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Category: Uncategorized

Their Ranch Reunion

Mindy Obenhaus

BOOK BLURB

Single mom Carly Wagner is surprised to learn she’ll have to share ownership of the home she’s inherited with her first love–and first heartbreak–Andrew Stephens. The man who fled their tiny Western town is back and standing in the way of her dreams to expand her B and B. Now a successful businessman, Andrew has eight weeks to buy Carly out. But Carly’s too stubborn to persuade–and too beautiful to ignore. When fire ravages her inn and she and her daughter move in to their shared property, Andrew’s in over his head. Time is running out and Andrew must decide: leave and chase another deal…or stay and chase Carly’s heart.

MY THOUGHTS

I don’t always enjoy short reads…or romance reads. This book however was enjoyable. I liked the characters ( I’ll admit the little girl in this book stole my heart…so precious!), the plot was Hallmark type but still enjoyable, and the story was quite well done.

This was my first book by this author…and probably not my last. Really thought the book was sweet and well written.

There are quite a few brothers on this ranch so maybe each brother will get his story. I liked the dad, too.

I received this book from the publisher through Just Read Publicity Tours. All opinions are my own.

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Veiled in Smoke

Jocelyn Green

BOOK BLURB

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire–he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.

MY THOUGHTS

A beautifully written tale of a disastrous and difficult time in history. The characters are so real and as the book progresses, the hearts are unveiled as we come to know these characters and watch them grow and learn.

The setting is well done, the plot fascinating and compelling. A story I stayed up late into the night to read and savor.

There was something intangible in this book that just made it almost impossible to put down. Perhaps, like Stephen, I as a reader suspected something. I wasn’t even sure what it would be, yet I knew eventually the smoke would clear to reveal the truth of the narrative.

The history in this novel is fascinating. It was a instant grasp and such a wonderful part of the story to start out with a man from the Civil War. If ever a horrendous and unimaginable story exists, it’s that of Andersonville. I felt like it was pure genius by the author to weave that tale within this story.

It’s a book to inspire to persevere with God…and one I could pick up now and read it again as it’s so compelling. I’d still felt completely riveted to the story long after I had closed the book.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Piper’s Pursuit

Melanie Dickerson

Book Synopsis

A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.

MY REVIEW

Once again, this author puts forth a fascinating YA novel. Though the plot is strong, I really felt that this book was character driven. Seeing Steffan change and grow is a pleasure in this book. He takes a very common route of rebellion against his parents which didn’t turn out too well, but his story is a fascinating one. The reader really comes to like him in this story, and the growth of his character and willingness to admit his faults adds a lot to the story.

Katrina is no damsel in distress, but she can’t conquer the evil alone. Her story adds much to the novel, and the reader definitely cheers for her as she strives to help her people.

Melanie Dickerson writes some fabulous young adult novels that are intriguing and fascinating. They may be just the books to get the younger readers in your home to begin a wonderful journey in the pages of a novel.

I received this book from the publisher.All opinions are my own.

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Kimberley Woodhouse

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years and their two amazing kids.

BOOKS

TOMORROW IS RELEASE DAY FOR FOREVER HIDDEN BY KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE AND TRACIE PETERSON…BE LOOKING FOR MY UPCOMING REVIEW.

HER LATEST RELEASE

A LANGUAGE OF LOVE by Kimberley Woodhouse
New York City, 1911
A milliner with thick Irish accent and a renowned baseball player with speech impediment meet at the office of a language teacher. But the issues with their backgrounds that first brought them together will also drive them apart.

I was first introduced to Kimberley’s books through the amazing series “Daughters of the Mayflower.” She has written four books in this series.

Her books have terrific stories, wonderful historical detail, and a well woven inspirational theme. I love the joy of a good story, and I love to learn about history through a fiction book. If you as a reader do as well, you won’t want to miss her books. One thing I truly love is that the books always have a tremendous faith theme that lends hope, forgiveness, and Christ in her novels.

Below are some of my reviews of her novels in the Daughter of the Mayflower series…

THE MAYFLOWER BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed the history in this read. The characters are wonderful, and it helps give a real perspective to what the people suffered that took on the adventure of coming to the New World.

The book is written in a somewhat YA type…for which I’m thrilled because it is a book I can let my teenager daughter enjoy. Finding books like that is really hard to do these days.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend any history lovers to purchase this book and the series!

THE PATRIOT BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed the history packed into this read. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin making their appearances really helps to pull one into the scene and times of this novel.

It’s really a light read which is always enjoyable to find after reading heavy, deep, or confusing reads. The romance was present but not overdone, which I prefer in my historical Fiction reads.

I have always enjoyed this author, and this book is no exception. This book may not be one hundred percent historically accurate, but it opens the imagination…and made for a very enjoyable story. The characters are well done, the plot believable, and the book overall recommended. I’m really enjoying this series!

Received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

THE GOLDEN BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS

The Golden Bride was an enjoyable story with fascinating history. It was an easy read based in San Francisco during the time of the gold rush. The story did a good job of explaining the conditions of the city during that time.

I really wanted more about the characters themselves, but these books are slightly larger than a novella…but not as long as a novel. For the word count, the author did a great job with the story.

My favorite part was the sweet pieces of history from the previous books in the series! What a treat that was… I also enjoyed the strong faith theme in the book.

This is another delightful read in the Mayflower Bride Series.

I received this book from the publIsher. All opinions are my own.

THE EXPRESS BRIDE

MY THOUGHTS

“…at twenty eight, he had nothing to show for himself except wealth. That thought in light of eternity didn’t make him feel like he’d accomplished much of anything.”

This is another terrific novel in the Mayflower Bride series! The characters are so well done and set in a fascinating historical setting. It had mystery, suspense, and a terrific faith theme. All the elements combine to make a book that I just wish had been longer.

I don’t want to say it’s my favorite in the series, but if it isn’t-it’s close! The authors notes on The Pony Express are interesting and not widely known so don’t miss those. Definitely do not miss this next book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Killing Tide

by Dani Pettrey

First of all I would like to thank Just Read Publicity Tours for their giveaway of The Killing Tide!!! I wanted this book so badly. Two reasons, I SO enjoy Dani Pettrey’s books…and secondly, my daddy was a Coastie. Growing up I always wanted to get stuff with their logo on it for my daddy. Do you know how hard that can be?? It’s like a forgotten entity…especially in Oklahoma, a landlocked state. However, my daddy was transferred there by the Coast Guard. Now that I live in DownEast Maine I hear A LOT more about the Coast Guard. That makes this series special to me. I entered several contests because my book budget was absent when this gem was released. Then life and health happens…and so Saturday I started reading this terrific novel…and Saturday, I finished. ( My Hubby says me buying books is a waste, but I do enjoy while reading them, and I sometimes re-read. Plus I collect them!😊 Books are never EVER a waste! ) Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and I’m thrilled and thankful I got to do so!

The characters are fantastic…and in an interesting twist some things about the characters you learn backwards ( just read the book, you’ll get what I mean). The suspense in this novel never ends. You jump in right from the first chapter…and just swim right through the book. Then BOOM, you are done! It’s a rush you don’t want to miss. Lots of action, just the right amount of romance.

My favorite thing about this book is how the author flows the prayers of the believers effortlessly through the novel. Just like I pray when faced with difficult things in my day. It made the characters more real and relatable to me. The faith theme is really good and just woven so well in the plot. The main female character really needed her head examined for some of her choices, but sometimes if your brothers underestimate you, you might just decide to try to prove them wrong! Not that I’d know anything about that at all. 😏

It’s a great book so run to the library, store, or the closest computer and get your eyes on this book!

I’m posting a more personal photo below. My daddy wrote a textbook called “Rules of the Road.” They put out quite a few editions because the rules change. If you click on the image it will take you to a page about the book. I use to have the textbook, but in one of our moves it didn’t make it I guess. Included is a pic of my daddy in uniform that was taken a few years ago.

Once again, big thanks to Dani Pettrey for writing a series about the Coast Guard and to Just Read Publicity Tours for the giveaway!

**CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE AND READ ABOUT THE BOOK MY DADDY WROTE.**

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Always

by Jody Hedlund

What a wonderful novella to introduce a new YA series by Jody Hedlund! It remains true to what she always puts in her YA reads. The importance of inner beauty and strength, the truth that we can’t live all on our own, and the truth that love grows and happiness can be a choice.

I eagerly wait for the series to begin! This was a fantastic start, and I’m not a big fan of novellas. This one was very well done. I don’t usually review a novella that introduces a series, but I felt this one was vital to the series as a whole.

“…happiness is a choice we make no matter what life brings us, is it not?”

“God, I whispered as I stared unseeingly at the glowing coals. I haven’t wanted to rely upon anyone, have only leaned on my own strength and determination. But I have nothing left. I can do no more.”

I knew now as I’d known then that my father depended upon God for strength and guidance in a way I never had.”

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Spice King

by Elizabeth Camden

“God led us here,” Annabelle whispered. “ He planted a hope in your heart that was strong enough to send us a thousand miles across the country. There is a reason, and we’ll keep going until we find it. We can’t falter now.”

There is so much fascinating history in this read which is why I really enjoy this author’s novels. I never really considered that at one time salt and pepper was spicing up a dish-because it’s what they had. In this book, I really could feel the joy Annabelle experienced as she tried so many new spices and fruits that were incredibly rare in the early 1900’s.

The historical information about foods, Department of Agriculture, Smithsonian Institute, and so many other things made for a terrific and unique book setting. The Department of Agriculture played a huge role in our food supply-a much larger one than i ever knew.The characters are incredibly well done. I’m hoping for more from these characters in the future. This book combines so many good elements: It’s historical information and backdrop, information about the blind, incredibly well written and developed characters, and a forgiveness faith theme. All of the intertwined to make for a superb and enjoyable read.

In this case you can judge the book by its cover, and the cover is magnificent!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I never wanted to be blind, but if it’s the price I must pay to have found Walter Talbot…then I’m glad it happened.”

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Diamond in the Rough

by Jen Turano

Another just plain fun book from this author. I could sympathize with the main character. I’m a klutz…have been all my life. She gets involved in so many “catastrophes” that her grandmother is seeking help. Poppy is such a great main character, and I love the things that come into play from previous books…especially the mention of someone getting stuck because of an interesting bustle! This author is always sure to get giggles and outright laughter from her books. Reginald is wonderful opposite Poppy. The story, characters, and faith theme all combine for another winner of a read from Ms. Turano. No one in Christian Fiction produces a novel like hers. Go buy any of her reads…and have fun! This is one of her best yet.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Cross My Heart

by Robin Lee Hatcher

This is by far my favorite series by this author! A split time series with a family Bible that is the link between past and present is a terrific idea, and I love the stories that have been created.

This has a wonderful plot, a slow moving relationship, terrific characters and just a really sweet story…both of them so touching. The angst and horror of war with faith as an anchor; a sordid past with faith getting him through each day. Reading the notes written by the man who relied on his faith through the war and beyond.

This book will go on my forever shelves next to the first in the series.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Number of Love

by Roseanna M. White

**Click on the bookcover above to read my review, the book summary, and enter a Giveaway!**

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