Friday, November 30, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: Collecting

Book Blogger Hop
Hosted this week by: Anglers Rest
This Week's Question:
What books or which author do you collect?

My Answer:
 It has long been my goal to own all of my favorite author, Susan May Warren's books and I am currently one novel and two novellas away! I always try to collect as many of my favorite authors books as I can! 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

If We Survive by Andrew Klaven

About the Book
They came on a mission of mercy, but now they’re in a fight for their lives.
High schooler Will Peterson and three friends journeyed to Central America to help rebuild a school. In a poor, secluded mountain village, they won the hearts of the local people with their energy and kindness.
But in one sudden moment, everything went horribly wrong. A revolution swept the country. Now, guns and terror are everywhere—and Americans are being targeted as the first to die.
Will and his friends have got to get out fast. But streets full of killers . . . hills patrolled by armies . . . and a jungle rife with danger stand between them and the border. Their one hope of escape lies with a veteran warrior who has lost his faith and may betray them at any moment. Their one dream is to reach freedom and safety and home.
If they can just survive.

My Thoughts
As soon as I read the description for this book I knew I wanted to read it!  I was sucked into the action from page one and it kept rolling until the end. There were a few scenes that I was actually kind of in awe over the way words were used to paint a beautiful pictures. My fav was when the main character thinks he's going to die and he starts seeing everything in a new light. That was pure awesome!
 I love how this author writes books that are fast paced and really easy to read and yet they have a decent amount of meat in them too! I think my absolute favorite thing about this author is the fact that his books are perfect for teenage boys. Even with all of the books out there in the world today it is always hard to find books that teenage guys will actually like reading and that are clean, but Andrew Klaven has written some amazing books that leave them hungering for more!
One more thing I want to mention is the fact that I think this book would make an excellent movie! The scenes are written so vividly it easy to imagine them on the big screen!

About the Author
Andrew Klavan has been nominated for the Mystery Writer of America's Edgar award five times and won twice. He is the author of several bestselling novels, including Don't Say A Word, filmed starring Michael Douglas, True Crime, filmed by Clint Eastwood, and Empire of Lies. He is currently writing a series of thrillers for young adults called The Homelanders. The first two novels in the series are The Last Thing I Remember and The Long Way Home. Klavan is a contributing editor to City Journal and his essays have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other places. His satiric video commentaries can be seen on PJTV.com.

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.

12 Days of Gifts with Dorothy Love’s “Home for the Holidays” Contest and Facebook Party {12/13}

Dorothy Love is celebrating the new book in her Hickory Ridge Romance series, Every Perfect Gift with a "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts contest.



Celebrate the holidays with Dorothy Love and her protagonist, Sophie Caldwell, as they count down the days to Dorothy's author chat party with 12 Days of Gifts! Dorothy will be giving away copies of Every Perfect Gift and other holiday essentials, as well as key items from the book that Sophie would have worn during or used to celebrate the holidays (a beautiful, red shawl, Victorian ornaments, stockings). It's all happening on Dorothy's Facebook page. She'll post a new giveaway each day.

So bring on the Christmas cheer with Dorothy and the "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts. Then join Dorothy on the evening of December 13 for her author chat party! During the party, Dorothy will announce the 12 winners from the Home for the Holidays giveaway and host an author chat about Every Perfect Gift and favorite Christmas traditions. Oh, and she'll be giving away lots of fun prizes. RSVP today.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

About the Book
Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they're not sharing could tear them apart.
Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.
Ethan Heyward's idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.
When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She's equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan's own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.
Link to buy the bookhttp://ow.ly/ftJyo

My Thoughts
 After reading Beauty For Ashes I knew that I wanted to read more of this author's books so I jumped at the chance to review Every Perfect Gift. When I read BFA it wasn't till part way through that I realized it was the second book of a series but there weren't too many references to book one and I made it through. Unfortunately for me this book was a lot more connected to the first one and I was a little lost sometimes. I was however able to piece most of it together but I highly recommend reading them in order! Now that I explained all that, on to the actual review!
I did really enjoy this book-it wasn't show-stoppingly awesome but good nonetheless. Honestly I kinda read this book at a bad time. I just finished a couple books that I absolutely loved so pretty much anything else paled in comparison. I'm racking my brain trying to come up with things to say but I can't seem to come up with any thoughts either way. It was one of those books that lands perfectly in the middle, nothing wrong but nothing amazing either. There were a few times that it got a little Hallmark-ish but even that wasn't too bad and was easy to overlook. I do like how, since the series is set in a small town, you get to visit many of the characters throughout all of the books. All in all I really enjoyed the two books I've read in this series and I'm going to try to read Book 1 in the near future!
 I received this book free from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review!

About the Author
An accomplished author in the secular market, Dorothy Love makes her inspirational fiction debut with her Hickory Ridge series of historicals set in her native South. Her skillful blending of the historical and the personal reflect her passion for discovering the histories of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things and set her apart as an authoritative voice of Southern historical fiction.
Find out more about Dorothy at http://dorothylovebooks.com/

Check out the other stops on the tour at: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/everyperfectgift

Waiting on Wednesday #38: Duchess

"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:

 Duchess by Susan May Warren
Summerside Press-March 13, 2013


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?

Why I Want It
To begin with it's a Susan May Warren book so obviously I'm going to read it! Secondly it's the third book in an amazing series. Thirdly the cover is stunning. And last but not least it sounds really good!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Top Ten Most Anticipated Books For 2013

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

I have so many books that I'm looking forward to reading in 2013 that it was kinda hard to shorten it to just ten! But I did it and without further ado here are the books I can't wait to read in 2013!

#1 Duchess by Susan May Warren
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?

#2 Swept Away by Mary Connealy
Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.
Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.
His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

#3 Talon: Combat Tracking Team by Ronie Kendig
Aspen Courtland is out to find her missing brother. Only his combat tracking dog, Talon, knows where to look. Problem is, after a brutal attack that separated dog and handler, Talon’s afraid of his own shadow. The search is on, but when one mistake means disaster, can Talon muster the courage for one last mission?

#4 Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.
For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

#5 A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano
Miss Arabella Beckett has one driving passion: to help the downtrodden women of America. Naturally, she supports the women's suffrage movement and eagerly attends rallies and lectures across the country. On her travels, she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need that goes sadly awry and lands both ladies in more trouble than they can manage. An independent sort, Arabella is loath to admit she needs help and certainly doesn't need help from an arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor.
Mr. Theodore Wilder, private investigator extraordinaire, is on a mission. A mission that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. By the time he finally tracks down Hamilton's sister, Arabella, he is in a less than pleasant mood. When the lady turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he soon finds himself at his wit's end. 
When they return home to New York, circumstances force their paths to continue to cross, but the most peculiar feelings growing between them certainly can't be love. When the trouble Arabella had accidentally stirred up seems to have followed her to New York and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.

#6 Shattered by Dani Pettrey
Piper McKenna couldn't be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed--but despite the evidence, Reef swears he's innocent. And Piper believes him.
Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon's career.
With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada's rugged backcountry--and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

#7 Vanished by Irene Hannon
Reporter Moira Harrisons is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road. 
A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case.

#8 A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
Recently widowed Annalisa Werner has the feeling her husband was murdered but can't prove it. Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.
For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He's been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn't commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he'll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa's farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor. 
Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He's gentle, kind, and romantic--unlike any of the men she's ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love--but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.

#9 Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren
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.

#10 The Survivor by DiAnn Mills
Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into a viper's pit of danger. Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss's new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold-case?

Monday, November 26, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #47

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:
These were all buddy read books and I really enjoyed not only reading them but getting the chance to discuss them with some awesome girls! Deadly Pursuit was definitely my favorite, followed by If We Survive, then The Lady of Bolton Hill. I will be hopefully reviewing these all in the near future-Any opinions on which I should do first?

What I am currently reading:
 No Bonhoeffer progress this week and I didn't get any further into The Shadowed Onyx either. I just started Every Perfect Gift and it's pretty good so far!

What I hope to read this week:
I'm planning on at least starting these two! They are both buddy reads so we'll see how far I get!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #46
Starflower by Anne Elizabeth Stengl
Top Ten Books/Authors I'm Thankful For
Waiting on Wednesday #37: A Most Peculiar Circumstance
Happy Thanksgiving
Book Blogger Hop: Voices

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!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: Voices

Book Blogger Hop
This Week's Question:

When reading, do you assign each character their own voice in your head, or do they all sound the same? Do they sound like you or someone else?


My Answer:
I never really thought about this before but I'd probably say that for the most part they all sound the same and like me.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just popping in real quick to wish all of you readers a happy fantastic Thanksgiving! And I found a few funnies to make you smile!







Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #37: A Most Peculiar Circumstance

"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:

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano
Bethany House-June 1, 2013

About the Book
Miss Arabella Beckett has one driving passion: to help the downtrodden women of America. Naturally, she supports the women's suffrage movement and eagerly attends rallies and lectures across the country. On her travels, she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need that goes sadly awry and lands both ladies in more trouble than they can manage. An independent sort, Arabella is loath to admit she needs help and certainly doesn't need help from an arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor.
Mr. Theodore Wilder, private investigator extraordinaire, is on a mission. A mission that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. By the time he finally tracks down Hamilton's sister, Arabella, he is in a less than pleasant mood. When the lady turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he soon finds himself at his wit's end. 
When they return home to New York, circumstances force their paths to continue to cross, but the most peculiar feelings growing between them certainly can't be love. When the trouble Arabella had accidentally stirred up seems to have followed her to New York and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.

Why I Want It
You may or may not have been around to hear all of my raving about Jen Turano's debut novel A Change of Fortune but if you have then it probably comes as no surprise that I want this book! If it is anything like ACoF I'm sure I will love it and I can't wait to visit the characters again!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Top Ten Books/Authors I'm Thankful For

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

I'm Thankful For...

Susan May Warren-I love her books so much and I love how quickly she writes and publishes them!

Mary Connealy-Her books and the characters in them make me laugh so much and just make me happy in general!

Jen Turano-Nobody has made me laugh so much in such a short time, her books are awesome!

Jenny B. Jones-Another author who makes me laugh (can you tell I enjoy humor in books?) and whose books are phenomenal!

Karen Witemeyer-I love her books and I love how she incorporates classics in a way that makes you go and read them for yourself. Also she based a book on Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and you can't get more awesome than that!

The River of Time Series-I absolutely love these books and constantly recommend them. I get giddy happy every time I read them.

The O'Malley Series-I love getting wrapped up in the lives of this family and have read these books many times.

All the Tea in China-This book opened my eyes to the amazing world of first-person POV and showed me how amazing it is!

Love Comes Softly Series-These were some of the only books I had to read when I was transitioning for middle school books to adult books and I loved them and reread them tons of times!

The Californians-A series I read during the later end of my transition, that I loved and still love and continue rereading whenever I can!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Starflower by Anne Elizabeth Stengl

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Starflower
Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)
by
Anne Elisabeth Stengl


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She is married to the handsome man she met at fencing class and lives with him and a gaggle of cats. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.

Anne Elisabeth is also the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, a series of fantasy adventure novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style.



ABOUT THE BOOK

The Black Dogs Are on the Hunt, But Who Is Their Prey?

When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps fairest Lady Gleamdren, the Bard Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

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

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #46

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:
I was SO busy this week and had no reading time! I was baking for our bazaar from getting up until the evening then I was babysitting most of the evenings so I kinda just collapsed every night and I only read a few chapters all week

What I am currently reading:
So yeah everything I said last week still applies! Barely into some of them but they are good so far and I made no Bonhoeffer progress!

What I hope to read this week:
Hoping just to finish the current reads!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #45
A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
Top Ten Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island
Waiting on Wednesday #36: Wishing on Willows
Book Blogger Hop: Mix n' Match

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!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: Mix n' Match

Book Blogger Hop
This Week's Question:
Pick any one character (book, TV series/movie, play etc) and inject them into a different novel of your choice. Which character and series would you mix’n'match?

My Answer:
Honestly I 'm not brilliant enough to fully figure out how to throw things together but what I love is when authors connect their series so that characters appear in both so basically I just wish more authors would do that! Shout out for Mary Connealy who is great at this!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #36: Wishing on Willows

"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:

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert 
Waterbrook Press-March 19, 2013

About the Book
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender? 
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.                                 
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight. 
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own. 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances. 

Why I Want It
I loved this author's debut novel Wildflowers in Winter and I'm looking forward to reading more of Robin's story!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Top Ten Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

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

Here are the top ten books I would chose to have if I was going to be stranded on a deserted island! Again not in any particular order!

Sean Donovan by Lori Wick
This is my favorite of the Californians series and every time I finish it I always feel like I could reread it again right then!

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
If you saw my review yesterday you know I'm a huge fan of this book. It has so much humor it would be perfect to have in this situation to read over and over again!

Escape to Sunrise by Susan May Warren
Team Hope is my favorite SMW series and this book is my fav of the three. I have already reread it a few times and I doubt I'd get tired of it!

The O'Malley Chronicles Vol 1&2 by Dee Henderson
These are two 3-in-1 sets of the 6 books in the O'Malley series unfortunately this doesn't include the prequel but I'll take what I can get! This is one of my all time favorite series and I never tire of rereading them. It's like visiting some of your closest friends

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren
I couldn't decided which of The River of Time Series so I just picked this one! But this series is awesome and I'd need at least one of them!

A Charmed Life by Jenny B. Jones
Another 3-in-1 set but I couldn't pick just one! I love JBJ's writing and this series is simply hysterical. I'm pretty sure I could read these quite a few times!

Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Not completely sure why I picked this one out of all of the awesome Mary Connealy books but I do love it! Though I'd probably actually do another cop out and get one of her 3-in-1 collections!

Love's Long Journey by Janette Oke 
My absolute favorite Love Comes Softly book and this one would be like a piece of home since I grew up on this series

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig
Couldn't go without one of her books and I'm pretty sure this is my fav!

Monday, November 12, 2012

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Change of Fortune
Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)
by
Jen Turano

MY THOUGHTS
Ok I honestly can not rave about this book enough! I just finished it last week and I'm already dying to reread it! When I read A Gentleman of Her Dreams, I thought I had found a good author but now that I have finished A Change of Fortune I know I have found an amazing author. I laughed so much during this book my sister was starting to get annoyed with me and she was only in the room with me part of the time I was reading!
The characters of this book were plain awesome. Eliza was the perfect mix of adventurer and lady, and it was fun watching all of the situations she got herself in! Hamilton had his whole "brooding nature" but could also be funny and was the perfect match for Eliza. Agatha was a hysterically fun character and I'm glad to know that she will be in future books! I don't have the time to rave about each of the characters but they were all well done and constantly had me smiling if not laughing out loud!
The plot was great in that it had some mystery/intrigue but it was kept light-hearted and you weren't held is suspense. Which was perfect for the overall flow of the book.
Needless to say I loved loved loved this book and think that you should all go buy a copy right now! You won't be sorry!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen grew up in the small town of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where she spent an idyllic childhood riding her purple spider bike, ice-skating on a little pond and reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books in her tree house. High School was, surprisingly enough, fabulous as Jen spent time with her girlfriends. She headed off to college with no idea of what she wanted to be when she grew up, but settled on pursuing a career in fashion because she thought it sounded glamorous. Her parents thought she’d lost her mind, but they resigned themselves to her choice and after earning a BA degree in Clothing and Textiles, Jen set off to take the fashion world by storm, only to discover retail was certainly not the glamorous career she’d imagined it would be. She moved to Buffalo, New York to take a job in the buying office of a large department store, learning all there was to know about cookware, which again, was hardly glamorous, especially to a girl who did not have a knack for cooking. She met her future husband, Al, a few months after taking this job and eight months later, they were married. After moving into management at another department store and working that for a few years, the company went out of business and Jen decided she’d had enough. One year later her son was born and Jen hung up her heels for good and concentrated on being a mom.

She began dabbling in writing when her son, then in elementary school, said he liked her made up stories as much as those in his books. It was then that she fired up the computer and never looked back.

Jen loves to write humorous stories with quirky characters and a dash of intrigue and finds historical romances especially appealing, seeing as how she’s been reading them since she was a teenager. Her mother gave her a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss, The Flame and the Flower, and Jen was hooked on the genre. When not reading romance, she loves to read mysteries, young adult and her favorite series of all time, Harry Potter.

Besides writing, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.

When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Change of Fortune, go HERE.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #45

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:
A Change of Fortune was simply amazing and I will be try to post my review later today! I really enjoyed these other two books as well but ACoF was definitely my fav!

What I am currently reading:
I'm not very far in any of these (besides Bonhoeffer) but so far all are good! Both If We Survive and Solitary start with a bang so they should be pretty interesting reads! If you are wondering why so many books at once-two are for review, two are for buddy reads, and then Bonhoeffer is my non-fiction!

What I hope to read this week:
Again I'm not putting anything here because A: I have a ton of books started that I need to finish, and B: We are have a Bazaar and Bake Sale at the end of this week so I will be baking and crafting all week not to mention the three babysitting jobs I have! So yeah I will have little to no reading time!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #44
Top Ten Fictional Cowboys 
Waiting on Wednesday #35: Moonlight Masquerade
Book Blogger Hop: Cover Buying
Stacking the Shelves #17
Lovelier Than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliott

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!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Lovelier Than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliott

About the Book
Susanna is a lady of principles who values family above all. Johann seems to represent all she despises . . . but appearances can be deceiving.
In 1875, Susanna Hanby is headed off to college in Westerville, Ohio, when she discovers her sister Rachel and Rachel’s children have disappeared. Susanna suspects that Rachel’s alcoholic husband knows more than he’s saying and she vows to uncover the truth.
Johann Giere is heir to a successful German-American brewery in Columbus, but longs for a career in journalism in New York City. When Johann signs on as the supplier for a new saloon in Westerville, his and Susanna’s paths cross and sparks fly. A fiery temperance crusader, Susanna despises Johann’s profession, but she cannot deny the attraction.
When Susanna learns that Rachel’s children have been indentured to orphanages in the city, she despairs that her family will be fractured forever. But Johann makes Susanna an offer she can’t refuse—pitting her passion and her principles against one another.
If she can find a way for her head and her heart to be in harmony, a future lovelier than daylight awaits her.
Lovelier than Daylight is a story of love and faith based on the Westerville Whiskey War of 1875, a dramatic real historical event featured in the 2011 documentary Prohibition by Ken Burns.

My Thoughts
This was a beautiful conclusion to a wonderful series! Though I am sad to see it end!
I have loved both of Rosslyn Elliott's previous books so I was not surprised that this one was just as good. I loved all of the characters but Johann was my favorite. He was such a kind, considerate, endearing and selfless gentleman that you couldn't help falling a little in love with him! Susanna is one lucky girl! She was also a great character, and it was cool watching her grow! It was great to once again have Ann and Will, from the first book, in the story-they are awesome
I love how these books are based on real people and actual events. It brings new life to the story. And I think the author does an amazing job of embellishing without butchering the facts. I also really enjoyed how the message of grace was beautifully woven into the story in such a way that it kind of crept in on you and wasn't overly pushy.

About the Author
Rosslyn Elliott was born into a military family and lived in four states and two foreign countries before she graduated from high school. Her frequent relocation into new social scenes encouraged her to become a close observer of others, and a writer.
She attended Yale University, where she earned a BA in English and Theater Studies. She earned her Ph.D. in English at Emory University in 2006.
Rosslyn's graduate study of American literature spurred her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She writes inspirational historical novels filled with romance and adventure.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Stacking the Shelves #17

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
Starflower by Anne Elizabeth Stengl
If We Survive by Andrew Klaven

Books I Bought
Paperdoll by Natalie Lloyd

Kindle Books
Deceived by Melody Carlson
Scared by Tom Davis
Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz
A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
Lone Star Trail by Darlene Franklin
Shiver by Amber Garza
She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell
Castaway Kid by R. B. Mitchell
The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

Friday, November 09, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: Cover Buying

Book Blogger Hop
Hosted this week by: The Fake Steph

This Week's Question:
Is there a book series that you’re not totally into, but still keep buying new releases because you love the covers?

My Answer:
Not really. I do love pretty covers but if I'm not loving a series I won't purchase any more of the books. The closest thing I can think of is the Tales of Goldstone Wood series by Anne Elizabeth Stengl. I'm not much of a fantasy girl but the covers were so gorgeous, that I signed up to review the fourth book. Meaning of course, that I had to read books 1-3. I read the first one and while the writing was good and the plot well executed, it was completely not my type of book. So I was stuck not loving a series but needing to read them. Thankfully though, my little sis just started the first one and is loving it so she might handle the reading/reviewing of that series freeing me up to read books that are more in my wheelhouse.