THE GUARDIAN, Home to Hickory Hollow Series, Book 3 by BEVERLY LEWIS

About Book

Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.

When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road. The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow--and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish--in search of answers.

• ISBN-13: 9780764209796
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Publication date: 3/26/2013
• Series: Home to Hickory Hollow Series , #3
• Pages: 352

Where to Purchase: Baker Retail, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com

About Author

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the New York Times bestselling author of more than ninety books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with The Shunning, which has sold more than one million copies and was recently made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. In 2007 The Brethren was honored with a Christy Award. She has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

Visit her Web site at www.beverlylewis.com for more information.

My Thoughts

Jodi Winfield is a teacher taking a little break while house sitting.  She finds the  area beautiful and she is looking forward to an early morning jog.  It is dawn as she sets out and to her shock she finds a little girl curled up asleep under a tree off the side of the road. The child is dirty and and under dressed.  She is not really sure what she should do first. 

Jodi finds herself in the middle of an Amish Community.  It was as if she had been taken back to a different time.   The local Amish were welcoming to her and their lifestyle intriguing.  She just can't seem to get enough of their company.  She finds even more appealing to her is their trust, hope and faith in God which started a peaceful healing in herself.

I found this story so moving.  It has been some time since I have had to keep a box of tissue by me while reading a book.  The author has a way of reaching deep into your heart stirring your emotions.  One of my favorite characters was Maryanna Esh it seemed the author had given her a strength that could only come from God.   She also had an abundance of patience!  I found that waiting on book three had been well worth the wait. Looking forward to reading book four of Home to Hickory Hollow, THE SECRET KEEPER.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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

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

The Trouble with Cowboys - A Big Sky Romance #3 by Denise Hunter - Litfuse Tour & Giveaway

About the Book: 

Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.
The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn't know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Published by Thomas Nelson
Published date: October 2, 2012 

Link to buy book: http://ow.ly/dSvBa  



Meet Denise: 

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Find out more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/.

Blog Tour Schedule here

Denise Hunter’s “The Trouble with Cowboys”

Facebook Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway

To celebrate the release of The Trouble with Cowboys Denise is hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. She'll connect with readers and give away some amazing prizes - including a Kindle Fire! 
Save the Date for October 11th!

Grab your copy of Denise Hunter’s latest book and join her for an Author Chat Party on October 11th at 8:00 PM EST (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 MST, & 5:00 PST)! Haven’t read The Trouble with Cowboys yet? That’s okay, don’t let that stop you from coming to the party!
(You may win a copy!)

During the evening she’ll be sharing the story behind the book, posting discussion questions, testing your trivia skills, and of course, there will be plenty of chatting and fun giveaways – books, gift certificates and – a Kindle Fire! She’ll also be giving you a sneak peek of her next book too!

RSVP today and then come back on the 11th … and bring your friends!



My Thoughts

Annie Wilkerson is head of her household but she is single, she hovers over her sister Sierra and her nephew Ryder like a mother hen.  Yes she is always pecking at Sierra for not taking responsibility for herself and her five year old son Ryder.  Sierra only has one more semester of college and Annie is determined that her sister finish college and get her degree.  As things stand now Sierra can't seem to keep a job so it is on Annie's shoulders to support her sister and nephew.  Annie worries that Sierra is too much like their mother chasing after cowboys. In her opinion the trouble with cowboys is they are not responsible or faithful and she wants nothing to do with them.  Her father was one of those cowboys and he walked out on them when they were little.

Annie is a very well sought after horse trainer specializing in abused horses or horses with some kind of disability.  Against her better judgement she took on a job of working with a horse that was going blind and the horse was having a difficult time adjusting to the loss of sight.  The only problem is she can't stand Dylan Taylor the owner of the horse, Dylan is the apedemy of the cowboys she tries so hard to avoid.  He is handsome smooth flirtatious and no doubt a Casanova.  But they might be able to work something out.  Since her grandfather passed away she has taken over as a column writer for a small newspaper he was writing for about horse.  Now the newspaper wants her to switch her subject to the love-forlorn. She would no longer be writing about horses plus she knows nothing about the love-forlorn but Dylan most definitely does.  So they have agreed he would help her with her column and she would take on the training of his horse Braveheart.

But has she misjudged Dylan? Was seeing him like the character Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.   He seemed to be caring and had some pretty good advice.  He was also very keen and sympathetic to her moods when she would have a falling out with her sister over something which was more often than not.

The problem of judging people and there situation is a common mistake we all make at one time or another. This book was a great of example of the verse Luke 6:37-38 which the author quotes several times throughout the book.

Luke 6:37
37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven: 38Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete with it shall be measured to you again. "

The author stated she wrote the book thinking of her son as he was attending college and the trials and tribulations thereof.  Even though all of the major characters attended church, read the bible and prayed to God, they failed to let go and let God.    I found the book real to life, inspiring and romantic.  Leaving me with feeling happy and content with the ending not just this book but the series.

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 Publishing/Litfuse Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

If you found this review helpful please vote yes or no here

Giveaway/Review TAMING THE WIND (LAND OF THE LONE STAR #3) by Tracie Peterson

About the Book:

A young widow nursing the wounds of her past…

A cowboy with demons of his own…

Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has accepted that widowhood is her lot in life. Bound by fear and mistrust, she feels incapable of opening her heart again.

Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa. When he discovers she’s living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined with the lovely widow’s. And Carissa’s daughter, Gloria, seems determined to wrap herself around his little finger. But while Tyler longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an obligation he feels unable to fulfill.

Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who call it home?


ISBN: 978-0-7642-0617-7
ISBN-10: 0-7642-0617-6
Number of pages: 336
Publication Date: Sep. 2012
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/dsGj5

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/author/TPeterson

Meet Tracie:

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Visit Tracie's Website  www.traciepeterson.com and her blog at www.writespassage.blogspot.com 

 Celebrate with Tracie 
by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 See what people are saying about Taming the Wind.

One winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
• The entire Land of the Lone Star series by Tracie Peterson

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/25/12. Just click one of the icons below to enter. The winner will be announced at Tracie's "Taming the Wind" Author Chat Party on 9/26! Connect with Tracie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Taming the Wind and join Tracie on the evening of the September 26th for a chance to connect with Tracie 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 26TH!

My Thoughts

The widow Carissa Lowe and  her three year old daughter Gloria are on an extended visit with her sister, Laura and brother-in law, Brandon on their Texas ranch.  Carissa makes sure she keeps a close eye on Gloria fearing the dangers of this wild country.

Tyler Atherton visits the ranch often in hopes of spending time with Carissa and Gloria.

Carissa's fears are heightened when Brandon and Tyler along with a couple of other ranchers start planning a cattle drive.  The men will be gone approximately three months.  For the safety of the women they are to stay at Will and Hannah's ranch while the men are gone.  Hannah and Laura are expecting and the men plan the drive so they can be back in time for the birth of their children. 

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

Tyler leaves on the cattle drive unsure if Carissa has feelings for him.  He realizes she has been through some hard times and that she has a problem trusting anyone. When the drive is over he hopes they can become more than just friends. 

There are always dangers on a cattle drive and with the unrest of the Indians they must stay alert. Tyler has a strong hatred for the Indians and can't seem to let go of that hate. The Lord keeps leading and comforting him in this matter.  Will he ask God to give him peace and help him turn away from this hatred or will he get the revenge he wants so badly? 

These families have great deal of faith and trust in God. They know God will be there for them in goodtimes and bad even though they are not with mates they will trust in God to protect their loved ones.

This book series is definitely one of my 2012 favorites!  Tracie Peterson never fails to entertain and inspire me with her writing.

The Scriptures she has added all through the book touch my heart deeply.  I came away with a calmer Spirit after I finished reading this book. 

I highly recommend not just this book but all the books in this series.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure

I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse/Bethany House for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL 

VOTE YES OR NO HERE.

 

   

CLASH OF THE TITLES JULY CLASH WINNER

Congratulations to Naomi Dawn Musch, winner of the

July New Releases Clash, with her novel, The Black Rose,

third book of the Empire in Pine Series.

Thank you so much to our competitors. This competition was amazing!

LoRee Peery, Found in the Woods
Sadie and Sophie Cuff, The Seekers
Maureen Lang, Bees in the Butterfly Garden
Marcia Gruver, Hunter's Prize

About the Book: 
Despite the panic of 1893, logging reaches its golden era in the growing state of Wisconsin, and twins Jesilyn and Corianne Beaumont enjoy a comfortable life with family in the bursting Great Lake city of Superior. But when jealousy incites Jesi to seduce Cori's fiance, a flight and fall from grace lands her in a boom town brothel, where a fresh start is denied her.

Camp preacher Paul Winter longs to offer hope in the logging and mining towns of northern Wisconsin, but not in the way he expects when he meets a redhead he calls Pie Girl. He's never had to battle his own longings quite this way before.

Meanwhile, stung by Jesilyn's betrayal, Corianne's bitterness might separate her from a second chance at happiness and peace. Only by Grace can both women begin new lives, and budding love can bloom in places neither of them expect. 

Read an excerpt & find out more:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-319/Empire-in-Pines-Book/Detail.bok



About the Series:

Empire in Pine Series

Historic, romantic, women's fiction -- a multi-generational family saga of love and deception, hope and turmoil, and the rise of a wilderness empire.

Purchase Links:

AMAZON: http://tinyurl.com/7m5a5ah

BARNES &NOBLE: http://tinyurl.com/3gelmzp

DESERT BREEZE: http://tinyurl.com/43jbuvd

Thank you as always to our loyal readers. Enjoy a tiny sample of the comments:

• So tough to choose one book based on a paragraph-they all sound fabulous!
• I love, love all the titles.
• It was hard to choose!
• Tough call! I'd read them all, I think.
• My choice is based on both the blurb and the cover. But, again, it was a hard choice. Great work, authors!
• I have read every book by this Author and I have to say I am more and more impressed by all of it!

About the author:

Naomi Dawn Musch was born and raised in central Wisconsin and now makes her home in Wisconsin's vast northwoods where the vistas are ripe to feed the imagination of anyone interested in history. She and husband Jeff have three grown children and two under wing on their150 acre farm where they dabble at raising a menagerie of animals.

Naomi has been publishing a regional newsletter for home educators for the past thirteen years entitled Apples of Gold. See the page "Apples of Gold for Home Educators" for more information. She is also a staff writer for Living Stones News, a regional Christian newpaper; and a regular contributor to Home School Enrichment magazine.www.livingstonesnews.com www.homeschoolenrichment.comwww.applesofgoldnews.com 

Besides writing, Naomi enjoys homeschooling her children, gardening, taking walks in the woods, a little basketball, and fellowshipping with friends. 


Your hostess for this clash was Lisa Lickel. Visit her at http://www.lisalickel.com

Over the Edge - The Kincaid Brides #3 by Mary Connealy

About the Book: 

Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.

After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/cPxuv 

                                           

Meet Mary: 

Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and her novel Calico Canyon was nominated for a Christy Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

Visit her on her Web site maryconnealy.com

Celebrate with Mary 

by entering to 

win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about Over the Edge!

One winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• The entire set of Mary Connealy's The Kincaid Brides series

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th. Winner will be announced at the "Over the Edge" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/29. Meet Mary, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!

So grab your copy of Over the Edge and join Mary on the evening of the August 29th for a chance to connect with her 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 RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Sorry I am late posting my review. 

 The results of the giveaway have already been released on 8/29.

My Thoughts

When Seth Kincaid was a child his favorite place to play was in the caverns.  He almost lost his life and thought he lost his soul due to a fire in the cave.  He has been haunted by this near death experience ever since then.  Now as an adult he has many scars especially after the Civil War.
The most noticeable is his mental scars that cause night terrors not just about the war but from that terrible day in his childhood when he caught fire in the cavern. 

Callie Kincaid is in route to the Kincaid Ranch to seek what is due her sixteen month old son, Connonr's birthright.  As son of Seth Kincaid, a father he has yet too meet, his Uncles can provide Connor a safe home and just maybe tell his mother where her absentee, no good skunk of a husband has got off to so she can fill him with holes.  It has not been an easy haul going from Texas to Colorado with a baby in tow.  

When Callie finally gets connected with her husband she let's him know real quick at the end of her rifle that she wants him to pay for abandoning her and their son when they needed him the most.

Seth is determined to prove to Callie he can be trusted to be there for her and his precious son.  He had a very good excuse for not being there in the past.  The problem is he can't really remember her but he recognized the feeling of love and concern he has for this woman that is his wife.

The older two brother's definitely had there issues mentally concerning the accident in the cave.  Each of the  boys felt like the accident was their fault and not that of the other brothers. Then to be abandoned by the death of the frequent absences of their father and the death of their mother left them with no one to lean on other than their brothers. They definitely needed to unburden unto God their guilt and grief over that day for He is their true Father.


I hope there will be another book to this series maybe about Heath. He seems to be the most level headed of all the brothers. But he will have to get a little older before any woman decides to rope him into marriage.   

I have decided Mary Conneally is currently my favorite author.  She managed to put her all into what it takes to write a humorous, romantic and adventurous fun novel that kept me up laughing and crying until I finished reading the whole book.  I have all daughters and love them to pieces but I fail in love with this motherless son, Seth Kincaid.  My heart broke for him and all of his scars physically and mentally.  

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/Bethany House for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

Did you find this review helpful? 

Vote yes or no. here