Echoes of Mercy by Kim Vogel Sawyer ~ A Blogging for Books Review

About Book

Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed. 
 

When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.   

Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?

About Author

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling, award-winning author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print. She lives in central Kansas where she and her retired military husband, Don, enjoy spoiling their ten granddarlings. 

• Author's Website
• Facebook
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• More Info
• Read Chapter One
• Author Bio

My Thoughts

Caroline Lang is a private investigator assigned to investigate suspicions of murder and illegal child labor among other crimes at chocolate factory. In order do so she goes undercover as a worker.   Unbeknownst to her Ollie Moore the janitor at the factory is also doing some undercover on his own. He is actually Oliver Dinsmore the son and heir of the factory.  As things start coming to light they decide to combine their efforts to uncover the deceit and illegal goings on in the factory.

Caroline had never given much thought to having a husband much less children until she met Ollie Moore and felt she could trust him with her life and her heart. 

The author has written a who done it mystery that will have your skin crawling and have you  watching over your shoulder while you read this book.  It may not be hard to guess who the villian is in the story,  it was getting the proof to convict the guilty party. 

I found it surprising anyone could find romance under such circumstances. The author shows us how God works miracles with the gift of love. This book will be a keeper for my personal library. 

I highly recommend this book. 

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah/Blogging for Books for an honest review.

A Mother's Secret, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel Series, Book 2 by Amy Clipston

About the book: 

Book two in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.

Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever?

Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother's farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin's father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her.

His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn't convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter.

When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance.

After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family-and the unconditional love-she's longed for?

Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/xlHpQ 

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/aclipston

About the author: 

Amy Clipston holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, and two sons and four spoiled rotten cats.

Amy can be found at: website,Twitter, Facebook

My Thoughts

Carolyn Lapp,s dream of marrying for love is hard to imagine since she gave birth out of wedlock to her son Benjamin fifteen years ago.  She has lived and raised her son while living in the dawdy house with her parents on her brother's farm. Her son is blamed and reprimanded by her brother for things she knows her son had nothing to do with.  She is now being pressured by her brother to marry a local Amish man that has a young daughter needing a woman's guidance. Her dream to marry for love does not fit into this union.  The church has forgiven her sin but it is very apparent her brother as not forgiven her which also shows in the way he treats her son.

Benjamin is blamed for spooking a horse owned by Joshua Glick a local horse breeder.  Even though he had nothing to do with the incident he is ordered by his uncle under the suggestion of  Joshua Click to work off his punishment working for Joshua.  Carolyn was hesitant about the arrangement but after seeing the change in her son while working for Joshua not only brought peace to her and her son but her heart began feeling as if there was hope of love in her future.  The big problem is Johua is under the impression that Benjamin's is her brother's son not hers.

This was a heart wrenching story of love lost, trials and tribulation that lead to forgiveness and reconciliation. I found that once Carolyn was able to trust God with her future she was able to find peace for her and her son.  What a gift from God Joshua was for Carolyn's whole family.  Her whole family had suffered from her mistakes as a teen.  This blessed author must have a tender heart to dig so deep to find the tender, fragile emotions of so many 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 Litfuse Group/Netgalley/Zondervan for an honest review.

 

Truth Be Told by Carol Cox, A Bethany House Publication

About Book

Sometimes the truth can be dangerous...

Wagner takes over her father's newspaper in 1893 Granite Springs, Arizona, she vows to carry on the paper's commitment to reporting only the truth. But Amelia soon learns that even the truth can have serious consequences. Her father's revealing articles about the Great Western Investment Company have caught the attention of the wrong people, and pressure mounts for Amelia to retract her father's statements.

Determined to find out the real story, Amelia begins her own investigation. She's joined by Benjamin Stone, a Great Western employee who's been assigned to keep tabs on her for the good of the company, a man Amelia finds both perplexing and intriguing.

What they uncover stuns them both--and has far-reaching implications for not only Ben and Amelia but all of Granite Springs. Can they reveal the truth before the enemy finds a way to silence them for good?

Read Excerpt 

Where to Purchase

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

About Author

Native Arizonan Carol Cox has an abiding love for history, mystery, and romance. The author of more than 25 books, she believes in the power of story to convey spiritual truths. Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where deer and antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch. Visit her website at www.authorcarolcox.com.

Bethany House  
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH CAROL COX

Q. Tell us about your latest book, Truth Be Told. 

A. Set in 1893 Arizona, Truth Be Told is the story of Amelia Wagner, who takes over running her father’s weekly newspaper in the frontier town of Granite Springs. Vowing to carry on the paper’s commitment to reporting only the truth, she soon learns that even the truth can carry unwanted—and sometimes dangerous— consequences. 

Q. Truth Be Told is a work of historical fiction. Why will it resonate with today’s readers?

A. Times and fashions may change, but human problems remain the same. While Truth Be Told is a mystery set in the Old West, it deals with issues many people face today. Themes of addiction, forgiveness, believing the best against all appearances, and the costs of fighting for the truth run throughout the book. 

Q. Your books often feature quirky characters in addition to the hero and heroine. Is there a reason for that?

A. I love using characters who are a bit (and sometimes more than a bit!) eccentric. I’ve learned some amazing truths along the way from people who didn’t fit the world’s idea of the “norm.” But just because someone may be a bit quirky, they may still have surprising depth beneath the surface. I’ve learned never to write anyone off. God sees all of us as unique, and every person has worth and a purpose in His sight. 

Q. Are any of the places and characters in Truth Be Told based on fact? 

A. Most of the book is based purely on my imagination, but I enjoyed slipping in a few actual sites and people from Arizona history. The Eleventh Infantry Band, which performs for the citizens of Granite Springs, was stationed at nearby Fort Whipple, and was directed by Achille LaGuardia, just as we see in the story. If the name LaGuardia sounds familiar, you may be thinking of Achille’s son, Fiorello, who spent some of his childhood years at Fort Whipple before growing up to become the well-known mayor of New York City. 

The Hotel Burke, where Ben Stone stays during his visit to Prescott, was the original name of the present-day Hotel St. Michael, which stands on the corner of Gurley and Montezuma, across the street from the Courthouse Plaza. I’ve enjoyed a number of meals in the hotel’s dining room, which offers a marvelous view of downtown Prescott.



My Thoughts 

Amelia Wagner looked forward to spending the summer working with her father on his newspaper in Granite Springs, Arizona.  Her mood soon changes when she finds her dad is critically ill. His death bed wish is for her to seek the truth about Great Western Investment Company.  

Benjamin Stone doubts the honesty of his employer and decides too join with Amelia to investigate the goings on at Great Western Investment Company. 

They we very cautious of each other in the beginning only to realize there is something special between them.

The author has a real page turner in this story.  My emotions were very confused at times trying to figure out who could be trusted . There was plenty of action, intrigue, mystery and romance to keep me turning pages. The mistrust of family members  and friends was chilling.  In  this story the author has put all control in God's hands as the characters struggle with trust in finding the truth.

I  highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a five out of five. 

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House for an honest review. 

THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN – Kindle Fire Giveaway & RSVP for 8/7 Facebook Party!

Welcome to the launch campaign for debut novelist Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin. Romantic Times had this to say: "Alternating points of view skillfully blend contemporary and historical fiction in this debut novel that is almost impossible to put down. Well-researched yet heartbreaking. . . ."

Kristy is celebrating the release of the first book in her series, A Hidden Masterpiece, with a fun Kindle Fire giveaway and meeting her readers during an August 7th Facebook author chat party.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 7th. Winner will be announced at The Butterfly and the Violin Author Chat Party. Kristy will be connecting with readers and answering questions, sharing some of the fascinating research behind the book, hosting a fun book chat, and giving away some GREAT prizes. She will also be giving an exclusive look at the next book in the series, A Sparrow in Terezin!

So grab your copy of The Butterfly and the Violin and join Kristy on the evening of August 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. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

NEW JUNE RELEASES for this month's CLASH of the TITLES

It's a NEW CLASH!

The best of summer reading - all in one list for you here. Find a New Author to love...I have.

I'll apologize in advance...I could not cut anyone from the list, so we have MEGA LIST this month.
You'll see what I mean: everything from spies, cloak and dagger to medieval to early Americana. Whew!

The QUESTION ALWAYS IS:

Based on the covers and short descriptions below, WHICH BOOK would be next on your To Be Read Pile? Use the voting poll below to enter your choice.

Happy VOTING... You have through MONDAY JULY 28, MIDNIGHT CST, and be sure to leave a word of encouragement for these authors.

I'll be back on the 29th for REVEAL DAY

The Midwife

Jolina Petersheim

Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrivesin the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia's due datedraws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left behind in order forthe healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.

Miranda Warning

Heather Day Gilbert

Child of the Appalachian mountains, Tess Spencer has experienced more than her share of heartache--the Glock-wielding, knife-carrying housewife knows how to survive whatever life throws at her. But when an anonymous warning note shows up in best friend Miranda's mailbox--a note written in a dead woman's handwriting--Tess quickly discovers that ghosts are alive and well in Buckneck, West Virginia; Tess must scramble to find a decades-old killer, before she is the next victim.

Blind Trust

Sandra Orchard

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money,and she can't believe that it came from her sweet neighbor or that it lands herin the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. As family secrets come to light, her world and her budding romance with Tom begin to crumble and it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. 

Jackal

Heather Gray

Rupert is a man used to hiding in the shadows of life in order to stay alive. Then Juliana and her sisters crash into his world with secrets of their own, and he realizes it's time to step out of the darkness.

Moon Over Maalaea Bay

HL Wegley

In an instant the Maui honeymoon of Lee's dreams morphs into a nightmare when Jennifer disappears on their wedding night, and now everyone seems to want this young NSA research scientist. The US government wants her because she's a huge security problem, the trafficking syndicate she destroyed for revenge, a Middle-Easter prince for what she looks like, foreign agents for what she knows, and Lee just wants his bride back.

A Place in His Heart

Rebecca DeMarino

Anglican Mary Langton longs for truelove, but Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved Annwhen the maiden marries the baker with two young boys. She could cross andocean, but could she reach the secret places of her husband's heart?

Lady of Eve

Tamara Leigh

The last thing Lady Graeye Charwyck wants is to live out herlife in a convent. When an opportunity presents that will allow her to avoidprofessing herself a nun, she impulsively gives herself to the sin--only toanswer to her family's greatest enemy, Baron Gilbert Balmaine.

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Seagrass Pier, Hope Beach #3 by Colleen Coble ~ Litfuse Publicity Group

About Book

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger's memories . . . before they cost her everything.

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.

But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks---and vivid dreams of being strangled---she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder.

Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked---by a man she's only met in her nightmares.

The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter.

Of course, he doesn't know about that. Yet.

Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there's no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her---before she remembers too much.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xAP8O

About Author

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide.  Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new high point for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Colleen can be found at: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Thoughts

Elin was on her way to a life of healing not only emotionally but physically since her heart transplant. That is until she started having flashbacks of her donor's murder.  This disrupted her life more than she could bare. She feared the murderer was now after her very own life.  

FBI agent, Marc Everton was the only official willing to investigate the case.  He did this due to the fact that he had a connection with Elin in that he was the biological father of Elin's daughter.

WOW! Talk about eerie, this story was riveting, spine tingling and really made me think hard about the implications made by the recipient of the heart.  Still there is romance, mystery, intrigue and much more in this story.  I suggest you keep your lights on, your doors and windows locked while reading this book. You will not want to trust anyone.  Sorry this is coming from my own fear and insecurities. Hee! Hee!

I highly recommend/dare you to read this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Thomas Nelson for an honest review.

Becoming Lady Lockwood (Regency Romance) by Jennifer Moore ~ Blast & Tour ~ Review/Giveaway

About Book 

Amelia Beckett is delighted to be a widow. Married by proxy to a man she'd never met, Amelia recognizes that a fortuitous entry into widowhood frees her from meddlesome chaperones and matchmakers. Heiress to her mother's sugar plantation in Jamaica, she happily anticipates working in a man's world, with the additional credibility of her new title: Lady Lockwood. But with the arrival of Captain Sir William Drake, her plans quickly go awry . . . William has traversed the Atlantic with one purpose. If he cannot prove that Amelia's marriage to his brother was a fraud, she will be entitled to a sizeable portion of his family's estate. He is determined to return this duplicitous Lady to London for an official hearing, and he carries with him a letter that will ensure her cooperation . . . Left with no choice, Amelia joins the captain on his return voyage to England, and the two quickly find that ship life does not allow for evasion. Amelia and William are ceaselessly thrown together, and amidst fierce storms and ocean battles, what began as antipathy seems to be evolving quite unexpectedly. But as they draw ever closer to their destination, will the impossibility of their circumstances shatter any hope of a future together?

Praise for Becoming Lady Lockwood

"Moore does a lovely job of showcasing sizzle in this must-read for fans of regency and historical romance." ~ Foreword Reviews

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

Excerpt 

The crew released more sails as the breeze quickened, and Amelia watched, craning her neck as her island home, Jamaica, the pearl of the Antilles, gradually became no more than a small green mound on the horizon. A wave of homesickness washed over her. The ship rolled on the larger ocean waves, and she realized that her discomfort was not strictly limited to nostalgia. She was growing increasingly seasick. Just as she reached this realization, she heard steps coming toward her and turning saw Captain Drake approaching. “Miss Becket, you are looking most unwell. I must insist you take to your quarters and lie down.” Even though he was completely correct, and her stomach was threatening to empty itself, the lack of compassion in his demeanor put her on the defensive. “Indeed, Captain Drake. While I am touched by your concern for my well-being, I have no intention to retire, as I am feeling quite well.” The ship pitched again, and Amelia’s stomach pitched along with it. “I assure you, my concern is for the deck of my ship and for my crew charged with keeping her ­in shipshape condition.” Did the man’s arrogance know no bounds? Amelia felt her head spin in a wave of dizziness, and the captain grabbed onto her elbow. “Your face is green, Miss Becket. I insist you take to your berth.” He spoke sharply, turning to the marine next to her. “Corporal, fetch Dr. Spinner to Miss Becket’s quarters.” She wrenched her arm from his grasp. “Captain, I am not in the least ill.” She spoke through clenched teeth, afraid that if she opened her mouth, the contents of her stomach would make a most unwelcome appearance. She rested her hand in a manner that she hoped appeared casual against the netting of hammocks lining the rail of the ship. But truthfully, besides her determination not to allow the captain to order her about, it was the only thing holding her up. Amelia nearly swooned with relief as Sidney Fletcher hurried toward them. “Miss Becket, are you unwell?” He held her elbow in the same manner as had Captain Drake a moment before, and Amelia leaned against him. “Will you allow me to escort you to your quarters then?” “Thank you, Mr. Fletcher. That would be most welcome. How very gentlemanly of you.” She looked toward Captain Drake and narrowed her eyes. A slight smile tugged at the corner of the captain’s lips, and Amelia found that it infuriated her. But when she opened her mouth to tell him so, her stomach betrayed her, and she was horrified to see her breakfast splatter over Captain Drake’s shiny boots. Amelia and Captain Drake stared at each other in disbelief for one mortifying instant before she felt her stomach clench again and pressed her gloved hands against her mouth. “A bucket!” Captain Drake bellowed. 

Author Jennifer Moore 

Jennifer Moore is a Passionate reader and writer of all things romance, helping her find balance with the rest of her world, which includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that are anything but romantic. Jennifer has a BA in linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family. You can learn more about her at authorjmoore.com. The author's first book, Becoming Lady Lockwood, is a regency romance centered on the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

My Thoughts

Amelia Beckett is an independent woman running her sugar plantation in Jamaica.  Yet, she still seeks the approval and love of her uncaring father.  She went so far as to agree to marry a man in hopes of pleasing her father. Amelia had never met the man she married by proxy. She became a widow before she even met her husband.  She now carries the name Lady Lockwood, but there seems to be discrepancy in the legality of the marriage. She is ordered by her father to come to London for a hearing on the case.  

Captain Drake Lockwood no sooner learns of his brother's death when he finds his brother had married by proxy. He is determined to prove this so called widow joined  into marriage with his brother by fraudulent means.  He is ordered to bring Miss Beckett to London on his ship, during wartime, to prove whether she entered into the union legally. To Drake's confusion the woman seems to be more than just a black widow. Now he feared whether he could get her safely to London without his ship being fired upon.

I found this story intriguing due to strong will and fortitude of Miss Beckett.  I found it was so sad that her father was so disconnected from his daughter not holding any affections for his only child.  

Captain Drake was not very kind until he got to know the real Miss Beckett.  He was very much an honorable gentleman loved and respected by many.

I could not, did not put this book down until I had read the very last page.  I was sad for it to end.  Loved it from beginning to end.  A true romantic swashbuckler!  The author has written a real winner. She gave many interesting facts as to Captain Drake's warship.  It gave me the feeling of actually how it must have been to be aboard his ship.  I am very much looking forward to reading more from Jennifer Moore.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Blast Giveaway 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 

Ends 8/5/14 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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