Monday, October 30, 2017

Rebecca Reviews ~ A Dangerous Legacy (Empire State #1) by Elizabeth Camden

Paperback, 352 pages
Published October 3rd 2017 by Bethany House Publishers
Lucy is determined to keep working as a telegraph operator at a news agency, even though the arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith threatens her position. When she discovers Colin's shocking secret, she agrees to assist him if he helps her find her family's stolen inheritance--not realizing that the trail leads into a web of treachery, danger, and conspiracy.

Rebecca's Review
5 STARS!!!

"Colin remained motionless for a full minute after the door slammed. Lucy Drake was as attractive as he remembered. He wished she wasn't."

Battling decades of law suits regarding the rights to a family invention, Lucy Drake and her brother Nicholas, are exhausted with their attempts for full disclosure and justifiable inheritance. As a telegraph operator with the Associated Press, Lucy discovers an unlikely ally within the rival British news agency Reuters, a Sir Colin Beckwith, when information crosses her desk regarding potential criminal activity instigated by her estranged uncle.

In spite of the magnetism of attraction that flares between the two almost immediately, Colin is fighting his own dragons; his inheritance, a once fine English estate, needs an infusion of thousands of dollars to keep it from disintegrating; thus, demanding that he marry an heiress, which at the moment, Lucy is not.

As Lucy and Colin engage in covert investigative jaunts, the depth of danger substantially increases; someone is watching their every move and is quite determined that the truth remain cloaked underneath a heavy veil of lies. Elizabeth Camden has penned an intriguing story, introducing characters who display an amazing array of courageous qualities.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With nearly 28 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

~Happy Reading, Y'all~

Monday, October 23, 2017

Review & Blog Tour ~ The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey by Carolyn Miller


The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey
Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace
By Carolyn Miller


Tour Dates: October 23-27, 2017

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About the Book

Will a damaged reputation and desire for society's approval thwart the legacy of grace?
Tainted by scandal and forced to leave London for the quieter Brighton countryside, the Honorable Miss Clara DeLancey is a shadow of her former society self. She's lost the man she loved to another and, in a culture that has no patience for self-pity, is struggling with depression. A chance encounter brings her a healing friendship with the sisters of an injured naval captain. But Clara's society mama is appalled at the new company she's keeping.
Captain Benjamin Kemsley is not looking for a wife. But his gallant spirit won't let him ignore the penniless viscount's daughter--not when she so obviously needs assistance to keep moving forward from day to day. Can he protect his heart and still keep her safe?
When they're pushed into the highest echelons of society at the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion, this mismatched couple must decide if family honor is more important than their hopes. Can they right the wrongs of the past and find future happiness together--without finances, family support, or royal favor? 


Purchase Link:
Amazon (Kindle Pre-order, auto delivery Oct 24, 2017)

About the Author 
 
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's previous novels have won several contests, including the 2014 RWA "Touched by Love" and 2014 ACFW Gensis contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy.

Carolyn has a stunning website! Visit her at https://www.carolynmillerauthor.com/ to learn more about her books, writing, and the Regency.


My Review
4 STARS!!!
 
If you have read the two previous books, you will be familiar with Clara. She made a mess of things for a certain couple, completely embarrassing herself, and is now ostracized from ‘the ton’. Of course, her mother was mostly to blame for her poor behavior. Now Clara is feeling desperate, lost, and unlovable, and so chooses a drastic measure. Fortuitously, Ben comes to her rescue and is somewhat bewitched by the soulful creature he saves. 

I enjoyed the story even though it was a slow start for me. It took a few chapters to become invested enough to want to continue on and see if Clara could regain her honorable standing in society and how that magnificent feat would be accomplished. Ben is a kind and noble man dealing with his own demons from the past. 

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey is full of intrigue, betrayal, jealousy, friendship, and love. With superb themes of grace and forgiveness, Miller brings the characters through emotionally trying circumstances to a realization that their pasts can be forgiven and there is a future filled with hope because of Christ. 

If you are a fan of Regency or historical fiction with a solid faith theme, you will enjoy this offering from Miller who has a firm grasp on the era and presents it in fashion. I am quite happy to say there is another series coming in 2018 with more Regency Brides! 

I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publication as part of blog tour participation. I was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received.
 

Now for some really great news!

The Elusive Miss Ellison and The Captivating Lady Charlotte are both on sale
for the remainder of the week (until October 29) for only 0.99 in e-book!!!
(Please note, these are US times, so Aussies check your details early)


Amazon (Kindle version only) Purchase Links:

I am in no way affiliated with Amazon and make no money if you purchase through one of those links. I just want to make it easy for readers to hop over there and snag these fabulous Regency stories!

~Happy Reading, Y'all~

Thursday, October 19, 2017

FREE E-Books!!!

 

The Elusive Miss Ellison will be FREE for two days only, 
October 19-20!!! 

I loved this book. You can read my review here.
 
Purchase link:






 
The Captivating Lady Charlotte will be FREE on October 21-22!!! 

Read my review of this captivating story here.

Purchase Link:
 
Both e-books will be on sale for the remainder of the week (until October 29) for only 0.99. 

 Make sure to check the price before you buy! 



COMING Oct 24th!!!
 Pre-order here. [not free :-) ]

 Will a damaged reputation and desire for society's approval thwart the legacy of grace?

Tainted by scandal and forced to leave London for the quieter Brighton countryside, the Honorable Miss Clara DeLancey is a shadow of her former society self. She's lost the man she loved to another and, in a culture that has no patience for self-pity, is struggling with depression. A chance encounter brings her a healing friendship with the sisters of an injured naval captain. But Clara's society mama is appalled at the new company she's keeping.

Captain Benjamin Kemsley is not looking for a wife. But his gallant spirit won't let him ignore the penniless viscount's daughter--not when she so obviously needs assistance to keep moving forward from day to day. Can he protect his heart and still keep her safe?

When they're pushed into the highest echelons of society at the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion, this mismatched couple must decide if family honor is more important than their hopes. Can they right the wrongs of the past and find future happiness together--without finances, family support, or royal favor?

: : :

 I'm reading the third novel now and will have my review posted in time for the blog tour coming Oct 23-27 2017. 

I'm sorry I won't have a giveaway copy but here is a link to one sponsored by the author: https://australasianchristianwriters.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/october-new-releases-plus-giveaway.html

~Happy Reading, Y'all~




Sunday, October 15, 2017

Review ~ Picturing Heaven 40 Hope-Filled Devotions with Coloring Pages by Randy Alcorn

Revelation 21:21-27 

 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

Published: September 5, 2017
Tyndale House

Imagine Heaven the way the Bible describes it—a place of exquisite beauty brimming with marvelous detail and intricate patterns; a special dwelling place free of corruption and sin; and a place of both rest and enjoyable, meaningful work.

Let the power and majesty of Heaven fill your heart with joy as you color these 40 designs carefully interpreted from the pages of Scripture. Savor a respite from daily life as you read and meditate on devotions from best–selling author Randy Alcorn, a leading authority on Heaven. Picturing Heaven will offer you comfort and relaxation, while filling your heart with restful assurance that God prepares a special place for those who love Him.


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My Review
5 STARS!!!

I was impatient to receive this coloring devotional in the mail. Originally, I thought I would dive right into the coloring but that didn't happen. I was so caught up in the beauty of the writing that before I knew it, I had read almost half the book without touching a marker or colored pencil! The selected Scriptures, and the thoughts from Randy Alcorn, mesmerized me and filled me with longing for my heavenly home!

I'm so excited thinking about the New Heaven and New Earth and all that it entails! I truly hadn't spent a lot of time thinking on it before, just passably knowing it would one day happen, but now I am eagerly anticipating the beauty and majesty. Oh, how sweet it will be to stroll down streets of gold with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! My desire to learn more about my eternal home has been stirred.

I highly recommend this lovely offering of 40 hope-filled devotionals enhanced with intricate and graceful illustrations to captivate creatives of all types. Thank you Tyndale Publishers for sending me a copy for review purposes. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Coloring & Reading~

Monday, October 2, 2017

Rebecca Reviews ~ An Inconvenient Beauty (Hawthorne House #4) by Kristi Ann Hunter

 
Published September 5th 2017 by Bethany House Publishers

Award-Winning Regency Romance Author on the Rise

Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, and he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. He's certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, but while Frederica is strangely elusive, he can't seem to stop running into her stunningly beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge.

Isabella should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, her uncle will only help them if she'll use her beauty to assist him in his political aims. Already uncomfortable with this agreement, the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she wishes to be free of her unfortunate obligation.

Will Griffith and Isabella be able to set aside their pride and face their fears in time to find their own happily-ever-after?

About Kristi


Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is an RWA Golden Heart contest winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

Purchase Links


Rebecca's Review
4 STARS!!!

"The prospect of being bait hadn't seemed so daunting until she was actually surrounded by the trap with no way out, no way home, and no other way to save her family."

Desperation can drive a young woman to despair; so naturally when the beautiful Isabella Breckenridge entered into an agreement with her uncle, in order to save her nearly destitute family, she never imagined the conundrum that her harmless flirting would create. Caught between who she really is and who her uncle has presented her to be, Isabella catches the unexpected attention of the most eligible bachelor to be found in the country of England, the very Duke of Riverton himself.

"You probably spent all of last year debating the merits of various ladies."

Griffith Hawthorne, Duke of Riverton, applies logic to every decision that he makes, so when he decides that it is time to choose a wife, he considers every angle carefully, much like he is accustomed to doing before any large business transaction. He thought he had it figured out, until the cousin of his intended not only invades his every thought, she seems determined to thwart any notion of courtship with herself or with her cousin; how inconvenient can one woman be? Something curious is going on in the house of Lord Percy Pontebrook.

Witty, romantic, entertaining and inspiring; all attributes of this elegant conclusion to Kristi Ann Hunter's Hawthorne House series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With nearly 28 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

~Happy Reading, Y'all~