The Butterfly and the Violin, A Hidden Masterpiece Novel by Kristy Cambron

About the book: 

A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz---and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl---a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul, who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together, Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: in the grim camps of Auschwitz and in the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/zhXo3

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!

 

About the author: 

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/kcambron

My Thoughts

A Manhattan art dealer Sera James is determined to find a masterpiece portrait of a mysterious young woman.  Sera first set eyes on this portrait when she was a young girl. When information of another person searching for the portrait surfaces she is intrigued by his interest to hire her to help find the masterpiece. 

William Hanover has information about the young woman in the portrait that is vital in revealing the identity of the mysterious young woman.  As they search further they find the young woman was an Austrian Violinist, Adele Von Bron.  Adele was convicted of helping Jews escape from Vienna and was imprisoned in the camp Auschwitz.  

Lives were touched by the life and choices of this young woman through her love, faith and hope.

I was not aware there were people other than the Jewish imprisoned in the camps.  I am embarrassed that I did not know this.  The story was amazing and terrifying.  I read The Diary of Anne Frank and The Hiding Place.  They had a real impact on me.  Now here is another that has touched my heart.  It was heartbreaking to read about Adele being shunned  by her parents.  We wonder what is our purpose and why.  God has a purpose for our life and it is not for us to understand but to trust in Him.

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 Publicity Group/Thomas Nelson for an honest review.

Review: Lonestar Angel (Lonestar #4) by Colleen Coble

About author:
RITA finalist Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of several novels including Abomination, the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. Her newest novel, Anathema, is in stores now.

You can find Colleen Coble here.

Lonestar Angel (Lonestar #4)
by Colleen Coble
Paperback, 320 pages
Published November 8th 2011 by Thomas Nelson
(first published November 1st 2011)
ISBN 1595542698 (ISBN13: 9781595542694)
series Lonestar #4

For Eden, hope is rekindled when her estranged husband delivers the astounding news: that their lost baby girl has been found.

Years ago Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen. Kidnappers demanded a ransom, but something went horribly wrong at the exchange: the kidnapper's car crashed into the river and was never recovered. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought.

Now she's met Kent. He's everything Clay wasn't: funny, stable, and eager to please her. Just as he's about to propose marriage at a romantic dinner, Clay arrives and tells Eden she can't marry Kent. She's still married to him. He never signed the divorce decree. Even more earth-shattering than this news is that he's never stopped looking for Brianna. Based on a tip, he thinks their daughter is in Bluebird, Texas, at a youth ranch. All five little girls there are the right age, but he's not sure which is Brianna.

To discover the truth, the couple becomes counselors to the girls at Bluebird Ranch. They move into small quarters in the bunkhouse and oversee the kids as they try to find out more. As they work together, their love for the children grows and their love for each other is rekindled. But as danger closes in, Eden and Clay realize they've been lured to this remote West Texas location; their lives and the lives of the little girls are in danger. But as Eden learns, "hope does not disappoint."

My Thoughts:
Eden and Clay Larson are torn apart after their six weeks old baby is kidnapped and pronounced dead without finding her body. Eden files for divorce and tries to build a new life. But Clay refuses to give up on looking for his daughter even after five years. Clay gets a lead about his daughter and confronts Eden with a link to finding Brianna. They sign up as counselors for young girls at the Bluebird Ranch. They meet with so many obstacles trying to find their child. Letting nothing stand in the way.

This is a beautiful story of unending love and determination to keep a family together. The author brings out such a powerful connection between God and the characters. The suspense will have your head in the book until the very end.

This is book four in this series and I have read one through three also. Each and everyone of these books take place at the Bluebird Ranch, an amazing place for children to come to heal emotionally while interacting with abandoned and unwanted horses.

I highly recommend this series.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5

Disclosure:
I received this book from Booksneeze and Netgalley review. I was in no way compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

Buy		Read

Beth Wiseman's The Wonder of Your Love Tour and Facebook Party

About Beth:
Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol-award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas. www.bethwiseman.com, Twitter @bethwiseman, www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-Beth-Wiseman/47576397539

About the book:
Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado.

Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans.

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?


Link to buy the book: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595548866&title=A_Land_of_Canaan_Series:_The_Wonder_of_Your_Love

Amish Fun Facts: http://bethwiseman.com/?page_id=19

About the party:

Beth is celebrating the release of Book 2 in the Land of Canaan series with a Fabulous Facebook party on November 1st. She'll be giving away one of her OWN paintings, several mini prize packs and a sneak peak at the next book in this heartwarming series.

CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party - then join us on November 1st for a book chat, Amish themed trivia contest, and more!


The Wonder of Your Love Facebook Party on 11/1!

My Thoughts:
This is book #2 of the Land of Canaan series. It puts a closure to the unhappy circumstances in the life of Katie Ann Stolzus, due to the infidelity of her estranged husband in book # 1 of the Land of Canaan series.

Katie Ann gives birth to a baby boy after so many years of thinking she would never have a child of her own. But her estranged husband dies before the child is even born.Katie Ann finds much joy and peace with her baby boy and is determined with God's help to build a life for her and her fatherless child. While attending a family wedding she is introduced to Eli, a widower with 6 grown children and several grandchildren, whom is on his own now and planning to do some traveling. Katie Anne and Eli are well aware that they have become pawns in a matchmaking game by friends and family. Besides he is a miracle worker with Katie Ann's fussy baby. To throw everyone off their game the couple decide to do some site seeing and spend a few meals together even though they knew they were not a match and that they had other plans for their life. But God has big plans for them.

When I review a book I like to see if there is anything I didn't like about the book. I am glad to say the book is perfect just like it is. I fell in love with the characters and was sad for the book to end. It was like saying goodbye to old friends and not sure if you would see them again.

Beth has a true gift for bringing the characters and their feelings alive and God is there leading them all through the book.


I highly recommend this book!

I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5.

Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13433387)


Disclosure:
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse for review. I was in no way compensated for my review. This review is my very own honest to goodness opinion.

What Are You Reading Today

Before I get started I wanted to share with my viewers what has been going on the past few days. I think I put too much on my plate and went into shutdown mode. I have problems with afibralation of the heart and it was really raising its head this past week. I am on meds for this and I missed a couple of days. Not in a row but within the week. I think the heat is affecting my heart also. So please keep me in your prayers. God sometime has to take us by the hand and tell us to slow down. I am doing fine now and have been given a thumbs up from my doctor. I plan on staying indoors and lighten my load a little. I have decided to drop the book blog hop. I want to stick with reading, blogging, book reviews, tours, etc. This will not effect anything but the book blog hop. I have actually had a lot more time to read the past few days.

So here we go:

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What are you planning to read next?
4. What is the next book are you considering to buy?
5. If you were asked to recommend a book to your best friend what book would that be?

Here are my answers:

1. I am currently reading:
Lone Star Trail (The Texas Trail Series)
by Darlene Franklin

Paperback, 272 pages
Published August 1st 2011 by Moody Publishers
ISBN 0802405835 (ISBN13: 9780802405838)


The six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896 begins with Lone Star Trail.

2. I just finished reading:(recieved a copy from FaithWords for review)

Kiss of Night: A Novel
by Debbie Viguie
Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Expected publication: October 7th 2011 by FaithWords
ASINB004QZ9PFQ

Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague.
For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can't control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God? is answered. from GoodReads





3. The book I plan on reading next from BookSneeze.com:

Cherished
by Kim Cash Tate
How can she believe God cherishes her when she can't forgive herself?

Kelli London once dreamed of being a songwriter. As crazy as it seemed, she hoped that God would use the lyrics that came to her while she slept. She dreamed about Brian too, that the love they shared would be a forever kind of love. But choices she'll forever regret upended her hope . . . and turned her dreams to dust. When those dreams come knocking once more, she's forced to deal with the pain of the past.

Heather Anderson's life has spun out of control-first, an affair with a married man, then a one-night stand with the drummer of a popular Christian band that left her devastated. Broken and alone, she cried out to the only One who can save her. And He did. But that's just the beginning, because now she must leave behind the only life she's ever known.

Two women with shame-filled pasts form an unlikely friendship. What does God's forgiveness look like for them? Will they ever believe that He loves them . . . and can still offer them a life where they are cherished?


Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: August 30th 2011 by Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
ISBN 1595548556 (ISBN13: 9781595548559)


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

4. I am considering buying:

The Lightkeeper's Bride (Mercy Falls #2)
by Colleen Coble (Goodreads Author)
A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.

Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.

Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.

Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.

Paperback, 284 pages
Published November 9th 2010 by Thomas Nelson (first published 2010)
ISBN 1595542663 (ISBN13: 9781595542663)
primary languageEnglish


5. The book I would recommend to my best friend:

Texas Rain (Whispering Mountain #1 of 5)
by Jodi Thomas
The first time Rainey Adams meets Texas Ranger Travis McMurray, she steals a kiss-and then his horse. Now Travis is determined to track down this intriguing woman and bring her back to the Whispering Mountain Ranch as his bride. But this renegade may be too much for even the toughest Ranger to handle.

Hardcover, 571 pages
Published March 21st 2007 by Wheeler Publishing (first published 2006)
ISBN 1597224634 (ISBN13: 9781597224635)
original titleTexas Rain
seriesWhispering Mountain #1
charactersTravis McMurray, Rainey Adams