The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman

About Book

Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way?

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?

Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

Read Excerpt here. 

Purchase a copy here.

Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/bwiseman

About Beth 

Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends! 

Learn more about Beth at: BethWiseman.com . 

My Thoughts

Brooke Holloway would like give in to the desire to stay in bed and grieve the loss of husband but she has two active children  and a business to run.  Her mother helped for a while but she had become to dependent on her now it was time to face life head on.  Her daily routine keeps her focused on her job  but memories of her deceased husband still occupy most of her thoughts.  Just like now when her thoughts were interrupted by Owen Saunders the new man in town. He recently bought one of the biggest old mansions in town that was in need of much repair and since she owned a hardware store he would become a frequent customer. Her coworker keeps pushing her to find a new man even though she keeps telling her and everyone else that she is in no hurry to start a relationship.  But brother if she were looking, which she isn't, this handsome guy would fit the bill.

Owen Saunders admits to himself he may have, as the saying goes, "cut off his nose to spite his face", by purchasing a huge old house that is turning into a money pit.  This is the house his cheating ex wife had dreamed of owning, so he bought the house just to rub into her face.  He was determine to finish the house as close to the original as possible.  He must admit he will probably never get it to original since he knows nothing about renovating anything.   So here he is renovating this old house when his is heart probably in worse condition than this old house.  He has had to make many trips to the hardware store owned by a very attractive lady.  The more they see each other it is apparent they are building a friendship but they both made it clear they were looking for nothing more.  God tends to have a say in what is planned for our life's plan. Maybe He wants them to start anew letting go of the bitterness and pain from their past and to trust in love.

The author adds many other interesting characters to the mix like two precious children, two grandmothers, a missing grandfather, a rebellious teen, a couple of crack head parents, a stray cat and well intended friends.

I found this an endearing story of love lost, bitterness, revenge, trust issues, tribulations and reconciliation.  In the author's writing I could see God's plan in restoring the lives of His children.  The author also writes about how the characters let anger, abandonment and fear eat away at their lives until they slowly and sometime quickly turning from God yet proves He never turned from them.  

In one part of the book Owen advises Brooke on the importance of forgiveness and she points out," Isn't that kind of like the pot calling the kettle black".   It is like seeing the err of our ways through another person's eyes or better yet by reading a great book like this one.

I highly recommend this book. It would be a great book for a book club and/or reading group. There are some very enlightening discussion questions at the back of the book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from  Thomas Nelson/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

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

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A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman - Giveaway/Review

About Book

About A Merry Little Christmas: 

Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds.

Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who's preparing to spend the holidays alone...again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny's farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she's more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart-that sometimes love comes when you're least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

Published by Summerside Press

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

Tour Schedule:  http://litfusegroup.com/author/AHigman 

About Anita: 

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Find out more about Anita at http://www.anitahigman.com.

Be sure to follow Anita's Facebook Author Page for any news on upcoming promotions!

ANITA’S CONTEST!

Author Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale! Anita is spreading the Christmas cheer by giving away fifteen copies of her new book.

To enter to win a copy of A Merry Little Christmas, just head over to the contest page at Anita’s website and fill out the short form. Be sure to put BLOG CONTEST in the subject line.

Winners will be announced (and notified by email) on 11/9!

My Thoughts

Franny Martin has her mind on music most of the time while she is doing chores on her farm.  The barn yard animals seem to like her singing.  As she is singing to the pigs a man walks up behind her and scared the stuffin out of her.  Which landed her in the mud.  He did save her radio from the mud and she was grateful for that.  She asked the nice looking man who he was and why he was there.  He boldly told her his name was Charles Landau and he wanted to buy her farm and was willing to pay whatever she asked.  She quickly told him he just bought a farm.  The only problem was he knew nothing about farming or livestock. Nada!  So after much deliberation she agreed to stay on as a hired farm hand and teach him about farming.  He was to learn to be farmer in three weeks. Right! After that she was going to move to the city and work at her dream job at a radio station that is if anyone would hire her without any knowledge in this line of work.  

She had many obstacles in her way of getting her dream job.  Charlie was not very successful at farming after she left either. Maybe if they worked together in running the farm it would be profitable for both of them.  That is if Charlie's father was not so bent on Charlie taking over the family business to the point of making threats.  

I read this book in one sitting okay two sittings. I did not want to put it down.  

It had all I love to read in a book intrigue, romance, Trust in God, family secrets, redemption, love of mankind and some very interesting characters.  

The characters:

•  Franny has horrible memories of the day of her parent's deadly accident. 
• Charlie had also suffered the loss of his mother and the lack of his father's love.
• Noma has spent her whole life dealing with prejudice because of her color.  
• Willie is Charlie's brother and has suffered even greater emotional abuse from his father.
• Mr. Landau rules over his sons holding back any affection or love.

In my opinion each of the characters had a painful past causing the present life hard to endure at times. The difference in the characters was that some of them trusted in God's will and endured their lives with patience.  Those that had hardened their hearts towards God tried to force their own will on others causing much pain themselves and others.

The author writes of a Christmas Gift that's not under a tree or wrapped up in pretty paper.  It is the Gift of Love God gives to His children through the birth of His Son Jesus.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure

I received a free copy of this book from Summerside Press/Litfuse Group Tours for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  

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

Where the Trail Ends (American Tapestries) by Melanie Dobson - A Litfuse Tour

About the Book: 

A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1842 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. But whom can she trust with her heart?

For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.

Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone? 

Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.

Where to buy the book:  http://ow.ly/e0YC2 

ISBN-13: 9781609366858

Pages: 336

Published by Summerside Press

Published: October 1, 2012

Meet Melanie: 

Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

Find out more about Melanie at http://www.melaniedobson.com.

American Tapestries Kindle Fire Giveaway 

and {10/18} Facebook Party!

Celebrate with Melanie by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! 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 Where the Trail Ends and  Queen of the Waves and join Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - 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 18th!

Tour Schedule on the Author's landing page below.

Dobson landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/american-tapestries-dobson

Thompson landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/american-tapestries-thompson 

My Thoughts

In the year 1842, Samantha Waldron could never have imagined the perils her family would face on their journey to Oregon.  She pushed herself for the sake of her little brother Micah and a new life in Oregon.  They must make it to the trails end of Williamette Valley, Oregon.  Her father has a dream that it is the Land of Milk and Honey and will where they build their home.

Samantha has crossed rivers on this the trail to Oregon but not like this last river the Columbia River which they must cross.   She just wasn't expecting to cross in a storm.  She was having a difficult time keeping the canoe on course especially with the rain filling the canoe up with water and then the canoe capsizes dumping her and Micah into the freezing cold waters of the raging river.  

Lord Alexander Clarke notices a canoe trying to cross the river from the opposite side. He can tell they are in trouble row out to them. As he nears their canoe it capsizes and he pulls a small boy out of the water then he grabs the woman by her dress and manages to get them to shore.  

Samantha takes several days to get her strength back.  During this time Micah plays with the children at the Fort under Alex's supervision.

Alex felt as if he needed to protect Samantha and Micah. When she got her strength back Alex offers her a job as a teacher for the children that live within the Fort.  Since she has lost everything she was grateful for the offer.  But she will only have this job until the next ship arrives with the new teacher.  Come to find out Alex will be leaving on that same ship to return to England.  He is promised to be married back in England due to an arranged marriage.  

Alex has fallen in love with this land and if it were not for his obligations in England he would stay and build a life in Oregon.  As he prepares to return to England young Micah sneaks out of the Fort, to find his dog,  while Samantha was sleeping and she came straight to Alex for help.  Alex promises he will not return to the Fort until he finds Micah.

Will Alex find Micah? Can Samantha make it on her own without the teaching position? How does she feel about Alex leaving for England? Will Alex really be happy living with his betrothed in England?

While reading this book you will need a supply of tissues.  Also I want to warn you that as your anxiety builds while reading this book it may cause you to snap at loved ones if they interrupt your reading.  You will not want to put this book down until the end of the trail.  I meant end of the book.  

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