The Pelican Bride by Beth White

About the Book
It is 1704 when Genevieve Gaillain and her sister board a French ship headed for the Louisiana colony as mail-order brides. Both have promised to marry one of the rough-and-tumble Canadian men in this New World in order to escape religious persecution in the Old World. Genevieve knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of beheading. But when she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer whose courageous stand for fair treatment of native peoples has made him decidedly unpopular in the young colony, Genevieve realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. And a secret she harbors could mean the undoing of the colony itself.
Gulf Coast native Beth White brings vividly to life the hot, sultry south in this luscious, layered story of the lengths we must go to in order to be true to ourselves, our faith, and our deepest loves.

My Thoughts
This was my first novel by Beth White and I really liked it! It was written in such a beautiful way and was rich with historical detail. I truly felt transported to another time and place. The characters were all well-written from the hero and heroine to the villain. I really liked both Genevieve and Tristan, they were both strong individuals who stood fast in their beliefs. The one thing I really wasn't a fan of was how little romance there was, there actually weren't all that many scenes of the two of them together and I just felt like it could have been developed more. That's not to say that I didn't like the romance, I did think they were great together, I just wanted a little more.

There were several plot twists throughout the story, some of which I guessed, others that took me by surprise. But everything was woven together beautifully to create a story well worth reading! I can't wait for book two to come out!

Meet the Author
Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she is a pastor's wife, mother of two, and grandmother of one--so far. Her hobbies include playing flute and pennywhistle and painting, but her real passion is writing historical romance with a Southern drawl. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. Visit www.bethwhite.net for more information.

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.

Waiting on Wednesday #110: Daisies Are Forever

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:

Daisies Are Forever by Liz Tolsma
Thomas Nelson-May 6, 2014

About the Book

Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch’s identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her “marriage.”

Their journey to Gisela’s mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella's daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.

Why I Want It

I enjoyed this author's first book and this one sounds like it'll be pretty good too! Also it's WWII which is my favorite time period to read about!

Below the Surface by Tim Shoemaker

About the Book
Something is wrong with Cooper. He’s plagued by a fear he doesn’t understand and can’t control. Cooper just wants to escape, and a summer vacation aboard the restored cabin cruiser, The Getaway, with best friends Gordy, Hiro, and Lunk seems like the perfect way to do it. Two weeks of fun---with no mysteries or life-and-death danger. That’s the plan. But their plans are shattered the very first night when they witness a murder. Or did they? Despite their intentions of leaving the investigation to the police, narrow misses and creepy encounters lure them in. Is there really a body floating in the underwater currents of the lake? The closer they get to the truth, the deeper into danger they get. Too late they see the trap. Now each of them must face their own buried fears . . . just below the surface.

My Thoughts
Even though this series is about kids that are a lot younger than me I still have enjoyed their stories and I think this one was my favorite of the three.This author has a great talent of writing books suitable for a younger audience but keeping them believable and even entertaining for adults to read. I loved seeing the growth of the characters and their bond was really something special. I think Coop was my favorite of the four, he had a lot a depth for how young he was and I really liked how he cared for those close to him. I also loved seeing the change in Lunk as he found friendship and acceptance with the group. Hiro and Gordy were great too though they got a little annoying at times. All in all this was a great ending to a fun series that I definitely recommend for middle-school-junior high kids!

Meet the Author
Tim Shoemaker is a speaker and author of eight books, including Dangerous Devotions for Guys; Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets, and Other Outdoor Devotionals; Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals. He has three grown sons and has been happily married for over thirty-two years. Tim actively serves in his church and continues to volunteer with youth ministry. Visit www.TimShoemakerSmashedTomatoes.com to learn more.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Top Ten Books If You Like X Movie

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

If you liked The Princess Diaries you should read Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck
Because they are both stories about normal girls who discover they are princesses

If you liked Pearl Harbor you should read Wings of Glory Series by Sarah Sundin
Because they are both emotional WWII stories about pilots

If you liked Ever After you should read The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
Because they are similar Cinderella retellings

If you liked Seven Brides for Seven Brothers you should read Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
Because they both have brothers, the oldest of whom gets married suddenly and they have a lot of other similarities

If you liked The Notebook you should read The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson
Because they are both stories where there is opposition to the relationship causing many problems

If you liked A League of Their Own you should read A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin
Because they are both about women who stepped up to take men's places during WWII

If you liked The Bourne Movies you should read The Homelanders Series by Andrew Klavan
Because they are both about guys who forget who they are and are in the middle of some crazy stuff

If you liked The Bachelor you should read Dear Daphne Series by Melody Carlson
Because both of these have old relatives who die and hinge an inheritance on the main character getting married by a certain date

If you liked She's the Man you should read Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake
Because they are both about girls pretending to be boys

If you liked The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants you should read The Miracle Girls series by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
Because they are both about four kind of unlikely friends and their relationships

Do you agree with my picks? Disagree? What are some matches you'd make?

Paige Turned by Erynn Mangum

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Paige Turned TH1NK (April 1, 2014) by Erynn Mangum

MY THOUGHTS:
While I loved the first two books in this series I'm thinking this one might be my favorite! It was the perfect ending to a great series! There were so many funny moments that had me laughing out loud and also a bunch of very sweet moments that made me smile. This book was just such a fun relaxing read and I had it finished in one day. I once again loved all the characters especially Paige, Tyler, Rick, and Layla. I'm trying not to say too much since it's the last book and I really don't want to spoil anything from the previous two books, but I will say that it was a fantastic read that left me with a big smile on my face! I highly recommend this series and I can't wait to go read her previous series now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:
So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Despite her valiant efforts, Paige Alder seems stuck in chaos. Her new job as youth intern keeps her hopping from coffee shop to coffee shop all summer long, but at least she’s loving the one-on-one time she gets to spend with the girls. The unfortunate side-effect is that now, four weeks of laundry fills her apartment. Plus, she barely has time to help her sister and best friend with their weddings! And even worse? Something is definitely wrong between her and Tyler. She apologized for what he thought he saw happen with Luke. Can’t they move past it? Or could there be something he’s not telling her—something that could change everything?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Paige Turned, go HERE.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #120

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

This was all I managed to get read this week since we were crazy busy! My gram broke her hip and is staying with us while she recuperates, we had company, I babysat, I had my birthday, and my sister spent a couple days here. So yeah it was a pretty full week! I did enjoy this book though there was way too much swearing for my liking!

What I am currently reading:

These are both pretty decent reads though I'm not loving either of them.

What I hope to read this week:

This is the least I want to get read this week! I have a lot of review books and I want to get cracking on them plus I got a ton of great books for my birthday that I can't wait to read!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #119
Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Top Ten Characters Who Love Books
Waiting on Wednesday #109: Fatal Exchange
Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg
Bout of Books 10: Sign-Up and Goals
For Such A Time by Kate Breslin

Friday Memes 4/25

To Die Once by Miranda A. Uyeh

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!

To Die Once by Miranda A. Uyeh

About the Book
Two men, one woman, a rosebush …
… a terrible past, an uncertain future
Jennifer, a woman unexpectedly trapped in a path of love and passion against everything
Rodrigo, a man set to get what he wants at the cost of what matters most.
Stefano, a man with a past, a story to tell and passion to offer.
Chidi, a friend in need, a friend indeed. Or not?
From a culture where good girls follow the norm and live as they’ve been told, Jennifer is no different from any other girl until by happenstance, she meets and falls in love with Rodrigo, a man who’s handsome, rich and foreign. Different. She has no idea who he is or what he does, and is swept into a world of romance and passion. It is not long before she discovers a shocking truth that shakes both her world and his.
Stefano shows up at a time when Jennifer has made up her mind about the rules of life. He thinks she’s beautiful and is in love with her. In a bid to convince her to give him a chance in her life, old memories once buried are brought to life. And the events that follow don’t leave anyone unaffected by the truth of the past that was left unsettled. Meanwhile, Jennifer with her friend Chidi, find themselves on a self-discovery journey that has one of them raising questions. Some just have to ask, where is God in all this?
… an inspirational romance, from Lagos to Italy.
Find it now on Goodreads and soon on Amazon, Apple iBook, and Kobo!

My Thoughts

 This was a very unique and well-written debut novel. All of the characters had a lot of depth to them all and I found myself deeply feeling their emotions. The story played out rather interestingly though it was still all pretty believable. There were several twists and turns along the way and even though I guessed some of them in advance it was still cool to watch it all play out! I'm sorry that this is a rather general and short review but there are lots of spoilers to avoid and this is the best way I could think of keeping it spoiler-free! I did thoroughly enjoy this book and I'm interested to see what this author will do next!

Meet the Author

Miranda A. Uyeh is an assistant lecturer at a local college in Makurdi City, Nigeria, where she teaches two geology courses. Her love for books goes as far back as when her father placed Disney’s Rapunzel in her hands—her very first storybook! By the time she was thirteen she knew she was going to be a writer. You can find Miranda on her blog where she shares her love for books, entertainment and Christian spirituality with her readers. Miranda holds a B.Tech (Hons) in Applied Geology from ATBU, Nigeria. To Die Once is her debut novel, #1 of the Child of Grace book series.

Twitter--Blog--Facebook--Google+--Pinterest--Goodreads

Author's Note
This is a story centered on God’s healing power of grace and mercy. People like Jennifer, Rodrigo (and Stefano), and Chidi exist in our world today, hurting from the choices and the mistakes they’d made in the past, and seeking redemption/solace in any way possible, even from vices like alcohol. If you find yourself in such a position, or you know someone drowning in pain, please, let them know that God’s arms are wide-open to receive and heal anyone who will earnestly come to Him. He says in His Word in Heb. 4:16 that we can come boldly before the throne of grace to seek grace and mercy for when we need it. Do not lose hope that you can be healed and fully restored. There is no sin that God can’t forgive, and there’s no one He’ll turn away. Come to Him today and receive your healing! 
Signed, 
Miranda A. Uyeh, 
A Child of Grace.

Giveaway

10 winners will be drawn every week via the rafflecopter ticket every week making a total of 70 ebook winners all together. The winners will be announced every week on Miranda's blog on Sundays, but the ebooks will be emailed after the tour. The giveaway is International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Memes 4/25

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Do you answer the Book Blogger Hop questions in advance and have them scheduled or do you write your post the night before or the day of the Book Blogger Hop?

My Answer:

I write my posts the night before and then schedule them to post at midnight!

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."

Vacations were all about having fun-or running from something not so fun. Cooper needed this vacation to be about both. The fact that he was starting high school in a matter of  days wasn't what gnawed at him. Not really. It was something deeper. Buried. And he intended to keep it there.
Below the Surface by Tim Shoemaker

My Thoughts
Definitely an interesting beginning! Having read the previous two books I have an idea of what's going on but it still snags my attention!

For Such A Time by Kate Breslin

About the Book
Powerful Retelling of the Story of Esther
In 1944, blond and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz.
Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy.

Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?

My Thoughts
To put it simply this book was beautiful. From the very first word till the very last, this author wove a captivating story that drew you in and held you till the end.
When I first saw this book on a list of upcoming releases I knew I had to read it for several reasons. The first was that I love WWII stories, the second is that I love the story of Esther, and probably the biggest reason is that this idea was sheer genius. It fit so perfectly together and it never felt like this story was trying to hard to match Esther's, the story just flowed the right way. I loved how at the beginning of each chapter there was a verse from Esther that fit what was happening so that it was even easier to connect the stories.
The characters were also perfect, well not actually perfect but perfect in their roles especially the heroine and hero. Hadassah/Stella was pretty much exactly how imagine Esther would have been and I loved how the author captured that mix of compassion, fear, and bravery.  Aric on the other hand is so hard to put into words. He starts out hard and cold but with a small chink in his armor that continues to grow as the book goes on and in the end you can't help but love him.  I loved watching his transformation slowly as the book unfolded, and was very glad the author did it in an entirely realistic way that didn't seem rushed or fake.
So if you haven't guessed, I loved this book so very much and could continue gushing for quite awhile but I think this gives you a good taste of what to expect and I hope you pick up a copy for yourself! I can't wait to see what else this debut author has in store for us!

Meet the Author
A Florida girl and former bookseller, Kate Breslin migrated to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and a very spoiled cat named Coco. Kate has written travel articles, published award-winning poetry, and her first manuscript was an RWA Golden Heart finalist. FOR SUCH A TIME is her debut novel; now that she's writing inspirational romance, Kate enjoys creating stories that show how God's love can bring two hearts together. When not plotting the next novel, Kate can be found with her nose in a book or taking long nature walks in Washington's many beautiful forests. She also likes to travel and see new places--great for finding the next story idea!

She'd love to hear from you! Please stop by and say hello at www.katebreslin.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.

Bout of Books 10: Sign-Up

"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog." - From the Bout of Books team

I'm so excited to join this read-a-thon once again! I always have such fun and it's a great motivator! I am hoping to read at least 10 books this time around though I have no clue which ones they'll be!

Waiting on Wednesday 109: Fatal Exchange

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:

Fatal Exchange by Lisa Harris
Revell-May 6, 2014

About the Book

Emily Hunt might come from a family of cops, but she never goes looking for an adrenaline rush. She lives the quiet--well, relatively quiet--life of a teacher and thrives on making a difference in the lives of her students. But she'll have to draw on a well of strength and savvy she didn't know she had as student Rafael Cerda takes her class hostage for ransom money to save his brother's life.

Undercover cop Mason Taylor has been working with Rafael to find his brother and bring the cartel thugs who hold him to justice. Can he talk Rafael down from his impulsive actions? And is there something more sinister at work here than he realizes?

Why I Want It

I loved the first book in this series and I can't wait to dive into this one!

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

About the Book
After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he'll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events...
If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade--she'll help with the Festival and he'll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave.

My Thoughts
Oh, where to start?! Saying I loved this book would be a gross understatement, adored is closer but still doesn't quite describe how amazing this book was! Made to Last was one of my favorite reads of 2013 and I loved Blake's character in that book. So needless to say I had some insanely high expectations for Here to Stay and I am quite happy to announce that Melissa surpassed them all, leaving me giddy happy and totally in love with this new book!
Blake was so completely awesome! I loved his character's sense of humor and fun-loving nature in the first book and while those things were still there we were given a much deeper look into who Blake Hunziker really is, and it just made him even more amazing! I especially loved the scenes where he allowed himself to be vulnerable, I honestly melted and just wanted to wrap him in a big hug. Then there was his caring side, some of the things he did for people were just so stinkin' sweet but I won't spoil them for you! And the last thing I'm going to mention is how much I admired how he was no longer running from his past but was finally ready to stand up and face it.
Autumn was fantastic too! I appreciated how hard she worked to keep her family's inn running even though she was planning to leave and how much she cared for everyone there. Her personality reminded me of myself a bit, funny, cautious but willing to take risks with the right people, wanting to do what was best for everyone, book loving, and remembering random facts. I also loved how perfectly she and Blake fit together, definitely a match made in heaven.
And then there were all the minor characters who were great as well, the inn staff, Ellie and Jake, Mrs Satterly, Lucy, the Hunzikers, and the Kingsleys. I thought it was really cute how Melissa incorporated her nephew Ollie, who has Down Syndrome, by having a little boy named Oliver and another character who had DS. Knowing about Ollie made those parts of the book all the more sweet!
One random thing I want to mention that I absolutely loved was the fact that Blake gave Autumn the nickname of Red! If fit so well and I loved the connection to The Philadelphia story.

I could gone on gushing for quite a lot more but this review is already crazy long so I'll wrap up! I love Melissa's writing style, her humor, the way she throws in fun movie references, and it just seems like every word is perfectly placed to create this wonderful story.  In short this book was absolutely superb and I think it was even better than Made to Last! Also it is one of those rare books that I wanted to reread as soon as I'd finished it!

Meet the Author
Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she's also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she's biased), watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next story. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.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.

Top Ten Characters Who Love Books

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

#1. Lizzie O'Conner from A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman
#2. Autumn Kingsley from Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg
#3. Eden Spencer from To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
#4. Adelaide Proctor from Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
#5. Samantha Moore from Dear Mr. Darcy by Katherine Reay
#6. Marty Davis from Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke
#7. Mona Reynolds from Happily Ever After by Susan May Warren
#8. Caylor Evans from The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus
#9. Alice Grace Ripley from Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
#10. Lilly Westbrook from Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the Book
A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all
Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.
The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

My Thoughts

 I think this is my favorite of the three books I've read by this author. Both of the main characters were very broken and it was cool to watch them let God heal their brokenness. Amos was such a sweet hero, he didn't have much and he walked with a limp but he never let that affect his personality and he was kind and gentle with everyone. And my heart broke for Dinah and what she'd had to endure and while I kept wanting her to open up and let people in I completely understood why she closed herself off. Ruthie, Dinah's friend, was a pretty good character who I either really liked or was really annoyed with. I did like how she presented a good picture of what being a Christian is like in the day to day. She would mess up but she repented and did her best to change. All in all this was a sweet story!

Meet the Author
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling, award-winning author with more than one million copies of her books currently in print. Awards include the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Sawyer lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren.

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.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #119

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

I was pretty busy this week with babysitting and relatives in but I still managed to read Here to Stay which was purely awesome (I'll get the review up this week!) and I reread Six Hours One Friday on Good Friday.

What I am currently reading:

Still working on this one. I took a break to read Here to Stay and just haven't had the time.

What I hope to read this week:

I doubt I'll get to any of these since this week is filling up pretty fast but I'm still hopeful!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #118
Top Ten Bookish Things I'd Like to Own
Waiting on Wednesday #108: Raptor 6
A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

Friday Memes 4/18

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 Memes 4/18

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Are your reviews more of a rehash of the story or do you comment on writing style, characters, and reflection?

My Answer:

I never rehash the story in my reviews! If someone wants to know what the book is about they can read the description-which I include with each review. When I look at reviews I want to know what the person thought not a reiteration of the summary and I assume that's what others want too. Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, it's a pet peeve of mine and I usually won't read reviews if the start with rehashing!

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."

If the letter-the one that could change everything-didn't arrive today, she'd stop hoping.
Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

My Thoughts
Once I got done squealing in excitement over finally getting to read this book, I thought it was a great beginning! Makes you keep reading wondering what the letter could hold that will be so life-altering!

A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

About the Book
Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.
Answering an advertisement for a "Lone Star bride," she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn't know.
Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.
Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be wed. Together Jake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.
When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake's yearning to return to ranching grows ever stronger, much to Marty's dismay. But a fondness has grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.
What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways . . . and dreams and secrets collide?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/vlp1S

My Thoughts
Ever since I read Love Comes Softly I have been a huge fan of marriage of convenience stories, so as soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read it. Thankfully it lived up to my expectations and I finished it in less than twenty-four hours!
Marty was a great heroine with a fun blend of tough and gentle. Tough enough to do whatever needed done, yet gentle enough to care about everyone around her. It was fun to watch her transition from a Texas rancher, to a Colorado socialite, though she did it rather well!
Jake was also a pretty awesome hero. I loved his hard-working nature and the way he took care of those in his life.
The staff was an enjoyable mix of characters and I especially enjoyed Brighton and Mrs. Landry's playful bickering!
It was interesting to get a look at this time in history through the eyes of a banker, since usually we get the other side of the story.
The only real problem I had was that the book ended without some things really being figured out that I really would have enjoyed some closure on but it was still a great book that I definitely recommend!

Meet the Author
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
Learn more about Tracie at: www.traciepeterson.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.

Welcome to the campaign launch for Tracie Peterson's 100th book! A Sensible Arrangement launches Tracie's new Texas-based series, Lone Star Brides, that’s sure to please. As a special treat, devoted fans will be able to catch a glimpse of several popular characters from previous series.

Tracie is celebrating by giving away an iPad Mini and hosting a LIVE webcast event on 4/29.

 

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the A Sensible Arrangement Live Webcast Event on April 29th. Connect with Tracie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tracie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of A Sensible Arrangement and join Tracie and friends on the evening of April 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 today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Waiting on Wednesday #108: Raptor 6

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:

Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
Shiloh Run Press-May 1, 2014

About the Book

Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when Dean’s mission and team are threatened, his Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, compromising the US military, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.

Why I Want It

Ronie Kendig's books are some of my absolute favorites, I have loved each one of her novels and I can't wait to dive into this new series! It's also cool that we've already "met" Dean in the last series, so I'm excited for his story!

P.S. The model for this cover is an actual Special Forces veteran, which I think is really cool 

Top Ten Bookish Things I'd Like to Own

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

#1. Floor to ceiling bookcases with a rolling ladder
#2. Cool antique Bookends
#3. Some sort of book related artwork
#4. A hammock for outdoor reading
#5. A room that is just a library
#6. A book related necklace
#7. A small shelf next to or above my bed for my current reads
#8. A bookish zip-up jacket
#9. A comfy reading chair
#10. A phone or laptop case that looks like a book

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #118

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

I had a pretty great reading week! All of these books were 4-5-stars! I was reading them all at that same time and they were set four different centuries, 1704, 1883, 1944, and 2014 (I think)!

What I am currently reading:

I've only read the prologue of this since it's been a busy day but I'm super excited about it!

What I hope to read this week:

Hoping to get to all three of these this week! One review book, one just for fun book, and an Easter book!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #117
The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley
Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read
Sincerely Yours Novella Collection
Waiting on Wednesday #107: Rebels
A Draw of Kings by Patrick W. Carr

Friday Memes 4/11
Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo

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!

Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo

About the Book
A spunky young widow hires a farmhand with a bad reputation to help her get her cotton to Jefferson to meet the wagon train, and sparks fly—but can she love a man who doesn’t love the Lord?
Susannah Abbot Baylor reluctantly hires Henry Buckmeyer to help her along the Jefferson Trace, the hard stretch of land between her Texas farm and the cotton market, where she is determined to get a fair price for her crop. It’s been a rough year, and she’s in danger of losing the land her husband left to her and the children, but she’ll need help getting both of her wagons to Jefferson safely. She knows Henry’s reputation as a layabout and is prepared for his insolence, but she is not expecting his irresistible good looks or his gentle manner. Soon they are entwined in a romantic relationship that only gets more complicated when Susannah learns that Henry doesn’t know God the way she does. Dangers arise on the road—but none as difficult as the trial her heart is going through.

Will Susannah and Henry’s love overcome their differences? And will she get her crop safely to the cotton market with enough money to save the farm? In this heartening and adventurous tale, a young woman’s fortitude, faith, and heart are put to the ultimate test.

My Thoughts
I would prefer to just not write this review at all, since I didn't really enjoy this novel and I don't like to talk bad about books even if I didn't like them. but I was given the book in exchange for my honest review so that's what I'm going to give.
For the most part I did not like the characters. Sue was, in her own words, a shrew, despite the fact that she was supposed to be a Christian. It seemed almost every scene she would say or do something uncalled for, feel remorse over it, decided to never do it again, then turn around and start all over again. Her daughter acted like she was six instead of nine and was a bit of a spoiled brat though she did have some good moments. Levi was okay, he had an attitude problem at first but he came around to be a pretty decent guy. Henry was the best of the bunch. Despite not being saved he was the most Christ-like of them all. He was kind, gentleman-like, respectful, generous, self-sacrificing, and hard-working. Honestly I thought he was too good for Sue.
The plot was okay, though I thought it was a little ridiculous that she thought the reason her husband had died was because she had gone against her father's wishes when she'd married him, and now refused to remarry without her father's blessing. I also wasn't a fan of the dialogue, it felt unnatural and rubbed me the wrong way.

That all being said, I'm apparently the minority in my thinking since this book has several 5-star reviews. So please don't take my word for it and take look at the other reviews before deciding whether or not to read this!

Meet the Author

Caryl has always loved to write and is excited with her first historical Christian romance VOW UNBROKEN from Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, set in 1832 Texas. For every good blessing - including 10 children (4 by birth, 6 by marriage) and 14 grandchildren - she gives God the glory. Caryl lives a country-life with Ron, her husband of forty-six years and four grandsons, outside Clarksville, Red River County Seat, located in far Northeast Texas

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.

Friday Memes 4/11

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

What do you think is the best book marketing tool? Blog, facebook, twitter, pinterest, or goodreads?

My Answer:

For me I'd say blogs. I may hear about a book somewhere else but when I decided whether I want to read it or not I check blogs I trust and see what their thoughts were. Goodreads is also great so you can see what your friends thought of it or if they are wanting to read it to!

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."

Monday, February 14, 1944
The stench was unmistakable. Seeping through the walls of the two-story chalet, turning pungent from the warmth of an oil furnace, the insidious odor drifted upstairs to where Stella lay asleep on a window seat. It filled her nostrils and roused her with a jerk; she struggled upright, shielding her eyes against the bright light penetrating the glass. Dawn. The burning had begun.
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin

My Thoughts
First off, this beginning is beautifully written (and so is the rest of this book)! The author created such a vivid scene with her words. If also raises questions the biggest of which being the question of what is burning.