Waiting on Wednesday #34: Grave Consequences

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"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:

Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren
David C. Cook-March 1, 2013

About the Book

For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future—her very life—depends on the decisions she’ll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone’s plans in danger. 

And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences

Why I Want It

I really liked the first book in this series and have been anxiously awaiting this one since it is an ongoing story!

Top Ten Minor Characters

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

I once again decided to choose an old topic rather than do the actual one for this week. I didn't want to do this one, A: Because it had a swear word in it, and B: Because I couldn't come up with ten. So I decided to go with my top ten minor characters. There are always those secondary characters that you just love, and here are ten of my favs!

Conner Young-Team Hope by Susan May Warren
I absolutely loved Conner in this series and I desperately wanted him to have his own book. He was the funny, lovable, geek, who you couldn't help but like. He deserved his own story and a girl!

Luther and Buff-Lassoed in Texas & Sophie's Daughters by Mary Connealy
These two were older guys who made it their personal job to watch out for the McClellan girls. They were kinda like those sorta crotchety uncles you can't help but love.

Tucker Newman-You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren
It's kinda hard to describe Tucker. He was a broken teen looking for the love of a family, and your heart just kinda broke for him. He had done the whole bad boy route but is now doing everything in his power to be worthy of acceptance.

Marshall "The Kid" Vaughn-Discarded Heroes by Ronie Kendig
A funny prankster, he seems like the guy that would be fun to just hang with. I would say more but I might give something away so I gonna leave it at that.

Crockett, Jim, and Neill Archer-Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
I loved the relationship that these brothers have and they are all just really fun characters. I was so happy when I discovered that Crockett is getting his own book!

Fortino Forelli-River of Time by Lisa T. Bergren
A pretty cool guy, who's fun, gentlemanly, a reader, and pretty brave to boot! Luca's my fav River of Time guy but Fortino is pretty high on the list!

Ruthie McGee-A Charmed Life by Jenny B. Jones
Ruthie is a fun, quirky character that makes you laugh!

Midge-Prairie Promises by Kelly Eileen Hake
It took me a bit to warm up to Midge but once I did I loved her. She was always match-making and being funny and I loved her little love story in the final book of the series!

Vera & Oren-Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
I loved Oren's over-protective daddy bear-ness, it was pretty adorable. And Vera was a spitfire with a sense of humor.

Hattie-Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek by Mona Hodgson
A fun, matchmaking, middle aged lady who you couldn't help loving! I was glad she got some of the spotlight in the last book of the series!

Hurricane Sandy Read-A-Thon

Hurricane Sandy is on the warpath and many people on the east coast are going to be without power for quite awhile if the news reporters are correct. So Hannah at The Irish Banana Review purposed a read-a-thon for the duration of Sandy, since there won't be much else to do without power. I don't live ON the coast or even really near it, but we are still supposed to have pretty bad wind and rain here which will probably result in power failure. So I decided to join in especially since I was wanting to get a bunch of reading done this week any way! Feel free to join in whether you are in Sandy's path or not! I will let you know how much I get done after Sandy has left us!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #43

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

These were both OK reads, didn't love them, but didn't hate them either.

What I am currently reading:

You may have noticed that I took two books off of my currently reading but they aren't in my finished group either. I'm going to be restarting The Lady of Bolton Hill next month so I decided to remove it for now and as for The Three Musketeers, I'm just so busy and have a ton of books to read so I'm gonna put it off for awhile. I read some of Bonhoeffer and I enjoyed the bit of Love's Reckoning I've read!

What I hope to read this week:

Trying to boost this month's numbers with some quick reads!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #42
Top Ten Spooky Books
Waiting on Wednesday #33: The Tutor's Daughter
You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren
Book Blogger Hop: Favorite Blogs
Stacking the Shelves #16
Duchess by Susan May Warren (Cover Reveal)

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!

Duchess by Susan May Warren (Cover Reveal!)

So I haven't really ever done a "cover reveal" on here before, but when I saw that the cover for Susan May Warren's book Duchess, the third in the Daughters of Fortune Series, had finally been revealed I couldn't resist showing it to you all! So here it is in all of it's awesomeness!

Isn't it stunning?!  

I can not wait to read this one!

About the Book

The golden age of Hollywood is in the business of creating stars. Rosie Worth, now starlet Roxy Price, has found everything she’s wanted in the glamour of the silver screen. With adoring fans and a studio-mogul husband, she’s finally silenced the voices—and grief—of the past. Her future shines bright…until the fated Black Friday when it all comes crashing down. When Roxy loses everything, she finds herself disgraced and penniless. Her only hope is to join forces with Belgian duke Rolfe Van Horne, a longtime film investor. But Rolfe is not who he seems, and he has other plans for Roxy and her movies—plans to support a growing unrest in Europe, plans that could break her heart and endanger her life.
When her country needs her, will she have the courage to surrender her glittering world and her one true love?

Stacking the Shelves #16

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

  Books to Review
Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Books I Won
Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham (Tammy@Mug of Moxie)

Books I Bought
Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson
Evolution of a Creationist by Jobe Martin, D.M.D. Th.M.
Bookends by Liz Curtis Higgs
The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Kindle Books
Honest to God by Josh Weidmann
The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson
The Reunion by Dan Walsh
The Shadowed Onyx by Nicole O'Dell (NetGalley)
The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue
Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer
Lovelier Than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliott (Booksneeze)
Leave it to Chance by Sherri Sand

Book Blogger Hop: Favorite Blogs

Hosted this week at: Knitting and sundries

This Week's Question:

What are three of your favorite book blogs and/or communities?  Why do you like them?

My Answer:

This weeks question is mean! Pick Three favorites?! I have tons of blogs I visit frequently and love! Well since I have to narrow it down I am going to choose the three that I actually like for specific reasons.

Fiction Hero Features by Nancy Kimball-I only recently discovered this blog but it is awesome! Whenever Nancy finds an amazing hero she blogs about him and  rates him on things like how gallant, wounded, or swoon-worthy he is. It's really fun to read and She also gives away the book the hero is from or (if you've read it before and can name a character) a $10 Amazon gift card!

Relz Reviewz by Rel-Somehow this woman seems to know everything about Christian books before the rest of the world! I love when she posts about books that are upcoming from different publishers and I can just sit back and squeal in excitement. She also does great character spotlights and author interviews

Seekerville by the Seekers-This is a great blog that is the joint product of 13 Christian authors. They post about all kinds of things and almost always have amazing giveaways happening!

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

About the Book
To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids’ sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.
No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on bail and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the grace to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?

My Thoughts
Anyone who hangs around this blog at all, probably knows that I am a HUGE Susan May Warren fan, so needless to say this book was pre-ordered ages ago. But then it came and I had a bunch of books I needed to get done so I had to put this one on hold. But last week I finally had the time (during a road trip) to dive into this book, and boy, was it AMAZING!!! I always know I'll love a Susan May Warren book, but this one went beyond my expectations!
For starters the Witness Protection angle was sheer genius! I haven't read any book like this one and it was so cool. I loved how the story started from Deirdre/Annalise's mom's POV. I have never really thought of how the family of a person in WitSec would feel, but SMW made your heart break for the mother. And from then on you were riding an emotional roller coaster. The entire book I felt like someone was squeezing my insides whether it was from fear, anger, love, confusion, sorrow, or happiness.
I really loved how well the message of grace was portrayed throughout the story. Especially how the author showed both God's grace and the human kind.
I'm not going to say anymore-so I can avoid spoilers-except that I really enjoyed this look at something that was somewhat unknown to me. And now that I have had a glimpse into this heartbreak  many people in America go through all the time I will not be able to be calloused to it anymore.
P.S. I love the cover!

About the Author
From Amazon:
"Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I'm a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I'm an adventurer -- having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that's why my characters can't sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another -- they're too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories, that I hope inspire and entertain!"

Waiting on Wednesday #33: The Tutor's Daughter

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"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:

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen
Bethany House-January 1, 2013

About the Book

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.

When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame...and which brother to trust with her heart?

Why I Want It

I loved the one Julie Klassen book I've read so I have been wanting to her other books and this one sounds good!

Top Ten Spooky Books

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

Well first off my family doesn't really celebrate Halloween so I change the title from, Top Ten Books to Get in the Halloween Spirit, to the current one. And secondly I don't really read spooky books so I asked my sister Katie for her top ten. Here they are in no particular order!


Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson

Immanuel's Veins Ted Dekker

Thr3e Ted Dekker 

Solitary Travis Thrasher

König’s Fire by Marc Schooley

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl

Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo

First the Dead by Tim Downs 

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

Brink of Death by Brandilyn Collins

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #42

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

I totally and completely loved, You Don't Know Me, and The Doctor Takes A Wife was really good. I didn't get too much reading done since I was busy all day everyday this past week!

What I am currently reading:

I read some of Bonhoeffer but my aforementioned cray schedule had me crashing pretty hard every night with little to no time for my nightly reading. The other three I didn't really make any progress in!

What I hope to read this week:

Again putting these on the TBR for this week! Hopefully I'll actually get to them this week!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #42
Top Ten Historical Fiction Authors
Waiting on Wednesday #32: Safe in His Arms
Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
Book Blogger Hop: Discovering Blogging

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!

Book Blogger Hop: Discovering Blogging

Hosted this week at: Knitting and sundries

This Week's Question:

How did you find out about book blogging and what made you decide to start one yourself?

My Answer:

I've actually shared a few times on here about how I started blogging but I can say it again! I found out about book blogging when my oldest sister started doing it many years ago. I actually thought I wanted nothing to do with it but then I realized how easy it was to write reviews and other stuff and how you could get free books. So I decided to jump in and joined my sister on her blog. I have been loving it and hope I can continue for awhile!

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Against the Tide Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Camden
I haven't gotten a chance to read this book yet but I will try to post a review when I do!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from Elizabeth:

I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing. I had gotten very good at leading a solo life, and although I was not particularly content being alone, I had become reconciled to it. Most importantly, it taught me never to take my husband for granted. I give daily thanks for the blessing of being able to share a life with my favorite person on the planet.

As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Love and Lives are Threatened in Camden's Latest Offering

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Against the Tide, go HERE.

Waiting on Weddnesday #32: Safe in His Arms

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"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:

Safe in His Arms by Colleen Coble
January 29, 2012

About the Book

Margaret suspects the new foreman on her father’s ranch is hiding something. Though Daniel promises she’s safe with him around, how can she be sure?

Born and raised on a sprawling ranch in Texas, Margaret O’Brien prides herself on her competence as a rancher. She’s convinced she can do as good a job on the ranch as her brother who died in the war. But her father believes she’s made for more than just dawn-to-dusk work. He wants her to have the love of a good man, to have children, to build a life. But she gave up hope for such dreams years ago. The ranch is her life now.

When Margaret’s father hires Daniel Cutler as a new foreman, she’s frustrated and suspicious. Daniel swears he’s turned over a new leaf and isn’t involved with the thieves he used to run with, but Margaret is unconvinced. When she finds out he’s an undercover Texas Ranger, sparks fly. Can she help Daniel extricate his younger brother who is still involved? And can Daniel convince her he’s the safe haven he’s promised for her heart?

Why I Want It 

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Blue Moon Promise, so I'm looking forward to learning more about Margaret! Also it just sounds good!

Top Ten Favorite Historical Fiction Authors

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

Today we are to choose a genre and then name our favorite authors in the genre! I choose historical fiction since I have a ton of authors I love in that genre! So here are my favorites!


Mary Connealy
Cathy Marie Hake
Karen Witemeyer
Susan May Warren
Kaye Dacus
Jody Hedlund
Lori Wick
Tamera Alexander
Lisa T. Bergren
Kelly Eileen Hake

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #41

 Hosted By: Book Journey
Hey All! I am currently borrowing someone's MacBook so I don't have all of my pictures and stuff like that but I will update this as soon as I can get onto my laptop! 

Here is what I finished last week:

Both of these were pretty good!

What I am currently reading:

Absolutely loving You Don't Know Me and all of the other fiction ones are pretty good! I've still been working on Bonhoeffer and really enjoying it!

What I hope to read this week:

Looking forward to these!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Book Blogger Hop: Fall Books

Hosted this week at: Soon Remembered Tales

This Week's Question:

With Autumn upon us and Halloween drawing near, what books remind you of fall? What ones do you enjoy reading that are about autumn?

My Answer:

Two books immediately came to mind when I read this question. The first I've already read which is:

The Fall of Candy Corn by Debbie Viguie

And the second I am about to read and the cover just screams fall!

Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Full Disclosure Bethany House Publishers (October 2, 2012) by Dee Henderson
I haven't gotten around to reading this one yet but I will soon and I'll try to post a review then!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.

Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is…

Watch the book trailer:

If you would like to read the first chapter of Full Disclosure, go HERE.

Waiting on Wednesday #31: Waiting for Morning

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"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:

Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley 
Thomas Nelson-January 8, 2013

About the Book

Spunky 21-year-old Molly Hatfield is the sole caretaker of her wheelchair-bound younger brother---and constantly blames herself for the accident that crippled him. While she's suspicious of Dr. Caleb Fairbanks---and all doctors---he's annoyed by how her overprotective nature is preventing the boy from becoming more independent. Does God have something in mind for this head-butting pair?

Why I Want It

I read the first book in this series, Dawn Comes Early, earlier this year and I really enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to reading this next installment!

Top Ten Books That Came Recommended

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

This week is Top Ten Tuesday Rewind where we get to pick a past topic that we either missed or just really want to do again! I chose to do my top ten books that I read due to someone's recommendation. So here's my top ten once again in no particular order!

Team Hope by Susan May Warren-I read this series on my sister Katie's recommendation and I LOVED it! It is still one of my absolute favorite series and Susan May Warren fast became my all time favorite author!




A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer-I had seen this book around, thought it sounded good, and planned on reading it someday, but what made me actually buy it and read it was the fact that my best friend absolutely loved it and told me I would too. I did, and I have loved all of Karen Witemeyer's other books!


All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt-I read the plot of this one and thought it sounded good but it was written in first person which I refused to read back then (I know, silly me!). Katie swore I would like it and semi-blackmailed me into reading it. I loved it!


The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund-I read Unending Devotion by this author and absolutely loved it. And the whole time I was reading it I kept hearing from people who had read TDL saying how amazing it was, so I knew I had to read it and boy am I glad I did!


When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason-I saw a lot of rave reviews for this book but what made me actually purchase it was how much Melanie (Christian Bookshelf Reviews) had loved it. We share a lot of the same opinions on books and when she was singing it's praises I knew I had to read it!


Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren-Anyone who hangs around this blog at all knows that I am a HUGE River of Time fan, but I was actually kind of wary about reading a time travel book and might not have decided to read it if it wasn't for Katie!


Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson-I don't remember my intial thoughts about this book I just remember that Katie said I should read it so I did and I absolutely loved it!


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins-Not my normal genre but due to all the hype (and the fact that I wanted to read it before I saw the movie) I checked with Christian bloggers I trusted (like Melanie) who had read it to make sure it was a clean read. And then I proceeded to read and love it!


Julie Lessman books-I have been wanting to read these for awhile and so many people telling me I should. So this week I finally started the first book and so far I'm loving it!


A Proper Pursuit and Hidden Places by Lynn Austin-These were also recommendations from my best friend and I loved them and the other Lynn Austin book I read!