Thursday, September 15, 2016

Review ~ Almost Like Being in Love (Destination Wedding Series #2) by Beth K. Vogt

Paperback, 384 pages
Published June 28th 2016 by Howard Books (first published May 17th 2016)

5 STARS!!!

Vogt's skill with a pen is AH-MAZ-ING! Heart and soul, I was transported along on the journeys of Caron, Alex, and Kade. This isn't your average feel-good romance although it certainly contains romance. J The characters bear real life struggles and they're worked out on the page with refined delicacy. It's an emotional read encompassing disappointment, fear, joy, and love-- just to name a few. The settings leap off the page, they're so descriptive! And the secondary characters…let’s just say this supporting cast is perfect!


I highly recommend this book to fans of Contemporary/Christian/Inspirational fiction. 


I received a copy from the author and publisher in exchange for review purposes. No compensation has been received.


Pick up a copy at a favorite retailer.
 Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
CBD

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About Beth


Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, as well as a 2015 RITA® finalist, and three-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. She continues her destination wedding series with You Can’t Hurry Love (May 2016) and Almost Like Being in Love (June 2016). Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.


~Happy Reading~ 

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Review ~ A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M White

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!

A Lady Unrivaled 
Ladies of the Manor
Book 3 


Congratulations, Roseanna, on another magnificent book! 


5 STARS!!!

I wasn't sure how this series was going to conclude -- although I knew it would be good because it's written by one of the most gifted writers of our day -- but I could not have imagined a better finale! 

James Cayton was not a character to swoon over in the first two books. But in this one, he is walking a road of redemption and it is beautiful! The things he feels are so real. I could relate easily to many of his thoughts about himself and his role in others lives. And he is the sweetest daddy!!! Be still my heart!

Ella...oh, Ella. I wasn't sure about you either but you captured me from the beginning! Your personality so completely matches your facial expression on the cover. I could just imagine that it really is you! You are brave and loving and compassionate with just the right touch of mischievousness. 

I completely and utterly enjoyed the interaction between these two characters. The ensemble cast is spectacular too! I stretched out reading this book for over a week because I didn’t want it to end. It’s supposed to be a 'fix' for us Downton Abbey fans, right?! The least Roseanna could do is make it a six book series. Okay, I know that’s unreasonable so how about five? ;-)

Seriously, if you haven’t read Ladies of the Manor series, you are missing out on some exciting intrigue and romance and faith-filled moments. I know at one point I gasped when a certain characters' deed was hinted at and then I exclaimed out loud No, no, no! Then there is the heart-melting moment when ‘fiction becomes reality’ and Cayton and Ella discover they really do love one another.  *Sigh worthy*

I highly recommend this book! It’s definitely on my favorite list for 2016. 

I received a copy from the author and Bethany House for review purposes only. No compensation has been received.



Pick up a copy (or all three if you haven't read them) at a favorite retailer.
 Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
CBD

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About Roseanna



Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of nine novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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~Happy Reading~ 


Monday, August 8, 2016

Pinned in Time Blog Hop ~ Pepper Basham Interview & Giveaway



Welcome back, Pepper! Rebecca and I are excited share with our readers a little more about you and your Penned in Time series!

 
Which character was the easiest to write? Which character was the most difficult?  
Oh my, what a tough question. In the entire series, I suppose the easiest character to write was either Catherine or Madame Rouselle. For some reason I clicked with them fairly quickly (even though I didn't even know there was going to be a Madame Rouselle until she popped up on the page).
Most difficult? Jessica. Jessica struggles with resentment and suspicion, two emotions which aren't as common struggles for me. Delving deep into her personality for book 3 was probably the most difficult of the 3 books.

How much “period” research was involved in what will be a three novel series?  

As you can probably imagine, I spent a lot of time trying to make sure I had information as accurate as I could, so I spent lots of time studying clothing of the era, historical details (such as Lusitania or in book 3 - the German internment camp of North Carolina). The clothing research and the Lusitania were probably the most intricate. I LOVED doing hat research ;-) but I have a natural fondness for those anyway.

Is there an authentic historical character that influenced with your story lines or your characters?

Do you mean a true person in history? I can't think of any. They were all original - of course, there are some 'real' people in history that popped up in book 3 because I was using a very specific place (small town).

Who was the first person that you told about your desire to write this series?

I love this question! My Mom, followed very closely by my Dad. They've always been my first cheerleaders from when I started writing as a little girl, and since I started creating this series (book 1) about 12 years ago, it seemed a natural thing to do - tell them first.

Are you a “fashionista” . . . . like Catherine? 

Oh goodness, NO! Maybe only with the hats ;-)
Where would you go, and whom would you invite, on a dream writer's retreat? 
I'd go to the highlands of Scotland or the coast of Ireland and I'd invite my Alleycats, my Brainstorming Team, my mom (because it would be all ladies and my dad wouldn't want to be in the middle of that much girl-power), my friend, Jessica, and Laura Frantz. :-)

As for favorites:
Beach or Mountains? Mountains - always
Biking or hiking?  Hiking
Flipflops with or without bling? Haha, I don't wear flipflops because I don't like things between my toes. But I'd probably go for no bling...but bright colors ;-)

About Pepper:
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus, and proud AlleyCat over at a group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her debut historical romance novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015, and has already garnered its first award with Readers’ Favorites International Awards. Pepper’s second and third books in the series arrive in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in April. 

To connect with Pepper:  www.pepperdbasham.com, 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-D-Basham
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/pepperbasham.

About The Thorn Bearer:
Title:  The Thorn Bearer
Series: Penned in Time, Book 1
Author:  Pepper D. Basham
Publisher:  Vinspire Publishing, LLC
Release Date:  May 7, 2015                 



When Ashleigh Dougall’s fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. In an attempt to escape her shame, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone.

Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help his childhood friend, Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and companionship as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in the love of his childhood friend.

Neither are prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship.

To Purchase The Thorn Bearer: https://www.amazon.com/Thornbearer-Pepper-D-Basham/dp/0990304272


About The Thorn Keeper:

Title:  The Thorn Keeper
Series: Penned in Time, Book 2
Authors:  Pepper D. Basham
Publisher:  Vinspire Publishing
Release Date:  February 28, 2016

With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?

Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies’ judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.

David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.

When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.

To Purchase The Thorn Keeper: https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Keeper-Pepper-Basham/dp/0997173211


Pinned in Time Scavenger Hunt Prize:
Basket filled with English goodies!




Pinned in Time Scavenger Hunt Rules:
1. Each blog hop stop contains an image clue, with a link to a Pinterest Board filled with pictures related to the Penned in Time series.
2. Using the image clue, find the corresponding answer image.
3. Create a Pinterest board, titled "Penned in Time," and pinned the answer image to your board, and hashtag #pinnedintime.
4. Enter your pinned (answer) image link on the Rafflecopter entry form, correspond to the stop on the Blog Hop.
5. Check out the other blog hop stops for more entries!

GIVEAWAY  Rafflecopter Link:  
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NzQyNWQzOGU3ZjUyYTUwZTMyOWJkYTMwMzNiMmY2OjQ1/?



GIVEAWAY Rafflecopter: a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE:
August 1  l Reading is My Superpower
August 2  l Mikal Dawn
August 3  l Just Commonly
August 4  l A Way With Words
August 5  l  A Northern Belle
August 8  l Fiction, Faith, and Fun
August 9  l Stuff and Nonsense
August 10 l Gardens & Books & Good Things to Cook
August 11 l Bookworm Mama
August 12 l Faithfully Bookish

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

The Reluctant Duchess (Ladies of the Manor) by Roseanna White




Bethany House Publishers (April 5, 2016)
Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when Rowena's father tries to trap Brice into marrying his daughter, Brice makes a surprising decision.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she's reluctant to marry a notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she's about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

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My Thoughts
 
I’ve been a member of Ms. White’s launch team for a while now and I can say that even if I wasn’t, I would have nothing but positives to say about this book. It has everything a fan of historical fiction could want--mystery, danger, romance, love. My heartstrings were pulled on more than one occasion and I might have even shed a few tears. Rowena’s story is tragic yet holds such a sense of renewal. It doesn’t hurt any that Brice is one of the best fictional characters I’ve read in a long time. His bulwark faith is phenomenal. 

The Reluctant Duchess (Ladies of the Manor) is a solid five-star read. It’s book two in the Ladies of the Manor series so be sure and grab a copy of The Hesitant Heiress first. You won’t want to miss the awesome beginning to this series.  I highly recommend it to any fan of historical fiction. 

I was provided a copy of the book from the author and publisher for review purposes only. Only my honest opinion of the book is required. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Reading~
 

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Blogging Break Continues & New House


Hey, Y'all! I'm sorry I've been absent for so long. It certainly wasn't intended to be this way.  I had to extend my blogging break because my husband and I closed on our new house here in VA and I am busy getting it cleaned and ready to move into, as well as packing up the home we are in now. 
It's been a whirlwind few weeks but we are excited to really begin settling down here 
and making VA our new home!


I'm going to miss this spectacular view the Lord has allowed me to enjoy for the past year! It's been an amazing time here on the Chesapeake Bay. 


Every sunrise is different and just as spectacular as the one before!


My hours on the beach have been spent in reflection and soaking in God's glory.

I do have some things on the calendar that will be coming up (Rebecca's been reading some amazing books over the summer!!!) so I'll be back in a week or so with some reviews and hopefully new pictures of the area we have moved to. 

I do hope everyone is enjoying their summer and finding rest.

May God bless you and I'll see you soon!