Win an Ipad mini at the Liftuse blog tour for Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher (plus bonus review!)

Robin Lee Hatcher is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Beloved, with an iPad Mini giveaway! 

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 15th. Winner will be announced November 16th at Robin's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin's blog on the 16th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)!

 

My review:

 



Litfuse blog tour stop for Snow on Tulips by Liz Tolsma (with bonus review)

Liz Tolsma is celebrating the release of her novel, Snow on the Tulips, by giving away an Amazon Reading Pack to one lucky winner. Find out what readers are saying about the book here.

  One winner will receive:

• A $50 Amazon gift card
• Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 18th at Liz's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's blog on the 18th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox! Just enter your email address on the left sidebar of her blog.)

 

My review:

 

 



Revell blog tour stop for Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan (with bonus review!)

About the book:

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?

My review:

I think this is my all-time favorite book by Maggie Brendan. She really knows how to turn up the heat.

If I could give this book ten stars, I would. This historical novel was set in 1888 in Denver, Colorado, so the setting was one of my favorites, too. There is something about mail-order bride stories that I really enjoy reading. It probably has to do with a newly married couple -- essentially strangers before the wedding -- discovering their love for each other.

This is the best mail-order bride story I've ever read. Ironically, the second best one was also in this series. I think Ms. Brendan has a gift when it comes to writing about romantic love between newly married couples. Add to that the tender heart the heroine has for animals and rescuing them from abuse and you have an intriguing book.

The hero was a sweetheart. Yeah, he had a pretty rigid personality at first, but as his love grew for his new bride, his strict boundaries became blurred and he learned to be spontaneous and not take life so seriously that it's predictable and boring. I loved experiencing the softening of his heart as he fell in love with her. The heroine's desire to please her husband while remaining true to herself is a good lesson for young women to learn. This novel illustrates that beautifully.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's heartwarming and sensual at the same time, as newly married love should be. This is definitely one of my favorite books this year, if not at the top of my list!

Litfuse blog tour stop for Lynn Austin's novel "Return to Me" with bonus review and Kindle HDX giveaway!

Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Return to Me by Lynn Austin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Return To Me" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 22nd. Connect with Lynn and friends for an evening of book chat, biblical trivia, prizes, and get an exclusive look at the next book in Lynn's Restoration Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. 

Spread the word — tell your friends about the 

giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. 

Hope to see you on the 22nd!

My review:

So far I am enjoying this book. I have had a rough week and still have 100 pages to go but I plan to finish this ASAP and post a review.

My review of Dark Biology by Bonnie Doran with bonus links to blog tour and twitter party

About the book:

Renowned vaccinologist "Hildi" Hildebrandt has set her sights on beating her brother to a Nobel Prize, and the opportunity to conduct experiments on the International Space Station might just provide the means to obtain that goal. Chet Hildebrandt should have had that opportunity. But now he'll teach a lesson to them all: his hot-shot astronaut sister, his philandering hypocritical father, and the CDC for not properly appreciating his work. One vial of a virus purloined from the CDC labs and released at his father's marriage seminar should do the trick, without hurting anybody. After all, it's only a mild influenza strain... Or is it?

My review:

I'm not a huge fan of modern biological terrorism space stories, but this novel rocked! I can totally see it as a movie on the big screen. The pacing was great and the abundance of stressful situations they encountered made it a page turner. Add to that a love triangle, and you've got one amazing plot full of tension. While the ending was great, I can see it leaving a small opening for a sequel, though it reads like a stand alone. At least it won't make you crazy like stories that don't have a satisfying conclusion. There were some scenes that brought tears to my eyes, too. The author did a great job depicting human nature and the spiritual conflict we all have at one point or another.

I think the thing that impressed me most about this book were the details regarding space travel and biological science. I felt like I was on the spaceship with the others. If I didn't know better I would have pegged the author as an astronaut who also happened to be a novelist. The spiritual parts of the book were also critical to the story, but the author didn't hit you over the head with theology. The author did a great job with weaving faith issues into the plot where they came across as a natural part of the story. Seriously, the writing was very good and I don't typically select contemporary fiction to read. The gorgeous cover and intriguing description drew me in, though. The book video trailer is also pretty cool, so I've included it.

The novel officially releases on October 25th, so order it now by clicking HERE! You'll be glad you did.

Video trailer about the book here...

Litfuse blog tour stop for The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

Melanie Dobson's latest release, The Courier of Caswell Hall, is a riveting story you won't want to miss. The newest offering in the American Tapestries™ series, it follows an unlikely spy who discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

  Five winners will receive:

• The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won one of the books!

My review:

This story was more of a historical novel than a historical romance, but it was still a good book. There were two different stories that came together at the end. This story had its sad moments and it's enthralling ones. It wasn't my favorite book by Melanie, and I love many of her books, but it was still worth reading. If you love fiction set during the Revolutionary War and tales of bravery, spying, and such, you will enjoy this book. 

Revell blog tour stop for Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz (with bonus review)

About the book:

Ellie Ballantyne, youngest child of Silas and Eden, has left finishing school. But back at her family home in Pittsburgh, Ellie finds that her parents are away on a long trip and her siblings don't seem to want her to stay. When she opens a day school for young ladies, she begins tutoring the incorrigible daughter of the enemy Turlock clan. The Turlocks are slaveholders and whiskey magnates, envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly tangled with the Turlocks, she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future--and Jack Turlock, a young man striving to free himself from his family's violent legacy. How can she betray her family and side with the enemy? And will Jack ever allow her into his world?

My review:

I enjoyed this story. It's not my favorite book by this author, but I loved the abolitionist themes as well as the bad boy turning good plot the story was based on. What the love of a woman will do for a man...sometimes that can turn the hardest of hearts toward God. Fortunately Jack was one of the better in the bunch... maybe the only good guy in his family besides his sweet little sister. I really loved her character. She almost made me cry several times. I'm sure she smiled at the end of the story even if it's not included in the book.

Ellie, the heroine, is everything I wish I could be myself. Tender and passionate, yet demure and sweet at the same time. But she is also honest and true to herself and she loves with her whole heart. That's a great heroine. The way the author described her feelings whenever she was around Jack was well done and my heart melted a few times when they were together. The same with Jack. A few times I almost cried. This author really knows how to pull at a reader's heartstrings. I am looking forward to the third book in this series.

Love's Awakening was published by Revell and released in September 2013.

Litfuse Publicity presents: On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (with bonus review!)

Sarah Sundin is celebrating the release of her latest novel, On Distant Shores, with a Romantic Weekend Getaway giveaway!

  One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (good for a perfect couple's getaway)
• With Every Letter and On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 2nd. Winner will be announced September 3rd at the "On Distant Shores" Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Weekend Getaway, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at the next book in the Wings of the Nightingale series.

So grab your copy of On Distant Shores and join Sarah on the evening of September 3rd 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. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 3rd!

My review:

I haven't read a book by Sarah Sundin yet that I haven't loved. This one is no exception. While over 400 pages, I still devoured it. She is a master at storytelling and always has an interesting slant to things. In this case the hero was a pharmacist hoping to earn the recognition he felt his profession deserved. The heroine battled fear that often paralyzed her. She was also dealing with emotions surrounding the loss of a friend, and thus, her reason for being there as a flight nurse. I really liked Hutch, the hero. He had his issues, but what man doesn't struggle with human weakness, like the tendency to become proud? He also sounded pretty dreamy. I loved the way his inner dialog sounded so masculine.

This story pulled me in and held my attention to the end. The facts about pharmaceutical compounds and how the hero created medicines was all quite fascinating. The characters had natural emotions and genuine spiritual struggles. Nothing felt stifled or sterilized. The whole issue of rank had to jab at poor Hutch's masculinity. A secondary character, Lucia, was delight to get to know through her interactions with the hero and heroine. I could see why they were so fond of that sweet girl. Georgie, the heroine, had spunk and probably blossomed the most in this story. I admired her wanting to break free from the dependency that her family and the southern culture encouraged. She had guts that emerged from her trials. She had to change the way she thought about herself. It was a great example of God's perspective renewing our minds.

All in all, this was a fabulous story. I was emotionally engaged and loved watching the characters grow stronger in their faith through their many trials. I think one of the things I enjoy most about Sarah's books are the different ways she slides faith-related issues into the story so naturally. They never feel forced or like they were inserted as an afterthought. The author did a great job in the way she showed humility bringing peace and pride bringing nothing but bitterness and discontentment in this novel. Great job! I can't wait to read the third book in this series.

Litfuse Publicity presents Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman (with bonus review!)

Anita Higman's latest novel, Winter in Full Bloom, has just released. She's teamed up with her publisher, River North Fiction, for a fun giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on August 29th.

 
  One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD
• Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th.Winner will be announced August 29th at the Winter in Full Bloom Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Anita will be hosting a book chat, talking about family, announcing the winner of the Kindle Fire, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at her next book.

So grab your copy of Winter in Full Bloom and join Anita on the evening of August 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)


DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 29th!

My review:

This book was amazing. It took me on a wild ride with emotional highs and lows. The story could have been dark had the author not inserted a lot of healing into the story. She did a great job of showing that people need each other and families need communication and closeness. When those relationships rupture due to an inability to forgive, it hurts everyone. The dialog was witty and at times downright precious. The use of Aussie slang made it even more fun. I absolutely adored Marcus. He was a great hero and swoon-worthy because of his endearing qualities.

The story kept me reading because the different underlying conflicts continued to unfold and progress at a good pace. The characters were complex and three-dimensional. The author included a lot of symbolism, like in one instance where bitterness and hatred caused crippling arthritis to the point of making one character wheelchair bound. There were many times the author described a facial expression that told me there was more going on that would be revealed later.

I ended up smiling at the end. Ah, this was such a beautiful and healing story that showed how love always encourages people to deal with their pain/ Love refuses to hold others back from what needs to happen to make their hearts whole again. Well-written and deeply, emotional, I loved everything about this book.

Winter in Full Bloom was published by River North and released in July 2013.

Litfuse Publicity blog tour stop for Anomaly by Krista McGee (with bonus review)

Krista McGee is celebrating the release of Anomaly, the first book in her new YA dystopian series, with an iPad Mini Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A $25 iTunes gift card (download Anomaly to the iPad!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 31st. Winner will be announced at Krista's website on August 2nd.

Spread the word about Krista and her giveaway HERE!

My review:

I don't typically read books in this genre, though it's kind of funny that I've read two in the past month. I really enjoyed this story for a number of reasons. I think it's cool how the author used a dystopian and futuristic world to show the importance of what God created and how altering the divine order in our lives makes us a bunch of clones of each other. We all need a purpose for our lives and given the right conditions, we will all, at some point, long for something better. We all make choices that make us who we are. Without emotion and love, we have nothing. Since God is love, it all ties together. I found the way the author tied that all together quite fascinating. I would consider this a high concept novel, though the concept if firmly based in a Christian worldview.

I appreciated the deep point of view used by the author to show deception and how putting our hope in something that isn't real is kind of like falling in love with our sin. In the end it leaves us feeling emptier...worse than before. I saw Dr. Loudin as not just an antagonist, but also a "satan" figure in that his goal is not only to get the character to believe the deception, but he was willing to not only mess with her mind and her emotions, but destroy her soul to accomplish that. Very profound stuff. And the way the biblical truths were presented to the characters was emotionally moving. The way they were willing to sacrifice their lives for each other was also very touching. The insight and sense of a higher purpose because of the teaching they received from John touched my heart. The ending left me anticipating the next book. I can't wait to see what this author cooks up for book two.

Revell blog tour stop for Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate by Diana Wallis Taylor (with bonus review)

About the book:

Claudia's life did not start easily. The illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, Claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, who hates Julia, takes the throne, Claudia is wrenched away from her mother to be brought up in the palace in Rome. The young woman is adrift-until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea, Claudia does what she has always done: she makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find peace and rest in the teaching of the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?

Readers will be whisked through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as they follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts. Diana Wallis Taylor combines her impeccable research with her flair for drama and romance to craft a tale worthy of legend.

My review:

Wonderful story! I am a huge fan of Biblical fiction regardless. If it's emotionally evocative and has scenes from the scriptures in it, I love it even more. This is probably Taylor's best book. I used to think it was Journey to the Well, but I think this book tops even that one. I love reading books about ancient Rome. Getting an up-close look at the Romans during that time is always fascinating to me. The emperors of the day were corrupt and self-serving. I can only imagine what being a woman during that time period would be like. Goodness, it would be a huge bummer to have no say in your life.

I appreciated how the author made Claudia and Lucius's story a love match. Yes, it was an arranged marriage, but they were both pleasantly surprised when they met. I loved how that all played out. There was a strong side to Pilate, and a side that was tender and loving. The sad part came when he saw himself as a defeated man. I felt bad for Claudia. She did what she could to support him as a loving wife should. The ending had a nice love twist to it. I appreciated that a lot, so the story didn't end on a sad note. I was happy for Claudia and her son.

Without posting a spoiler, I'll just tell you that a number of times this book brought tears to my eyes because some of the scenes were so well-written I forgot I was reading a book. I really, really loved it. Therefore, it's making my favorite fiction list for 2013.

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


Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate was published by Revell and released in June 2013.

Litfuse Publicity blog tour stop for Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter (with bonus review!)

Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers.

 “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.

Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

My review:

This author sure knows how to pack emotion, tender moments, and passion within the pages of each book she writes. I loved this book. It was compelling and interesting. I appreciated how there were so many lessons about secrets, forgiveness, and knowing God in a personal way inserted into the story line. I also loved how the author showed that a relationship with the living Savior does change the way someone lives their life and eventually people who long for similar peace will seek the same relationship.

The romance was delectable. I adored the hero. He was very heroic and delightful. The way he sacrificed his time to help Madison was admirable. I loved how he taught her to swim so she wouldn't be so afraid to be on the water. The tension was tastefully written, but palpable and intense at the same time. There was true love going on within the pages of this book. It flowed smoothly and naturally and I had a hard time putting it down once I got wrapped up in the story.

Litfuse Publicity blog tour stop for Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer (with bonus review!)

Karen Witemeyer is "kindling" the excitement for Stealing the Preacher (Bethany House) with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at her June 18th Facebook Author Chat Party!

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at 4pm on June 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Stealing the Preacher" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 18th. Connect with Karen for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Karen will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Stealing the Preacher and join Karen on the evening of June 18th 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 18th!

My review:

I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet and tender romance with a character I'd gotten to know previously in Short-Straw Bride. I'll admit, I adore the Archer boys, so I was excited about reading this book. It wasn't quite as enthralling as the last story, but it was spiritually deep and brought tears to my eyes toward the end. That mess with Holly had me holding my breath, too.

The story was filled with themes of doing the right thing and the importance of being honest in every way. A little deception is still deception, and coming clean before God and man is good for the soul. I also liked the emphasis on the power of prayer and listening to God's voice in your heart. Those are all decent lessons for any good story. The author just made them more fun because of her lovable characters.

Stealing the Preacher's core themes were the importance of listening to God, being patient, and being willing to allow God to direct your steps. I appreciated the spiritual aspects of the story most of all. But I also adored Crockett as the hero and the love he felt for Joanna because of her caring heart and her desire to serve others. He treasured that more than just her pretty face. I thought that was a wonderful theme as well.

I believe this story illustrates very well how good men want someone who will be partner for life in all ways, and that woman needs to be someone they admire. That's an admirable message for aspiring young single ladies who want to win a good man's devotion. Flirtation and temptation are not the ways to accomplish that end. Very well done.

Litfuse Publicity blog tour stop for Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck (with bonus review!)

Rachel Hauck is celebrating the release of Once Upon a Prince with a fun "Royal Wedding" Giveaway and connecting with readers at her May 28th Facebook Party.

One "royal" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 27th. Winner will be announced at the "Once Upon a Prince" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 28th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of book chat, wedding trivia, laughter, and more! Rachel will also be sharing a sneak peek at the next book in the series and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Once Upon a Prince and join Rachel on the evening of May 28th 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 28th!

My review:

There were a few things I enjoyed about this story, but much of the plot seemed to drone on and on about a kingdom that is fictitious and not very exciting. For me, it felt like a different author wrote this book than the author who wrote other stories I've really enjoyed. The cover is beautiful, but it gives the reader an impression that isn't what the story is actually about. I don't want to post a spoiler, so I'll be vague, but it did create some disappointment in me as a reader. I hate to even say this, but in the end, I wasn't satisfied with the story. I found myself skimming the pages. The tension between them just didn't feel real to me. I saw what the author was trying to do and there were a few sweet moments between them, but for the most part it fell flat. Maybe it was edited to death and the heart was taken out of the story? I dunno.

I think what bugged me most was the story simply felt like a knockoff mixture of "The Prince and Me" and "The Princess Diaries." In fact, much of the plot even felt the same including his janitorial job at the restaurant and his body guards that he tried to leave behind so he could enjoy some "normal" activities. I kept picturing Julia Stiles while I read this book. Then when similar events took place like the paparazzi finding them after spending the night alone, it confirmed things for me. Only the difference in this book was the couple prayed and worshiped God all night long. So it was a Christian knockoff, but still a knockoff. The author is a good writer and I've enjoyed other stories she has written. This one just didn't do it for me.

I suspect the publisher and marketing department had some influence in the way the book was presented, so I won't fault the author for that. The author is a sweet person and I like her a lot, so I feel bad even saying anything at all. It's just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth... which isn't much.

Litfuse blog tour stop for Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney (with bonus review!)

Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}

 
One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th 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 30th!

My review:

I love books that make me think. This is the types of novel that leaves you pondering things even after you finish the last page. I really liked how the story ended because it brought closure to everything. I also appreciated the realistic struggles that the hero and heroine had. This author does a good job with stirring emotion in the reader and making hearts ache as well as rejoice. There were just enough "we think we've found out what happened" scenarios to make it seem suspenseful, even though it wasn't a suspense novel. There was also a mystery element to the book. It would be hard to sit around waiting when the trail seems to grow colder by the day.

The questions Mitch asked himself were legitimate ones. How do you know when it's time to let go? How do you get peace in a situation like this? Why did God let it happen and why did it take so long to find out the truth? Well, God knows what he's doing and if we tune into His will, we will find peace and a deeper relationship with Him, but we have to surrender our own plans first. It's really hard to talk about some of the characters' journeys without posting spoilers and this is the kind of book that you don't want to cheat and read the end first.

Half the beauty of reading the story is not knowing the outcome. The moral and spiritual dilemmas are more complex when the reader doesn't know the future... just like in real life. How many decisions would we change if we knew what the future held? It was a realistic and touching journey for me in that respect. I really enjoyed this story.

Litfuse blog tour stop for Pastors' Wives by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen (with bonus review!)

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is celebrating the release of her debut novel, Pastors' Wives, with an iPad Mini Giveaway and connecting with readers on Facebook on May 23rd!

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A $25 iTunes gift card

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Pastors' Wives" Author Chat Party on May 23rd. Connect with Lisa for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Lisa will also be giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Pastors' Wives and join Lisa on the evening of May 23rd 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 23rd!

My review:

Not sure what to say about this book, but I'll do my best to express my thoughts and opinion. It was definitely interesting for the most part, but there were a few places I skimmed because the content was a bit blah. The story had some touching scenes, especially around the death of Ruthie's mother. At the same time, there were realistic doubts and conflicts between characters. I found that refreshing and honest. Everything wasn't painted as rosy and perfect. That's not real life. 

There was some harsh language, but it tended to be mainly in the thoughts of the one pastor's wife who didn't believe in God, so she wouldn't filter her thoughts or clean them up anyway. It was hard to tell if the author of this book sees the church as a do-good charity type organization where people had good intentions - well, at least some of them - because at the same time she portrayed some of the characters as solidly religious, almost like they were crafty, narrow minded, or stupid - like blind sheep who followed power hungry people. Some of them just plain scared me because they were so controlling and hateful.

Even the Bible verses quoted by characters were in King James English. I don't know many people who read that version anymore because it's too hard to understand. Plus, usually when the verses were quoted, it was to make a point or to control someone through religious guilt. The fact that the core church in the book was a bit weird with the rock band, smoke machines, and dancing in the aisles, not to mention the ministry focused on "all religions leading to the same God," was a bit off-putting. Most churches are not in favor of a "one world religion" and are not filled with con artists. Then again, maybe I've just attended good ones where the focus is on growing closer to each other as a community, serving others, and loving the same Jesus.

Anyway, all that to say I wouldn't recommend this book. I never really connected with the characters. They felt shallow to me. I wanted to feel their pain and to connect with them. I understood their desire to run away at times and how they often felt abandoned by their husbands, but I never really "felt" a true connection with them. I wanted to relate to them like real people who could be my friends, but I just wasn't feeling it. 

Litfuse Publicity blog tour stop for It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist (with bonus review!)

Deeanne Gist is celebrating the release of It Happened at the Fair with an iPad Mini Giveaway and a Live Author Chat Webcast event {5/22}!

  One "fair" winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A $25 iTunes gift card

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 21st. Winner will be announced at the "It Happened at the Fair" Live Webcast Event on May 22nd. Connect with Deeanne for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deeanne will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of It Happened at the Fair and join Deeanne and friends on the evening of May 22nd 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 22nd!

My review:

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this story and the pictures the author included. The emotional bonding that took place between characters over various incidents that occurred at the fair was well done. I appreciated the insight the author had into a number of issues. One had to do with how the belief in someone's abilities and admiration of them as a person will increase their feelings for each other. Especially men. They want the woman they are attracted to also believe in them as a person and what they can do, not just the length of time they had known each other. That makes for a stronger kind of love; one that leads to a passionate marriage rather than just a comfortable one.

The hero, Cullen, was very likable, but also quite manly. The description of his physique was quite hot, actually. I enjoyed how the author used the need for him to learn how to lip read as a way to meet the woman he became attracted to and make it difficult for him to learn from her by putting them in a number of private situations. That was great when it came to developing tension between them. His fierce protectiveness of her made me love him more. He was a good guy and cared deeply about a number of things, including loyalty. One of his most intense issues was his need to put out fires to save lives. He got to the point where he had to rely on God to see him through some tough issues. I loved that he grieved along with Della during a tragic time at the fair. It helped bond them even more. That was very well done.

The heroine, Della, was a sweetheart as well. The way her feelings slowly developed for the hero was touching. The scene with the little girl in her class was a tear-jerker, but it really made Della think about what the kids experienced from being separated from their parents. Della had her own frailties, but she was a tough lady. Her response to seeing the hero's buff physique made me smile. I felt like I was touching those ripped muscles. And that first kiss... whew! Great romantic tension. She got a bit skittish at times when she felt like she couldn't trust him, but she came around and that made me admire her more. Very enjoyable story.

Revell blog tour stop for When A Secret Kills by Lynette Eason (with bonus review!)

About the book:

Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do--ferret out the truth and expose it. Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago--and Jillian watched it happen. Didn't she?

Not even the enigmatic and attractive Colton Brady, her ex-boyfriend and nephew of the killer, will be able to make her leave this alone. Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to an explosive series.

My review:

Having read the other two books in the Deadly Reunions series prior to this one, I wondered how it would all wrap up. I ended up being very satisfied with the outcome. All three books were excellent and had enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading suspense novels as much as I did this series. There was a faith element that was skillfully planted into the plot as well. Of course, most people fearing for their lives will suddenly pray, "help me, God" but there was more to the story that impulsive cries for divine assistance.

There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing. Toward the end I figured out what happened, but I loved that the author kept planting more issues that clouded everything as the mystery unfolded. This was a complex story with enough terrifying scenes to keep a reader biting their nails. The author has mastered the "think about what needs to happen and make it worse" concept and implemented it well. I have only high praises for this series and this book. I enjoyed the destination that concluded this journey.

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

Litfuse blog tour stop for Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd (with bonus review!)

Sarah Ladd is celebrating the release of The Heiress of Winterwood with a Downton Abbey Kindle Prize Pack Giveaway!

 One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Downton Abbey, seasons 1-3

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 30th. Winner will be announced on 5/2/13 {HERE}.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

My review: 

The Heiress of Winterwood was interesting enough for me to read in less than two days. It had the typical 1800s intrigue often found in novels about England during that time period. There was a dashing captain, who was very heroic and likable, and then there was Amelia, who had many good qualities as well. She did the usual annoying things like putting herself in danger by not listening when told to stay put. A lot of the elements were predictable, but it was still an enjoyable read.

I loved how you weren't quite sure who the bad guy was in the end and how a few people turned out to have ulterior motives that you didn't see coming. In essence, this was like a historical mystery because of the plot elements. But I did love the romance between the main characters. What started out as a practical plan that the hero resisted ended up being the thing that pulled their hearts toward each other. And he was very tender toward his baby. Gotta love a man who is soft around any child, even if it's his own.

The core spiritual theme had to do with not trying to fix things ourselves or solve problems in our own strength. That's always a good element and core theme for a story. The issue of learning to let go and trust God was demonstrated throughout the conflict. While not an overpowering theme, it was subtle, yet present. I didn't connect as much to the characters as I would have liked, but it was still a good story.