Giveaway/Review - Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

About the Book: 

Michigan, 1883

In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer’s assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan–and the sights of Connell McCormick.

Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.

Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell’s help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what’s right cost them both everything?

Published by Bethany House Publishing

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

"Unending Devotion" by Jody Hedlund 
Nikon Camera Giveaway and 9/18 Facebook Party! 

Enter and RSVP today. 

 
Celebrate with Jody by entering to win a Nikon Camera Prize Pack!

See what folks are saying about Unending Devotion!

One “devoted” winner will receive:

• A Nikon COOLPIX Digital Camera
• $25 Shutterfly gift certficate
• Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 17th. Winner will be announced at the “Unending Deovtion” Author Chat Facebook Party on 9/18. Connect with Jody, 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 Unending Devotion and join Jody on the evening of the September 18th for a chance to connect with Jody 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 18th!

Meet Jody: 

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of "The Doctor's Lady" and "The Preacher's Bride". She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Visit her website: http://jodyhedlund.com/

Blog Tour Schedule

http://litfusegroup.com/author/JHedlund

My Thoughts

1883, Central Michigan

Lily and her sister Daisy were orphans and was moved from one place to another. Daisy ran away from adoptive family without even telling Lily she was doing so.  Lily was heart broken and was determined to find her sister.  She knew that her sister had no skills to get a job and she was so very young.  Lily feared Daisy had me forced into white slavery to work in one of the brothels in the lumber camps in Michigan.  

Lily was fortunate to be living with an older couple that were very kind to her and she was sure she was loved.   The man of the house Oren was a photographer and traveled to the lumber camp to take photos of the men working in the camps to send to their family or to keep themselves.

After Oren's wife died Lily traveled with him as his photographer's assistant.  This was the perfect opportunity to search for her sister.  In the process she found other young girls enslaved in the brothels and she helped some of them escape to return to their families or to a place for a better life.

When Oren and Lily arrived in one of the camps she went into the tavern and was immediately accosted by one of the shanty boys.  Connell McCormick could tell she was truly a lady, and not use to being man handled.  Connell confronted the shanty boy which ended up in a brawl with Lily right in the middle putting up a good fight.  That is until Oren walked in and placed a gun to Connell's head due to the fact that Connell was on the floor with Lily in his lap yet totaly innocent of any fowl play. After the shanty boy was kicked out of the tavern and Lily was safely under Oren's watchful guard she was able to explain what had happened and the gun was taken away from Connell's head.

While Lily stayed at the camp and the tavern not only did she have Oren watching over her Connell was also keeping an eye on her safety.  He knew she had sneaked into his hardened heart and he could not help himself for wanting to protect her.  When he found out about her crusade to save the young girls enslaved in the brothels he tried to discourage her, telling her it was hopeless in trying to save the girls.  But she was determined.  Lily had captured his heart and he would not let her be put in harms way.  His opinion of the young girls plight eventually crumbled and he was caught up in her crusade.  She told him about her life as an orphan along with that of her sister's.  He now realized that Daisy was  initially the reason for Lily's crusade.

This is not just a story about adventure, romance and intrigue, it is about the horrible life women and children were forced into living.  White slavery of women and children has always been a big problem even today.  I admire the author for centering this story on white slavery.  It is something we should not turn on backs on.  We must continue to protect women and children from this horrendous crime.

The real hero in this story was Lily.  Due to her strong faith God, He gave her the strength to push forward with her cause. She was persistent in her crusade against white slavery and recruited other people into to her fight against this injustice to human lives.

I challenge you to do a some research on white slavery not just in the past but in our present time.  Yes, white slavery of women and children is alive and thriving in this day and age. A lot of people hide from the truth but it does not make it go away!

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.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here

The Haven (Stoney Ridge Seasons series #2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book:

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision–one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation–and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons–courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie’s heart.

Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

Read an excerpt!

Meet Suzanne: 

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.

When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. 

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Blog Tour Schedule
http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13530005/thehaven

 Win a Kindle Fire or Nook Color from @SuzanneWFisher in "The Haven" Giveaway! RSVP for Live Video Chat on 8/30! Celebrate the newest book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series with Suzanne by entering her 4 eReader Giveaway and Facebook Party and RSVPing for the Live Video Chat on 8/30! 

See what folks are saying about The Haven!

Four grand prize winners will receive:

• A Brand new Kindle Fire or Nook Color 
• $25 Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com Gift certificate 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 29th. Winner will be announced at Suzanne's Live Author Chat Party on 8/30. Suzanne will be hosting an author chat (party will start on Facebook AND then be Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and several Burt's Bees® Nourishing Radiance Kits!!

So grab your copy of The Haven and join Suzanne on the evening of the August 30th for a fun chat (both on Facebook and via Live Video), trivia contest and lots of giveaways. 

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 30th!


My Thoughts

Sadie Lapp returns home to Stoney Ridge after a long winter visit to Ohio.  As she approaches her home there seems to be a large crowd on the road and property. What a wonderful surprise she is told there is a pair of peregrine falcons preparing to nest on their property.  Her brother would have loved watching the falcons. As she greets her family it is very apparent she also has a little surprise for them. She isn't sure how they will react to her surprise, especially Gideon Smucker whom she has been in love with since childhood.

She also finds out there is a newcomer to her home.  Will Stolz is a handsome Englischer and college student. He has been assigned by the Game Warden to log all the activity of the endangered peregrine falcons nesting. The best way for him to do that was to stay in the small cabin that is on their property so he would have easy access the the falcons.

As Sadie gets settled in she is surprised as to how easy it is to talk with Will. When I say with I mean he actually talks to her. Will has also proven to be a big help with her little surprise. She has never had this kind of friendship with Gideon. Now she is reevaluating her relationship with Gideon. It seems Sadie is not the only person in Stoney Ridge that is reevaluating their lives and the need of companionship with someone to share their lives with.

The author never fails to write from her heart and soul. She writes of the importance of prayer, faith and hope in God's Plan. She emphasizes self esteem in one's self, forgiveness and repentance. Then there is the big issue of gossiping and the the damage and pain it has on everyone.  The author reveals a good approach to the sin of gossiping.

I really like this excerpt from the discussions questions:
What is the difference between sharing information and spreading gossip?  The Amish proverb might help: "There is a vast difference between putting your nose in other people's business and putting your heart in other people's problems."

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse/Revell/Baker Publishing for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

Gabby, God's Little Angel

More about Gabby:
This first book in a delightful new series offers a comforting message for young readers-God loves you very much and is always watching over you!

What little girl wouldn't love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God's little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: "He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go" (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

I set out to develop a new character that young readers would embrace and delight in, and out from my pen and from my heart poured a new series, Gabby, God’s Little Angel. Gabby is an adorable guardian angel in training who finds that she has so much to learn about taking care of God’s children.

I am so passionate about teaching the little angels in your own lives just how much God loves them. I pray that through my new little friend, Gabby, they will discover this truth and rest assured that He is always watching over them!