E-book sale: 99 cents for The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz

Download the e-book of The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz for only 99 cents!

Synopsis

Lovely but tough as nails, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills. But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself--and the power of grace and redemption.

This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman. Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.

(E-book sales are for a limited time so double-check the price before purchasing)

Free e-book: While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

Download While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin for free on e-book!

Synopsis

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war. And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war-torn Hungary.

But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse. Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected--and ultimately discovering truths about God's love...even when He is silent.

Review! Kindle Giveaway! Facebook Party! All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

She's written a recipe for her future, but does it include love?
Katherine 'Kat' Varland is a small town girl, born and raised- and every day, her dreams of owning her own bakery get further away. She has no money, and the cupcake shop she bakes for, Sweetie Pies, seems to get smaller and smaller. Kat might be the sweetheart of Bayou Bend, Louisiana, but she longs to make a name for herself where she can flourish as Kat- not as the girl baking someone else's recipes.
As head coach for the Bayou Bend championship high school football team, Lucas Brannen is used to winning- everything except his best friend's heart. He finally gathers the courage to make a gesture and show Kat his feelings by signing her up for the popular reality TV show Cupcake Combat. But his plan backfires after he realizes the cash prize for the winner also includes a one-year baking contract at one of New York City's most famous pastry houses.
The situation grows sticky when Kat enlists Lucas's help as her baking assistant for the show. Lucas is torn between helping Kat live her dream and selfishly wanting to keep her in town. His plan has always been a dozen acres of land and a farmhouse in Bayou Bend- but Kat is blinded by the stars in her eyes.
Will Lucas and Kat risk their chance at love in order to achieve their individual dreams? Or will they find that sometimes the most delicious happily-ever-afters begin and end in the same place?

My Review

I love stories where best friends fall in love! It's fascinating to see how a relationship makes the shift from friends to more-than-friends. There is plenty of angst from both of the main characters as neither realize that the other feels ready to move forward... which sometimes became repetitive when they would continue to hold each other at arms length and fail to communicate. I don't enjoy watching reality shows, but that aspect of the plot was well-written and kept things exciting. The personalities of Kat and Lucas were both likeable so it was fun to follow their drama and see how things would end up.

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Don't miss Betsy St. Amant's latest fiction release, All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes. A "sweet" tale of two best friends and the choices they make between dreams and a possible "sure thing," St. Amant's novel is sure to satisfy your romantic-fiction craving.

Betsy is celebrating with a fun Kindle giveaway and a Love & Cupcakes Facebook party! One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle
• All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Love & Cupcakes" Author Chat Party on 9/18. Betsy will be hosting a "sweet" book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at her next book project!

So grab your copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes and join Betsy on the evening of September 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!

Review: Tried and True by Mary Connealy

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

Synopsis

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister—and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk—they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”—but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.
Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

My Review

This is a classic Mary Connealy western with the humor, adventure and depth she's known for, but the characters and plot are still fresh and unique. Even though Kylie longs to abandon her role as a man and immerse herself in femininity and civilization, she is not a weak character. There are several layers to this tough pioneer woman that unfold as the story progresses. She ultimately learns that by embracing her womanhood she can accept what blessings God has in store for her life. We are also introduced to her sisters which will each have their own novel in the series. Even though they couldn't be more different, you can tell there is a strong sisterly bond between them as they unconditionally support each other. As one of four sisters myself I could totally relate! It was so interesting to learn about women who served as soldiers in the Civil War. I'm really looking forward to reading the experiences of Kylie's sisters.

It's always amusing to read the perspectives of the men in Mary's books- it vividly shows the difference in thinking between men and women, with humorous results :) Aaron is a big strong man with integrity and honor... and a total sweetheart inside, even when he's pushing Kylie's buttons. There are several secondary characters with distinct personalities that played a strong role in this book and we'll likely learn more about them in the coming novels... which I can't wait for!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)