Monday, August 25, 2014

Book Blast and $50 Amazon Giveaway: For Love and Country by Elizabeth D. Michaels


Horstberg saga  
For Love and Country
For Love and Country When A Man Is Torn Between Honoring His Country And The Woman He Loves, The Best Option Might Be To Choose Both.   When Maggie du Woernig willfully ignores her parents’ admonitions and entangles herself with Nik Koenig, she is certain he’s the only man who will make her happy. Blind to Nik’s real intentions, she throws herself recklessly into a situation that could not only destroy her life but compromise the safety of her country.   Han Heinrich has resigned himself to working in the castle stables, mostly as an excuse to have contact each day with Maggie. His aspirations for a more fulfilling career seem fruitless, in spite of his father’s position as the duke’s highest advisor. But when Han learns about Maggie’s precarious situation, he is willing to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves, and to save the country he would die for. He only hopes that someday Maggie will forgive him.
Purchase your copy:
  Praise for The Horstberg Saga: I completely enjoyed this book. The character development is fantastic. The author has a great sense of emotional storytelling that wraps you into the story as if you know,and can fully relate to the characters. This is the kind of story that touches the heart and the spirit. Well done. I look forward to the next chapter in the Horstberg Saga. This book kept me so interested, I had a hard time putting it down. Suspense, love without smut, emotions that so relate to everyday life. This author touched on it all. Such in depth understanding of human emotions with the characters. Firstly, I loved that this was a VOLUME! And what a great story to really sink my teeth into and get settled in with for more than just one sitting! Well written and thoroughly satisfying.
   Elizabeth 
Author Elizabeth D. Michaels Elizabeth D. Michaels began writing at the age of sixteen, immersing herself ever since in the lives created by her vivid imagination. Beyond her devotion to family and friends, writing has been her passion for nearly three decades. While she has more than fifty published novels under the name Anita Stansfield and is the recipient of many awards, she boldly declares The Horstberg Saga as the story she was born to write, with many volumes in the works. She is best known for her keen ability to explore the psychological depths of human nature, bringing her characters to life through the timeless struggles they face in the midst of exquisite dramas.

 
BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/26/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Free e-book! The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport


The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Freebie alert! Download the e-book of  The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport for free! 

(I've read the second book in this series but didn't enjoy it because the main character was too flawed for my taste... but I'm hoping to be able to give a higher rating to this book!)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago's rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work--and the classes she is secretly taking at the newly opened University of Chicago. When she meets an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World's Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family's expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is? 

Readers will love being swept away into a world of mansions, secrets, and romance as they follow Lucy through the streets of the Windy City during one of the most exciting times in the city's history. From opulent upper-class homes to the well-worn rooms of an orphanage, Olivia Newport breathes life and romance into the pages of history--and everyone is invited.


Quilts of Love | A GRAND DESIGN – Kindle HDX Giveaway & “Fall into Fall” Facebook Party!

I'm currently reading this book so I'll post my review soon... in the meantime, check out the great giveaway and join the facebook party event!


Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, A Grand Design by Amber Stockton. Who hasn't struggled to let painful memories go and move into God's healing? You’ll be sure to love this heartfelt and encouraging tale set on historic Mackinac Island.

Celebrate August’s release by entering to win a Kindle from Quilts of Love and RSVPing for the "Fall into Fall" Facebook auth chat party.


Quilts of Love Kindle HDX Giveaway, Amber Stockton, A Grand Design

  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle HDX
  • A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
  • Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 16th. Winner will be announced at the "Fall into Fall" Facebook party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll. RSVP for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!

'Clear Your Shelf' Giveaway Hop!

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer! I gave this book 5 stars- read my review here. Be sure to visit the other websites in the linky below to enter to win more free books!



<!-- end LinkyTools script –>

Monday, August 18, 2014

E-book sale: From This Day Forward by Margaret Daley


From This Day Forward by Margaret Daley

Only 99 cents for the e-book of From This Day Forward by Margaret Daley!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Penniless, pregnant, and newly widowed immigrant Rachel Gordon doesn't believe her situation could get any worse...until she meets her new neighbors. Shortly after the War of 1812, Rachel and her husband set out from England for a plantation in South Carolina, which he had purchased sight unseen. However, while en route, Tom Gordon fell overboard and drowned, leaving Rachel, frightened and alone, to make a home for her and her newborn. Can a battle-scarred American physician who comes to her rescue also heal her wounded heart?

Friday, August 15, 2014

Review: The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton


The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance. 

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?


My Review

Wow. This book definitely lives up to its rave reviews and exceeded my expectations! It has all the elements I love in a great historical novel- strong romance, fascinating history, suspense and anticipation throughout the book to keep the pace moving. I had not known about the lost state of Franklin and the early American politics surrounding it, and combined with the turbulent Native American dynamic, I was biting my nails! The characters are so vibrant- it was easy to envision each one. The author balanced out all the elements superbly and I didn't feel that any part of the novel was lacking. The ending was tied together beautifully and completely.

Other authors who have books in the same genre and quality that I'd recommend are Jody Hedlund and Amber Perry- all the books I've read of theirs have been 5 stars for me and definitely worth paying full price. (I noticed that the Kindle price of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn is only $7.99 right now- a great deal!)

(Thank you to WaterBrook Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Review: Sense and Sensibility: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison


Sense and Sensibility: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Which is the key to love—passion or sensibility? Sensible Elly and romantic Maren are sisters trying to hold their family together in the wake of their father’s bankruptcy and death. As both unexpectedly encounter the madness and misadventures of love, they find out what true happiness means. This modern reimagining of the Jane Austen favorite will capture your heart all over again.

My Review

What a fresh retelling of Sense and Sensibility! The author did a great job translating the trials of 19th century England to some that readers could definitely relate to in our day. Maren's mental instability was fascinating to read, how she coped with her depression in different ways and her perspective of the professional help she received. Elly's developing relationship with Ethan was sweet, but frustrating since he was not committing 100%. The youngest sister in this version is not a child but a young woman with autism. Something that I appreciated was the addressing throughout the novel of the very real grief that the girls felt over the death of their father. The settings and dialogue were realistic and contemporary, yet the Austen-esque storyline was definitely recognizable, and it was fun making comparisons between the two. The characters are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as Mormons), but the references are very basic and it has the same feel as other Christian fiction novels. I'd feel comfortable recommending it to members of any denomination.

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)