12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour

I received the following books in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer
Hardback
ISBN: 9780310336785
Published: September 24, 2013

Synopsis: Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II -- only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind -- Englishers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left her for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.

My Review: Tricia has done it again with the telling of a great Amish story and making you feel for the characters as if you knew each of them personally. I like how she blends two worlds and tells their story and struggles. This was a short book so it was a very quick read but it had just as much punch as a long novel. This book was inspired by a true story and what a great story to be told. If you are looking for a book to get you in the Christmas mood then give this book a chance.

About the Author: USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com

Plain Peace by Beth Wiseman
Daughters of Promise Series - Book 6
ISBN: 9781401685942
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Anna's grandfather seems determined to ruin her Rumspringa . . . and any hopes she has of finding a husband.
Anna Byler should be enjoying her Rumspringa as allowed by her faith. But because of the strict rules enforced by her grandfather---the bishop---the available suitors in town are afraid to court her. Even Anna's grandmother is keeping a big secret from Anna's grandfather in an effort to keep the peace. Under her grandfather's oppressive watch, Anna begins to feel her faith slipping and wonders if God has forsaken her.
Jacob Hostetler and his family have relocated to Lancaster County following a family tragedy in Ohio. As his family struggles to rebuild their lives, Jacob is forced to act as head of the household when his father is unable to cope with recent events. It's been a long time since Jacob has felt any joy. Until he meets Anna Byler. But will Anna's grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? And can Jacob put the past behind him and open his heart?

My Review: I am a fan of Amish fiction as well as this series so I was happy to pick this book up. I also enjoy reading about Rumspringa as I find that part of the culture very interesting. I found myself feeling bad for Anna as everyone was grandfather was so strict that everyone was afraid to court her. But Anna's grandmother was helping her keep a big secret. Jacob was a very strong person the become head of his household while young when his father is unable to. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and in doing so you become friends with the and find yourself wanting to help out. I think Beth did a good job of continuing on with this series. 

About the Author: 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!

Find out more about Beth at http://bethwiseman.com.

Holy Night by Colleen Coble

An Aloha Reef Christmas Novella

EBOOK 

Published November 19, 2013

One sinister phone call has derailed their wedding. Will they let it tear them apart forever?

A Christmas wedding on the beach---what could be more perfect? Poinsettias and fragrant pikake blossoms, soft sand and mistletoe, the gentle sound of the surf and the wedding march played on a ukulele. This wedding has been a long time coming, with Bane's trust issues and Leia's worries about her childlike sister, Eva.
Now they can hardly wait for the day to arrive. Thrilled to be a bridesmaid, Eva keeps trying on her ruffled dress. The tent is reserved, the caterers paid. Everything is going as planned---until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that Eva's been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation---and no police! If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But how can she ever handle this without his help? And how can he ever trust her if she lies to him now?

My review: What more could you want? A wedding on the beach sounds great and at Christmas time. This novella by Colleen was a nice quick holiday read. You could almost smell the pikake blossoms (or in my case imagine their fragrance as I am not sure what they smell like) as well as the sea and hear the waves crashing as you settle in to read this book. Bane and Leia have been waiting for what seems forever for their wedding but will a phone call stop it all. There is mystery and suspense in this book that will keep you reading long into the night. 

Silent Night by Colleen Coble

A Rock Harber Christmas Novella

EBOOK

Published November 20, 2012

Synopsis: As Christmas day nears, Bree and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.

Bree Matthews is preparing for Christmas guests, but her heart is reeling from the recent and tender loss of her unborn child. Her sister-in-law, Lauri, suddenly turns up on the doorstep of the lighthouse home Bree shares with her husband, Kade, in Rock Harbor. Secretive and withdrawn, Lauri seems curiously intent on discovering what happened to a parachuter who disappeared in the North Woods along Lake Superior's icy shore.
As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she's admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.
Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree's prayer for a baby ever be answered?

My review: I found myself wanting to reach through the book from page one to give Bree a hug. Bree has suffered a loss when her sister in law shows up. Lauri seems to have something she is hiding and starts searching to solve the mystery of a parachuter who has disappeared. This was a book full of mystery and like Holy Night kept me up late wanting to finish this book. Colleen does a good job in grabbing you very quickly and holding your attention right to the end. I have not read any other of books from the Rock Harbor series and found it very easy to follow. 

The great thing about these two books is that they are novellas and if you have a whole day to sit and read you can finish them in one day. 

About the Author: Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Find out more about Colleen athttp://www.colleencoble.com

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Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction are hosting the 12 Days of Christmas! They've teamed up with three of their authors for a Merry Facebook Party on November 12th {5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern}. Colleen, Tricia, and Beth will host an evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, and of course plenty of presents!

But wait! There's more! Each day between now and November 12th a different book (10 copies of each book) will be given away on the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Facebook Page. Ring in the holiday season and warm your heart with some great reads from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan!

   

  Click here to ENTER each day's giveaway here. RSVP for the Christmas Party here!

Good luck and hope to see you on the evening of the 12th!

Paris was the Place by Susan Conley

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Paris was the Place by Susan Conley
ISBN: 9780307594075
Hardback
Published: August 6, 2013

Synopsis: With her new novel, Paris Was the Place (Knopf, 2013), Susan Conley offers a beautiful meditation on how much it matters to belong: to a family, to a country, to any one place, and how this belonging can mean the difference in our survival. Novelist Richard Russo calls Paris Was the Place, “by turns achingly beautiful and brutally unjust, as vividly rendered as its characters, whose joys and struggles we embrace as our own.”

When Willie Pears begins teaching at a center for immigrant girls in Paris all hoping for French asylum, the lines between teaching and mothering quickly begin to blur. Willie has fled to Paris to create a new family, and she soon falls for Macon, a passionate French lawyer. Gita, a young girl at the detention center, becomes determined to escape her circumstances, no matter the cost. And just as Willie is faced with a decision that could have dire consequences for Macon and the future of the center, her brother is taken with a serious, as-yet-unnamed illness. 

The writer Ayelet Waldman calls Paris Was the Place “a gorgeous love story and a wise, intimate journal of dislocation that examines how far we’ll go for the people we love most.” Named on theIndie Next List for August 2013 and on the Slate Summer Reading List, this is a story that reaffirms the ties that bind us to one another. 

My review: I picked this book to read as I am in love with all things Paris, I enjoy being transported to a place that is a dream for me to go to. One thing I enjoyed was how each chapter started out - it made you feel as if you were learning something while enjoying yourself. When reading this book you get three stories in one but you have no trouble following each of them. The characters were very well developed in this book. A well written book that gives you a different look on life in Paris. 

Author bio

Susan Conley is a writer and teacher. Her memoir, The Foremost Good Fortune (Knopf 2011), chronicles her family’s experiences in modern China as well as her journey through breast cancer. The Oprah Magazine listed it as a Top Ten Pick, Slate Magazine chose it as "Book of the Week," and The Washington Post called it "a beautiful book about China and cancer and how to be an authentic, courageous human being." Excerpts from the memoir have been published in The New York Times Magazine and The Daily Beast.

 Susan’s writing has also appeared in The Paris Review, The Harvard Review, The Massachusetts Review, The Gettysburg Review, The North American Review, Ploughshares, and elsewhere. A native of Maine, she earned her B.A. from Middlebury College and her M.F.A. in creative writing from San Diego State University. After teaching poetry and literature at Emerson College in Boston, Susan returned to Portland, where she cofounded and served as executive director of The Telling Room, a nonprofit creative writing center. She currently teaches at The Telling Room and at the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast MFA Program.

Contact Information

www.SusanConley.com

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Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher
Where the Heart Lives Series - Book 3
ISBN: 9780310257776
Trade Paperback
Published: September 24, 2013

Synopsis: Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word of him for seven years, Diana's infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.

But when her husband returns, supposedly a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom. He agrees with one condition----she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

My review: Robin did it again and has another hit with this book. There is a little bit of everything in this book from romance to suspense. The characters were very well developed and the scenes were written very well so you feel as if you are write there with them. I like that this book get me turning the pages as it was a good read for me. I think Diana was a strong person and can not imagine what she felt when she found out her husband was not dead. This was a fitting end to the series I just wish the series was continuing. 

Meet the author: Robin is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends.

Learn more at:http://www.robinleehatcher.com

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Robin Lee Hatcher is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Beloved, with an iPad Mini giveaway! 

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 15th. Winner will be announced November 16th at Robin's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin's blog on the 16th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)!

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley - Review ad Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley
The Brides of Last Chance Ranch Series -  Book 3
ISBN: 9781595549723
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.

When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom---an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.
But she isn't the only one at the ranch with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective 

Jeremy Taggart is working undercover as well. Their true identities may be a secret, but it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the sparks flaring between them.
Neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn't removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they get to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets---and no one on the ranch is safe.
The longer Miranda and Jeremy spend working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers-and their lives-depend on solving this case. Love will just have to wait.

My review:  This book is a very good book as was the entire series. I like how it is historical fiction mixed with some romance, humor and mystery. A little something for everyone.  There were parts of this book that had me smiling and parts that had me guessing. Another thing I liked was that Miranda was also an agent for the Pinkertons. I really enjoyed the way Miranda and Jeremy's relationship came together.  Margaret did a very good job of developing these characters and making them play off of each other. The book was a quick read because you just could not put it down. 

Meet the author: Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this---except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter at the time. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction." So that's what Margaret did. She's now a New York Times bestselling author and a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist with more than 25 novels to her credit. Her first non-fiction book Grieving God's Way: the Lasting Path to Hope and Healing has won much critical acclaim. She is currently working on the third book in her Brides of Last Chance Ranch series. Not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.

Learn more at Margaret's website: http://margaretbrownley.com

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Margaret Brownley's latest release, Gunpowder Tea, is receiving high praise, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a "Tea with Margaret" Facebook party!

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea with Margaret" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 7th. Connect with Margaret and friends for an evening of book chat, prizes, and get an exclusive look at Margaret's next book!

So grab your copy of Gunpowder Tea and join Margaret on the evening of November 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 by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 11/7!

Save JFK: A Mission Thru Time by Armando Pazos - Book Spotlight

Save JFK: A Mission thru Time by Armando Pazos
EBook
Published: September 11, 2013


Synopsis: Jack Randolph, a second-generation Secret Service agent (his father was on JFK’s detail), crosses a time portal by an unfathomable twist of fate and travels back to the year 1963, only a few days before President Kennedy’s assassination. There, Jack faces his new destiny and the question that many of us have asked. Is it possible for a human being who travels back in time to change events in history? 

A mini-thriller for readers on the run.

Banquet of Lies by Michelle Diener

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.


Banquet of Lies by Michelle Diener
ISBN: 9781451684452
Trade Paperback
Published: October 22, 2013

Synopsis: A young noblewoman flees to London and poses as a servant to evade a murderer in this richly detailed and “compelling” (Publishers Weekly) historical novel.
Frightened for her life after her father, a British spy, is murdered, Giselle Barrington flees with the secret document her father gave her for safekeeping. Needing to hide from those now chasing her, and knowing that no one would look for a wealthy young society lady in a kitchen, she takes a job as a cook for a nobleman, determined to use her anonymity to uncover the murderer. Life below stairs gives her a new perspective on the hard realities of servants’ lives, even though she’s a highly paid one. And when her employer is drawn not only into her investigations, but also to her, they find themselves faced with the power imbalance between servant and master.

My review: I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book. I think one thing I liked was that is grabbed me from the start and seemed to moved pretty quickly. To me the author did a good job with the character development. I like that the book had both mystery and romance in it as well as it is historical fiction all three things a hit in my book. Another part of the book that I liked was how Giselle is able to hide in plain sight to hide from those looking for her and solving the mystery of her father's murder. This was my first book by this author but I plan on looking for more by her after reading this. I encourage you to give this book a shot as you will not be disappointed. 

About the Author:
Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series starts with IN A TREACHEROUS COURT. Set in the court of Henry VIII, it features the real historical figures of artist Susanna Horenbout and Henry's Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King's Robes, John Parker. It was followed by KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS, also featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, and DANGEROUS SANCTUARY, a short story with the same characters, set between the two books, is currently available as an ebook only.
A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY, was released on November 27th, 2012.
Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED Anthology entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children. 
For more information, please visit Michelle's website.  You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Illuminations by Mary Sharratt

Illuminations by Mary Sharratt
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780547567846
Published: October 15, 2013

Synopsis: Illuminations chronicles the life of Hildegard von Biingen (1098-1179), who was tithed to the church at the age of eight and expected to live out her days in silent submission as teh handmaiden of a renowned but disturbed young nun, Jutta von Sponheim. Instead, Hildegard rejected Jutta's masochistic piety and found comfort and grace in studying books, growing herbs, and rejoicing in her own secret visions of the divine. When Jutta died some three decades later, Hildegard broke out of her prision with the heavenly calling to speak and write about her visions and to liberate her sisters and herself from the soul-destroying anchorage.
Like Anita Diamant's portrayal of Dinah in The Red Tent, Mary Sharratt interweaves historical research with psychological insight and vivid imagination to write an engaging and triumphant portrait of a courageous and remarkably resilient woman and the life she might have lived. Deeply affecting, Illuminations is a testament to the power of faith, love, and self-creation.

My review: This book was a very interesting book to me. I had not heard of Hildegard before I picked up this book but I thought it would be an interesting read. Mary does a good job in developing the characters throughout the entire book. I also like the author's description of the scenes so you can feel as if you are there and can see what the characters see. The visions was something different for me and sometimes I had a hard time with them but I think they were an important part of the story. I can't imagine being sent away from home at the age of eight to become a nun and live in the monestary. The story of Hildegard's life was a very intriguing one to read about.

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