Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday Memes 5/24



The Question:
Have you ever been to BEA?

My Answer:
Nope!


Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

The wetsuit and the water are black, and after the man slips into both, he seems to vanish from the world. He has come on a starless night to avoid being seen, to hide a few containers where they won't be found. 

My Thoughts
This guy is definitely up to something bad! So many questions come as you read this; Who is he? Why doesn't he want to be seen? What's in the containers? 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

About the Book
When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted--more interested in art than in oil--she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father's empire.
The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.
Bo's determined to resent the woman who's decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them--her wealth, his unworthiness, her family's outrage--and earn the right to love her.
But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their love--and their belief that God can work through every circumstance--survive?

My Thoughts 
So this review is rather hard to write, partially because I couldn't finish this book but mainly because I can't figure out why. I read Becky Wade's first novel last year and liked it so I was interested to read her newest book. That being said as I started to read I just could not get into it no matter how hard I tried. I can't put my finger on why I wasn't enjoying  it I just wasn't. And I'm really the only one with this opinion which confuses me all the more. Because honestly it appears that everyone else is loving it. So please don't just take my opinion and go check out some of the other great reviews!

About the Author
Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Learn more at www.beckywade.com.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.


Becky Wade is celebrating her latest swoon-worthy novel, Undeniably Yours (Bethany House), with a Kindle Fire giveaway and hosting an Author Chat party on Facebook {5/29}!

UndeniablyYours

One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Undeniably Yours and My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 28th. Winner will be announced at the "Undeniably Yours" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 29th. Connect with Becky for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Becky will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Undeniably Yours and join Becky on the evening of May 29th 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 todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Beyond Heaven's Door by Max Lucado

About the Book

Thoughts of heaven can be unsettling. Life with no end? Space with no bounds? Are we supposed to feel good about these things?
Bestselling author Max Lucado assures us that we can. There is much about heaven that we don't yet understand. And while thoughts on our final destiny may stir questions, they needn't stir our fears.
In Beyond Heaven's Door Max takes us on a journey from finding certainty in our destination to God's great promises of the hereafter. Open the door and catch a glimpse of the joy that awaits you in heaven—and find hope for today in the process.

My Thoughts
This book was really good! Having been raised in a Christian home and finding Christ at an early age Heaven has always been an accepted fact for me. But even though I've heard about it my whole life this book really helped pull it all together. I would highly recommend this book for long-time Christians, new believers, and even those who don't know where they stand. If you've ever wondered about what will happen when you get to heaven this book is the perfect book to help answer your questions!

About the Author
More than 100 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.


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.


Waiting on Wednesday #63: Love's Awakening

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz
Revell-September 15, 2013

About the Book
Ellie Ballantyne, youngest child of Silas and Eden, has left finishing school. But back at her family home in Pittsburgh, Ellie finds that her parents are away on a long trip and her siblings don't seem to want her to stay. When she opens a day school for young ladies, she begins tutoring the incorrigible daughter of the enemy Turlock clan. The Turlocks are slaveholders and whiskey magnates, envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly tangled with the Turlocks, she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future--and Jack Turlock, a young man striving to free himself from his family's violent legacy. How can she betray her family and side with the enemy? And will Jack ever allow her into his world?

Why I Want It
 I loved Love's Reckoning as well as the other Laura Frantz book I read so I'm really looking forward to reading this story!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck

About the Book
Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn't going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.
The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon's Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family's tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna's aid under the fabled Lover's Oak, he is blindsided by love.
Their lives are worlds apart. He's a royal prince. She's a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel's coronation.
It's the ultimate choice. His kingdom or her heart? God's will or their own?
Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/kFb0Y

Watch the Trailer:


My Thoughts
I was very excited about this book when I first heard about it. I loved the synopsis and the cover and I enjoyed the author's previous book, so I was set to fall in love. And I was not disappointed! Though the circumstances were a little different this book really reminded me of The Princess by Lori Wick which I love, so that was cool!
I absolutely loved all the characters (well except one but we weren't supposed to like her!). Nathaniel was completely awesome and I think one of my favorite things about him was how even though he was a prince about to become king he never acted better than anyone and wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. Susanna was also great and I loved how she was always putting others above herself. The secondary characters were really fun especially Susanna's family.
I loved how the story played out in a realistic manner and was believable while still giving the feeling of a fairy-tale! Another thing I just wanted to mention was that I've seen a couple other reviews that said that there was a little too much of the kingdom's politics in the book but I didn't find that to be the case and felt like it was well balanced!


About the Author
Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author of Carol Award winner "Sweet Caroline", and RITA Finalist "Love
Starts With Elle", and of the critically acclaimed fiction collaboration with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, "The Songbird Novels". She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets. Rachel earned a degree in Journalism from Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor.
Find out more about Rachel at: http://RachelHauck.com


I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Rachel Hauck is celebrating the release of Once Upon a Prince with a fun "Royal Wedding" Giveaway and connecting with readers at her May 28th Facebook Party.

PrinceHauck300

One "royal" winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 27th. Winner will be announced at the "Once Upon a Prince" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 28th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of book chat, wedding trivia, laughter, and more! Rachel will also be sharing a sneak peek at the next book in the series and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Once Upon a Prince and join Rachel on the evening of May 28th 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 todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Top Ten Book Covers of Books I've Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I absolutely love book covers so it was a little hard to narrow it down and there were a bunch more that could have been added but these are some of my favorites! These aren't in any particular order!

The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren
I just all around absolutely love these covers! They are extremely well done and look really cool! I have to say that I'm partial to Tributary's mainly since Luca is my favorite!

Karen Witemeyer's Novels
I full on love each of Karen Witemeyer's covers! They perfectly combine prettiness with a bit of humor. I also like how the dresses that the girls are wearing on the covers match dresses that are mentioned in the books!

Wings of Glory Series by Sarah Sundin
I'm a sucker for WWII stories and pictures so I can't help but loving these covers. But beyond that they are just really well done covers!

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander
This cover is just simply beautiful! From the girl, to the dress, to the hair, to the background, it's perfect!

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden
In case you didn't guess I'm also a sucker for covers with beautiful dresses on them! I loved this cover from the moment I saw it and it made me want to read the book before I even knew what it was about!

The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson
I can't really explain why, I just love this cover!

Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake
This cover amuses me and I like it a lot!

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
I just love the simple beauty of this one!

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
Can't really explain this one either, I just love it!

Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
I love the black and white background with the pop of burgundy from the cape! 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Follow the Heart by Kaye Dacus

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Follow the Heart
B&H Books (May 1, 2013)
by
Kaye Dacus

MY THOUGHTS:
Having read all nine of Kaye Dacus's previous novel and loved them I was super excited to hear about her new series. I loved the synopsis of Follow the Heart and was quite happy when I received my copy. This book didn't disappoint and I enjoyed every minute. I loved how we got both sibling's love stories in one book even though Kate's a little more of the main one and I loved all four of the main characters. Christopher was by far my favorite, I loved how protective he was of Kate, even though he was the younger sibling and  how he treated everyone with respect. It was really cool to see how the story played out and I would highly recommend this book as well as the author's other books!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing, Harvest House Publishers, and B&H Publishing. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is a full-time academic advisor and part-time college composition instructor for Bethel University.

Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and educator who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is an academic advisor and English Composition instructor for Bethel University.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, Follow the Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.
Kate and Christopher Dearing’s lives turn upside down when their father loses everything in a railroad land speculation. The siblings are shipped off to their mother’s brother in England with one edict: marry money.
At twenty-seven years old, Kate has the stigma of being passed over by eligible men many times—and that was before she had no dowry. Christopher would like nothing better than to make his own way in the world; and with a law degree and expertise in the burgeoning railroad industry, he was primed to do just that—in America.
Though their uncle tries to ensure Kate and Christopher find matrimonial prospects only among the highest echelon of British society, their attentions stray to a gardener and a governess.
While Christopher has options that would enable him to lay his affections where he chooses, he cannot let the burden of their family’s finances crush his sister. Trying to push her feelings for the handsome—but not wealthy— gardener aside, Kate’s prospects brighten when a wealthy viscount shows interest in her. But is marrying for the financial security of her family the right thing to do, when her heart is telling her she’s making a mistake?
Mandates . . . money . . . matrimony. Who will follow the heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of >Follow the Heart, go HERE

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #71 & Bout of Books 7.0 Wrap-Up

 Hosted By: Book Journey
Bout of Books
So I decided to combine my normal Monday post with my Wrap-Up post for Bout of Books 7.0 since it is basically the same info! Bout of Books was once again quite fun and I'm especially happy since I not only met my goal but even surpassed it! My goal for this past week was to read 10 books and/or 3,000 pages and I ended up reading 11 books and 3,318 pages!

Here is what I finished last week:
SO many amazing books this week! My absolute favorites were: When A Secret Kills, Stealing the Preacher, Talon, and A Memory Between Us!

What I am currently reading:
Took a break from this for the read-a-thon but I'll be getting back to it this week. Still not sure what I think of it!

What I hope to read this week:
This will probably be a rather light reading week but I'm still hoping to at least get some in!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #70
Top Ten Books in My TBR Pile
Waiting on Wednesday #62: Fired Up
Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!
Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Bout of Books 7.0: Day 7: Update

Bout of Books

Books I Read Today: 2
Books I Finished Today: 2
Pages Read Today: 438
Total Books Finished: 11
Total Pages Read: 3,318

The Books:
A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (328 pages read-Finished)
Magnificent Devices by Shelley Adina (110 pages read-Finished)

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Bout of Books 7.0 Day 6: Update

Bout of Books

Books I Read Today: 4
Books I Finished Today: 2
Pages Read Today: 506
Total Books Finished: 9
Total Pages Read: 2,880

The Books:
Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck (35 pages read-Finished)
Talon: Combat Tracking Team by Ronie Kendig (343 pages read-Finished)
Magnificent Devices by Shelley Adina (24 pages read)
A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (104 pages read)

Challenge of the Day
Genre Book Spine Poetry