Friday, November 15, 2013

BELOVED, Where the Heart Lives series, Book 3, by Robin Lee Hatcher

About the book: 

Diana is ready to begin a new chapter in her life-until the husband she believed dead reappears at her engagement party.

Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word from him in years, Diana's infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.

But when Tyson returns, claiming to be a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.

He agrees with one condition---she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qb0G2

Landing page and Tour Schedule:

Meet the author: 

Robin is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends.

Learn more at:http://www.robinleehatcher.com

 Robin Lee Hatcher is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Belovedwith an iPad Mini giveaway! 

beloved-rafflecopter
 
  One winner will receive:
  • An iPad Mini
  • Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 15th. Winner will be announced November 16th at Robin's blog.


Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin's blog on the 16th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)!


My Thoughts:

Diana Brennan was one of many children, which also included her two siblings that rode the orphan train west. She was one of few that actually found loving adoptive parents.  Then her world fell apart when Tyson Applegate her husband and love of her life deserted her and he was later presumed a casualty of war.  She vowed never to give her heart to be broken to another man.  

Then Tyson Applegate returns to the surprise of Diana and his father.  He finds she is engaged to be married and puts a stop to what plans she had for her future.  He proposes for Diana to remain his wife for at least six months while he campaigns to run  for the senate. She grudgingly agrees but only as a business arrangement with a chance for him to change her mind about him and remain as his beloved.  Can she forgive him for deserting her and breaking her heart? 

Their faith and trust in God is the way to their redemption.  

This author never fails to entertain me. The only problem I had with the book was that I did not want it to end.  Robin has written a touching story of broken will and mistrust of those whom should have been trusted with their heart and future. As in the relationship between Tyson and his father which stemmed a similar situation in the relationship between Diana and Tyson.  

If you are looking for a good read about  family, romance, forgiveness, and redemption this is the series to read.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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


Thursday, November 14, 2013

TO KNOW YOU ~ Win a Personal Coaching Session with Shannon Ethridge and $100 to Lisa Leonard Designs!

About the book: 

Julia Whittaker's rocky past yielded two daughters, both given up for adoption as infants. Now she must find them to try to save her son.

Julia and Matt Whittaker's son has beaten the odds for thirteen years only to have the odds---and his liver---crash precipitously. 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 older half-sisters, born eighteen months apart to two different fathers, offer his only hope for survival.

But can Julia ask a young woman---someone she surrendered to strangers long ago and has never spoken with---to make such a sacrifice to save a brother she's never known? Can she muster the courage to journey back into a shame-filled season of her life, face her choices and their consequences, and find any hope of healing?


And what if she discovers in her own daughters' lives that a history of foolish choices threatens to repeat itself? Julia knows she's probably embarking on a fool's errand---searching for the daughters she abandoned only now that she needs something from them. But love compels Julia to take this journey. Can grace and forgiveness compel her daughters to join her?


Read first chapter: 

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qbiOA


Landing Page and Litfuse Tour Schedule 11/1 – 11/19

About the authors: 

Shannon Ethridge is a best-selling author, speaker, and certified life coach with a master's degree in counseling/human relations from Liberty University. She has spoken to college students and adults since 1989 and is the author of 21 books, including the million-copy best-selling Every Woman's Battle series. She is a frequent guest on TV and radio programs and mentors aspiring writers and speakers through her BLAST Program (Building Leaders, Authors, Speakers & Teachers.)

Learn more about Shannon:http://www.shannonethridge.com

Kathryn Mackel is a best-selling author and acclaimed screenwriter for Disney and Fox. She was on the screenwriting team for Left Behind: The Movie, and Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse. She is the acclaimed author of "The Surrogate", "The Departed", and "The Hidden" and resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband.

Learn more about Kathryn: http://www.kathrynmackel.com


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

Q&A with Shannon about her new book -- 

Enjoy learning a little bit more about the story behind the story of Shannon Ethridge's new novel To Know You. And don't forget to RSVP to Shannon's Facebook party on 11/19 and enter to win $100 to Lisa Leonard Design and a personal coaching session!

Q. Tell us a bit about the story behind your latest novel. Where did your inspiration spark from?


A. I was sitting in an airport in 2003 after my first non-fiction book, Every Woman’s Battle, had released.  I opened an email oozing with kind words of affirmation for the book, and posing the question, “When will you write fiction?”  I’d just finished Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love and had been overwhelmingly inspired by the power of a well-crafted story.  I thought, Wow – releasing an entire series of fiction works that inspire women to let go of their past sexual and emotional baggage -- that’d be SO fun and fruitful!

Q. What’s your next book or project ?

A. I have my 20th non-fiction book releasing through Thomas Nelson in January 2014, called The Passion Principles: Celebrating Sexual Freedom in Marriage.  Then Kathy Mackel and I have a follow-up novel called Veil of Secrets which will release in July 2014, focusing this time on the rocky sexual relationship between Will and Melanie Connors, who just happen to be the parents of Destiny Connors (from To Know You).

Q. What’s your favorite character you've written so far?

A. I loved Destiny in my first novel, To Know You.  She has this hard edge and doesn't leave people wondering how she really feels about anything.  She just puts in out there without blinking, without mincing words, without apology.  I was always told that I don’t have an “edit button,” so I felt a real connection to Destiny whenever she’d pop off about something.  Plus she has tattoos and rides a motorcycle – two things I've never had the hootzpah to do.

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!

toknowyou-rafflecopter

One winner will receive:
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!

My Thoughts

Julia and Matt Whittaker would do anything to help their son, Dillon.  All attempts have failed to find a liver donor.  If only Julia had the courage to ask strangers, the two daughters whom lived with their fathers.  Could one of them make a sacrifice and become a liver donor for Dillon.  

I lost my grandson before he turned two years old.  He became a donor. How helpless you feel when you are faced with so many decision and sometimes nothing left to done.  To make the decision to be a donor is an ultimate sacrifice for those giving and the ultimate gift to those receiving.

I was hesitant to read the book because of my lose.  The pain of loosing a child never really goes away you hang on to the fact that God granted you the gift of having that person in your life as long of God chose for them to be with us. 

This book has heartache, hope, faith, forgiveness and redemption.  It will help one see how God can give us healing through our pain. 

What would you do if you were asked to be a living donor?

I recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

My Name is ERIN One Girl's Journey to Discover Truth, My Name is ERIN series written by ERIN DAVIS

Just for tweens!
Erin Davis is passionate about bringing the Truth about God to young women. In this quirky, colorfully illustrated, keenly interactive four-book set, young women from ages 10-14 will glean biblical answers about four basic tenants of Christian Living: Mission, Faith, Truth, and Self-Discovery.
Check out all Four!

My Name is Erin: 
One Girl's Journey to Discover Truth

Is truth real? How do you define truth? What happens when your definition of truth is not the same as your best friend? Or your parents? Whose truth becomes the real truth?

See a problem?

The culture says truth can change. God's Word says Truth is solid.

In My Name is Erin: One Girls Journey to Discover Truth you will be guided by Erin to learn

·         Truth is not defined by your circumstances, your heart, or your mind

·         Truth can be discovered - not created

·         How to protect yourself and your friends with Truth

·         Lies that masquerade as Truth

·         How to make invisible spy ink

  • ISBN-13: 9780802406422
  • Publisher: Moody Publishers
  • Publication date: 7/28/2013
  • Pages: 79

Part of a four-book series -

My Name is Erin: One Girl's Journey to Discover Who She Is

My Name is Erin: One Girl's Mission to Make a Difference

My Name is Erin: One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith

P.S.You can read them in any order - because you are a girl discovering Truth.

Meet the Author:
A popular speaker, author and blogger, ERIN DAVIS has addressed women of all ages nationwide and is passionately committed to sharing God's Truth with others. She is the author of several books including Graffiti: Learning to See the Art in Ourselves, True Princess: Embracing Humility in an All About Me World, The Bare Facts with Josh McDowell, Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood As a Sacred Role. Erin's quest for the perfect scoop of ice cream is never ending and her family is her constant source of entertainment. 

My Thoughts

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

You actually have to know God's Truth to be tied to it. Study the bible "gird yourself" with God's Truth.

The author asks, "What is the opposite of Truth?".  Her answer is: The simplest way to define something that isn't true is to call it a lie. 

In chapter 3 we meet Lie's ugly cousins Bent Truth, Relative Truth, and Partial Truth.

Chapter 5: How can you stand by Truth? Erin writes about the different types of Truth and untruth.  She points out the way to the Truth (God) is through Jesus and the way to untruth leads to the Satan.  

Erin introduced some girls she calls the Gab Gallery. They entertained me with their past experiences and opinions of Truths and of Lies. 

I am looking forward  to the next book in this series.  Stay tuned to my blog for my next book I review in this series.


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a 5 out of 5.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers/MP Newsroom for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


My Name is ERIN: One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith, My Name is ERIN series by ERIN DAVIS


Just for Tweens


My Name is Erin: 

One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith



Maybe you've had a moment-a time in your history when God did something radical in your heart. Putting your faith and trust in Him certainly feels like taking a giant leap, but really it's just the beginning of the exciting, and-yes-radical journey that comes with agreeing to live as God calls you to.

What does being radical look like? In the Bible, the common characteristics are:

* They trusted God.

* They listened to God's voice and then obeyed-even when it cost them.

* Because of their faith, they lived lives that looked different from everyone else's.

That's a short list and a tall order, but basically it means you can be a radical too. There's nothing on that list that is impossible for you. There's nothing on that list that requires you to be older, or more financially stable, or to have a college degree. No matter who you are or where you live you can live a radical faith.

Meet Erin, she has learned practical ways to do just that.


  • ISBN-13: 9780802406453
  • Publisher: Moody Publishers
  • Publication date: 8/1/2013
  • Pages: 77

My Name is Erin: 
One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith is part of a 4-book series:


 My Name is Erin: One Girl's Journey to Discover Truth

    My Name is Erin: One Girl's Journey to Discover Who She Is


    My Name is Erin: One Girl's Mission to Make a Difference



You can read them in any order - but be radical and jump in!





Meet the Author:
A popular speaker, author and blogger, ERIN DAVIS has addressed women of all ages nationwide and is passionately committed to sharing God's Truth with others. She is the author of several books including Graffiti: Learning to See the Art in Ourselves, True Princess: Embracing Humility in an All About Me World, The Bare Facts with Josh McDowell, Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood As a Sacred Role. Erin's quest for the perfect scoop of 

ice cream is never ending and her family is her constant source of entertainment. 

My Thoughts

How can you spot a person with Radical Faith? What makes this person different?

Do you know anyone with Radical Faith? If so how do you feel about this person? How do other people react to this person?  

Are you this person?  Would you like to be a person with Radical Faith? You might have to remove a few things from your life in order to make time for prayer, reading your bible, journal and worshiping with song.  Listen to God's voice and obey! Become a person with Radical Faith.  This may come at a cost.  

This is the perfect series for tweens.  It is not over bearing or in your face.  It is like getting advice from a close friend.  A quiet friend with Radical Faith. She definitely has the plan!  I am talking about the author, Erin Davis.  She backs up her advice with scriptures, accounts of many people in the bible with Radical Faith. 

I highly recommend this book. 

What a wonderful Christmas gift this would make!for a tween or teen!

There are four books in this series and they can be read in any order.

I will be review the rest of the books in this series all this week.  Be sure to stop by and find out what my opinion is of the other three books. 


I rated this book a 5 out of 5.


Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publlishers for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

Monday, November 11, 2013

2013 Laurel Award Feature--Veil of Pearls


On October 18, 2013 Veil of Pearls took home Clash of the Titles's Laurel Award. Over the course of six weeks, the novel's first chapters were read and judged by avid readers of Christian fiction who determined Veil of Pearls to be the worthiest to receive the 2013 Laurel Award.


Clash of the Titles extends a heartfelt congratulations to author MaryLu Tyndall for her exemplary writing. We wish God's richest blessings on her future work. 

About Veil of Pearls:

Be swept away to Charleston of 1811, a city bustling with immigrants like Adalia, who is a runaway slave so light-skinned that no one guesses her past. Terrified her secret will be discovered, she settles into a quiet life making herbal remedies for a local doctor. But when Morgan, the handsome son of a prominent family, sweeps her into his glamorous world—a world in which the truth about Adalia’s heritage would ruin them both—suspicions and petty jealousies are aroused. What will Morgan do when he discovers that the woman he has fallen in love with is a runaway slave?


Listen to Cynthia L. Simmon'sHeart of the Matter" radio interview of Laurel Award Winner, MaryLu Tyndall!




About MaryLu:

MaryLu Tyndall, a Christy Award Finalist, and best-selling author
of the Legacy of the King's Pirates series is known for her adventurous historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes. She holds a degree in Math and worked as a software engineer for fifteen years before testing the waters as a writer. 

MaryLu currently writes full time and makes her home on the California coast with her husband, six kids, and four cats. Her passion is to write page-turning, romantic adventures that not only entertain but open people's eyes to their God-given potential. MaryLu is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. 

For more information on MaryLu and her upcoming releases, please visit her website at http://www.mltyndall.com or her blog at http://www.crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/

Thursday, November 7, 2013

GUNPOWDER Tea, The Brides of Last Chance Ranch by MARGARET BROWNLEY ~ Litfuse Group Tour & Giveaway

About the book:

In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.
When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom—an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.
But she isn’t the only one at the ranch with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective Jeremy Taggart is working undercover as well. Their true identities may be a secret, but it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the sparks flaring between them.
Neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn’t removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they get to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets—and no one on the ranch is safe.
The longer Miranda and Jeremy spend working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers—and their lives—depend on solving this case. Love will just have to wait.
Meet Author:
Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this--except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter at the time. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction." So that's what Margaret did. She's now a New York Times bestselling author and a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist with more than 25 novels to her credit. Her first non-fiction book "Grieving God's Way: the Lasting Path to Hope and Healing" has won much critical acclaim. She is currently working on the third book in her "Brides of Last Chance Ranch series." Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.

Margaret Brownley's latest release, Gunpowder Tea, is receiving high praise, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a "Tea with Margaret" Facebook party!

gunpowder-rafflecopter

  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea with Margaret" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 7th. Connect with Margaret and friends for an evening of book chat, prizes, and get an exclusive look at Margaret's next book!

So grab your copy of Gunpowder Tea and join Margaret on the evening of November 7th 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. Hope to see you on 11/7!


My Thoughts:

Miranda Hunt's dream has come true, she has been assigned to the case of the Phantom an elusive robber. He is suspected to be in the vicinity of the Last Chance Ranch.  Miranda will be undercover as Annie Beckman.  Her boss at Pinkerton Detective Agency applied to an advertisement for heiress to the Last Chance Ranch.  She is to report to the local Marshal and to make sure her true identity is kept secret from everyone else.

She has the misfortune of crossing paths with Jeremy Taggart a member of Phantom Gang  But unbeknownst to Miranda he is actually a Wells Fargo detective, undercover as a member of the Phantom gang.  He suspects she is part of the Phantom gang and she saw him with train robbers from the Phantom gang.  He ends up hiding out at the Last Chance Ranch as a hired hand.  

Despite their suspensions of each other they find an attraction to each other and fear if they let their feelings known it could hinder their investigation and capture of the Phantom.  What an eye opener when their true identity is revealed!

The author has created a strong willed feisty woman as the next heiress of the Last Chance Ranch. This book over the others in this series has more of a twist which kept me entertained.  The author has a good sense of humor and uses it throughout the book to temper the rough characteristics of Miss Walker and the other characters. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.  

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


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Celebrate Christmas early with Colleen Coble, Tricia Goyer, and Beth Wiseman!

Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction are hosting the 12 Days of Christmas! They've teamed up with three of their authors for a Merry Facebook Party on November 12th {5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern}. Colleen, Tricia, and Beth will host an evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, and of course plenty of presents!

But wait! There's more! Each day between now and November 12th a different book (10 copies of each book) will be given away on the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Facebook Page. Ring in the holiday season and warm your heart with some great reads from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan!



  xmasparty-500
  Click here to ENTER each day's giveaway here. RSVP for the Christmas Party here!


Good luck and hope to see you on the evening of the 12th!