Through The Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Blogging for Books Giveaway

About Book

A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all 

Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her. Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

Read Excerpt Chapter One here.

See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD


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.

See more at: http://kimvogelsawyer.com/about/


My Review from April 2014

Dinah was not only born in a brothel but was raised there until she turned seventeen.  The cook at the brothel told her about advertisements for Harvey Girl waitresses in hopes of getting her out of the brothel before she became like the others.  To her disappointment she would have to be eighteen to be a waitress but to her great surprise they would hire her as a housekeeper at the hotel.  She will finally be able to put the stigma behind her of being shunned by the community as being tainted.  

She is determined to stay to herself and work hard at Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas so she can move on to becoming a Harvey Girl when she turns eighteen.  She catches the interest and admiration of a Florence local chicken farmer, Amos Ackerman.  She is flattered by the attention but stays in fear of someone finding out about being the daughter of a prostitute.  She avoids making friends with the girls she works with but takes up their invitation to join them in going to church.  She is shown nothing but love and respect from everyone.  She wondered why anyone, much less God, would care about the illegitimate daughter of a prostitute?  

The author has written a sad tale of an illegitimate girl searching to find respectability.  More so she yearned for unconditional love.  The character Dinah had little confidence in mankind and for good cause. She was shown little more love than an unwanted rodent.  This story reveals God had other plans for Dinah beyond anything she could ever have imaged.  It was a heart-wrenching tale turned by redemption and reconciliation. Then there is sweet tender love growing in the heart of a most unexpected young man for this lovely lost girl. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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

Blogging for Books Giveaway

The contest starts on July 31, 2014 at 6:00am EST and ends on August 20th, 2014 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen at random on August 21st, 2014 and will be alerted by email. For a complete listing of the rules, please see below.

If you can not read the the details above you can click here for the rules.

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
• Twitter
• 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.

The Preacher's Wife, Brides of Assurance #1 by Brandi Boddie ~ A Booketeria Review

About Book

Can this small-town girl trade her tarnished past for a respectable life?

During the hot, windy summer of 1870 in the burgeoning prairie town of Assurance, Kansas, Marissa Pierce is fed up with her abusive boss. She longs to start a new life and is growing weary of convincing townsfolk that she is most certainly not a prostitute.

Civil War veteran and preacher Rowe Winford arrives in town intent on leaving the tragic memories of his deceased family behind. Although Rowe has no plans to fall in love anytime soon, the plans of God rarely match those of man.

Faced with adversity and rejection from the town and Rowe’s family, can Marissa overcome her past, renew her faith, and experience the life of love that God has planned for her?

• ISBN-13: 9781616388430
• Publisher: Charisma Media
• Publication date: 10/1/2013
• Series: Brides of Assurance , #1
• Pages: 304

Where to Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD

About Author 

Brandi Boddie writes inspirational romances sprinkled with brass, sass, and a dash of the speculative. She holds a juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law and a bachelor's degree in political science from Youngstown State University. She lives in Texas with her husband and two rambunctious canines who aspire to be food critics. When she's not writing or playing dress up in Victorian/steampunk/1940s garb, you can find her hiking, swing dancing, or getting her daily fill of antioxidants through coffee and dark chocolate. 

Author's website: http://www.brandiboddie.com/


My Thoughts

1870, Assurance, Kansas

Due to a dept owed by her mother Marissa Pierce was forced to take on after her mother's untimely death.  This dept is paid by working in a saloon as a waitress and dancer. The owner of the saloon has other plans for Marissa and has become abusive toward her.  

Marissa was raised in this very town by her grandparents so she is a familiar face in the town but is judged by her and her mother's occupation and are labeled as prostitutes among the town's people.  In pertaining to Marissa this was far from the truth but people are quick to judge.  

When the new preacher, Rowe Winfred moves to town he finds himself drawn to Marissa. He could see in her eyes the pain and broken soul within her.  He was compelled to learn more about this young woman.  When she tries to escape from her abusive boss Rowe is there to make sure she is not forced to return to her life as an indentured slave.

The author has touched on a subject that still exists for many women left alone without a family or husband to protect and support women from abuse and human trafficking.  The story shows how we must have faith and put our trust in God. I was moved by the elder couple that stuck their reputation on the line to help and house Marissa during her time of need. 

You will find HOPE along with retribution, trials, tribulation and LOVE in this story.  God has a plan if we only we let him take the lead. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Realms/Charisma House/Booketeria for an honest review.

Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About Book

A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all 

Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her. Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

Read Excerpt Chapter One here.

See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD



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.

See more at: http://kimvogelsawyer.com/about/


My Thoughts

Dinah was not only born in a brothel but was raised there until she turned seventeen.  The cook at the brothel told her about advertisements for Harvey Girl waitresses in hopes of getting her out of the brothel before she became like the others.  To her disappointment she would have to be eighteen to be a waitress but to her great surprise they would hire her as a housekeeper at the hotel.  She will finally be able to put the stigma behind her of being shunned by the community as being tainted.  

She is determined to stay to herself and work hard at Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas so she can move on to becoming a Harvey Girl when she turns eighteen.  She catches the interest and admiration of a Florence local chicken farmer, Amos Ackerman.  She is flattered by the attention but stays in fear of someone finding out about being the daughter of a prostitute.  She avoids making friends with the girls she works with but takes up their invitation to join them in going to church.  She is shown nothing but love and respect from everyone.  She wondered why anyone, much less God, would care about the illegitimate daughter of a prostitute?  

The author has written a sad tale of an illegitimate girl searching to find respectability.  More so she yearned for unconditional love.  The character Dinah had little confidence in mankind and for good cause. She was shown little more love than an unwanted rodent.  This story reveals God had other plans for Dinah beyond anything she could ever have imaged.  It was a heart-wrenching tale turned by redemption and reconciliation. Then there is sweet tender love growing in the heart of a most unexpected young man for this lovely lost girl. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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

LOVE FINDS YOU IN HOPE, KANSAS by Pamela Griffin

About Book

Fashionable Easterner Alison Stripling is shocked to receive a letter from her deceased sister’s husband in Hope, Kansas, pleading for help with his six children. The letter gives Alison a chance to escape her troubles in Boston, and the name of the town seems like a sign from God. But when she arrives at a rustic cabin on the prairie, she’s in for a bigger shock: Rafe Munroe didn’t write the letter at all! Realizing the children are determined to pair them off, Rafe and Alison join forces to prove the idea would never work. Can Hope’s cupids—all six of them—strike love’s arrows into the hearts of their pa and Miss Alison?

Fiction/General/Romance
Historical
Pages 320 /Paperback
ISBN 978-1-60936-007-8
Published:  December 2010
Publisher: Summerside Press

Buy Now: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com

About Author

I never thought I was going to be a writer.  When I was younger I thought I might get into something connected with art, since I've always loved to draw.  But God had other ideas.

People often ask me two things:  "How long have you been writing?" and "How long till you got published?"

 I dabbled at writing for two years before the Lord showed me to start getting serious about it.  My first attempts were scrawled in a couple of memo pads with a ballpoint pen and considered a hobby-- a fun pastime in between taking care of my two babies. At Christmas-- when my story was finished-- I typed it into my dad's computer, printed it out, and gave it to my mom for a present.  I got ideas for more stories, typed them in, and had fun working on them, but scoffed when people would ask, "Are you going to try to get them published?"  It was too scary a thought.  Besides, I only possessed a high school education-- I wasn't one of the highly learned!

 However, at the end of 1996, the Lord showed me it was time to send a proposal to a publishing house.  I was nervous-- didn't have a clue about how things should be done-- and received a very nice rejection half a year later, also asking me to send anything more if I had it and suggesting a critiquing service.  God opened doors, and in that time, I met published author Lena Dooley who lives ten minutes away from me. I visited her twice that year to glean information about the writing world.

 Later, I also joined her monthly critique group.  I sent another manuscript to the same company, but was again nicely rejected.  I came to find out they didn't take the time frame in which my manuscript was based.

 At the end of October 1998, I received "the call" concerning my third manuscript, and 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN was published by Heartsong Presents/ Barbour in March 2000.  :-)

 I write both contemporaries and historicals-- all different time frames-- and often work on several stories at once.  No, I never thought I'd be a writer. . .but I love it now!!  I'm also blessed to have a brother with a B.A. in history who helps me with my historical research, a mother who is my chief critiquer, and a computer genius father (who, btw, designed this web site. Thanks Dad.)

 Okay, besides the writing?  I love art, music, snow, reading, fellowship, and fun, among other things.  And of course I love my family. But first and foremost I love God, and it is to Him I give the glory for everything.

 It just goes to show you . . . He DOES use the foolish things to confound the wise.  ;-)

Author's website: http://pamela-griffin.com/

My Thoughts

Alison Stripling receives a letter from Rafe Munroe, the husband, of her deceased sister.  Since the death of his wife Rafe is finding he needs a woman's help in rearing the children and with the household chores usually regulated to his wife.  She jumps at the chance to leave her fancy eastern lifestyle to move to Hope, Kansas to care for her sisters home and six children.  It will be a daunting task to learn a rustic style of living but if her sister was capable of learning she was determined she too would learn.  

When she finally arrives it becomes apparent Rafe had not written the letter and even worse he knew nothing of her coming.  The children evidently have it in their head that Aunt Alison would be perfect as their new mom and wife for their dad. At first Rafe wanted her get back on the train until he decided the children needed to be taught a lesson.  So Rafe, not totally convincing Alison, comes up with a plan that will have the children realize they have made a big mistake, which is Aunt Alison is not cut out to be a mom.  The pair do not have a chance when the children have cupid on their side and most importantly God?

The author wrote a humorous story of how children can create big trouble although with great intentions.   In this story you have love lost, broken hearts, loneliness, healing, revenge, reconciliation and romance.  God's enduring love comes through in every chapter of this book.  It is a lovely story you will want to read yourself!

I highly recommend this story.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I purchased this book for my own reading pleasure therefore was not required to write a review. This review is my honest opinion.