211/2018: Liza's Second Chance

"…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." (Philippians 3:13, NLT)

Lisa owned the bakery in town.  She loved her job.  She loved her family and the Amish community she lived in.  She was a widow from a very unhappy marriage.  She appreciated her freedom and never wanted to experience pain and harsh criticism ever again.

Jacob, a widower, moved to Charm, Ohio to start a new life with his teenage daughter.  He prayed that one day he would meet someone to share the rest of his life with.  

Jacob walks into the bakery and he is smitten with Liza.  Was there any chance for the two of them to have a future together?  Will Jacob's daughter accept Liza?

Lisa allowed the past to put up a wall for protection.  Jacob came across a little strong ( in my opinion).  He needed to learn patience.  Jacob's daughter, Ellie, had to work through her grief before she can move forward.

The characters were warm and caring.  Charm, Ohio did have a few residents who were critical and judgmental.  

Great story.  I enjoyed it and loved how it worked out in the end.

I received this for free to review.

                        GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Molly is giving away a $75 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6d1

About the Author

Molly Jebber’s books have been featured on Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Ten Recommended Reads, in USA Today’s HEA, Romantic Times and many other media sites. She’s tours and speaks about Amish history/traditions, writing, marketing, publishing, and about her books. She loves God, her family, friends. She enjoys swimming, golf, reading, and says yes to butterscotch pie and parasailing, but no to coconut and skydiving! Visit www.mollyjebber.com for a complete list of her books and speaking events.

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York- Adele's Journey by Amanda Barratt

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York was one of suspense, sacrifice and love.  I have been to Niagara Falls so the location was interesting to me.

Adele came from England to Niagara Falls looking for an American husband to save her family home.  She didn't expect to meet Drew.  Drew was looking for ways to save his sister and would even put his life at risk to do so.

Would Adele and Drew find what they were looking for?  Or did they find that GOD had a plan for them?

I received this free to review.

2/3/2018: Soul's Cry

I read this book and was immediately drawn into the mystery.  I didn't read the first book of this series so it took me awhile to clarify who was who.

Ione, Miriam and Janet all were trying to overcome their pasts.  They each had a secret that they wanted to keep hidden. But sometimes you have to face the past to move forward.

Danger was in the name of Clarence Tamm.  He had a plan.  A Dangerous Plan.

As I read this book, I felt so sad for Ione.  She had gone through so much.  She worked so hard to get where she  was....to be accepted by her community.  As Ione was working so hard to be accepted she failed to accept herself.  She neglected her own self worth.  She could not forgive herself of the choices She made.

She failed to realize that she was forgiven by GOD.  With this realization, Ione could open her heart and see all the possibilities that were available to her.  

I received this free to review.

Their Daring Hearts- Sharlene MacLaren

Josephine Winters felt driven to enlist in the Union Army.  But there is a problem: she is a girl.  This doesn't stop her!

Levi is a Quaker.  But he had a calling to enlist in the Army.

Both felt that GOD was calling them to do more in their lives.  Because of this they met under grueling circumstances...but Levi met Josephine as Gordon Snipp.

Their relationship developed from friendship and their faith in GOD.

I loved this story. It was a quick page turner.  I love historical books and this did not disappoint.

This is a book of fiction based on history.  There were women who served in the Civil War disguised as men.  It is hard to imagine but they were driven to serve, an example of this is Sarah Edmonds aka Frank Thompson.

I received this free to review.

To celebrate her tour, Whitaker House is giving away:

Grand Prize Package: Their Daring Hearts (Forever Freedom Series) #2 by Sharlene MacLaren; Summer on Sunset Ridge (Forever Freedom Series #1) signed by the author, Sharlene MacLaren, Abba Jerusalem Hyssop 6” Pillar Candle.
1st Place: Their Daring Hearts (Forever Freedom Series) #2 by Sharlene MacLaren; Heart of Mercy (Tennessee Dreams #1) by Sharlene MacLaren; Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils.
2nd Place: Their Daring Hearts (Forever Freedom Series) #2 by Sharlene MacLaren; Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils.!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c602

About the Author

Born and raised in western Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren graduated from Spring Arbor University then traveled nationally with a contemporary Christian vocal ensemble. She married Cecil, with whom she’d grown up in Spring Arbor, and the couple had two daughters. Shar embarked on a teaching career that would span over 30 years. As she contemplated retirement, Shar sought God’s guidance, praying for a vocation that would provide the kind of fulfillment and joy she experienced as a teacher and mother. A lifelong gifted story teller, she began to write Christian romance novels. Her first book, Through Every Storm, published in 2007, was met with critical acclaim and brisk sales. The rest, as they say, is history. Whitaker House’s bestselling fiction author, she’s subsequently published 18 books, mostly historical romances. Shar enjoys reading, singing in her church choir and worship team, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She’s very interactive on Facebook and Twitter. For more: www.sharlenemaclaren.com, www.facebook.com/sharmaclaren, Twitter @ sharzy_lu.

Ain't Misbehaving - Dallas Duets 1 by Marji Laine

Annalee did the right thing when she pled guilty.  But she sure paid the price!  She was assigned to community service at an after-school daycare.  What did she know about Kids?  What she didn't know was her life was about to change!!!!

CJ Whelen loved running the daycare.  He was a vital part of the community.  He forgot to mention to Annalee that he was the wealthy son of a prominent business man.  A big mistake!

 I was intrigued seeing that there was a probation officer in the story.  I am a retired Probation Officer. But my goodness......how unethical Laurel Stewart was.  I literally could have wrung her  neck.  She sure was nasty.

I enjoyed the story.  It was a treat being with Annalee on her spiritual journey.

I received this free to review.

About the Author

Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling with the surreal notion that

she’ll now have time on her hands. But that’s unlikely. Her publishing company, Write Integrity Press, keeps her extremely busy. In her spare time, she teaches a high school and college Bible Study, leads a Sunday morning high school fellowship group, directs a children’s choir, and sings in her church’s adult choir.

She enjoys road trips with her family and friends, photography, scrapbooking, and participating in musical theater. Her favorite past time is game night with her family and her kids’ extended collection of friends.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marji is giving away a grand prize of Dallas chocolates, Texas snack box, and a packet of Bluebonnet seeds!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c516

Son of Promise

I didn't realize that this was a book in a series I previously read.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Cody's story is one we all have experienced sometime or another.  It made me think of the hymn - Amazing Grace's line :

"I once was lost but now I'm found"

This stood out for me.  Cody was almost a cast off.  He was lost in the system-lost in direction - lost in hopes and dreams.

But the strangest thing happened when he opened his heart to Jesus.  Love poured in.  He had a family.  He found God.  His world turning upside down.

Emmie and Travis welcomed Cody into their home and loved him unconditionally.  Just like Jesus - he loves all of us unconditionally  He is always waiting there praying that he will open the door for him and let him into our hearts.

Cody was the son of promise to Emmie and Travis.

Jesus was the son we were promised.

I loved the story.  I recommend this for anyone that needs a reminder that miracles can happen.

I received this free to review.


About the Author;

Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and a quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. She loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her—look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-two years ago, and now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away

GRAND PRIZE : $50 Amazon Gift Card
1st Prize: Choice-of-Caryl’s Titles (print or ebook)
2nd-4th: ebook of SON OF PROMISE!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c511

A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

I have read many books based in. Huckleberry Hill and I love this community and all the characters located there.  They are real and fun to get to know.  How could you not love Mammi and her lack of cooking skills?

Elsie was no way looking for love when she took the teaching position.  She wanted to teach her students and get over her feeling of rejection when she was let go by her previous position.  She did not know What to expect when Sam stormed into her classroom.

Sam did everything he could for his brother, Wally, and his family.  But not everything he did was helpful.

Sam and Elsie clashed almost every time they got together. It was a joy reading about their developing relationship.

Wally, Sam's younger brother, is a central figure in this story.  He learned some valuable lessons.  It is an example of how words and actions can influence your beliefs and behavior.

I received this for free to review.  I give it five stars!

Lovely story.  Touching and encouraging.

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to three winners!! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6cf

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated, award-winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Her much-anticipated Amish series, The Honeybee Sisters, has created a lot of romantic buzz. Sweet as Honey received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and Sweet as Honey and A Bee in her Bonnet were both awarded Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-three years, and she has six children and six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

A Song Unheard

Just finished this marvelous book-left me speechless...but with a song in my heart.

So sad that Willa felt she was unloved- abandoned.  All it took was a little girl, wiser than her years, to convince her that Jesus was right there with her all along ready to put the "pieces" together.

I was a little lost at the beginning as this was Book 2 of a series.  It only took a few chapters before I got it.

So much hurt - fear - loss and HOPE of a better tomorrow wrapped up in one book.

Great story, moving....a story that will stay with me for awhile.

I received this free to review.

About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a signed copy of the book as well as a lovely album of soothing songs based on the Scriptures called Hidden in My Heart (winner’s choice of CD or digital download)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c72a

The Valentine Verse by JoAnn Durgin

Who wouldn't want a suitor like Thornton?  He is everything a girl could ask for.  He is handsome, smart, caring, playful, loyal and has a deep love for God.

Vara didn't expect her life to change forever when she accepted a client in Cherish.  She stopped at a coffee shop and her life wouldn't be the same.  Vara met Thornton there.  She was attracted to him but she was not interested in starting a new relationship.  Thornton really didn't have room in his busy life to begin a relationship.  But God had different plans for both of them!

The coffee shop was central to the town of Cherish. There was a bulletin board in the shop that had a posting for the day on it.  Who was responsible for the postings?


I loved how Thornton swept Vara off her feet.  He was romantic and so sweet.  I was routing for him!
This is a lovely story of how Vara learns how to forgive and with forgiveness she was given a new beginning.  Thornton is one of learning what is important in life and family commitment. 

It made me think of my husband and the night we met.  He expressed to me how God was central to his life.  He thought that this might be a turnoff for some but to me, it was wonderful.  I was so touched.  I was more attracted to him after he shared this with me.   We just celebrated 10 1/2 years years of marriage.

I received this free to review.

Great read.  Perfect for Valentine's Day!

:

To celebrate her tour, JoAnn is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c5dd

About the Author

JoAnn Durgin is the USA Today bestselling author of the beloved Lewis Legacy Series as well as Prelude, the prequel to the series. Her other works include the Amazon bestselling Catching Serenity, Heart’s Design and its sequel, Gentle Like the Rain, The Wondrous Love Series, Echoes of Edinburgh, Perchance to Dream, Whisper to My Heart, Thee Will I Cherish, The Christmas Challenge, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series.

A former estate administration paralegal, JoAnn now writes contemporary Christian romance full-time and lives with her family in her native southern Indiana. Writing Christian fiction is her passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing the hope to be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Strains of Silence

Difficult read for me as I experienced abuse in my life.  Kasia blamed herself for Blake's behavior.  Blake convinced her it was her fault.  She gave up all the things she loved to make him happy.  But in reality, nothing could keep Blake happy and in the process, she lost herself.

Zan felt responsible for keeping his sister, Bailey, safe.  Bailey was in an abusive marriage.  Bailey was determined to change her life.  She knew that she was not alone.  She knew that GOD would be by her side throughout her ordeal and HE would keep her safe from harm.

A chance meeting between Zan and Kasia changed their lives.  Zan was so busy trying to save his sister and Kasia.  He failed to realize that he was the one who needed to be saved.  Once Zan allowed GOD to enter his heart, he knew that "all things work together for good to them that love GOD".  Roman 8:28

There were times in the book where I wasn't sure Keisha or Bailey would survive.  Definitely a page turner!!!

I received this book for free to review.

About the Author

Bethany loves a home filled with family and friends. Word gets around that—at the Kaczmarek house—food is abundant, conversations are real, and anything is up for discussion. She and her clan are fans of laughter, indie music, sonic screwdrivers, and superheroes. Home is wherever in the world they’re all together.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Bethany is giving away a grand grand prize a signed book, a Polish pottery mug with two of the main character’s favorite kinds of teas, 4 of her favorite albums (Josh Garrels, Waterdeep, The Gray Havens, and Andrew Greer), a box of chocolate butter cookies, and a $50 Amazon gift card.!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c5dc

The Lacemaker

Williamsburg, Va. 1775
I have travelled to Williamsburg on vacation a couple of times.  Page after page brought me to Williamsburg.  I could see the shops, the inns...I can see Lady Elizabeth walking down the streets.

 Lady Elizabeth or Libby (what she wanted to be known by) created lace pieces.  With patience and with each stitch, a beautiful creation was made.  GOD carefully weaves each one of us into a beautiful creation.

This story is one of discovery.  Who are we?  What do we stand for?  Libby must make a decision that will change her whole life.

Libby and Noble are a wonderful couple.  I loved reading their love story.

I received this free to review.