The Journey of Josephine Cain, An American Tapestry by Nancy Moser ~ Litfuse Group Tour & Giveaway

About the book:

AN AMERICAN TAPESTRY

When a socialite from the nation's capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.

A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pq47s

• SBN-13: 9780824934279
• Publisher: Summerside Press
• Publication date: 9/1/2013
• Pages: 320

Landing page & tour schedule  : 

 http://litfusegroup.com/author/nmose

Meet Nancy: 

Nancy Moser is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.

Learn more at Nancy at: http://nancymoser.com/.

The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser follows the adventures of a D.C. socialite as she gets involved with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad right after the Civil War. Be sure to check out Nancy's fun Pinterest board for the book!

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

  Five winners will receive:

• The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 26th. All winners will be announced October 28th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won one of the books!

My Thoughts:

Josephine Cain is ready to be rid of her mourning clothes and start wearing something lively.  Her mother and aunt sit around like they themselves have left this world since the death of their sons in the horrible war between the North and the South.  Josephine thinks like her father and wants to start rebuilding this country and mending relationships in this time of new beginnings.  Her father was an important man during the war and has been assigned to head up the building of the Transcontinental Railroad extending from the east coast meeting up with the builders starting up at the same time on west coast.  This is where Josephine wishes to be and will stop at nothing to make sure she is by her father during this important time in history.  

There is many dangers to face on such an excursion into the wild west. There are the Indians that have been attacking not to mention the outlaws and other unsavory characters that will cross their paths.  But she will not be detoured.  She has the protection of not only her father but of two other men that are vying for her heart.  

I so enjoy historical fiction!  The author has written a story that I did not wish to put down.  I learned many historical facts and some exciting fictional that add to the story within the pages of this book.. The character Josephine is strong willed or lets say hard headed and used to getting her way when it comes to her father.  But she changes into a valuable asset on the journey even while subjecting herself to all the dangers.  The author also writes of how God leads the characters to follow through with one of his ultimate plans for this country and within the lives of those involved  in this endeavor. 

Thanks for a great lesson in our American Tapestry!

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 our of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Summerside Press/Litfuse Publicity Group for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

THE BARGAIN by STEPHANIE REED ~ LITFUSE GROUP TOUR & GIVEAWAY

About the book: 

Book one in the Plain City Peace series.

It's 1971, and Betsie Troyer's peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but.

When their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret, praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth-a truth that may end all hopes of Betsie's marriage to Charley Yoder.

Purchase a copy here: http://ow.ly/ptivJ

• ISBN-13: 9780825442155
• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• Publication date: 10/1/2013
• Series: Plain City Peace
• Pages: 288

Landing page and tour schedule: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sreed 

About the Author:

Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, "Across the Wide River" and "The Light Across the River."

Learn more at Stephanie's website:http://www.stephanielreed.com/

  Stephanie L. Reed is celebrating the release of The Bargain, the first book in her new series, Plain City Peace, with a Kindle Fire 'Bargain Bundle' giveaway!

 
  One winner will receive a 'Bargain Bundle':

• A Kindle Fire
• The Bargain by Stephanie Reed

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 27th. Winner will be announced at the Litfuse blog on October 28th.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to their blog {enter your email in the blog sidebar} and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox)!

My Thoughts:

Betsie is overwhelmed by the changes in her life.  Her parents have decided to leave the Amish community and she is to start training for a new job.  On top of all of this, in the current year of 1971 the country is at war in Vietnam and are drafting young men even from the Amish community.  The sorrow of being alone without her parents is breaking her heart. Thankfully her sister is still living at home and they will continue run the farm along with the help of heir and love of her heart Charley Yoder. 

The stress of the war was enough to keep one stressed out I could not imagine my parents not being around to give me a since of security at such a time. The character Betsie was a strong young women taking on the sorrows and problems of the world around her.  She may not have gone to war but she battled a war on the home front trying to keep her family together and also an English family she had come to care for. 

The author has written a heartbreaking reality tale of love and war within oneself. She also writes of how the Amish perceive the Englishers religion and visa versa.  

I was not ready for the book to end wanting to know more about the characters.  Looking forward to reading more from this author.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Kregel Publishing/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. This is my honest opinion.

THE MINER'S LADY, Land of Shining Water series, book 3, by TRACIE PETERSON

About

When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother.

Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel and Isabella's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?

LAND OF SHINING WATER SERIES 

• Where to Purchase

  • Baker Retail
  • Amazon.com
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Christianbook.com

About Tracie

Tracie Peterson is an award-winning, best-selling author of over 95 books. Having given her heart to Jesus at the young age of six, Tracie has always felt called to some form of ministry, and writing fulfills that mission field.

Tracie received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell and her daughter Jennifer.

Throughout her writing career Tracie has found time to speak at writer's conferences where she has a special heart for new authors. She is often joined by her husband Jim, whose background in history offers new authors insight into research. Besides teaching at conferences, Tracie also at one time managed Barbour Publishing's Heartsong Presents book line - overseeing the production of 52 books a year. Tracie teaches at women's conferences around the country and shares her testimony and insight for Christian living through the eyes of an author passionately in love with her Heavenly Father.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests, including USA "Best Books 2011" Awards, best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love!.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max..

WEBSITE: http://www.traciepetersonbooks.com/

My Thoughts

The Panettas and Calarcos have carried on a vendetta in their homeland for several generations. Now it is still carried on between the two families even in America.  This makes it difficult for Chantel Panetta's young sister who has given her heart to Orlando Calarcos.  If their families find out they will never be allowed to marry.  No matter what Chantel says to her sister it seems to be ignored.  Now she has to deal with the rantings of Orlando's older brother Dante. She finds herself attracted to Dante which is very odd to her.

Dante and Orlando work in the same mine as Chantel's father and this does not set well with Dante's father. Their is so much hatred for the Panettas in Dante's father. What will the young couple do to convince their father's to let them marry or will they run away to marry?

I am sure that there are many families to this day that have vendettas.  I remember hearing about the historical fued of the Hadfield and McCoys which was worse than that of the Panettas and Calarcos.  So much pain over something that generations later has no validity yet still creates hatred and havoc for all involved.  

The author wrote a love story of a young Romeo and Juliet that were willing to sacrifice love and comfort of  their families in order to build a life together.  With faith and trust in God will they be together without causing heartache and bloodshed between their families? Trust the author to give you an experience in reading that will keep you guessing. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 our of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Baker Publishing/Bethany House Publishing for review. I was  in no way compensated for this review. This review is my honest opinion.

FIRED UP by MARY CONNEALY ~ LITFUSE GROUP TOUR 9/17 - 10/8

About the book: 

Rollicking Wild West Adventure and Romance from Bestselling Author Mary Connealy

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner---never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/oOqGx

Tour Schedule and Landing page: 
http://litfusegroup.com/author/mconnealy

Mary Connealy is back with the second book, Fired Up, in her Trouble in Texas series, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a LIVE author chat party on October 8th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD
• Swept Away  and Fired Up by Mary Connealy

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 8th. Winner will be announced at the "Fired Up" Live Webcast Event on October 8th. Connect with Mary for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Mary will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Fired Up and join Mary and friends on the evening of October 8th 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 signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

Meet Mary: 

Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

Learn more at Mary’s website.




My Thoughts

Dare Riker has had to watch his back someone wants him dead or maybe they want to see Glynna dead., possibly both of them.  But no matter who the target is the perpetrator must to be stopped.   Dare must protect Glynna Greer especially since she has captured his heart.  Convincing her son that Dare has their families best interest at heart will be tough  after the abusive father and step-father he was
forced to endure.   

Glynna is determined to protect her children and not make the same mistake in the choice of men to which her and her children are subjected to.  She feels a strong bond to Dare which she finds hard very to ignore.  He is like no other man she has ever met, he is an honorable man she is learning to trust and possibly love.

The author did not fail to draw me into book two which I was not able to put down. I enjoyed her sense of humor and  at times I was brought to tears.  The subjection of emotional and  physical abuse the children and Glynna had gone through in book one and then fought to conquer their fear and mistrust in book two was heart wrenching.  I am ready to read book three.  Bring it on Mary Connealy!

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Baker Publishing/Bethany House Publishers via Litfuse Publicity Group Tour.

PROMINENT AUTHORS AND AGENTS READY TO CONVERGE IN VIRGINIA FOR 11TH JAMES RIVER WRITERS CONFERENCE

Two-day event features workshops, inspiration for up and coming writers

RICHMOND, Va. – Writers, mark your calendars. The James River Writers Conference is celebrating its 11th

year as one of the most prestigious gatherings of published authors, literary agents and editors in the country

with a two-day event that will inspire and educate writers on the rise.

The James River Writers Conference returns to Richmond on October 19 and 20 with an impressive lineup of

literary professionals, writing workshops and opportunities for aspiring writers to pitch their book ideas, hone

their skills and connect with nationally recognized authors and publishers.

This year’s conference features an extensive list of esteemed guests and speakers including award-winning book

designer and writer Chip Kidd, National Book Award-winner Kathryn Erskine and best-selling, award-winning

author Christopher McDougall. Also making appearances at the conference are award-winning

authors Cece Bell, Lydia Netzer, Megan Mayhew Bergman and Philippa Ballantine. Book Doctors and

Pitchapalooza founders Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry will be on hand, and don’t forget to make time

for agents including April Eberhardt, Deborah Grosvenor, Victoria Skurnick and Paige Wheeler.

Year after year, the conference is lauded for its remarkable programs and its noteworthy influence on the writing

community. It’s no wonder why hundreds of people have been flocking to central Virginia each fall since 2003.

“The James River Writers Conference [is] one of the best writers’ conferences in America,” says David

Henry Sterry, of The Book Doctors. “If you’re a writer, do yourself a favor, get yourself to Richmond, Va.,

and go to this conference. It’s filled with warm, generous, talented writers, editors and agents.”

Registration for the annual conference is open, and writing sessions are already filling up. Find more details and

a full list of programs at JamesRiverWriters.org.

The 2013 conference is supported by BrownGreer, VCU Libraries, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Fraga Studios,

CultureWorks, Dominion, Hunton & Williams, Art Works, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

www.JKSCommunications.com . 

Marissa Curnutte . 347-574-3136 . marissa@jkscommunications.com