terrible tragedy occurred putting her brother Trevor wrongly in the hot seat of suspicion. Now Alanna's father has been hospitalized and her mom is in need of help running the family painting shop.

Not only did Alanna leave her family all those years ago, she also left Jonathan, the man she loved for many summers. When she runs into him immediately upon her return, she tries to avoid him. Her plan is to get back out of town as fast as she can. Circumstances keep bringing them together and finally she starts to relax and remember why she loved him before.

While she is on the island, she finds herself determined to clear her brothers name.  In digging up dirt surrounding a teen's death, she finds herself at odds with many people from her past.  When things come to light which affect her family, she turns to Jonathan for help. He is an encouragement to her and stands by her side. When their search turns up a murder, they find themselves not only suspects, but also in danger from the real culprit.  Together they fight to the end.

WHAT I THOUGHT:

When I first started reading the story, I was expecting it to focus on weddings and romance. While there was romance involved, the story revolved more around dealing with the past, mystery and suspense. 

The story had a slow start to it for me. I almost put it down, but I am so glad I didn't. The story pulls you in to the web of secrets in a way that you feel intertwined and can't get out. This is a great story. There are great characters and the author does a great job of developing the characters into people you can completely relate to.  There are many times when you find Alanna in situations very relatable. Not only is it a great overall story, but there are many parts which make you think of what you might do in her circumstances. 

The ending will also take you by surprise which is great!  Check this book out, you won't be disappointed.

You can find the book here at amazon.com

Disclosure: I received an ebook copy of Waterfront Weddings from netgalley.com in exchange for the review. No other compensation was given. My reviews are always honest and my own.

Cover Reveal of Disconnected by Bethany Daniels

COVER REVEAL

Book: Disconnected

Author: Bethany Daniels

DATE: Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Reminder - Your post must be live by 7am (EST) time in the USA

Disconnected Blurb:

Liam and Katy were high school sweethearts. Shortly after they graduated they ran off to Vegas to get married. Liam does theater acting and it's there that he is discovered by Excite Entertainment and flown to L.A.

Once he's in L.A his marriage takes the backseat to rubbing elbows with Hollywood's biggest and brightest. One night Liam throws a big party and Katy comes into their house filled with half dressed women. When Katy says she's going to leave, Liam doesn't believe her until he comes home from filming and finds a note that tears him apart.

Four years later, he's tried to move on but never let go of the love he has in his heart for his Katy. It's in a little town they are filming in that their paths cross again and Liam has to try and convince Katy that their love is worth fighting for

Book One: Reconnected Blurb: A fast paced love story! 

Katy Warren thought her life was perfect. Then her new husband, and also highschool sweetheart, gets discovered while theater acting and gets swept away to Hollywood. Once there, things change. Liam throws himself into the Hollywood life and ignores Katy.

One night after a particularly crazy party, Katy can't take it anymore and leaves Liam and his celebrity behind but doesn't get an official divorce.

Four years later, Liam goes to Georgia for filming and crosses paths with Katy again. But now she's just Kate and she has a boyfriend and she doesn't want anything to do with her marriage. Liam has other plans.

Reconnected purchase links:

Kindle - http://amzn.to/18GdO8G

Nook - http://bit.ly/18ujO1U

Kobo - http://bit.ly/11KtiWg

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/315543

Sony: https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/bethany-daniel/reconnected/_/R-400000000000001048551

iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/reconnected/id650158303?mt=11

Paperback - http://amzn.to/ZkFCtS

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Author Bio:

Bethany Daniel lives in Texas with her husband and 2 boys. She enjoys reading, photography and of course, writing. When she's not doing that she spends a lot of time chasing her 3 and 4 year old!

Author links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbethanydaniel

Twitter: @author_bethanyd

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7085559.Bethany_Daniel

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Bethany-Daniel/e/B00CPUBPYI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/authorbethanyd

Disclosure: I am part of a group to help promote the cover reveal of the author's new book.

A Wedding to Remember in Charleston S.C. by Annalisa Daughety

Sometimes in life, our biggest struggles are in direct conflict with what we are expected to be an expert at. This is where we find Summer. She is the owner of a wedding planning business. She and her co-worker, Ashley, do a great job on the weddings, have great success and love what they do. In her personal life though, Summer and her husband, Luke are dealing with some major struggles. In the past year, they have had to deal with many heartbreaks. When they find themselves unable to communicate the depth of their grief, they find themselves pulling away from each other when they should be drawing closer.

The return of Summer's former boyfriend complicates things even more. He somehow finds himself in places where he not only can grab some of Summer's attention, but also manages to pull Luke farther away from Summer. He finds that this can work to his advantage and maybe even work in his favor.

Ashley also has trouble of her own in the relationship department. A new man in her life causes her to deal with her past divorce and work on moving past it, which she isn't sure she can.

Through the struggles of marriage, Luke moves out to handle things by himself. Luke and Summer both see this as a temporary solution, because they are still very much in love. This time apart allows for some much needed soul searching. Will this separation keep them apart or can it be the one thing that allows them to find themselves more committed than ever?

As we follow them through their struggles, we catch a glimpse of their future. When they both allow God to be the center of their lives, they find themselves able to communicate on a more heart level. They learn that God is there for them in the hard times as well as the good times.


WHAT I THINK:

This is book 1 in a book with 2 full length books titled "Waterfront Weddings". In this first story, was an amazing story of marriage. I'm sure we have all had relationships that have gone through struggles, and in some way can relate to these characters. I felt a pull into the story which really made me feel a part of the story. I found myself cheering for some characters, while wanting to yell at others. I feel that is a good sign when you really connect with the book.
The characters have great depth to them. The overall story not only keeps your attention, but has good messages throughout.
I look forward to reading the other story and can't wait to share with you about them also!

You can find the book on amazon.com

Disclosure: I received the ebook copy from netgalley in exchange for doing a review. No other compensation was given. My opinions are always honest and my own.

Kiss Me Awake by Julie Momyer

SUMMARY:

When Jaida was a baby, she was left by her biological mom in the bushes. When a young boy, Spencer, finds her, she is brought into his family. Spencer vows to protect her and care for her forever.

Fast forward to now. Jaida is delving into discovering who her mom really is. She doesn't know her name, but is desperate to find out what she can. While working as a detective, Jaida is searching not only for her mom, but also desperately trying to learn about and take down a man named Gale. She thinks he is a murderer and has a tie to her past.

Jaida and her co-worker Auggie are on Gale's trail. Gale is accusing their company of stealing 8 million dollars and thinks Jaida has it.  In the midst of all that's going on, Jaida finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy that is full of drama, suspense, mystery and intrigue. When Spencer returns to her life, Jaida finds herself dealing with her own past alongside finding out things which change who she is and what she thinks.

When she finds herself and others in danger, Jaida finds herself searching for truth. Praying for God's will is the hardest thing she has had to do, but the most important thing.

WHAT I THINK:

This is a wonderful story of not only suspense and intrigue, but also of redemption and forgiveness which is creatively intertwined throughout the entire book. I loved the path of twists and turns the book took. So many things you are not expecting.  I found myself getting excited when learning new things and realizing how it all made sense.
Not only is the book written well, it is very descriptive. You are given a great picture of what is going on and where you are.
This book kept me engaged the entire time. I had a hard time putting it down!  I highly recommend checking it out.
You can find the book at amazon.com.
Connect with the author at http://Juliemomyer.com and http://juliemomyerblog.com


Disclosure: I received an ebook copy of the book from netgalley.com in order to do my review. My reviews are always honest. My opinions are my own and may differ from others.

Reconnected by Bethany Daniel

Summary:  

      Liam and Katy are high school sweethearts. They have grown up together and have finally fallen in love and gotten married. When Liam gets discovered by Hollywood, they realize their lives are changing. From the girls giggling and following him, to the parties and drinking, Katy realized she can not be apart of this life. During a huge party one night Katy takes off. What she doesn't do is divorce Liam.

      Fast forward 4 years and we find Katy (now Kate) enjoying the life she has created. When Hollywood brings a crew to film a movie in her town, she learns that Liam is the star of the movie. She is determined to stay away and not see him. When they meet by chance, she is reluctant to give him time. When she learns he is still in love with her, she wonders if they can actually start fresh while dealing with the complications of the past and the current. Including relationships with other people.

      As Katy and Liam grow close again, Katy's roommate Krista and Liam's co-star Scott find their own love.  When a crazed actress begins to cause trouble, they all find themselves in the middle of a dangerous situation. What happens when tragedy threatens their newly rekindled love?  Will they stand by each other, or will the world they've created fall apart?  

  

      Review: 

      Overall this is a great book. This is a first for author Bethany Daniel, and I feel it is a great start. The characters are personable and relatable, although I would have liked a little more detail about the characters.  I feel the story could have used more depth also. It seemed to move a little quickly, and I would have liked to know more about their lives. This is actually also a compliment because I feel the characters were good. I enjoyed what I read, just needed more.  

      This is a pretty quick read, and fun for a relaxing time. I look forward to reading more of her books and I recommend everyone checking this out. I think the more she writes it will only get better! You can find the book here at amazon.com

You can also find her on Facebook

Disclosure: I received an ebook copy in order to do this review. My reviews are always honest and my own opinions which may differ from others.

The Man in the Box by Andrew Toy (Book Tour)

      This is one of the most creative books I've had the pleasure of reading lately. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it really opened my eyes to a different style of reading. Normally, I am drawn to a more "real-life" type of book. What I found though by reading this book is that it was an escape from the norm which was convenient because that's where the book takes us. An escape from our life into the unknown.
       The story starts out as Robbie loses his job. We see the turmoil and stress this causes him, and his fears of how it will effect his family and their well being. He wants things to be an easy fix, and not worry about finding work, so he takes the advice from a co-worker. This advice isn't exactly legal, and when he's almost caught, he finds himself hiding out in a cardboard box. This is where his real story begins.
      When he gets in the box, Robbie finds himself in a cave in a transformed world. People and creatures seem to know who he is. He is completely confused and afraid, but at the same time intrigued with this land. The people there see him as a king and their leader. He has control there.
      When he wakes from his "dream", he is in the office and has no idea if what just happened is real.
He takes the box home with him and slowly begins making the box his place of comfort and escape. He finds himself preferring being in the box rather than being with his family. We learn how the land came to be from his creation of imaginary childhood friends. As scary as this other life is, it is also a security place he feels drawn to. When he finally makes the decision to get rid of the  box, that's when the dangers really begin. The "box" life starts to make it's way into his "real" life. Trouble starts to come as creatures use the box to enter home. When his family is threatened he also finds out co-workers of his have had the same experiences. They each are finding their own lands. Robbie realizes he must do whatever it takes to protect the family he has finally remembered to love.
      I can't give away the end, so you will just have to read the book for yourself and see  what happens. I will say it is a great ending!
      This book is full of great descriptions, adventures and interest. It is very well-written and kept my attention throughout. My son has already shown interest in reading it next! I highly recommend this book. Who hasn't wondered what it would be like to have a life so far from our normal life. In this book we are given that opportunity to experience that. A great escape and a great read!

About Andrew Toy: 

Andrew Toy lives with his wife and dachshunds in Louisville, KY. He is currently editing books of nearly every genre and is a writing coach for aspiring authors. He and his wife are trying to adopt their first child, and he is using the means of writing and editing to accomplish the goal of enlarging his family. Check out some more of his writing and upcoming books on his popular blog: adoptingjames.wordpress.com

The Man in the Box

Book Synopsis:

Work provided Robbie Lake the perfect escape from his family. But his life is turned upside down when he is unexpectedly fired. When he finds a new way of escape through a cardboard box, everything changes. The imaginary world of his childhood has evolved in his absence and is now more savage and hostile than even he could have dreamed. Robbie is drawn in by the excitement of his secret world, but will the cost of abandoning his family prove too high?

To find out more about other reviews,and giveaways. Here is the link to the Blog Tour

Andrew Toy's  Links: twitter , facebook and his Blog
You can buy the book at amazon.com


Disclosure: I was provided only with the ebook to complete this review. My review is my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

The Lion's World

The Lion's World

by Rowan Williams

• Fiction
• my rating is 5 out of 5 stars

  

      In the prelude of "The Lion's World", we learn that the author wasn't brought up on the Narnia books like many others but instead was a teenager before he read the stories. At this point, he had read many of Lewis's other novels which I think brought a different and interesting viewpoint to the book. 

In a way it gives a more objective approach to his opinions since he hadn't read the books over and over as a kid, as many of us did.

      Rowan Williams does a great job of showing us the feelings and thoughts of C.S. Lewis had for the Narnia books. We learn how important the books were to him. By showcasing not only the Narnia books, in this case through looking directly at the character of Aslan, but also the other Lewis novels we achieve a greater understanding of who Lewis was. We see the way he felt about wanting to find a way for people to come to an understanding of who Christ is by using characters that children along with adults could relate to and therefore understand.

        This book allows us not only the spiritual dimension of Aslan, but also the intellect and depth of

C. S. Lewis.

        I think this is a fresh and unique look at Lewis and Narnia. I highly recommend reading this book as soon as it is published.

Disclosure: I received an ebook of this in order to do my review. The thoughts and opinions are my honest opinion.