Hope at Dawn, Of Love and War, Book 1 by Stacy Henri

About Book

With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home-and the darkness will test everything she thought she knew about family and love . . .

More than anything, Friedrick Wagner wants to be part of his adopted country's struggle for peace. But when the bitter animosity between Germans and Americans soon turns citizens against newcomers, friend against friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect Livy from the hysteria that grips their town. As tragedy-and dark secrets from the past-threaten their future, Friedrick and Livy have one chance to stand up for what's right . . . and one chance to fight for their love.

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

About Author

Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations from Brigham Young University and worked in communications before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances.

Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a stay-at-home mom to three, Stacy loves the chance to live out history through her fictional characters, while enjoying the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century. In addition to author, she is a reader, a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator. She and her family currently reside in Utah.

Stacy is represented by Jessica Alvarez of Book Ends, LLC.

Website: http://www.stacyhenrie.com/


My Thoughts  

Livy Campbell is very aware of the strain the war has brought to her family. If only she could find a teaching position. A handsome man told her about a teaching position in his home town. She applies for the position and is surprised and pleased when her application is accepted. This job will help her family especilly since her brothers are off fighting in the war.

With the coming of war with Germany also came fear and prejudice against the American-Germans. Fredrick Wagner is a born American of German decent. But there are those like his mother, a German Immigrant, that mainly speaks German. The town fears there are German spies living among them. This leaves the German community in fear of their lives and livelihood.

I was married into an American-German family, the Borho's were one of the first to have settled in Williamson County, Leander, Texas. The old home place still stands. My children are very proud of their German heritage.

Mr. Borho in the black hat and his sons leaning against the wall. The youngest of the boys is my kids Pepa.

 This book opened my eyes to things the American-against the Germans suffered during this war. Even though the young men of German decent, born in America and proud to be an American were still not trusted.

Livy was even having a hard time trusting Frederick. The fact that Livy feared him broke his heart. Livy knowing her fear was not what God would want of her, she prayed for guidance.

I've read many stories about the war overseas but none depicted the hardship of the German communities in the United States. This shows the burdens of the very young to the very old, no matter the nationality. The children were the ones that touched my heart the deepest.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Netgally/Forever Publications for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review it is my honest opinion.

Out of the Ruins | The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 1, by Karen Barnett

About Book

Abby's shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.

While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn't expect, however, is for God's answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.

As they work together toward a cure, Abby's feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlcaD 

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/kbarnett

About Author 

Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats. 

Karen can be found at: website, Twitter,Facebook, Pinterest

Don’t miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett‘s new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.

Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Out of the Ruins and join Karen on the evening of June 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. TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 19TH!

My Thoughts

Abby has lost faith in God since a disease quickly consumes her sister. Her dying sister begs Abby to pray for a miracle.  To Abby's amazement it appears God is going to answer her prayer.  There is new research in the field of this disease being assigned to a handsome doctor, Dr. Robert King.  The problem is that her sister may not fit the requirements for this experimental program and moving her to San Francisco could be make things even worse.  

When her sister is approve for the treatment program she is moved to San Francisco. Things become even more complicated when a devastating earthquake hits San Francisco shutting the city  down and throwing everyone into turmoil.

I noticed how Abby was so overwhelmed when she heard about a possible cure for her sister and was determined to charge full steam ahead not listening or considering the downside of the the treatment and the move.  Love sometimes blinds and causes people to make rash decisions.  This  story was fast read for me since I did not want to put the book down.  I very much liked the historical side of the medical research and then the historical facts of the earthquake.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicty Group/ Abingdon Press for an honest review.

Amber Perry, Author of So Fair A Lady, Shares Her Fun Top Ten Pet Peeves! Giveaway!

Today Amber Perry's Top Ten Pet Peeves!

 "My top ten pet peeves!  
This was THE funnest interview I have ever done."

~AMBER PERRY~

1. Loud chewing. In person, over the phone, on the telly--just yuck!

2. Loud SWALLOWING. Even worse. ;)

3. Sticky anything--floors, handles, knobs--you name it. Things should not be sticky!!

4. Rudeness! Can this be a pet peeve? I can't stand it when people are rude!

5. Bathrooms that don't clean themselves. 

6. Long, boring, gray winters with no snow and no rain and no sun. Only clouds. *bleh*

7. Clam chowder. I strongly believe that clams were never, EVER made to be eaten.

8. Finding an AWESOME vintage dress ON SALE--only to find its not really on sale.

9. Going to the beach and bringing half of the sand home with you.

10. My nose. ;) (mostly kidding. Mostly.)

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO ENTER 

"SO FAIR A LADY" GIVEAWAY

Healer of Carthage, The Carthage Chronicles, Book 1 by Lynne Gentry

About Book

A twenty-first-century doctor. A third-century plague. A love out of time.

First-year resident Dr. Lisbeth Hastings is too busy to take her father’s bizarre summons seriously. But when a tragic mistake puts her career in jeopardy, answering her father’s call seems her only hope of redeeming the devastating failure that her life has become. 

While exploring the haunting cave at her father’s archaeological dig, Lisbeth falls through a hidden hole, awakening to find herself the object of a slave auction and the ruins of Roman Carthage inexplicably restored to a thriving metropolis. Is it possible that she’s traveled back in time, and, if so, how can she find her way back home? 

Cyprian Thascius believes God called him to rescue the mysterious woman from the slave trader’s cell. What he doesn’t understand is why saving the church of his newfound faith requires him to love a woman whose peculiar ways could get him killed. But who is he to question God? 

As their different worlds collide, it sparks an intense attraction that unites Lisbeth and Cyprian in a battle against a deadly epidemic. Even as they confront persecution, uncover buried secrets, and ignite the beginnings of a medical revolution, Roman wrath threatens to separate them forever. Can they find their way to each other through all these obstacles? Or are the eighteen hundred years between them too far of a leap? 

Read an Excerpt here.

Howard Books |  416 pages | ISBN 9781476746333 | March 2014 - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Healer-of-Carthage/Lynne-Gentry/The-Carthage-Chronicles/9781476746333#sthash.cBnEMm3V.dpuf

Where to purchase: Amazon, Barnes&Noble

About Author

Lynne Gentry was a finalist in Westbow’s 2010 fiction contest. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and three of her novels have been selected as finalists for the ACFW Genesis contest. Lynne is a pastor’s wife and the mother of two grown children. 

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Lynne-Gentry/412732530#sthash.Pidtkp2y.dpuf


My Thoughts

Dr. Lisbeth Hastings while on a suspended leave is summoned by her father to an archaeological dig. While exploring ancient cave drawings Lisbeth finds the ground literally disappearing from under her feet. When she regains consciousness she finds herself being sold as a slave to Cyprian Thascius. Angry and fighting for her life Cyprian drags her away to his home.  He tries to calm her but she was beyond calming.  God called upon Cyprian to save Lisbeth from being sold to an evil man. He finds himself draw not only by God to this woman but also by  his heart.

Lisbeth is forced into a situation to use her medical skills when two boys are brought into Cyprian's home during a Christian gathering. The Romans are out to destroy any of the followers of Jesus. How and why did she manage to be in Roman Carthage eighteen hundred years in the past?

This story gave me goosebumps when the ground fell out from under Lisbeth. I wish to tell you so much about the story but then that would spoil the story for you. The author started with a contemporary novel jumping into a historical romance novel. I found interest in the conditions, knowledge and medicines healers eighteen hundred years ago had to work with.  

If you are interested in time travel and biblical fiction this is the book for you.

I rated this book a 4 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Howard Book/SimonSchuster for an honest review.

Love Stays True, The Homeward Journey, Book One by Martha Rogers ~ A Booketeria Review

About Book

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY, Book One

It is April 1865, can Sally and Manfred overcome the distance that the war has put between them and find love?

Three strong women from the South forge ahead to new territories to establish a new life and find happiness through their staunch faith. Related not only by blood but also by courage, they prove that love knows no boundaries, and when all else is gone, love will be there. Covering the themes of family, loyalty, belonging, and the journeys we take to find love, this new series by the popular author of Becoming Lucy will be sure to please her many fans.

• ISBN-13: 9781621362364
• Publisher: Realms
• Publication date: 5/31/2013
• Series: The Homeward Journey , #1
• Pages: 304

Where to purchase: Amazon, B&N, CBD

About Author

Martha Rogers is a freelance author of both fiction and non-fiction and a speaker. Her stories and articles have appeared in a number of compilations and magazines. Her first fiction novella released in 2007.

Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, First Place leader, Mom and Grandmother give Martha a unique field of ministry.

Martha is am alumni of CLASS and is available to speak at Women's Retreats, conferences, and luncheons on topics of interest to women of all ages.

As an author, she is available to speak at writing conferences and workshops on a variety of topics of interest to writers.

Visit Martha's website here. 

You can also find her on her blog Martha Writes.

My Thoughts

Sallie Dryer has been through a traumatic time during the war between the North and the South. She fears God has turned away from her.  In her mind she has done the unforgivable. What if her childhood love, Manfred Whitman is not able to forgive her either?  Sallie watches for her sweetheart to return.  He is the first thing on her mind when she awakes and then dreams of him through the night.  What if he never returns?  What if he has been killed?  All of these things among others is what go through her mind day in and day out.

Manfred along with his brother Edward, unbeknownst to his loved ones, have just been freed from being imprisoned by Union soldiers.  They have a long journey before they reach the their home. They have been through bad and good on their journey home but God has guided and protected them every step of the way. He is anxious to see his family but most of all he wants to see his sweetheart Sallie Dyer. Will she feel about him as he feels about her after all this time apart?  

I have no doubt that the author writes from her heart.  She gives us many life lessons be learned from reading this story.  Most importantly is trust in God which the character Sallie was unable to do therefore it instilled her with doubt and fear.  The author is a wise woman in that she creates stories that will encourage the weary and downtrodden soul to turn to God with our every need.  I love an inspiring historical romance and that is exactly what the author has given us with much to ponder on in our daily walk with God..

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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

If you found this book helpful vote yes or no here.