My Sister's Intended (Serendipity #1) by Rachael Anderson (Review & Giveaway)

Blog Tour - March 28th to April 12th

For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved. Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn't factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn't want her sister to either. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4.5 stars

A Season in London by Elizabeth Johns, Heather B. Moore, & Rebecca Connolly (Review)

POOR RELATIONS by Elizabeth Johns
As a ‘poor relation,’ Emma Standrich has already pre-empted her dismal Season by applying for a governess post. Her aunt and cousin are kind enough to sponsor her, but in truth, Emma is just waiting for it to all be over. Emma’s grief over the death of her brother while in military service casts a pallor on everything else in her life. When Colonel Shelton, the man who was her brother’s superior, asks her to dance at her first ball, Emma is more surprised than anyone. But she has questions for him, and soon she’s caught up in an intrigue she wasn’t expecting—both of the heart and the mind.

EDWARD & EMILY by Heather B. Moore
As a second son, Edward Blackwood never anticipated becoming heir to his family estate, or the need to find a wife and secure that inheritance. But with the death of his older brother, Edward is thrust into a life he never wanted. When his mother encourages him to be kind to his long-time neighbor Emily Foster, a girl he’d hardly paid attention to while growing up, Edward realizes that returning home might not be such a set-back after all.

A SPORTING SEASON by Rebecca Connolly
Daphne Hutchins is no simpering female who aims for a husband with a fortune. In fact, she’d be more than happy to live her life free of the heartache that men seem to bring. So when she sets out to play the fool in front of the ton during her first Season in order to send all eligible men running, she’s quite unprepared for James Woodbridge. Bored, but with a sense of family duty, James arrives for the Season, anticipating going through the expected motions befitting any gentleman. What he isn’t prepared for is Daphne Hutchins and the way she completely upends his heart.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

The Rise of Miss Notley (Tanglewood #2) by Rachael Anderson (Review)

When Miss Coralynn Notley’s father barters her off to the first titled gentleman to come along, she realizes she must flee her home or be forced to wed a despicable man. Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow.

The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

The Matchmaking Game by Donna Hatch (Review & Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

The Matchmaking Game

(Timeless Romance Single)
Donna Hatch

Adult Historical Romance

ebook, 126 pages

April 18th 2017 by Mirror Press

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean & Wholesome Romance, comes the Timeless Romance Singles line.

THE MATCHMAKING GAME: A brand new historical romance novella from bestselling author Donna Hatch.

Rowena’s childhood friend, Evan, has returned home from war a handsome, but mysterious stranger. In an effort to bring happiness to her father, not to mention uncover the Evan she remembers from their youth, Rowena seeks to unite their parents. Who better to match a lonely widow and widower together than their adoring children? Her matchmaking game could help their parents find happiness and draw out her childhood friend buried beneath Evan’s new reserve … or it could break more than one heart.

Goodreads│Amazon

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology by Heather Chapman, Mandi Ellsworth, Paula Kremser, & Ashtyn Newbold (Review)

Around the turn of the century, matches were made for all sorts of reasons--whether to keep a family together or simply to make ends meet. But love has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places! With four historical romance stories in one, this fun anthology will sweep you from the dance floors of aristrocacy to the hearths of country living, leading to love through the most unusual circumstances.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

Loving Lucianna by Joyce DiPastena (Review)

Sir Balduin de Soler gave up long ago on love. He never had the means to support a wife until an unexpected advancement in his fifties allows him to reassess his future just as the lovely Lucianna enters his life.

Lucianna Fabio harbors a secret, painful memory from her past that has kept her unwed, as well. Now in her forties, she thought herself too old to marry until she meets Sir Balduin. Now suddenly their lonely autumn lives feel very much like spring again . . . until Lucianna’s brother appears without warning and threatens to revive the secret that will destroy Lucianna’s second chance at love.

"Loving Lucianna" is the first in Joyce DiPastena’s new "Hearts in Autumn" romance series, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines “in the autumn of their years.” Because you’re never too old to fall in love!

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

Saving Grace (Hearthfire #1) by Michele Paige Holmes (Review)

From Whitney Award Winning Author, Michele Paige Holmes, comes SAVING GRACE, a regency romance from the Hearthfire Romance series:

After the death of her grandfather, the Duke of Salisbury, Grace Thatcher wants nothing more than to live quietly in the country with her younger siblings. Her father’s debts thwart those plans, and to protect her sister, Helen, Grace must marry a man of her father’s choosing.

As each suitor proves less than desirable, Grace comes up with clever schemes, causing each to reject her. While staying at the mysterious Sutherland Hall, a middle-of-the-night mishap sends Grace into the arms of a stranger, Nicholas Sutherland—and provides inspiration for her grandest plan yet—one that will leave her reputation in tatters yet free both her and Helen from all possibility of marriage.

Too late Grace regrets her rash actions when her father’s last choice, Mr. Samuel Preston, proves to be a gentleman and a friend. But Samuel is the sworn enemy of Nicholas Sutherland, the man responsible for her “ruin.” Now instead of being free, Grace is caught between two men—each with his own agenda.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

With Autumn's Return (Westward Winds #3) by Amanda Cabot (Review)

Elizabeth Harding arrives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to establish her medical practice thanks to the wooing of her two older sisters who extolled the beauty of the land. She's certain she'll have a line of patients eager for her expertise and gentle bedside manner. However, she soon discovers the town and its older doctor may not welcome a new physician. Even more frustrating, the handsome young attorney next door may not be ready for the idea of a woman doctor. For his part, Jason Nordling has nothing against women, but he's promised himself that the woman he marries will be a full-time mother.

Despite their firm principles, Elizabeth and Jason find that mutual attraction--and disdain from the community--is drawing them ever closer. And when the two find themselves working to save the life and tattered reputation of a local woman, they'll have to decide how far they're willing to go to find justice--and true love.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

The romance was sweet and I loved the scenes with the two main characters together. There's also a secondary romance story and I almost enjoyed that one more, it was so heartwarming!

I haven't read the first two books in this series, but I don't think that hindered me at all, so I don't think you have to read the books in order. However, it sounds as though each book does focus on a different one of the three Harding sisters so you may want to read them in order.

If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, and you enjoyed historical fiction, I recommend you read With Autumn's Return.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen (Review)

Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul--and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master--a man her mother would never approve of--but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village...and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 2 1/2 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
I have read and greatly enjoyed all of Julie Klassen's previous books and had been awaiting the release of The Dancing Master for almost a year. So I was slightly disappointed when I started the story and found that I didn't like either of the main characters, at all!

Julia was a selfish, spoiled girl who seemed to derive pleasure from defying and vexing her mother. She was such a flirt too! I was honestly rooting against her for so much of the book and that's never good.

Alec was too much of a dandy for my tastes. He cared so much about his appearance that it got on my nerves. If he got one smudge on anything the whole outfit had to change.

Now I did love many of the secondary characters: The Allens, Desmond, Lady Amelia, Mrs. Tickle, and Mr. Barlow. However, my love of them didn't increase my enjoyment of the book that much, since almost every scene they're in, the main characters are in as well.

I loved the cover from the first time I saw it and after reading the story I loved it even more. It was great how it is an exact scene from the book. Her outfit is described as follows:

The woman then help her on with a soft green evening gown with embroidered flowers, ribbon sash, and short puffed sleeves. Her cameo necklace and long kid gloves completed the ensemble.

I think it's just a perfect cover!

I thought the whole reason behind the town not allowing dancing for so long was very silly, and a bit of a stretch, but that on the whole wasn't that big of a deal.

If you have read and loved Julie Klassen's previous books, you'll more than likely still want to read The Dancing Master. However if you have seen many people rave about Julie's books and are thinking of reading one, I would suggest you start elsewhere. My favorites of hers are Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, and The Tutor's Daughter.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Twice a Bride (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek #4) by Mona Hodgson (Review)

Love lost doesn’t mean love lost forever.
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows?

Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek.  When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn.

With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West.  Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?

Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns. 

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 1/2 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading the three previous books in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series I was looking forward to reading Twice a Bride, the fourth and final book in the series. I very much enjoyed it and hate that it is the last book about this family.

I loved Hattie immediately from the first book and so wanted to see her get another love, she's a great woman and if anyone deserves another chance at love it's her. Then there's Willow, someone that I liked so much from the moment she was introduced, and I felt so terribly for all that she went through in her young life. The way love comes for both of them was wonderful and so sweet!

My only complaint is that, at times, the story felt rushed. There were two different love stories being told, updates on the previous books main characters, and a few "problems" that were solved so quickly that it almost felt as though shouldn't have even have been in there.

Even though this book could easily be read as a stand alone, as the author does a fabulous job of giving all the necessary details about each one of the previous books' stories, I would recommend reading them in order. I loved this book and series and think any fan of historical fiction would greatly enjoy them too.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides #3) by Maggie Brendan (Review)

His life runs like clockwork. Hers is a spontaneous adventure. But God's timing is always perfect.

Anna Olsen knows it's time to leave her sister's increasingly crowded house and start a life of her own. Following her sisters' examples, she becomes a mail-order bride, and after a short correspondence with clock maker and jeweler Edward Parker, she moves to Denver to become his wife. 

Almost immediately it's painfully apparent that Anna and Edward are very different. Anna is a free spirit who would rather be painting and enjoying the company of friends than cleaning house. Edward is a consummate perfectionist who, on their wedding day, hands Anna a list of chores that need to be done around the house daily. 

Can this mismatched couple see past their differences to a harmonious future? Or will their disparate passions create obstacles neither is willing to surmount?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Perfectly Matched is the third book in The Blue Willow Brides series and it is by far the one I most enjoyed - though that's not saying much, considering I only somewhat enjoyed the first one and strongly disliked the second.

I loved how this book begins right in the middle of Anna and Edward's wedding ceremony. Immediately both characters personalities and quirks were apparent which was great. I especially loved what Edward gives Anna when he takes her to their home for the first time - it made me laugh so much!

Anna is such a sweet character! I loved her heart for caring for stray animals and to stop animals from being abused. However, several times she referred to animals as both "dumb animals" & "God's dumb creatures" which I found to be both annoying and completely opposite of the way she behaved. I think she meant that they were helpless and we needed to take care of them, but the terminology wasn't one I would have ever used - it just sounds mean.

Edward is a great character too, even though at first I wasn't to sure about him. It becomes evident how much he cares for Anna and the lengths he is willing to go to make her feel happy and loved.

There is a bit of an age discrepancy for Anna between this book and Deeply Devoted, the first book in the series. Deeply Devoted takes place in the spring of 1887 and Anna is fifteen. However in Perfectly Matched, which is set fall 1888, Anna is seventeen and turns eighteen towards the end of the story (around November the same year). I personally see no way for this to work, but this is just a small issue - it took away nothing from the story except that it made me check to see if I was mistaken about her age in the other book.

One of the things I didn't care for in the book was the constant repetitive sentences. A person would say something to someone then later that someone would say nearly the exact same thing to the original person and then the original person would behave as though they had never heard/thought of it before - even though chapters before they said it! Another thing I didn't care for was how characters would say something which, to me, came across as they were angry then the other character would say something snippy back and then they would both smile at each other as if nothing bad was said to each other - and they weren't acting, they meant it. Both of these thing were very annoying to say the least!

If you enjoy reading mail-order novels, you would probably find this one to be a nice read. The books in this series can be read out of order, in my opinion, and you wouldn't miss anything and the only things spoiled for you would be who ends up with whom but that's something you can usually figure out just by reading the back cover.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Review)

A Story of Hope and Love Set Against the Backdrop of World War II

Lydia Eldredge longs to provide sanctuary for her young son, Nicky. But a constant threat comes from Nicky's drug-addicted father, who wants the boy and seems willing to do whatever it takes to get him.

Dr. Micah Hatcher faithfully serves the immigrant population of Queens, New York. But under cover of darkness, he has a secret mission that challenges everything he thought he wanted out of life.

When Lydia and Micah's paths cross, they are suddenly wrapped up in each other's callings. Together, they seek a refuge of safety--for Nicky, for themselves, and for the needy people God puts into their lives. Amid turmoil and discord, can hope and love prevail?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 3 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Sweet Sanctuary started out great and was really interesting until about a third of the way into it, then it just became very tedious and predictable. Everything that either Lydia or Micah could misinterpret, they did - which got to be quite annoying.

I love books set during WWII and thought that it made the perfect setting for this tale. It was amazing to me how people were kept in the dark about a lot of the horrors inflicted upon people of Jewish descent by Hitler, since nowadays I think almost everyone knows how he wanted to completely obliterate them. 

Something that really didn't make sense to me was how on page 126 Micah decides he's going to ask Lydia something, even though it doesn't seem rational to him for him to do it, then he doesn't ask her and it isn't explained why he doesn't, which was both strange and aggravating.

The ending, while nice, was very abrupt to me. So I would love to see a sequel to it, maybe something that would also expand the story about Micah's brothers.

Overall, this was a nice one-time read, but one I would recommend people borrow before buying. If you are looking for a book set during WWII this one would fit the bill, but it's not the best one set during this time that I have read. 

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (April 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076420789X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764207891
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

New eShort from Deeanne Gist!

Deeanne Gist’s E-Short gives readers a peek inside the world’s fair. Tempest in the White City is a digital short story available from online retailers for 99 cents!

Deeanne Gist fans won’t have to wait until the April 30 release of It Happened at the Fair to read her latest work! On March 19, readers will be able to purchase the e-short, Tempest in the White City, a 40-page short story prelude to It Happened at the Fair, for 99 cents from all online retailers. While the characters from the short story are not carried over into the full-length release, audiences will get a taste of the awe-inspiring backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and will be anxious to spend more time exploring the exhibition.

In true Gist form, Tempest in the White City combines her trademark humor with romance. Hunter Scott is one of the elite. A Chicago World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character and ability to serve and protect. When Hunter is overcome with debilitating abdominal pain, he stumbles to an infirmary in the Fair’s Woman’s Building only to discover the doctor is female—which he is none too happy about. But even worse, she has the nerve to diagnose him—the toughest man west of anyplace east—with constipation.

The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair overflowed with the latest innovations welcomed by a throng of people from all around the globe. This setting replete with history, intrigue and wonder caught Gist’s attention and is sure to draw readers of both releases in as well. “I’m always drawn to events in our country’s past that are strangely absent from our history classes. Why the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition has been left out, I don’t know, especially since it was such a pivotal event for us,” explains Gist. “We were able to wow the world with our scientific innovations, and it gave women their first official board position recognized and approved by an Act of Congress (all before we had the right to vote). But it was technology which claimed the day as it nipped at the heels of horses, buggies and man-powered tools.”

More about It Happened at the Fair: 

Young inventor Cullen McNamara gambles everything, including the family farm, in order to make his family proud—and earn his father’s entry money to the Fair Expo back—by selling his design for an automatic sprinkler system inspired by his mother’s death in a mill fire. Struggling with hearing loss from his previous life on the farm, McNamara finds it difficult to communicate with potential buyers over the din in the Fair’s Machinery Building. In an act of desperation, he hires attractive Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading. Much like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, Cullen is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground or will he be carried away?


Another date that fans will want to mark on their calendars is May 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM EST. Gist will be hosting a webcast event where she will be discussing more of the story behind It Happened at the Fair and answering reader questions. During the course of the evening, a number of prizes will be given away to those participating in the discussion. More details will be available soon on the author's Facebook Page where the webcast will be hosted.

Readers can keep up with Deeanne Gist at her website IWantHerBook.com, as well as on Facebook (DeesFriends) and Twitter (@DeeanneGist).

”Love in the Balance” Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party {4/4}

Regina Jennings is celebrating the release of Love in the Balance with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on 4/4!

One "lovely" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire 
• A copy of Regina's Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Love in the Balance" Author Chat Party on April 4th. Connect with Regina, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Love in the Balance and join Regina on the evening of April 4th 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. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig (Review and Kindle Fire Giveaway)

New York City, 1897

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

No Safe Harbor, book one in the Edge of Freedom Series, is the first book I have read by Elizabeth Ludwig. Immediately I was caught up in the story; however, after a while parts of the story became a bit tedious and the ending was kind of unbelievable, but otherwise the story was very enjoyable.

I knew a little about the Irish/British conflicts, but felt that this part in the book wasn't explained very well at all. Terms were just mentioned without telling you what they meant and so I wasn't always sure if they were a good thing or a bad thing. Had I not known the little I did, I think I would have been completely lost.

I fell in love with the main characters almost right away and the secondary characters were also very nice. I am really looking forward to learning more about Ana, one of the women who befriended Cara and who the second book is going to be about. Books two and three in this series are set to be released in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

If you love historical romance with a bit of suspense then I think you would enjoy No Safe Harbor.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Original edition (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210394
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210396
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Available to purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | CBD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Journey, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year Award. In 2010, her first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California was given four stars from Romantic Times. And her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoys a wide readership, its first year seeing more than 17,000 visitors.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and often attends conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in the great state of Texas. To learn more about her work, visit her at www.elizabethludwig.com.

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

***

Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her 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. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Dreamspell by Tamara Leigh (Review)

A TIME TO LIVE. A TIME TO DIE. A TIME TO DREAM.

Sleep disorders specialist Kennedy Plain has been diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor. When her research subject dies after trying to convince her he has achieved dream-induced time travel and her study is shelved, she enlists herself as a subject to complete her research. But when she dreams herself into 14th-century England and falls into the hands of Fulke Wynland, a man history has condemned as a murderer, she must not only stay alive long enough to find a way to return to her own time, but prevent Fulke from murdering his young nephews. And yet, the more time she spends with the medieval warrior, the more difficult it is to believe he is capable of committing the heinous crime for which he has been reviled for 600 years.

Baron Fulke Wynland has been granted guardianship of his brother’s heirs despite suspicions that he seeks to steal their inheritance. When the king sends a mysterious woman to care for the boys, Fulke is surprised by the lady's hostility toward him--and more surprised to learn she is to be his wife. But when his nephews are abducted, the two must overcome their mutual dislike to discover the boys' fate. What Fulke never expects is to feel for this woman whose peculiar speech, behavior, and talk of dream travel could see her burned as a witch.
I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
Dreamspell is a wonderful novel from beginning to end and one that I didn't want to put down! I was a little worried at first that I might not like the book, but I enjoyed reading it much more than I thought I would. The idea of dream-induced time travel was unique and amazing! I have read others novels about time travel, but for people to be able to travel through time they always needed either a time-machine or the person had a genetic condition that allowed them to time travel. So the idea of it being something that anyone could do, if they had the willpower to deprive themselves of sleep for the amount of time required, was refreshing. Even though I hated it when I reached the last page, the ending was fantastic! I definitely recommend Dreamspell to anyone who loves historical fiction or time travel books.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• File Size: 529 KB
• Print Length: 298 pages
• Publisher: Tamara Leigh; 1 edition (March 18, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007MDF8OG
• Available to purchase at Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tamara Leigh is the best-selling, award-winning author of 16 novels. She has been published with Bantam, HarperCollins, Dorchester, NavPress, and RandomHouse. Currently, she is delving into the world of digital publishing with the release of her new medieval time travel romance, Dreamspell and the first book in her Age of Faith series, The Unveiling. Tamara and her husband, David, live with their sons in Tennessee.

CFBA Tour: A Duke's Promise by Jamie Carie

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Duke's Promise B&H Books (September 1, 2012) by Jamie Carie

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.

Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in her head for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.

Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.

If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the Land of Fire and Ice back to England’s shores, Alexandria Featherstone finds herself the new Duchess of St. Easton. Her husband has promised a wedding trip to take them to the place where her imperiled parents were last seen -- Italy and the marble caves of Carrara -- but a powerful Italian duke plots against Alex and her treasure-hunting parents.

Hoping to save them, Alex and Gabriel travel to Italy by balloon. Fraught with danger on all sides and pressured by Gabriel’s affliction to the breaking point, they must learn to work and fight together. The mysterious key is within their grasp, but they have yet to recognize it. This journey will require steadfast faith in God and each other -- a risk that will win them everything they want or lose them everything they have.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Duke's Promise, go HERE.

Julie Lessman Interview and a GIVEAWAY!

I am SO excited to have Julie Lessman on my blog today! I have read all five of her books that have been released and let me tell you they are my ALL-TIME favorites!!! I can hardly wait to read her THREE new ones, which are:

• A Love Surrendered (set to be released October 2012)
• A Light in the Window: A Irish Christmas Love Story (This is a prequel to her first six books about the O'Connors and is Patrick & Marcy's love story. It is set to be released November 2012)
• Love At Any Cost (set to be released April 2013 - Ugh! That is SO far away!!!)

Interview

What is a typical day like for you? 

HA! Way, WAY less interesting than my books, I assure you!! This is not etched in stone, of course, but I usually get up at 7:00 a.m., suck down hazelnut coffee while I wait for my blueberry bagel to toast (new kick; last year’s kick was peach oatmeal) and look at e-mails. Eat bagel while reading Seeker blog (be sure to check out my link this week entitled “Kiss-ology 101: Warming Up the Pages with Romantic Tension” at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2012/08/kiss-ology-101-warming-up-pages-with.html) then sit/pray with hubby on deck swing for 20 minutes or so before heading downstairs to the treadmill for 30 minutes with worship music. Spot exercises follow along with Bible reading/prayer/devotional time. Then finish e-mails, FB comments and tackle writing, usually from about 11:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. or so with time out for dinner prep and enjoyment. This routine is totally thrown off if I go biking with hubby, have a blog deadline or other commitment. See? Boring!! Which is why I have to put all that angst and drama in my books, right???

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual? 

Big grin here. Well, I’m quirky and crazy and just a wee bit off center, so I have a number of rituals with my writing such as the must-haves—a constant cup of hazelnut decaf with Half ‘n Half, peppermint tea or cold peach iced tea, lots and LOTS of lip gloss, Kleenex (for the soggy scenes I write), ear plugs if the squirrels or birds get too noisy, pad of paper and pen for quick notes, and a mirror handy for those facial expressions I’m trying to capture. 

My biggest ritual, however, is ambiance. My family jokes that I am an “Ambiance Queen” because dim lighting with candles during dinner is a must, as well as a mainstay for my winter writing. During the summer months (basically May through October), I sit outside on my lower deck that runs the length of the house, overlooking a lush, green wooded area that has sunlight dappling through the trees. I have my feet up on this cushy lawn furniture we have at all times (like now!), and a fan gently blowing while I sit with my laptop. In the winter I’m in the hearth room with a crackling fire, all the essentials mentioned above and a picture of my husband on the table beside me for the ultimate inspiration. J

What is something that you have always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten around to it yet? 

Going to Boston and Ireland. Sigh.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite? 

Gosh, I have so many, but one of my favorites (which I used to pray everyday) is the last paragraph in Psalm 139, verses 23-24. But a word of warning—don’t pray it unless you mean business, because God will definitely nail you to the wall on a few things! Here it is: 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

However … since I have become an author, I find that the push and pull of success (vying for sales, awards, accolades) is deadly, taking me places I do NOT want to go. So since then, my favorite Scripture has been 2 Corinthians ll:3: Do not let my mind “be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 

You recently became a grandmother, is it ever thing you expected it to be? What is the best, worst and most surprising thing about being a grandmother? 

The best? Oh, without question, the giggles and smiles—on both my precious granddaughter’s face AND mine!! The worst? Babyproofing the house—yuck!! 

Well, my prayer partner kept telling me that being a grandmother was THE BEST thing ever, but to be honest, I didn’t buy it. When I used to work at a large company as a travel writer, women would bring their babies in and while all the other ladies would crowd around, I’d head for the ladies’ room because I am just not one to fawn over babies or kids. But … I will say that this little gal (Rory) has made me eat my words and then some. I still remember the day my daughter came home and found me on all fours, gooing and fawning in a high-pitched chipmunk voice over my granddaughter on a blanket, making a royal fool out of myself. “Never thought I’d see the day,” she said with a shake of her head, then promptly got down on all fours and joined me. J

If you were stranded on a deserted island, other than basic necessities, what three items would you hope to find in your suitcase to help make your time there more bearable? 

Oh, that’s easy—BOOKS, including the Bible and tons of Inspy romance novels, a laptop and LOTS of lip gloss. 

If you had the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted, at anytime in history, where would you go and why? 

I would go to Golgotha in a heartbeat on the day that Jesus died because if His death has radically changed my life for the better through mere faith, I can’t even imagine the impact of seeing Him carry that cross for me in person.

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead, real or fictional - excluding Jesus, family, and friends), who would you choose and how would you spend the day? 

Oh, I would definitely spend the day with the O’Connors because they have become family to me and are, quite frankly, the family I always longed to have growing up—full of faith, passion and love for everyone within their ranks, no matter the conflicts or hurts endured. We would sit outside around the picnic table talking while Marcy sewed, having a ball laughing at Charity and Katie or praying with Faith, Lizzie and Emma while the wonderful smells and sounds of summer surrounded us with horseshoes clanging, children laughing and barbecue grilling. 

I LOVE the O'Connor family SO much and would love to see another series with them. Do you have any plans of continuing this family's story - maybe with the next generation? I am REALLY hoping you do:) 

Thanks, Meg, I love them too, so you just KNOW I won’t be able to say goodbye to them forever, right?? Yes, I do hope to write a series for each of the cousins beginning with a trilogy for Faith’s girls, a trilogy for Charity’s Henry, Hope and then Gabe and on down the line, each series taking place during the WWII period and definitely including a 2nd-tier love story for the parents. J Don’t know when and don’t know how, but I definitely plan to do that someday. 

Thank you SO much Julie for stopping by!

Thank you, Megan, for allowing me to connect with your readers. I LOVE to hear from reader friends, so they can feel free to contact me through my website at www.julielessman.com, either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/. My newsletter is chock-full of fun info on my books and there’s always a contest featuring signed book giveaways including one to have a character named after you in my next book. Also, I have a cool feature on my website called “Journal Jots” at http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/, which is a very laid-back, Friday journal to my reader friends that would give your readers an idea as to my relaxed style of writing. Finally, I can be found daily at The Seekers blog (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/), a group blog devoted to encouraging and helping aspiring writers on the road to publication.

ABOUT JULIE:  

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational, Julie is also the recipient of 14 Romance Writers of America awards and was voted by readers as “Borders Best of 2009 So Far: Your Favorite Fiction.” Chosen as the #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also awarded #1 Historical Fiction Author of the Year in that same poll and #3 Author of the Year, #4 Novel of the Year and #3 Series of the year. She resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter and is the author of “The Daughters of Boston” series—A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Book 1 in her “Winds of Change” series A Hope Undaunted ranked #5 on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Fiction for 2010 and is followed by A Heart Revealed and A Love Surrendered. 

GIVEAWAY!

Julie has graciously offered to give away the winner's choice of one of her books - including A Light in the Window (ebook only) and A Love Surrendered!!! To be entered, just complete the mandatory entries in the Rafflecopter form below and then you can complete whichever other entries you want. The giveaway is open internationally and will end on August 22 at 11:59p.m. (EST). Gook luck:)

a Rafflecopter giveaway